Gold, Silver and Bronze 2010!

BRAVO!!!! to Vancouver, British Colombia for the innovative design behind the medals for the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Paralympics. It has set the standard for future hosting countries!   
The artist Corrine Hunt and designer (architecture-trained) Omer Arbel are the revolutionary minds behind the medals' motif.  Check out the video and links below to find out how culture, nature and sustainability came together to create one-of-a-kind jewels.

Video with designers Corrine Hunt and Omer Arbel by Motherboard.
"Canadian mining company Teck Resources was able to harvest the gold, silver, and bronze from the circuit boards of old computers and have it melted down and cast back into what are now the Olympic medals."


LINKS:
: VANCOUVER 2010 official website
: ROYAL CANADIAN MINT
: artist, CORRINE HUNT
: designer, OMER ARBEL

art and visual culture...

From the makers of FRAME and MARK...

Elephant is a new publication ... which focus is on art and visual culture. The magazine is divided into five parts: meetings, research, studio visits, economies and cities...read more  

I purchased ELEPHANT's first issue last month and I am very impressed so far! 

I will review it once I finish going through all of the articles.

MARK...another architecture

From the creators of FRAME...

I fall in and out of love with arch mags like Architecture Record and Metropolis... The abundant advertising and subscription cards in between the "architecture" really turn me off. (One of the reasons why I don't subscribe!)  MARK is a great read, the content is fresh and the imagery is always stunning!  I can't believe I just discovered this magazine a couple of months ago.  The first issue was released Winter of 2005!  MARK has become my favorite architecture magazine.  I strongly recommend it!


Here are a few examples of MARK's covers, starting with the current Feb/Mar 2010 issue.

Lee Alexander McQueen, 16 Mar. 1969 -11 Feb. 2010

I do not know what to write...  I will simply say that Alexander McQueen's 
uber-innovation took the avant-garde fashion world to hysterically-beautiful limits!  I hope a traveling retrospective of his masterpieces is in the works...


Related Links:
Alexander McQueen,  official website
Isabella Blow,  stylist-close friend (1958-2007)

Will Design and Architecture Help Haiti Rise Again?

Click Link below and listen to KCRW's podcast DnA, Design and Architecture.  It is very enlightening!
If you don't already subscribe to this podcast I strongly recommend it ... informative stories about design and architecture.

Will Design and Architecture Help Haiti Rise Again? - Design and Architecture on KCRW

Patrick Sylvain: Instructor of Haitian Language and Culture, Brown University
Joe Osae-Addo: Architect at Constructs LLC
Ted Bardacke: Senior Program Associate, Global Green
Cameron Sinclair: Co-founder of Architecture for Humanity
Alejandra Lillo: Architect at Graft, Co-founder of Make It Right

Nostalgic finds = edgy-chic jewelry!

Ever wonder what to do with old architectural signage, vintage drawer handles, unique industrial pieces?

 . . . well Betsy had the vision for you!

Check out  Betsy + iya designs.

Jonathan Segal = Architect + Developer

An inspiration to, "The under-employed or unemployed architect/designer!" . . . like me!

Vimeo video below:
Documentary of San Diego, CA architect, Jonathan Segal.


Jonathan Segal Documentary final 13 mins from BREADTRUCK TV on Vimeo.

I want 8 Russian pawns...

from ANTHROPOLOGIE . . . matryoshka chess set!

Twickenham, London ... before the Beatles!

Fast Facts about the breathtaking film, AN EDUCATION
place*time: Twickenham-large suburban town in SW London, 1961.
by the Fabulous Danish director, Lone Scherfig
about a romantic interlude from the life of writer, Lynn Barber.


Carey Mulligan is just fabulous!


Thank you to the soundtrack of this film, my music library now includes Juliette Gréco,  Melody Gardot and Beth Rowley.   This movie took me back to when I was 16, when I was certain of everything, especially when it came to falling in love.  This movie is sophisticated and beautiful, but then again, what else can we expect from a Danish director from Copenhagen!

Holiday Ornaments: Chic & Haute Couture

ViviDolls:  NO TWO DOLLS ARE ALIKE!

These chic creations are a result of my fascination with traditional Russian "matryoshka" dolls and fashion trends from around the world. 
These companions are preciously hand-stitched with unique details.
They are the perfect gift for the fashionistas in your life.

Adorn your Xmas tree with haute couture this year!!

Shop @ ViviDolls.etsy.com