THE PEDESTRIAN PROJECT

The Pedestrian Project consists of several performers wearing entirely black custom-made costumes modeled after the generic images of men, women, and children seen on public signs. Mimicking the lives of everyday people, the roaming sculptural forms inspire the imaginations of onlookers, who often find themselves mesmerized as these familiar icons assume busy lives of their own.

Photo Credit: Gabe Kirchheimer

BRIAN GOGGIN DOES SAN FRAN (DEFENESTRATION)

Called “Defenestration” (a word literally meaning “to throw out of a window”), this installation by Brian Goggin was created with the help of over 100 volunteers at the corner of Sixth and Howard Streets in San Francisco, in an abandoned four-story tenement building. Reflecting the harsh experience of many members of the community, the furniture is also of the streets, cast-off and unappreciated.

“I wanted to get art out of the gallery and out of the museum,” said, Brian Goggin. “I’m interested in working with absurdity in ways that are compelling and entertaining.“

More on this work here.

BOB TUREK DOES MUSIC

Here’s something for the weekend… Bob Turek, currently studying at Cranbrook Academy of Art, creates some amazing “sculptures.” Read more on his profile page. There’s little doubt that Mr.Turek would make a fortune if he would mass produce & sell these creations. Who wouldn’t want a full sized headless maniquinn, blasting House music from it’s nipple-speakers, adoring one’s living quarters?

TERRY RICHARDSON ON HIS SNAPSHOT TECHNIQUE

R.I.P DESIGNERS REPUBLIC

Sad news… After 23 years of “brain-aided communication”, the legendary Designers Republic is closed for business.

According to its founder, Ian Anderson, the studio became insolvent due to a combination of factors: “We’d lost a couple of clients, didn’t win a couple of pitches, got a tax bill which should have been sorted out and wasn’t and a major client who didn’t pay the money they owed us – in themselves any of those things would have been fine but when they come all at once there’s not much you can do.”

Read more here.

OPERA TYPEFACE ON GESTALTEN

A typeface called Opera is finally up for sale on the Gestalten website. Been a long time coming. Opera is a collaboration between RD Granados (Stereo Type Haus) & Ros Knopov (from Anti/Anti). The font was developed throughout 2003-2005.

“Gestalten is happy to release Opera through our font foundry. Characterised by its curvy counters, Opera is named after the font’s letter “O”, resembling the open mouth of an opera singer. The four weights can be used individually or together for a variety of applications including magazine body texts or a striking headline.”

#29

Happy New Year to all!

We are excited to find that our studio was ranked #29 in “The definitive top 100 graphic design companies” list (from The Designer Forum by The Designers Republic). Yay.

MONTREAL’S SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL

Sympathy For The Devil: Art And Rock And Roll Since 1967 is an art exhibit by Chicago-based curator Dominic Molon. It’s making its only Canadian stop at the Montreal Contemporary Arts Museum (MACM) until Jan. 11. We were in Montreal & got a chance to check it out over the weekend. From Andy Warhol’s Screen Test films to DJ Jim Lambie’s sculptural works & much, much more, this exhibition traces the aural and visual path of art and rock music.

UTILITY BOXES MAKE LIKE HOUDINI AND

(Photos by Misha de Ridder)

Joshua Callaghan + Ugly Utility Boxes = Public Art

Check out this artist’s public pieces, as he makes these unsightly objects “vanish”. Take a peek at his site,as well as wetjetset for more on this work.

10,000 HRS GUYS! 10,000 HRS!

A great conference by Malcolm Gladwell at Gain: AIGA Business and Design Conference.

“Genius and creativity don’t necessarily spring forth unbidden, he says; they require time and support to experiment, to try and even fail. During this time of economic crisis and eventual renewal, he hopes that the design community will be able to “rediscover the true roots of creativity and innovation.”

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