Tag Archive | 2012

Eye On Design: Ziggurat Black Stripes Storage Boxes By Oeuffice

May16

Ziggurat Black Stripes Storage Boxes
Photo By Gail

The research laboratory called Oeuffice was estalished by Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte and Jakub Zak to develop innovative objects in limited editions. The designers met in Milan after studying in their native Canada and attending university in Berlin. Like Ettore Sottsass, they share a vision of a contemporary utopia in which they refashion architectural design on a domestic scale. The Ziggurat, an iconic architectural form that Sottsass revered, provided inspiration for this stack of Wooden Storage Boxes inlaid with acrylic and solid stained wood (2012). The ziggurat’s form and masterful wood inlays originate in the Near East and were executed by Lebanese artists specialized in the technique.

Photographed in the Met Breuer in NYC.

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Yes, It Exists: Cabbage Sculpture With Chicken Feet

Nov22

Cabbage with Chicken Feet
All Photos By Gail

Parisian born sculptress Claude Lalanne (b. 1924) did not come into her own until she was in her sixties. She and her husband, François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), were known as Les Lalannes as they both worked and exhibited together, she creating garden-inspired works to his slightly surreal animal sculptures.

This provocative cast bronze sculpture of a Cabbage with Chicken Feet, entitled Choupatte Moyen (2012) is part of the Impasse Ronsin group exhibit at Paul Kasmin Gallery on West 27th Street, in the Chelsea Gallery District.

Choupatte Moyen

Eye On Design: Chariot Mobile Table

Jul6

Chariot Mobile Table
All Photos By Gail

What kitchen or dining area would fail to make a  statement with something like this in the room? The Chariot Rullebord (2012) is a mobile table/trolley  consisting of three simple elements joined together: wheels, trays and structure. The wheels, which in common carts are usually small, are brought to the extreme size, becoming the iconic element of the project.  This fantastic piece, shown here in its eye-grabbing  bright Red finish, is designed by Copenhagen-based firm Gamfratesi and manufactured from lacquered MDF board, metal and rubber by Casamania in Milan, Italy.

Chariot Mobile Table

Photographed in the Designmuseum in Copenhagen, Denmark.

SantaCon 2013 Descends on NYC

Dec14

SantaCon At 2012 Chiptole
Photo by Melissa Altman

As the first official snowfall of the season accumulates on the streets of Manhattan, thousands of what I like to call “Frat Santas” have descended on our fair Metropolis to participate in the annual Pub Crawl ritual known euphemistically as SantaCon. Dressed in the manner of Santa Claus (give or take a White Beard or Red Hat) these people have only one goal: to get as wasted as possible while disguised as Jolly Old St. Nick. Be forewarned: As you navigate the sidewalks and gutters, be wary of spontaneously created piles of fresh yellow snow and be extra careful not to slip in the Times Square Eggnog!

Pink Thing of The Day: Pink Umbrellas Installation

Jan31

Pink Umbrellas

This Installation of 400 suspended Pink Umbrellas, meant to raise awareness of breast cancer, was hung in a canopy over pedestrians’ heads in downtown Sofia, Bulgaria, in October 2012.

Thanks to Paula Erickson for the Image!

Gail's Top Ten Favorite CDs of 2012

Jan4

Tame Impala Lonerism CD Cover

Tame Impala, Lonerism

People who’ve taken a lot of psychedelics (raises hand) and listened to way too much music while lounging in a room lit only by a black light bulb will often talk about how certain albums sound like they were made while the band was on drugs. Tame Impala’s sophomore album, Lonerism, is drugs.

Read my awesome review of Lonerism at This Link.

Darkness Hot Cakes CD Cover

The Darkness, Hot Cakes

Hot Cakes is my favorite Queen album since A Night at the Opera.

Read my amazing review of Hot Cakes at This Link.

Little Barrie King of the Waves CD Cover

Little Barrie, King of the Waves

Little Barrie’s King of the Waves was Number One on the list for most of the year until The Darkness nudged it from the top spot, only to be further nudged by Tame Impala. This only means it was a pretty fucking great year for Rock & Roll.

Read more of my opinion on how Little Barrie Saved Rock in 2012 at This Link.

Sheepdogs CD Cover

The SheepDogs

It is my belief that The SheepDogs operate in this realty via  adept use of a well-oiled Time Machine.  Read more about my hypothesis at This Link.

Matt Boroff's Filling In The Cracks CD Cover

Mott Boroff, Filling In The Cracks EP

My mind was blown away last year by the discovery of Matt Boroff, an artist who refers to himself as a “Gold Medalist in the Best Kept Secret Olympics.” Read more at This Link.

Killers Battle Born CD Cover

The Killers, Battle Born

I like This Album.

Bento Diamond Days CD Cover

Bento, Diamond Days

I was in the process of reviewing Diamond Days when I was unexpectedly evacuated from my apartment due to the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy. Drama! Bento is the solo project by Ben Gillies, former drummer for Silverchair. I interviewed Ben once and he was hilarious. If you enjoyed Siverchair’s artsy fartsy 2007 Swan Song, Young Modern, you will probably dig this album.

Vaccines Come of Age CD Cover

The Vaccines, Come of Age

The first time I played this CD each song managed to distinguish itself from the next, so it gets to be on this list.

Lita Ford Living Like a Runaway CD Cover

Lita Ford, Living like a Runaway

No pain, no gain. Guitarist and Rock Godess Lita Ford bounces back from a messy divorce to make the album of her career. My indepth review of Living Like a Runaway can be found at This Link.

Mike Viola Acousto de Perfecto CD Cover

Mike Viola, Acousto De Perfecto

If real musical talent – quality songwriting, musicianship, charisma – were still rewarded with popularity and financial success in the way they were back in the ‘70s, Mike Viola would be as revered as Elton John and sell out bigger concert tours than Lady Gaga.

Read more from me about Mike Viola and Acousto De Perfecto by clicking Here.