art, somewhere in between New York and Tokyo

While we’re on the topic of websites, check out this amusing site for scope mouthwash. It prompts you to either breathe into your microphone, or enter whatever you just ate for lunch. I entered Parisienne Mac-n-Cheese (Creamy Brie, roasted figs, roasted shiitake mushrooms & fresh rosemary from S’mac) and the guy threw up…

Last weekend I went to check out super cool Olafur Eliason’s exhibit, “take your time” (I will do what I like with my time, thank you) at the Moma. And yes, it was incredible. But while I was there I also checked out “Design and the Elastic Mind.” And then I discovered this amazing online exhibition! People are doing such rad things with the web these days.

I saw it once… then I saw it again. Do I smell a summer trend? I swear that one day during the summer I will make an attempt to pull this off. I’m not guaranteeing it will look good, but I will make the attempt!

image from Paul Stuart’s show window courtesy of The Sartorialist

Jude Law on the June 2008 cover of Japanese fashion mag UOMO

I was inspired by this scarf by Japanese designer Wakako Kita (yes, appearing in ICFF).

I love playful scarves like this. Sort of like this one from Mike & Chris.

also representing Japan at the ICFF is Shunichiro Nakashima and his nostalgic (and playful?) accessories.

(images courtesy of gallery deux poissons)

What an elegantly simple design by Kyouei, appearing in the ICFF this weekend!

Wow, so much is going on! Even though I’m still going over all the magnificent work that was exhibited during Brooklyn Designs last weekend, the ICFF is approaching oh so quickly… quickly as in this weekend!

I’m really proud of all the Japanese designers that are making their way over this year. I think this year has the potentialcould be mistaken but this year could be the strongest showing from the Japanese! Here are some things to look forward to.

HIDA
These are a collection of works actually designed by the Italian designer Enzo Mari, and crafted by Japanese production company HIDA.

HIDA actually refers to an ancient Japanese society of wood-working artisans who were commissioned by the government to construct various temples and other architectural buildings. In other words, a 1300-year old art of wood-working that has been passed down through the ages…that is pretty awesome.

I just love this verse by U.K. doodler Andre Jordan. His other work reminds me of a less-twisted David Shrigley, who I absolutely adore!

(via notcot)

Before I head out for the weekend, I need to get something off my chest. It’s my obsession with coral prints, especially antique-styled. So in an attempt to puke it all out I’m doing a coral print extravaganza.
So here are the prints…

from left to right: Esper Coral Print ($135), Black Coral Print ($195), Coral Print by Pretre ($75)

And here are the print/motif inspired housewares…

from left to right: Botanical Coral Silk Twill Pillows ($98), sea life lumbar pillow cover ($39), inhabit coral pillow ($60)

From left to right: coral chair by Ton Haas, oly coral armchair, hand-printed linen chair ($1,695)

left to right: coral dinner plate set ($36), oversize coral chandelier (unfortunately, no longer available)

…aaah, now I feel much better! Have a happy happy weekend!!

These images from Italian architecture magazine Abitare are some of the most terrifying I have ever seen. But I must say that the aesthetic of the magazine is quite beautiful, don’t you think? I found myself staring at these images a long time, partly because of the fear-factor, but also because they were so intriguing.

Click for high-res images.

The bldgblog has a really good write-up on the portaledge from an architectural perspective.

(images courtesy of Abitare)

I think the reason we find ourselves attracted to the portaledge is the same reason that, as kids, we loved the idea of a tree house; a physical extension of your dwelling in a location where normally it could not exist. Of course, the whole side-of-a-mountain thing adds an entirely new level of excitement to it!

(via bldgblog)