Monthly Archives: November 2011

Can you make out the figures in these vibrant, swirly paintings? Inspired by the ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi, artist Julia Watkins pioneered this style of art known as Energism.

“Tai Chi masters believe the key to balance is to move and live with the natural rhythms of earth, water and sky. The swirls represent the flow of energy between all things and demonstrate how man and animal are interconnected with their world.”

- Watkins

A descendant of North Carolina’s Native American tribe in Orakoke Island, Watkins was mentored as an artist from a young age. Her unique art form has gained her many accolades over the years. The paintings are truly mesmerizing!

More of Julia’s work here.

Leaning Lovers

Four Buddhist Monks

Four Dolphins

Elephant Charge

Koi

Horse Crossing

Holy Cow! Now here is something that you just don’t see everyday. Helsinki-base sculptor Miina Äkkijyrkkä, who started her career at the Dairy Farming School of North-Savo before joining the School of Fine Arts of Finland, has a passion for cows and it can be seen in her paintings, photography and large scale sculptures. Having purchased dozens of used vehicles from dealers throughout Finland, Akkijyrkka has given the old parts new life by incorporating them into her towering art forms. They are stunning in an odd kind of way, contrasting completely from her photography which seems to capture a more delicate side of the animals. Each piece seems to have its own character, I love how she manipulates their frames to capture images of the cows in different poised positions.

We’ve met some people with sneaker obsessions. We’ve even come across people with separate walk-in closets strictly for their massive shoe addiction. But THIS is borderline insane (in an awesome way!). UK illustrator and graphic designer Christian Labrooy has rendered a skyscraper-sized sneaker mural. If installed, The Sneaker Tectonic would be an architectural giant constructed with a combination of glass, steel, concrete and wood, towering over 13 stories high. Christian’s portfolio consists of amazing 3-D graphics that seem to jump from the screen and grab you, so check him out!

What do you think, Sneakerheads?

Why? Simply because it’s stunning to look at. Designed by architects Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, working under the studio name Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, is this impressive structure created to reflect the image a church. Constructed to serve as a public space that would both engage the community and, when not in use, could stand alone as a stunning sculpture, the architects came up with the current design of Read Between the Lines. Located in Borgloon, it’s made up entirely of 100 thin sheets of steel and 2,000 columns. As the sun rises, the church seems to almost glow, the dramatic effect of cast shadows and intense lighting just makes the building come to life and turns it into something that’s so much more than simply a frame. Depending on your viewpoint, the horizontal slates seemingly all but disappear into the surrounding landscape.

Newly constructed sushi restaurant called Tori-Tori in Mexico City was a design collaboration between Japanese architecture firm Rojkind Arquitectos and design workshop Esrawe Studio. The steel vine-inspired eatery seems to have grown straight from the ground, boasting a neon-lit curved and wavy facade. An outdoor terrace offers a comfortable dining experience with plush seating and natural vegetation. The meticulously hand-crafted exterior continues on the interior with a collection of funky, but functional furniture that lends guests the same unique atmosphere as outside.

“We seek in the project a chance for the users to link with the different ambiances and choose their favorites.
each space’s materials, setup and characteristics towards the furniture generate a wide spectrum of optionsand
sensations for its assiduous clients.” – Héctor Esrawe, Principal of Esrawe Studio

Via

He’s not your typical knitting ninny, no these hand embroidered portraits sewn together by Massachusetts based fiber artist and painter Daniel Kornrumpf are pretty amazing! Though they are finely detailed, in person, the pieces are actually quite small leaving one to wonder how exactly so much detail could be put into such a small frame. His works have been feature across the states and he is well known as a master of his craft. So what do you think? Pretty cool huh? You can check out his online portfolio to see more of his amazingly sewn together compositions.

Korean sculptor Seo Young Deok‘s in depth studies of the human body have lead him to the creation of his awe-inspiring pieces.  In Seol this year, Deok’s solo exhibition named Dystopia showcased his nude sculptures made from metal chain links that were meticulously welded together piece by piece. These larger than life metal body parts stand, hang, and lay in the space, intriguing onlookers.

“Deok’s sculptures capture the anxieties of the younger generation. His work exposes today’s reality with all its problems and pitfalls. His body of work has a strong sociological meaning that reflects upon the fragmented world we live in. Some of his pieces lie on the ground and some of their parts are fragmented as if they have been broken. That, in combination with the industrial materials (plain and bicycle chains) implies a statement in terms of this distress evident in the human forms as a comment on today’s industrial and the manufactured world.” -Yatzer.com

Never let it rain on your fashion parade with this awesome rain gear from Rain Dear. Passion project of textile designer, Thorbjorg Valdimarsdottir, the high fashion rain garments are all produced in Italy with only the finest of textiles, including plastic, silk and wool, which are laminated together to create stylish “rain dresses”. Puddle jumping has never been more fashionable!

 ”The idea is to embrace all women, delicate, large, buxom, small, broad hipped, narrow hipped, amusing, funny, smart, feminine, natural, flashy, ladylike and adventurous. If you are a woman and one of these characteristics applies to you, the Rain Dear coat  is for you.” -Rain Dear

The first collection is due in stores and online early 2012.

Via

‘

Do you dare? Created by Iris van Herpen, this highly creative couture collection features innovative designs made from various materials and a combination of fine handwork techniques meshed with futuristic technology. Born in the Netherlands in 1984, Herpen ventured out and started her own label entitled “Iris van Herpen” in 2007 after studying fashion design at ARTEZ. Her pieces are crazy sexy cool. Normal rules don’t apply.

 “ In all my work I try to make clear that fashion is an artistic expression, showing and wearing art, and not just a functional and devoid of content or commercial tool….Wearing clothing can create a very exciting and imperative form of self-expression. ‘Form follows function’  is not a slogan with which I concur. On the contrary, I find that forms complement and change the body and thus the emotion. Movement, so essential to and in the body, is just as important in my work. By bringing form, structure and  materials together in a new manner, I try to suggest and realize optimal tension and movement.”

Berlin- based architecture firm, J. Mayer H. never ceases to amaze with their stunning structures and furniture. This particular work of wonder lies between the coastal border of Turkey and Georgia, at the Sarpi Border checkpoint, welcoming passer-bys with a unique visual. Functioning as a customs center, the building also houses a cafeteria and conference rooms. The high terraces provide a viewing platform with multiple levels overlooking the water and coastline. Wavy in structure, the building imitates the waves of the Black Sea by which it resides. You might remember some of J. Mayer H.‘s other projects including Seville’s Metropol Parasol, and the temperature-sensitive seat.

Via