Archive for March, 2010
Using traffic signs to make things that just might be considered art is hardly a novel concept. The Signtologist, for instance, draws vaguely amateurish yet well-regarded images of famous people on street signs and then sells them for a bundle online and in galleries. Plus, he derives his name from the craft, which deserves an extra point. Artist Boris Bally, who makes these interesting yet definitely uncomfortable Transit Chairs, sells them for even more! Bally is from Providence, Rhode Island, and his craftsmanship is outstanding. His ability to mold and shape the metal into sleek designs sets him apart from other people who are creating similar objects. There are a few places on the interwebs where purchasing one of Bally’s chairs is possible. But like we said, they’re pricey. The chairs above (and the ones below) range from $1,110–$2,500. Good thing then that Bally makes a myriad of other street sign stuff–like coasters and trays–that are infinitely more affordable. If you were rich and ambitious your entire kitchen could be filled with his work. [Via]
Good news for all of our readers who happen to be birds: Neat Nest has commissioned an array of artists to design you some fancy new avian abodes. Their line of eco-friendly decorative bird houses are also purportedly impact resistant, meaning they’re impervious to attacks by baseballs and/or paintball guns. The designs are decent, basically resembling skins for computers and iPhones, but the idea is the gem, falling in line with our ongoing discussion about Product Art. They’ve taken something historically ugly and aesthetically overlooked and turned in into a piece of art that just happens to be purchasable for (what we assume to be) a reasonable price. Check out a few of our faves below. [My Adventure is Your Advantage]
In a fascinating move, the Yale Law Library in New Haven, Connecticut, has begun collecting and archiving bobbleheads depicting Supreme Court Justices such as Rehnquist (shown, credit Christopher Capozziello) and Souter. The reason being that, according to “Fred R. Shapiro, an associate librarian, “a hundred years from now, if someone wants to study the bobbleheads, where will they go? There needs to be an archive.”" Not only does this legitimize the worth of items normally regarded as “just toys,” but it shows that even when art isn’t a painting or a sculpture it can still have purpose and be historically relevant. The Bobblehead Justices are made by The Green Bag, an organization calling itself “an entertaining journal of law,” and currently include versions of Scalia, O’Connor, Stevens, Kennedy, Curtis, Brandeis, Blackmun, and the aforementioned two. Others are being planned for later this year. What’s more, the actual figures portray the famous cases and eccentric characteristics of each justice. For instance:
Product Art is making waves; from D.C. to New Haven and beyond. Yale: Holler at us for an Obama Action Figure to add to your collection! [The New York Times] Thanks, Marc!
Philly-based design studio The Heads of State, collectively Jason Kernevich and Dustin Summers, has just released its travel poster series, “From Sea To Shining Sea.” These guys are unique talents, having previously designed for The New Yorker, Fast Company, Esquire, as well as for one of our favorite blogs, Brokelyn.com. The series includes posters dedicated to eight cities–Phoenix, D.C., Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Philly, Chicago and New York City–each with a crisp, mod-retro feel to them. They range from three- to six-color serigraphs, measure 14″ x 24,” and are limited runs of 100. Pick one up for $30.00. Check out our favorites all blown up below. [Svpply]
It’s difficult, if not impossible, to fully appreciate the depth and intricacy of Barcelona-based artist and architect Vasco Mourao‘s illustrations while viewing them online. They are mind-boggling in their complexity, and one can only wonder how obsessive his artistic process must be. Unfortunately, we’ve not had the luxury of seeing one of Mourao’s pieces in real life, so for now, just like the rest of you, we’re forced to sit idly behind our computer screens in sheer amazement. His latest print, “Unfolded,”of which a zoomed-in section is shown above, is a collaborative effort with The Working Proof. The illustration took six weeks to complete and is roughly based on the city of Porto, Portugal. 15% of sales from “Unfolded” ($70.00) will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. Check out more images, including a photo of the entire piece, and read a few quotes from TWP’s interview with Mourao below.
London-based photographer David Sykes just added the final piece to his whimsical ten-month-in-progress still life series titled, Faux Food. The three-part progression finds Sykes taking inanimate objects and transforming them into breakfast, lunch and dinner portraits, all set against variously colored picnic table pattern backdrops. Take a look at each and read a short interview with Mr. Sykes after the jump.
Taken right from the streets of Seoul, South Korea, and handmade nearby in an eco-friendly non-profit shop, Los Angeles-based company Poketo’s line of Recycled Street Banner Bags ($19.00) each boasts a uniqueness in color, stitching and material origin.
Adding to the intrigue of the product, in the vein of blind-box toys and secret T-shirt bundles, the customer won’t know which modern nylon bag he or she will receive until it lands on the doorstep. Check out a bunch of nice photos below. [Poketo]
While it’s not recommended that one reads under the glow of the Alien Abduction Lamp ($136.00), that shouldn’t hinder your desire to proudly display one in the living room. Designed by Lasse Klein, the lamp has a number of bells and whistles including an acrylic beam and a legitimate piece of astroturf. Here’s the schpeel from Klein:
Check out an array of photos below. [Alien Abduction Lamp via General Robots]
Check out the other three below.
Stop The Presses: App Magnets Have Officially Arrived!
Posted:
Thursday, March 11, 2010
in Jailbreak Collective News, Jailbreak Collective Product, What, Who
It has been a crazy couple of days here at Jailbreak Collective headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. Yesterday, our latest product, App Magnets, launched online, and orders and press have been nonstop since. For everyone who purchased one (or five), thanks. Those of you holding out: what are you waiting for?! Cnet Reviews called them the “coolest…magnets…ever.” As you can probably tell, we’re pretty stoked at the response. Don’t forget: for a limited time if you buy three App Magnets or more shipping will be free. Simply enter “3forFREE†upon checkout. Click through for a little round-up of all the nice press (and best quotes) we’ve gotten just in case you care to take a gander: Gizmodo: “Irresistible” Cnet: “A self-respecting iPhone/iPod Touch owner is not a self-respecting iPhone/iPod Touch owner without a set of Jailbreak Toys App Magnets.”
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