Great Public Art

The only thing I love more than great public art is great GERMAN public art.

Artist Horst Glaskar painted these 112 steps in Wuppertal, Germany. Each one has a different emotion associated with relationships stenciled on it. How sweet is that? Plus, it makes quite a visual statement. Would that be an awesome location for a photo shoot? Check out that site to see other colourful installations by the artist!!

Also, I've been intrigued lately by the art of Aakash Nihalani. He specializes in creating three dimensional objections out of tape in public spaces, but also in gallery shows. I love how the shapes have that shifting quality where you can look at the same thing with a different eye and it will change it's orientation. Also, the fact that 3D boxes and shapes are actually the ONLY thing I can draw, I thought "heck I can make shapes out of tape". It's the idea that counts though.

Check out his work here and here.

-DUNN

Furniture, Continued.

Sorry about the obsessive posts about mid century furniture, but I couldn't resist sharing these beauties.

In case you haven't noticed, all of the above chairs are MINI versions of the originals. Wouldn't they make great office accessories? I could see them all lined up along a traditional style mantle piece. Found here.

ALSO, I've been obsessed with this couch by Doshi Levien.

It reminds me of a classic Airstream travel trailer. Modern, clean lines. Tailored pillows, industrial legs. Vision of perfection.

-DUNN

Platform Bench

Lets take a trip back to the Herman Miller site, where those fantastic Eames chairs can be found (Update: The chairs in the library are in fact legit Eames).

The Platform Bench by George Nelson is another one of those classic designs that will last forever. We're talking about a multipurpose, neutral, quality piece of furniture here. Designed in 1947. Originals (if you can find them) retail for over $700.

So let's say you've fallen in love with this piece but can't afford it (let's hope this commerce degree will enable me to afford it). What would you do?

How about build an exact replica out of Lego?

Isn't this sweet couple genius? Check out what they had to say about the project and pictures of the Lego bench in use here.

-DUNN

Stairway To...Nowhere?

Designed by Olafur Eliasson for the KPMG building in Munich.

I guess accountants deserve to be surrounded by intriguing installations too.

I don't know why I was drawn to this piece.

Maybe the metaphorical reference to life--on going, through the ups and downs?

Maybe it was the "climb on me" aspect of the installation...

-DUNN

Don't Worry, Be Happy

float away.

-DUNN

Ask Yourself.

-DUNN

I Found You//You Found Me

Looks like DUNN has a kindred soul at our University! As I was leaving the library, something caught my eye that looked a little out of place. As it turns out, it was a CD left for the sole purpose of being found.

The note inside reads: "Hello! My name is Eller M. If you found this CD then guess what? It's yours! To keep! It's full of songs that I hope you will enjoy in the spring weather. Roll the car windows down for #7, ask somebody to dance to #11 or just listen to it all alone, eyes closed."

Lovely!

-WONG

Time Is A Tickin'

In the spirit of finals & time management issues I thought I'd share this special clock:

Designed by Biegert & Funk from Germany, Qlock Two consists of a glass or synthetic front panel that is lit up from behind to spell out the time in words.

This beauty of a clock can be yours for approximately $1200 CAD.

I personally prefer the purple option.

-DUNN

The End is Near

To celebrate the end of term (and the end of business school for WONG) I'm dedicating this post to the daunting task of clearing my desktop. Below are the best of the best.

desktop clutter/links:

• sweet hanging banners
• who doesn't love a good photo booth?
• guerrilla art lovin'
• (read the album description, then look at the photographs)
• for the photoshop nerd
• party times

Now get back to work, y'all.

-DUNN

Pritzker Prize 2010

The Pritzker Prize is Architecture's most distinguished award, inaugurated to honor "a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture." The 2010 prize has been awarded to Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, partners in the firm SANAA.

Their designs define a clean, modern, sustainable aesthetic. Throughout all their years of work together, the results have been harmonious and carry a fluidity few architects can claim.

This is only the second time The Pritzker has been awarded jointly. I think this instance serves to highlight the importance of professional, artistic collaboration and the many great things that result.

-WONG

SXC.HU

The Easter Bunny made an appearance when I was out doing field research for geography today.

Seriously.

Now for the tip of the day...

If you are ever in need of large format, free, non-copyrighted images, visit http://www.sxc.hu/, make an account, and then proceed to download happily forever and ever.

-DUNN

ABC in 3D

Continuing on with the subject of pop-up books, I would like to feature a personal favourite by Marion Bataille called 'ABC3D.'

This book is a favourite for a number of reasons. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing in a minimalist format, ABC3D adds the element of interaction to the mix. It encourages the user to play with shape, interpretation and perception. Crossing the divide between everyday coffee table art books and its subject matter- it itself becomes art.

-WONG

POPVILLE

For as long as I can remember, I have been enchanted by pop-up books. It's the appeal of the third dimension of the story which pop-ups add.

I stumbled upon the pop-up book 'POPVILLE' this morning. Not only does it have beautiful pop-ups, but it appeals to my inner urban planning nerd.

(Photos and description found here)

The city as a living body that is born, develops and differentiate its buildings and functions: from the very first nucleus (an isolated church among the trees in the countryside) to the huge metropolis crowded with streets, pylons, factories and stations.

Popville is a pop-up book in which each page corresponds to a moment of the city development. Some urban and landscape elements remain constant references for the growth of the city, while others simply disappear and make place to new ones.

What lasts is the steady stream of occasions and possibilities which, in the book just like in reality, remain unpredictable till the moment of turning the page.

A funny book to be flicked through, unexpected in its simplicity: Popville is a vivid and faithful translation of the living course of a city. Anouck Boisrobert and Louis Rigaud graduated at the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Strasbourg. Popville is their first book. Joy Sorman is author of novels published in France by Gallimard.

-DUNN

Camera Obscura

I thought I'd follow your lead and go in the "I'm too busy to blog, so I'll post a song" route.

I love these guys.

This song makes me want to gallivant around europe wearing my Ray Bans and trench-coat.

-DUNN