maastricht
today opened the ‘we were exuberant and still had hope, ettore sottsass: works from stockholm, 1969’ exhibition at the marres, centre for contemporary culture, in maastricht, netherlands.
the deceased italian designers warderobe from 1968 was the centerpoint of the exhibition. ettore sottsass (1917-2007) was renowned for unorthodox ideas in furniture.
wardrobe (also known as superbox), 1968
made by poltronova (agliana, Italy)
made of wood, plastic laminate
london
tomorrow is the last day of california-based artist john baldessari‘s ‘pure beauty’ exhibition at the tate in london.
I went there because a graphic design friend of mine, oliver klimpel, recommended it. I like baldessari’s graphical reflection on the nature of art. he made me grin. click here for more of his work.
everything is purged from this painting, 1966-68
at tate, london
I saw It (edition of 100), 1997
I haven’t seen marcel duchamp‘s ‘bottle rack’ in real live. I just saw it in a magazine and took a picture of the page.
the ‘bottle rack’ from 1914 was one of the his first readymades. with the so called readymades the artist and object creator has removed design objects from their context as functional objects and recontextualized them as objects of art.
made of galvanized iron
los angeles
last year I did a long trip through california. I was driving through los angeles when I saw this unusual gas station at the corner of olympic and robertson. I didn’ t know what it really was. now I found the answer.
It is called helios house, is a commission of bp and is designed by office dA with johnston marklee. the slick metallic constructions produces energy via photovoltaics, which converts solar radiation into direct current electricity. another feature is that the geometric angles capture rainwater for irrigation, and reduces the urban heat island effect with a drought-tolerant green roof. I also found an extract that says that they used recycled and sustainable materials to build the station. whatever this material is, I just know that I want this eco-friendly innovation experience that makes me feel better when I fill up.
london
yesterday was the opening of the decode: digital design sensations exhibition at the v&a. It is a collaboration between the v&a museum and onedotzero, a digital creativity studio.
the aim is to show-off the latest developments of digitally mediated environments and experiences, basically of digital design. when you enter the exhibition you walk through a dune of lights that follow your movement. you arrive in a quite dark space that leads you from one to the other 35 pieces of international designers who probably shape the next generation of designers.
shane walter, director of onedotzero and louise shannon, v&a
press gathering + bit.code, 2009 by julius popp, grand entrance
london
thorsten van elten, ‘manufacturer and distributor of design-led furniture, lighting, and accessories’ had a sample sale this weekend in his warehouse in bethnal green, east london. I could have published this information before, but I had a busy weekend. anyway, join his mailing list and get informed on time.
I got myself 3 t-shirts from designers anonymous and a black domoor cup by richard hutten for just a 10er!
thorsten van elten and the slippers
mechano chair by andre klauser
war bowl by dominic wilcox
candle #1 by frederikson stallard
cologne
this is a piece of work by deceased japanese designer shiro kuramata. the 20 drawers in red polish acrilyc material were made for italian manufacturer cappellini in 1970. I saw this piece at the Imm, annual furniture fair cologne, earlier this year.
