LOCAL CULTURE.

In National Geographic’s March issue they have a terrific photo essay entitled Shanghai Dreams. Fritz Hoffman’s photos juxtapose Shanghai’s older aspects & traditions against new architecture & highspeed tendencies. As spotted on Boing Boing – they report: “There are lots of places in the world where seamless high-tech and ancient cobblestones exist side by side, but I’ve never been anywhere in which you can go from one to the other so quickly as Shanghai.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

SPOTTED VIA BOINGBOING
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S SHANGHAI DREAMS

A FROZEN COMMUTE
TOKYO CABS
NYC HANDBALL

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TRAVEL INNOVATIONS.

We’ll go anywhere on a train. It doesn’t matter how far. The comfort, the stress free check-in and ability to get boat loads of work done make it worthwhile. Sounds crazy? We know, but it’s the truth. Luckily, this is something airlines are starting to realize. It’s a slow process but they’re coming around. The more they help us forget about the stresses of travel, the better off everyone is. Give us wifi, free meals, and a comfortable lounge (see Porter) and they’ll see more and more passengers become a charming, happy and empathetic bunch. Proof of this comes by way of Air New Zealand.

As reported by Gizmodo: “When you’re flying 90 odd-hrs just to get to Auckland, you’d be wanting to charge your iPod or laptop at least once. Air New Zealand’s done a major overhaul of its Boeing 777 plane, with sockets and USB ports galore. It’s not just for the suit-clad first class and business class passengers either. 11 Skycouches that turn into flat beds for two will make those weeks in the air fly past quickly, with the other seats providing extra leg room and comfort.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

GIZMODO ON AIR NEW ZEALAND
GADLING ON AIR NEW ZEALAND
ENGADGET ON AIR NEW ZEALAND

Panasonic’s New Inflight Entertainment System
Teens Launch Camera into Stratosphere
Charles Ogilvie on In-Flight Innovations

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ART.

The context of art history is all around us – especially if you’re visiting Mike Ballard’s exhibit at the University of Arts London. The Art Gallery is displaying his atmospheric piece depicting an interesting interpretation of Art and its history. As weheart describes it, “The All of Everything features the artist’s almost apocalyptic vision of arts history, the installation encompasses the entire space of the gallery with floors, ceilings and walls depicting all that art has given us, psychedelically fused with Ballard’s archaic vision of all that art will ever give… “

The All of Everything will be on display at The Arts Gallery from now until February when the gallery is scheduled to be demolished making way for the Crossrail’s new Railway System.

Location Details

The Arts Gallery
65 Davies Street
London W1K 5DA.

The Arts Gallery
Mike Ballard’s Website

WALLPAPER DESIGN AWARDS 2010
WHO IS THIS CITY AGENCY NAMED BNE?
SERIES & PROGRESSION BY DAN FLAVIN

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TRAVEL: Britain gets a taste of the speedy life. Their first fully domestic high speed rail service opened yesterday. As the DailyMail reports, “A full timetable of the Japanese-built 140mph trains is now running from London to Kent, on sections of the High Speed one (HS1) Channel Tunnel rail link. But passengers have to pay more to use the super-fast trains, operated by the Southeastern train company, than those using the ‘normal’ services.” Click Read More for additional information.

DailyMail on Britain’s Javelin

FREE WIFI FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS
100 HOTELS UNDER 150
BARCELONA’S T1 AND MORE

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TRAVEL MOMENTS: Shanghai combines light and speed for an entertaining ride underground. In between Pudong and the Bund, subway riders are treated to a short light show. The above image is from the Boston Globe’s big picture. In it the photographer is in the front car and put his camera up to the window as an oncoming train enters. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

PHOTO CREDIT HSCHENK

Nat Geo’s International Photo contest featured on Boston Globe

REMEMBERING NEW YORK
EYES WIDE OPEN

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ART: Series & Progression pits neon lighting against dark space. Much like James Turrell, Clar, or the the folks at Lab[au] – Dan Flavin was a master of letting his work speak for itself. As Dan once described, “It is what it is, and it ain’t nothin’ else. Everything is clearly, openly, plainly delivered. There is no overwhelming spirituality you are supposed to come into contact with. I like my use of light to be openly situational in the sense that there is no invitation to meditate, to contemplate. It’s in a sense a ‘get-in-get-out’ situation. And it is very easy to understand. One might not think of light as a matter of fact, but I do. And it is, as I said, as plain and open and direct an art as you will ever find.”

The David Zwirner Gallery in NYC will display Dan’s work until December 19. Be sure to check it out if you’re in town. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Location Details

David Zwirner Gallery
525 West 19th Street
New York, NY 1011
tele. 212 517 8677

David Zwirner Gallery
Spotted via Paul Mittleman

GENEVIÈVE GAUCKLER’S LONDON DEBUT
A SQUARE BY HOSANG PARK
SEBASTIAN CAMPION’S URBAN CURSOR AT INGRAVID

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TRAVEL: Google proves again that it’s not your average company. In a move that goes beyond typical advertising, they’re offering free wi-fi to travelers at 47 participating airports from now until January 15, 2010. Well played Google.

As reported by MacWorld: “Google’s doing this to make the holiday travel crush a little easier. To that end, the company is working with Boingo, Advanced Wireless Group, Time Warner Cable, Electronic Media Systems, Lilypad, and other airport Wi-Fi providers to foot the bill for airport travelers. The search giant also struck a similar deal earlier this year with airline Virgin America to provide free Wi-Fi on its flights.” Click Read More for additional information.

Photo Credit

MACWORLD ON GOOGLE FREE WIFI
MACWORLD ON GOOGLE FREE WIFI ON VIRGIN
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GOOGLE

100 HOTELS UNDER 150
BARCELONA’S T1 AND MORE
HEATHROW’S NEW TAXI SYSTEM

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EVENTS: Last week, Parisian artist and illustrator, Geneviève Gauckler invaded London for her first solo show at Kemistry Gallery. Entitled Digitally Isolated, “Gauckler disconnected herself from the daily stream of images, words and information that flood our daily lives in an effort to return to more traditional techniques of drawing, painting and hand-screenprinting. Gauckler presents the character-based composition style for which she is best known, but reduces the result to one or two characters, a few words and basic colours.” With endearing simplicity, this exhibit is one to catch. It’s on display until December 19. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Location Details

Kemistry Gallery
43 Charlotte Road
London EC2A 3PD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7729 3636
info@kemistrygallery.co.uk

Kemistry Gallery
Spotted via Hypebeast
Creative Review on Digitally Isolated

A SQUARE BY HOSANG PARK
SEBASTIAN CAMPION’S URBAN CURSOR AT INGRAVID
MINI TEAMS UP WITH ARTIST KR

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PLACES: Audi is a classy brand. Sure we’re big fans of BMW and Mercedes – but as far as we can remember Audi has always out performed its well known competitors. And it does it with quiet grace. Audi’s latest showroom is no different. The UK Showroom will satisfy brand enthusiasts with its extraordinary attention to detail.

Wallpaper Magazine notes their collaboration with WIlkinson Eyre for the UK showroom: “Expressing your brand through architecture has become a signature of early 21st century design culture; few industries have embraced this approach with more gusto than car makers. Yet while German brands like BMW, Porsche and Mercedes realised the publicity value of striking neo-constructivism – employing Zaha Hadid, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Delugan Meissl and UN Studio amongst others – their fellow countrymen Audi have stuck doggedly to what might be called ‘business park modern’, foregoing the iconic object in favour of a crisp but rather anonymous silver box style for their HQ and museum at Ingolstadt.” Be sure to check out their article here. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Wallpaper on Audi UK
Wilkinson Eyre

BATTLE OF BRANCHAGE
SPACE AGE CAR PORT
AMSTERDAM’S PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Tim Burton is one of our favorite film producers. From Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride and the Nightmare Before Christmas, he continuously amazes us with his limitless imagination and creative ability. Whether you’re a fan or know little about his visual genius, you’re in luck because from November 22, 2009 to April 26, 2010 the Film Library at the MOMA in New York will be hosting an exhibit honoring his work.

The exhibition includes a wide range of Tim’s work. In it you’ll find work ranging from his film series to art dating back to his adolescence. They’re all available for viewing. So if you’re in NYC, delve into the imagination and creative process of one of America’s most unique cinematic artists. It’s one not to miss. Click Read More for additional information.

Tim Burton at the MOMA
Tim Burton’s Website

EVENTS: EXSITU INSITU
LOCAL EVENTS: MOMENTUM AT CHORUS GALLERY
LOCAL EVENTS: YOUR BRIGHT FUTURE

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PLACES: Philadelphia isn’t known for its boutique hotels, but the City of Brotherly Love is trying. Some of our favorite Center City hotels include The Sofitel, AKA and now we can add Hotel Palomar to the list. Conveniently located near bustling Rittenhouse Square, Hotel Palomar is a well designed eco and pet friendly luxury hotel.

As you enter the hotel, be sure to look above to catch an unexpected and colorful portrait of Benjamin Franklin – one of Philadelphia’s most famous historical figures. Hotel Palomar has 230 rooms decorated in a warm earth tone color palette with a modern aesthetic offset by vibrantly colored art deco accents and artwork by Philadelphian artists. In addition to the usual amenities that make a hotel stay convenient and relaxing, the hotel also has a fitness center and hosted evening wine hour in the hotel’s living room. Adjacent to Hotel Palomar is Square 1682, a restaurant headed by notable chef Guillermo Tellez serving American cuisine fused with flavors found around the world. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Hotel Palomar
Luxist on Hotel Palomar
Square 1682

PLACES TO STAY: ACE HOTEL NYC x MINT & SERF
TO STAY: MUJI TEAMS UP WITH WHOTELLS
PLACES TO STAY: ACE HOTEL NEWYORK

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Simplicity and a beautiful city equal happiness. Whotells and Muji team up to offer well designed short stay apartments in Barcelona. It’s an ideal collaboration. Muji is known for their non-branded creative direction that focuses on functionality. While Whotells is known for their quality service catered toward travelers seeking home like accomodations for their vacation or business trips. And all of this is painted on the beauitful canvas of Barcelona.

From Whotells: “In Whotells we have everything prepared so that your time with us is enjoyable and unforgettable. We offer you every comfort in our newly refurbished apartments which are furnished and decorated in the latest and original designs of MUJI. The apartments are fully equipped with WiFi, DVD, TV, lift, air conditioning, central heating, and the latest mod cons for kitchens. There is also a team of professionals at your disposition to ensure that your stay with us will make you want to repeat your trip to Barcelona again soon.” Click Read More for additional photos and information.

MUJI
WHOTELLS
Spotted via Hotel Chatter

PLACES TO STAY: ACE HOTEL
PLACES TO STAY: MINI CAPSULE HOTEL
PLACES TO STAY: THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN LA

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Forget the playgrounds we grew up on. The creative minds at Koz Architects take the concept of recreational space to new levels. With their latest project in Saint-Cloud (just outside of Paris), this vibrant funland is guaranteed to add incentive to your child’s exercise routine. It features everything from rock climbing walls to basketball courts. And it’s all encased in beautiful modern architecture. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

KOZ ARCHITECTS
SPOTTED VIA THE COOLHUNTER
ARCHDAILY ON SPORT CENTER

PLACES TO SEE: MANNAHATTA/MANHATTAN 400 YEARS AGO
PLACES TO SEE: XAVIER VEILHAN AT VERSAILLES
PLACES TO SEE: SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY

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City planners argue that trash disposal needs to be obvious in order for people to use them. So the challenge is – how do you create a disposal system that is functionally noticeable, but not an eyesore? Photographer Jos Jansen takes a look at Marseille’s system for paper and glass disposal. His atmospheric photography makes the disposal system an unlikely star.

As Jos describes: “Recently a new and uniform system for the collection of waste paper and leftover glass has been introduced in the city of Marseille, in France. Wherever you look, you see sets of two grey containers – one for the collection of glass (‘verre’), and one for the collection of paper (‘papier’). This series of photographs, created in 2009, shows Marseille on the basis of it’s ‘glass and paper system’.” Be sure to check out Jos’ other work. He’s a fantastic photographer. In the meantime, click Read More for additional information and photos.

Spotted via World Famous Design Junkies
Jos Jansen

CITY INNOVATIONS: ANIMAL WALL
CITY INNOVATIONS: SLOWER IS BETTER.
CITY INNOVATIONS: NYC JOINS 511 TWITTER

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Hermes is well known for their collaborations. From helicopters to pop-up shops, each endeavor is a smart extension of their brand. This time around, they’ve partnered with London’s retail champs, Liberty. As reported by Wallpaper Magazine, “Liberty has invited Hermes, the 136-year old equestrian inspired French brand, with an array of scarves in almost every colour, to set-up shop in its scarf room for a month.” Be sure to check out the brief installation. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Wallpaper Mag on Hermes x Liberty
NY Times on Hermes x Liberty
Liberty Online

PLACES TO SHOP: THE DIESEL DENIM GALLERY
PLACES TO SHOP: TRILOGY BOUTIQUE & CANTEEN
PLACES TO SHOP: PAPER SCISSOR STONE

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