Using Google Map technology, artist Andy Clark has created ‘Street Art Locator‘, a tool enablng you the ability to not only upload street art from your area, but view art straight from the source anywhere around the world. The site has just gone live this week, so its a god chance to get your city in amongst things early on. http://streetartlocator.com/
Artists James Powderly and Evan Roth recently went on a daring graffiti mission. The goal? Tagging New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. They waited for rush hour to die down and tried to be as incognito as people milling around bridges can be in this post-Sept. 11 world. Then, the duo fixed their crosshairs firmly on the bridge’s underside, and started etching out dozens — maybe hundreds — of tags on one of its massive supports. They held still as a police boat floated under the bridge. Later, they allowed passersby to pick up the equipment and try it for themselves. Yet, the next morning, there was nary a sign that Powderly or Roth — nor their towering graffiti art — had ever been there
While most graffiti crews use spray paint to mark buildings and urban infrastructure, Roth and Powderly, the artists behind the Graffiti Research Lab, have perfected a unique form of temporary high-tech graffiti they call laser tagging that utilizes a laser pointer in lieu of paint, a projector in place of a spray. Instead of hitting dark subway tunnels and back alleys, they turn their attention to public places such as skyscrapers and monuments. A growing legion of fans turn out regularly to witness live demonstrations of their light shows (see video of their latest graffiti missions), but most log on en masse to watch videos of the events on such sites as YouTube and GraffitiResearchLab.com. A few hundred have even downloaded the needed computer code and instructions — something the “open-source” artists encourage people to do — to replicate Powderly and Roth’s art in cities around the world. As a result of their soaring online popularity, the two artists have been sought out by a number of prominent curators in the art world — most recently by those at the Museum of Modern Art in New York — who see in their digital etchings a convergence of street art, graffiti art and urban cinema. Read the rest of this entry »
Nintendo has crossed over from making electronic entertainment machines to actual fitness tools. The Wii console is now a fixture in various fitness centers in the U.S., such as at the Manhattan’s Le Parker Meridien, which offers guests Wii rentals with the option of a personal trainer.
Earlier this year at GDC 2008, Nintendo announced that its Wii Fit hardware and software package will launch in North America on May 19. The games maker confirmed on Tuesday that the bundle will retail at a suggested price of $89.99, which will include the Wii Balance Board and the Wii Fit software.
Nintendo said that its Wii Fit package boasts “a dynamic mix of more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities, Wii Fit provides consumers with a fun, easy and affordable way to incorporate exercise into their daily routines.”
The spy shots previously seen of a higher-performance GT-R have been confirmed by inside sources as the Spec V model, which will both shed poundage and gain power compared to its baser sibling. Weight is expected to drop by over 300 pounds thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, and as for how much power the twin-turbo 3.8L V6 will make in Spec V trim… some are saying 550 – 600 horsepower.
These shots show the GT-R Spec V attacking a corner at the Nurburgring. A visible front splitter below the grille and carbon fiber rear wing are much clearer. [via AutoBlog]
PointClickHome has posted a gallery of the Gravity Defying Homes. Architecture that gives “living on the edge” a whole new meaning. The left pic is the Gangster House(Archangelsk, Russia), which is believed to be the world’s tallest wooden house, soaring thirteen floors to reach 144 feet. The homeowner or gangster, Nikolai Sutyagin, had all intentions of finishing the construction but his dream went on hold when he got locked up behind bars for his third jail sentence. The right pic is Floating Castle (Ukraine), which is supported by a single cantilever, this mysterious levitating farm house belongs in a sci-fi flick. [via Like Cool]
BLVD Gallery is proud to present new works from NYC Graffiti Legend GHOST AKA Cousin Frank, a pioneering influence for many graffiti artists around the world. Having started writing in the golden age of the 1970’s, Ghost has first hand knowledge of the many adventures and accomplishments of the NYC subway graffiti movement. The original style, vibrant color combinations, and strong sense of satire of his graffiti has managed to ease the transition naturally to his more gallery oriented pursuits.
Ghost has spent many years dedicated to the formation (or deformation) of the standard English alphabet creating limitless possibilities for him to subvert the language in his unique style. He has managed to create work that bears the unmistakable mark of an accomplished draughtsman without it being either overbearing or overwrought. The humor that permeates Ghosts’ work comes from the underground comics tradition from his youth, more Zapp! Comix than Marvel. Ghosts’ improvisational approach to graffiti, he never planned ahead what his work would be like, gives his current series of paintings a lightness and spontaneity that has the feeling of an inside joke between old friends.
Ghost has shown his work in galleries across the globe and has become a major part of the visual aesthetic of companies like respected streetwear brand Stussy. There is also a documentary in production chronicling the many contributions Ghost has made to the global graffiti movement. This show will be the second time that BLVD Gallery has been privileged to work with Ghost whose amazing mural in the “Claimin’ Space” exhibition was a highlight for many at the 2007 Bumbershoot arts festival.
If you want to get a coach of Nike? Nike+ SportBand ($59; April 10) allows runners to see their distance, pace, time and calories burned when they run. Its watch face is detachable. After you run, remove the Nike+Link and plus it into a USB connection on your computer and upload the nikeplus.com to track your run. [via Nike]
The Nautilus House is a cartoon-like combination of bright vibrant colors and a gigantic shell-shaped design. It’s a real house, located in Mexico City and occupied by a young couple and their two small children. Not only does the Nautilus House look like a giant work of art, but because it’s built from a mix of chicken wire and concrete (among other things) and takes cues from a Nautilus shell (hence the name) it’s also an earthquake-proof and maintenance-free structure. And that’s always handy.
The inside decor is all about smooth rounded surfaces, rich colors, and greenery all over the place. And although the home is surrounded by Mexico City on 3 sides, the West side has most of the windows and faces out to a beautiful view of the mountains.
I really like it, but for anything other than a vacation home it might get old — living in this house must make a person feel like they’re in a tropical version of Whoville. [via Luxist]
Needing some fresh air without going outside? Perhaps a pick-me-up without the caffeine? The O2B Oxygen Bar To-Go offers refreshing, concentrated oxygen that is portable to bring energy, rejuvenation and revitalization to others. Whether you are a bar owner, spa entrepreneur or just want to give your family and friends some relaxation, the O2B offers five nose-hoses (ouch?), twelve mouthpiece filters, and a 10-, 20-, and 30-minute timer. I’m wondering if workplace environments could use a little boost in productivity — breathe a little O2 and watch the energy change.
Whether you like Bloody Mary’s, Vodka Tonics or Screwdrivers, a good vodka is a must-have for any home bar. A new, green alternative to the run-of-the-mill vodka is Vodka 360 – The World’s First Eco Luxury Vodka. The premise behind this great liquor is eco-awareness and corporate responsibility with greener processes and products. What else makes this a premium choice? Vodka 360 is quadruple distilled and five-times filtered! Sounds delicious. Have a smashing good time with a green drink in your hand and impress your friends with your eco-style! (By the way — it costs about $25-$30 for 750mL).
This is what happens when you dream up an idea that combines a vintage Bentley S3’s coachwork and chassis with a 300-horsepower BMW 4.4L V8, a ZF 5-speed auto, a custom dual exhaust, and a deluxe interior with all the modern amenities. Tweak the look to give it the feel of a late-model Bentley, add 20-inch forged wheels, slam it to the ground and you have Arturo Alonso’s Bentley S3 E design concept. Word is, Alonso and his team at Bentley Boys USA will build three of the cars over 8-month intervals to sell at $150K a pop. More photos here.
MTV is resurrecting Yo! MTV Raps in honor of the show’s 20th Anniversary.
Yo! MTV Raps is coming back on the air and online for the entire month of April. Why? To celebrate Yo!’s 20th anniversary, of course. You’ll be able to check out rare pics of your favorite hip-hop artists, vintage playlists of classic videos, exclusive interviews with Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Doctor Dre, and more classic clips than Slick Rick’s got gold chains.
With the indomitable Nikki Jean and Matt Santos at Hot 97’s little fashion show thing. Clef after the jump.
This is one of the coolest videos I’ve seen in a while. Try and count the number of passes the team in white makes.
The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah resort in Dubai, is acknowledged as the best hotel in the world. So how does a hotel earn such bragging rights?
The stellar customer service starts the moment you land in Dubai, with a chauffeur picking you up in the Rolls Royce that will be yours for the duration of your stay. When you arrive at the breathtaking hotel which stands 321 meters tall in the shape of a sail, you are taken directly to one of the 202 suites where you are checked in, a service that guarantees your privacy. Each sprawling suite is two levels, and has floor to ceiling windows providing breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. Some of the listed in room features are, a private elevator, private cinema, a rotating four-post canopy bed,a separate butler entrance and a study area with a library. Should you venture out of your palace, activities made available to guests include hot air ballooning, horse back riding, golf at the world class Montgomerie Golf Course, desert safari day trips, chartered yacht trips and helicopter tours. Read the rest of this entry »
It looks like it will be the summer of the Air Force 1. First we have the the upcoming ACG Pack Air Force Ones, due out in April and May and ranging in price from $125 to $150 depending on the model. The lead off is the Air Force 1 Safari that take color, material, and design cues from the retro classic Air Safari. The next pair is the Air Force 1 Mowabb which lent inspiration earlier this year for a set of Huarache runners, but this time makes its way to the Air Force 1 with its signature neoprene tongue and speckled midsole. Lastly, the ACG classic, the Air Wildwood, lends its colors as inspiration for the Air Force 1 Wildwood.
Build the fastest car money can buy and people will buy it. It’s that simple, price tag isn’t an issue. Did you know that Bugatti is only going to make 300? That means 80 are up for grabs. Break out the checkbook.
How nutty is this car, anyway? Let’s recap a few factory figures:
Handmade by Swiss craftsmen using time-tested methods to ensure precision, D. Atlantis creates a modern mythology by reclaiming ideals from the lost continent and translating them into an ornate aesthetic marked by innovation.
If you are not sure how to get peoples attention with your clothes, try getting half naked dimes to put them on. It is a win/win for everyone.
A Pussycat Dolls lingerie show, a photo op with former porn star Jenna Jameson and the runway debut of “The Hills” star Lauren Conrad’s new collection can mean only one thing: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles is back at Smashbox Studios. See more at the L.A. Times website.
In commemorate with the grand opening of Hoods in Hong Kong, Neighborhood and WTaps has teamed up to release this one of the kind collaboration t-shirt. Comes in black and white, one of the main feature of this tee is the double flag which can be seen on the sleeve and it is priced at $499 HKD (approximately $64 USD).
Be sure to check out their Previously Open Gallery which will officially open by none other than the big men behind these two huge brands, Tetsu Nishiyama and Shinsuke Takizawa, on March 8th in Hong Kong.
Some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas now have condos that provide a safe haven from the world of jangling slot machines and endless gaming tables. The MGM Grand has The Signature at MGM Grand and now the Palms has Palms Place, a new condo located just west of the Las Vegas strip. The hotel, condo and spa does not have a casino. It is connected to the Palms with a moving walkway called a sky tube and has 600 condos, some of which will also be hotel rooms. The hotel spa includes a hammam and the hotel is also home to the first Sunset Tan franchise in the area. Celebrities buying into the complex reportedly include Eminem and Jessica Simpson. Rates for the hotel rooms start around $200 per night for a studio.
This has gotta be the closest thing to a real life video game. This thing is tennis meets techno.
Several matches in the dark with pounding background music for the sake of the players’ confusion —who kept it cool and played quite impressively—, and a fashion show from Rubén Gómez Navarro that was… let’s say… “bright”. Standing out was a gigantic screen on one side of the court that showed the score and the players’ names, in a neatly designed animated way. Sony Ericsson style if you will. When the championship finished, the court was to be the dancefloor, and Groove Armada the entertainers (Darren Emerson the previous day) with a great Video Dj performance in the mentioned screen. All in all, even if we didn’s see any single darn phone, Night Tennis is a perfect showcase of Sony Ericsson’s innovative spirit. Only one advice for those who plan to attend to the next show in Miami: non-epileptics only.
I would love to go to this place to chill out and have a few drinks. It has a stylish and usable design that will leave its visitors relaxed. This place will have many visitors and many people coming back for more.
A large north lit industrial warehouse within the old mill district in Mumbai is to be converted into a complex of sound recording studios and an acoustic lounge. This lounge will consist of a restaurant, bar and a live stage.
Aitor Throup is a London-based designer. All good comic book artists have a signature style when drawing the characters’ anatomy and postures. Aitor Throup has taken his characters to the next level, sculpting them and then making a garment pattern based on the pose of the character’s form in motion. Read the rest of this entry »
You’ve heard the saying, if the shoe fits, wear it. Now, Adidas is hoping a new idea in footwear will give customers the perfect fit every time.
A machine at the Adidas signature store in San Francisco’s Westfield Mall will measure your shoe size down to one tenth of a millimeter. Customers can also customize the shoe’s comfort level, along with the style. The custom made shoes take 3-6 weeks to make and add $45-60 to the cost.
“Our adidas Sport Performance Stores are an important communication platform where we can showcase the breadth and depth of the adidas brand while offering consumers a unique and innovative setting with specialty services including the new “mi Innovation Center,” said Karen Feldpausch-Sturm, Senior Vice President of Global Retail for adidas. “The “mi Innovation Center” will change the way consumers shop and their expectations at retail. It is a true first and we are thrilled to premier the mIC in Paris offering customers a whole new dimension of interaction with adidas products.”
