2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

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I'm a massive fan of vintage accessories and homewares, if you haven't already guessed. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling to think about who once owned these glasses, and what was served in them? Pink lemonade? Iced tea? Tap water?

Or this scarf? Did she wear this around her neck to the theatre, or perhaps she used it as a headwrap for a long drive down Highway 1?

And just who posed for the person behind the lens of this camera? I love it, I love it, I love it! And I looooove JuJuToo's modest selection of antiques--- only the best of the best here! Now off to fantasize about the yummy dinner these salt and pepper shakers were used for...

Ants Invade Dubai

American sculptor, Susan P. Cochran, has stirred up some interesting response here in Dubai with her giant ant colony that is digging around DIFC...and when I say giant, I mean some stand at 8 meters!!!
The bronze sculptures have been carefully placed around the grounds between the Emirates Towers and DIFC, Dubai International Financial Center. We got out of the car to get a closer look tonight and - before getting swatted away by security - they are quite amazing, and equally as creepy, up close.
Apparently, they are here to represent a larger-than-life message, other than simply being larger-than-life...
"These ants have a social message, they work together to build a strong community just like people are doing here in Dubai," says Al Shroogi, a Dubai art supporter set to open a new gallery in May at DIFC. "This is so appropriate."

I must say, there is no lack of interesting visuals in this city, never a dull moment.
The ants will be on display for another 3 months, and one article has this to say -

Several classrooms from across Dubai are planning field trips to the outdoor art display to learn about nature, ants and building a stronger community.
Students will participate in a contest to name each of the ants and there will also engage in a drawing contest, he said.
The visit by the giant ants is important as well, he said, because it emphasises the need for public art, the need for creative works to be shared by everyone and not just for those who frequent indoor galleries.
"We're bringing art out into the streets," Al Shroogi said. "Public art has to be accessible. Sometimes an art gallery can be intimidating."

The Wood Co-Op

While in Vancouver we made daily trips to Granville Island, visiting the great Public Market and exploring numerous shops featuring some of British Columbia's most talented designers.  One of our favorites was The Wood Co-Op.

The Wood Co-Op is Canada's premiere showcase for quality handcrafted contemporary design. The Gallery opened in 2000, showing the work of just 34 artisans. Today the Gallery features the work of over 150 of British Columbia's best woodworkers, earning a reputation as the definitive venue for heirloom quality wooden objects.

Color Chart at MoMA

I was lucky enough to get to the Museum of Modern Art in New York this morning to see Color Chart: Reinventing Color, 1950 to Today.  Forty-four artists including Ellsworth Kelly, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, and Damien Hirst explore ready-made color in various forms including paintings, sculpture and large art installations.

Color Chart opens at the foot of the lobby staircase with Jim Lambie's 1999 work ZOBOP!, a vinyl tape installation of vertical lines that sets the tone for the rest of the exhibition. Colorful and delightful, most of the works appeal immediately and elicit a sense of joy in the viewer.

Towards the end of the exhibition, though, the photographs of Carrie Mae Weems' Colored People Series provoke deeper reactions about the idea of race and color and the 17 photographs that make up Walid Raad's twenty-three year work Let's Be Honest, the Weather Helped, use color to sharply focus on the number of outside agencies that have been involved in the Lebanese Civil War.

To complement the exhibition, MoMA have produced a flash website which is a good place to begin if you are thinking of visiting Color Chart - or a great resource if you can't get to Manhattan to see it in person. It's extremely easy to navigate, stylish and of course very colorful. Watch the video of Sol De Witt's Wall Drawing #84 to understand the technical challenges of installing the Crayola Crayon squares or Niele Toroni using Benjamin Moore paint and a #50 paintbrush to make Imprints on the wall exactly 30 cm apart. It's fascinating.

The exhibition runs from March 2–May 12, 2008 at MoMA, NY. The Museum is closed Tuesdays.

Design Contest for Brazilian Students

As one of the biggest retail companies in Brazil, and a reference in furniture and object design, Tok&Stok carried out for the third year, the Tok&Stok Design Award for students (only for Brazilian students). Like previous editions, this year the contest has a theme: study. The contestants must research what is essential and needed in a furniture used for this in purpose.

Besides a good understanding of Tok&Stok style and trends, the student has to think about materials, transportation, production , packaging and disassembly.

Here are some of the winner products from previous editions.

2006 1st place (theme: Organize)

2006 2nd place

2007 1st place (theme: Sit)

 

Discarded, Recovered, Repurposed

"SCRAPILE is the collaborative work of designers Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado. Seeking to create a positive environmental impact with their work, these two have developed a unique method of collecting and repurposing discarded scraps of wood from New York's woodworking industry."  No two designs are ever quite the same, due to the varying wood-grain of the reclaimed wood used in each piece.

Elitis textiles

I'm a new big fan of the intricate laser-cut fabrics designed and produced by Elitis in France. Using ultra-modern technology, a full range of detailed graphic designs are cut into fabrics for wall hangings, window coverings and draperies. Pictured at top: Sharav (my favorite - circles!); below: Ange, with big butterflies and exotic flowers.

Created using a variety of materials from "man-made" leather to taffetas, the fabrics are laser-cut and applied to an almost-invisible black or silver tulle to maintain shape and structure when hanging. These could make a terrific alternative to standing room dividers, providing something a bit softer and more ephemeral. Or, a big swath hung in the right place becomes a stunning art installation!

Pictured above: Khamsin, their modern "vegetable" motif; Below: Bon Genie, inspired by kinetic art. Visit Elitis to check out their other laser-cut fabrics. Elitis also designs and produces other fabrics (including outdoor and technical fabrics), wall coverings and modern furniture.

-oh, pickles!

Milan Week Preview 2008

From Designboom:   designer roderick vos  created this circular shelving unit for the dutch company linteloo. 
This is so brilliantly simple and functional, I wonder why no one has done it before now.  Perfect for that corner of the living room, the unit can be spun around to get to the books in the back.

Phonofone Ipod Speaker

This is a great blast from the past item, put to use in a very contemporary way and style.  All ceramic, this phonofone resembles ones from the Gatsby era, but plays music from your IPod instead.  For now, this is only a concept piece but it is made for pre-order and will ship in April.  I'm certain it will be hitting the market soon after.

material: ceramic
dimensions: 11" x 9.5" x 20"

price: $450 at UnicaHome

   

Spring Wallter Contest! It's Easy to Win!

We love Wallter! Six lucky readers will win Wallter Wall Applications from 2Modern based on comments to this post. Comment on your favorite Wallter Wall Art to enter the sweepstakes. Remember to use either your blogger login or first name and last name so that we can identify you if you win. We will post the winner's name with instructions for collecting your prize, please check back April 20th, 2008 to see if you won!

Giveaway ends April 20th, 2008 at midnight PST (and sorry, prizes can only be sent to locations in the US). Good Luck!

Love to dress up our walls!

Cheers,  2Modern.