Posts from — August 2007

We’ve received numerous emails from people asking for a summary of art/design events that are going on in New York and Tokyo. I’m proud to say that we have responded to that request by establishing a weekly column that we like to call, “Noteworthy Happenings.” We’ve hand picked what we feel are the cream of the crop in terms of events worth jotting down on your calendar. We can’t promise weekly postings but we’ll try!

NEW YORK CITY

8/20 (Monday) – Summer Film Festival at Bryant Park
The free summer film festival concludes with a Hitchcock classic, Psycho.
5:00pm–11:00pm | Bryant Park – The Lawn | Free

Through 8/25 (Saturday) – 21 Positions
This group photography show has gotten quite a bit of buzz in New York. Check out the contemporary Austrian photographers tackling themes such as change, obsession, and seduction. It’s at the Austrian Cultural Forum and closes this Saturday!
10:00am-6:00pm | Austrian Cultural Forum | Free

TOKYO

8/24 (Friday) – Good Design Awards 2007
For 1000 yen, the Good Design Awards are open to the public. Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’s only comprehensive organization for evaluating and promoting design. Click here for a sample of this year’s nominees.
8/24 – 26 | 24th 6pm-9pm, 25th 10am-9pm, 26th 10am-4pm | Tokyo Big Site | 1000 yen

Through 8/25 (Saturday) – Daido Moriyama’s exhibition “Hawaii” at the Taka Ishii Gallery
Daido Moriyama’s  photography is quite beautiful. He is primarily known for his stark photos that depict post-war Japan and the deconstruction of traditional culture and values as western influence poured into the small island. The show closes this Sat. Catch it while you still can!
Through 8/25 | 12pm-7pm| Taka Ishii Gallery | Free

Dwell  (not to be confused with the contemporary housing magazine ) gave us a sneak peak at their new line of baby toys set to debut in November 2007 (just in time for Christmas!). Included in the collection of soft snugglies are some adorable magnetic stuffed animals, soft building blocks, and soft stacking rings.

There has been a huge comeback recently in craftwork. This appears to be the new trend in the design world. This Apple Jacket is a perfect example! It’s supposed to protect your fruit that you carry around in your bag. Although I would probably buy it simply because it’s adorable! Rose and Radish was carrying it but after being recently featured in the New York Times they apparently sold out.

Truck Furniture  is a furniture design company started by design duo (and husband-wife) Norihiko Kinose and Hiromi Karatsu. The 2 founded their design studio in 1997 and have slowly been growing their business with some very simple and stylish furniture. The overall style is very consistent with the Japanese aesthetic with an emphasis on organic, yet refined, shapes and lines.

                    Furniture from TRUCK

                    Coffee Table from TRUCK

The wife, Hiromi Karatsu, also has a partnered design studio called Shirokumasha, which she began with her sister. They create intimate and charming items  like leather wallets and bags.

 
Shirokumasha card holder and coasters

Shirokumasha bags

 
(Photo by John Ellis)

I really like the layout of this room that I found in California Home & Design . A good way to mix-up your traditional dining table would be to put a bench against a wall and slide the table up against the bench! I also like these transparent chairs by Christophe Pillet . They go for 225 Euro at Design-Conscious in the UK.  The suspended glass lamp by Alison Berger  is also quite gorgeous, and compliments the cement flooring nicely (that’s right, cement flooring…pretty nice!). Etched into the glass is translated prose from DaVinci’s journal. The etchings are projected onto surrounding walls when illuminated…wow!

medidiana chair

word lamp

It’s cloudy, hot and humid here in New York and I figured the only way to brighten my day was to post these gorgeous wallpaper panels from Rocket St. George, one of my favorite websites. They have all sorts of neat products but these in particular stand out for me!

Given the significant price tag (about $2,200), these pieces of art are definitely on the list for my fantasy room. I think they would look terrific hung from a high ceiling and acting as a focal point.

Urban Archaeology has a great collection of lighting in all styles. But my particular favorites are the industrial-style lightings. Rather than designing a room from floor to ceiling with an industrial look, my personal preference would be to use one of these pieces juxtaposed against a victorian or country-style room. I wasn’t able to find any examples of such a room but if I ever come across some I’ll be sure to post them!

Although Camper Shoes have existed since around 1975, their store didn’t hit SoHo until around 2000. I frequently make my way in, not only to see the shoes, known for their playful designs and unexpected materials, but also for the store’s interior. I came across the amazing dome lights that hang above their shoes at German lighting designer Ingo Maurer.

Their catalog has some other unique lighting fixtures. I particularly like the piece which can be turned, bent or stretched, according to the user’s liking; appropriatly titled, “Birds Birds Birds.”

There’s something about old-world calligraphy and penmanship that I’m attracted to. Maybe it’s the influx of electronic communication that has had a dire waning effect on handwritten letters and postcards. Or maybe I’m just just jealous because my handwriting is so bad. Either way, I cam across this calligrapher who has some gorgeous styles. Her name is Betsy Dunlap and you can access her website to contact her.

I think it would look really spectacular if you had her design a return-address stamp, an embossing stamp, or if you’re bold enough, maybe even a tattoo!