Before you accuse me of being a tad too fond of a certain seat-like piece of furniture, let me explain. This chair isn’t exactly that, and although it looks and acts like one, I swear”¦it’s not really a chair.

At least I wouldn’t want to sit on it. Ouch.

Tokujin Yoshioka, the designer of Venus – natural crystal chair, probably doesn’t want me to, either. Rather, he’d like us to think about it – along with its relationship to technology, design and the power of nature….

Tags: art , artist , chair , crystal , decor , furniture , grow , natural

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

I’ve always shied away from art that’s hidden away in cold galleries. Rather, I want to see art that is spontaneous, context-driven and made by the imaginations of people like you and me. Learning To Love You More is a website that’s done just that.

Artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher have posted open-ended artistic assignments online and anybody can choose one (or more), do the work and post their outcome online.

Paintings, photographs, poetry, video – all forms of media are there, and the results have come from everyone, …

Tags: art , artist , creativity , exhibition , gallery , web

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

AlyssA Angelica James is on a roll. An “˜ecotainment’ pioneer, she has been doing stand-up comedy and making people laugh about their bad habits towards the environment for a few years now.

A self confessed treehugger, AlyssA finds comedy a great way of getting her message across about how we all need to look after the environment. People at the shows might not realize it at the time but amongst all the laughter, she is also educating them about green issues.

AlyssA, however, is not just a comedian.

She is …

Tags: album , AlyssA Angelica James , artist , comedian , ecotainment , singer , Within

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Known and adored for his kinetic modern sculptures, paintings and avant-garde mobiles, Alexander Calder was also an eco jewelry maker long before anyone knew what that meant.

During his lifetime, the American artist produced some 1,800 pieces of brass, silver, and gold body ornaments, using wire he twisted into wearable art. Like the stunning flower necklace below, these were often embellished with found objects such as beach glass, wood cuttings, ceramic shards and pieces of mirror.

About 90 of his inventive designs are on exhibit at the “Metropolitan Musuem …

Tags: art , artisan , artist , Calder , craft , designer , jewelry , reclaimed

1 Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Say goodbye to the old cork and hello to the new pulp. This bulletin Board from Plush Pod is made from stacked reprocessed sheets of left-over, pre-printed office forms and fixed into a recyclable paper board frame. A cool design with varied patterns and striations results from combining the printed text and graphics. (Designer: Adin Mumma for Umbra.)

The 12×12 board works just like the conventional corkboards (no factory wood or metal frame) for holding your pins and notes or simply wedging them …

Tags: artist , decor , eco , home office , recycled , reuse , textiles , wood

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

The economy isn’t stunning (all right, I admit, that’s putting it generously). And climate change just keeps on changing. But the truth is that in spite of great challenges, there are also plenty of things going on in the world – and in your life – to be thankful for. Here’s a list of some of the things for which I’m thankful. 25, to be exact, but there are so many more that could be added to the list. I hope you’ll share what you’re thankful for, as well.

Forgive me for exposing my …

Tags: artist , Community , environment , news , trend , wellness

1 Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

There are so many options for encasing plasmas these days, from pricey wall frames that elevate the screens to an artform to pop-up consoles that only reveal the televisions when you’re ready to watch.

I can see why Joe Wilkerson’s new “M21 Flat Panel” made of American black walnut is making such a splash among retro design fans, especially the young L.A. crowd which is snapping up low-slung, mid-century homes and collecting Bauhaus furniture.

The plasma cabinet, described by its designer as “a 1950’s set with maybe a little Jetsons mixed in” was …

Tags: accessory , artist , designer , electronics , furniture , reuse , wood

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

I’m scratching my head. What do I feel about this chair?
Designers are supposed to challenge and even infuriate us – and so my hat’s off to Italian designer Fabio Novembre for doing such a good job. First up – the name. However much I love the look (and I love the look) the name of this range is "Histogram". That’s not a word that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling – evoking purgatorial high-school math lessons and thankless, stultifying hours in front of spreadsheets in too many corporate offices. As names go, …

Tags: artist , decor , furniture , innovation

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Here’s something to try at home only if you meet two requirements.
1. Slightly reckless artistic genius.
2. See  requirement 1.
Oh, and a Sharpie, heavyweight of the permanent-marker world and beloved by Americans everywhere, despite an unfortunate patron or two. Sharpie packs sell for around 10 bucks each – and that’s how much it cost Lexmark associate general counsel Charlie Kratzer to decorate his basement. Preparation? A lick of cream paint, and nothing more. And the result, seen in 360-degree view at Kentucky.com…is astonishing.
Oh, …

Tags: art , artist , decor , home , wall

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark