TRAVEL INSPIRATION.

All eyes are on Dubai. The ups, the downs, the issues, the luxury – it’s all covered. Countless images echo through the media displaying typical angles about business and buildings. But very few capture the ethereal beauty of the city like the ones featured here by Christopher Wilson. His thoughtful photography brings out another side of Dubai while still highlighting its most obvious features. Check out one of our favorite sites, FLYLYF for more photos.

FLYLYF N CHRISTOPHER WILSON
CHRISTOPHER WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

CITYSCAPES BY MARC YANKUS
TOKYO CAMERA STYLE
MICHAEL HUGHES’ PHOTO SOUVENIRS.

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DESIGN: Every year we look forward to Wallpaper* Magazine’s Design Awards. This year they’ve partnered with HTC to bring together an allstar cast of judges to comment on the best in innovative design. Celebrating quiet brilliance, this year’s panel will evaluate everything from Dyson’s Air Muliplier to Up Street Furniture by Ewo and Norway Says. We’re excited to see the outcome.

2010’s judges include Paris-based fashion designer John Galliano, Belgian-born installation artist Carsten Holler, American interior designer Kelly Wearstler, British media executive James Murdoch, American architect Steven Holl and Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar. But they’re not the only ones evaluating the nominees, you can also vote in the reader’s choice award. Vote here. Also, click Read More for additional information.

Wallpaper Design Awards 2010
Sponsors HTC

WHO IS THIS CITY AGENCY NAMED BNE?
SERIES & PROGRESSION BY DAN FLAVIN
GENEVIÈVE GAUCKLER’S LONDON DEBUT

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FILMS: Chris Rock once famously said that “a man is only as faithful as his options”. I don’t know how true that is but it makes you think. Why does it seem like infidelity is more likely, the more successful a man is?

Lukas Moodysson’s latest film, Mammoth, is a brilliant examination of modern love and marriage. It’s about the rippling effects of life’s smallest decisions. Leo and his wife Ellen lead a charmed life in New York with their daughter, Jackie. Ellen is a hardworking emergency surgeon and Leo is an entrepreneur. His website is doing extremely well and is generating a great deal of interest. When he travels to Thailand on business, he unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will have a dire impact on his family. Mammoth is currently available on DVD and Video On Demand. Click here to view the trailer.

Mammoth on IFC

ELEGY EXAMINES PARALYZING LOVE
JEAN-PIERRE MELVILLE’S LE SAMOURI (1967)
THREE TIMES

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PLACES: Rome’s Maxxi Museum for Contemporary Art opened this month. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the modern structure pushes the creative envelope of its more traditional surroundings. Using open space, great lighting and bold curves, the building suggests speed and movement.

The New York Times has a fantastic piece highlighting the context & relevance of Maxxi. For instance they write, “What would Pope Urban VIII have made of Maxxi, the new museum of contemporary art designed by Zaha Hadid on the outskirts of this city’s historic quarter? My guess is that he would have been ecstatic…” Be sure to check out the full article here. Also, click Read More for additional information and photos.

Location Details

Via Guido Reni, 10
00012 Pichini, Guidonia Montecelio
Rome (Lazio), Italy
06 3202438

Maxxi Contemporary Arts Centre on AR
Sub-Studio on Maxxi
NY Times on Maxxi

LONDON’S OXFORD CIRCUS CROSSING OPENS
THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS PROJECT
WEST LONDON’S AUDI SHOWROOM

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PLACES: In the late 80s frozen yogurt was on a run. Stores like TCBY spawned a crazed flight away from typical ice cream chains. Then it died down a bit, but not for long. Over the last few years it’s made a strong resurgence with stores like Pink Berry and Red Mango. And across the pond we came across another great shop – London’s SNOG.

With clean presentation and good hearted humor, SNOG offers frozen yogurt to the masses. Not only does it taste good, you can tell they’ve put a lot of effort in the branding and concept. Earlier this year they opened their impressive shop in SOHO London designed by Dominic Harris from Cinimod Studios. As the firm describes, “Cinimod’s design builds upon the brand identity created by ico Design and evolves the strong architectural vision created in the first store SNOG South Kensington, while introducing a different ‘quirk’ in the design: the bubbling ceiling. This lighting feature is comprised of 700 glass globes containing LED lights and presents a new level of visual excitement and public engagement.” Click Read More for additional photos and information.

SNOG SOHO
9 Brewer Street
London WIF ORG

SNOG
CINIMOD STUDIO

NOMIYA PARIS FRANCE
PORTLAND’S PING
AUSTRALIA DAIRY COMPANY IN HONG KONG

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PLACES: The classic interior designs of Joseph Dirand meet Landa Architects for the creation of Habita Hotel. Located in Monterrey, Mexico the duo make use of awe-inspiring views with over-sized windows, curved rooms and top floor terraces. The work of Joseph Dirand is undeniable. As we’ve mentioned before, his commitment to simplicity, balance and clean lines define his work. In today’s world of loud design, his use of black and white minimalism creates a quiet retreat which is perfect for any hotel accommodation. Thankfully, Contemporist unearthed a closer look at Habita Hotel. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Location Details

Vasconcelos NO 150 OTE
San Pedro Garza Garcia
Nuevo Leon Mexico
CP 66220
Tele + 52 81 8335 5900

HABITA HOTEL
JOSEPH DIRAND
LANDA ARCHITECTS

HOTEL PALOMAR PHILADEPHIA
ACE HOTEL TEAMS UP WITH MINT & SERF
MUJI TEAMS UP WITH WHOTELLS

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We have to take a moment to spotlight Lab[au]. Their interactive installations are among our favorites. From their work with Dexia Towers in Brussels to their recent f5×5 framework exhibit – they continue to inspire and redefine what art can look and feel like. Check out their website. It lists all their work over the years. Also, click Read More for additional photos of their framework exhibit.

LAB[au]

ART & CULTURE: MOS DEF EMBEDDED IN JAPAN
ART & CULTURE: DIETER RAM’S LESS & MORE
ART & CULTURE: PUBLIC WORKS BY AAKASH NIHALANI

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Dubai continues to bend the will of time. In just 4 years, 30,000 workers have constructed the world’s longest fully-automated driverless metro system. An extension of the city’s disposition for luxury, the Dubai Metro runs for 32 miles and has 29 stations. Impressive? Yes. But, will locals actually use it?

As Spiegel International astutely reports: “It is the longest automated metro system in the world, complete with luxury compartments, Wi-Fi and air conditioning. But will Dubai succeed in luring sheiks out of their cars in an emirate where gasoline only costs 25 cents a liter?” Be sure to read the full article here. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Spiegel International on Dubai Metro
Flavorwire on Dubai Metro
Spotted via NOTCOT

PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOS: BMW’S CONCEPTUAL COOL
PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOS: FIAT FACTORIES & PLANTS.
PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOS: BARCELONA’S DRASSANES METRO STATION

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Los Angeles trio, Pollyn, has a sound that is both ethereal and gritty. Their debut album This Little Night is an outstanding effort, reminiscent of Massive Attack and Esthero. Yet, they bring something completely unique and fresh that’s a little hard to pin down.

The video for their single Gave it Up, is a piece of diy greatness – clueing the viewer in on the band’s creative process. It’s a performance shot at KXLU– you see the equipment and all the records and you get the sense that their influences run deep. It’s an inspiring four minutes and thirty-one seconds. Click Read More to watch the video and for additional information.

Pollyn Website
Pollyn on KCRW
Pollyn Video

wejetset audio: Quantic & His Combo Barbaro
wejetset audio: Mayer Hawthorne’s Maybe So Maybe No
wejetset audio: Nouvelle Vague’s Love Will Tear Us Apart

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Austin, Texas is the place to be. Check out the latest project by MJ Neal Architects. Entitled the Wolfe Den, they’ve seamlessly blended natural and industrial elements with modern cues. Measuring at 2400 square feet, MJ Neal makes use of every inch while keeping the home airy and spacious.

In addition to its nice aesthetics, Wolfe Den is also eco-considered. As the architects describe, “The house, although conventionally framed, used green methodology and materials: Slab on grade with diamond ground finish. Bio-base (soy) blow-in insulation for the exterior wall and roof. Recycled denim insulation on the interior walls. Recycled rubber flooring on the upper level. Formaldehyde-free plywood. Low-voc paint. Ipe hard-wood from sustainably managed forests. Locally manufactured brick. Fluorescent and low voltage lighting. Geothermal HVAC system. The house is also photo-voltaic ready for when budget allows.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

The Contemporist on Wolfe Den
MJ Neal Architects

Places to Live: Paris’ 45 Rue Louis blanc by ECDM
Places to Live: Grangegorman Residence by ODOS
Places to Live: Loft Cube’s Rooftop Living

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London’s early morning energy is brilliantly captured by Chris Searson for a film entitled Rush Hour. In this experimental short video, he captures the frenetic pace of London’s AM traffic. We loved it.

When we travel, one of our favorite activities is watching a city wake up. It reveals so much. As Chris describes his work: “Inspired by Koyaanisqatsi, the film uses time lapse photography techniques to create the visuals. A DSLR was set up to take a frame every 2 secs with a shutter speed of around 0.3 – 2 secs with an ND8 filter was used to create a motion blur which helps to increase the sense of rush and movement within the film.” Click Read More for additional photos, information and to watch the video.

Chris Searson on Vimeo
Spotted by Fubiz

Travel Inspiration: Montreal is for Surfers
Travel Inspiration: IAM1 Amsterdam Journey f. Nalden
Travel Inspiration: View From Above the Clouds

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“Now I’m very vulnerable to female beauty… Everybody’s defenseless against something, and that’s it for me. I see it and it blinds me to everything else.” These are the words of David Kepesh, the central character of Elegy, a film about a womanizing professor and his relationship with an emotionally mature female student.

Kepesh has a deep appreciation for aesthetics – he has impeccable taste and has managed to construct a life filled with elegance. When Consuela enters his classroom, she disrupts this well-planned life. His encounter with her paralyzes him, as he’s confronted with the gravity of a real connection. Elegy is a brilliant examination of beauty and its ability to both blind and transform. Click Read More for additional information and photos. Watch the trailer for Elegy.

wejetset films: Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï (1967)
wejetset films: Three Times
wejetset films: Darshan The Embrace

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Last week 329 hot air balloons set off into the skies for the largest gathering of its kind – the Loraine Mondial Air Balloon Rally, held in Chambley France. Seeing one balloon in flight is beautiful, but seeing this many is awe-inspiring. Luckily the flickr community caught it all. If you’re looking for a brief mental escape or some travel inspiration, check out their Loraine Mondial photo group. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

These amazing photos are by:
gbatistini
mortimer
danielguffanti

flickr Balloon Launch
Biennale Mondiale de l’Aérostation / Mondial Air Ballons Photo Group

Travel Inspiration: Montreal is for Surfers
Travel Inspiration: IAM1 Amsterdam Journey f. Nalden
Travel Inspiration: View From Above the Clouds

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The Detroit sound is alive and well in the hands of singer/songwriter Mayer Hawthorne. He has the musical sensibilities of a hip hop producer but instead of sampling classic soul and jazz songs; he reinterprets them and creates something that is both modern and classic. Hawthorne’s Maybe So, Maybe No is a heartfelt record about love and loss. The crisp drumming is accompanied by an equally percussive piano and melodic horns, which result in a lush upbeat pop track—perfect for summer listening. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Buy This Song
Mayer Hawthorne on Stones Throw
Stones Throw Records

wejetset audio: Nouvelle Vague’s Love Will Tear Us Apart
wejetset audio: José James & The Dreamer
wejetset audio: Still Taking it Easy by J. Rawls

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Here’s an interesting installation that could easily be considered the sequel to The Red Ballon. The airy suggestions, the signature red and the romantic small town provide a story that can make any object – in this case the umbrellas – the star attraction. At the University de Talca in Chile, students Jaime Latorre and Pablo Retemal converted an open mall into a convered destination sheltered by 400 umbrellas. Although the exhibit took place last year, we felt it was noteworthy because it displays the innovative beauty coming from students invested in their community – great energy. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

Archdaily on Covered in Umbrellas

Art & Culture: Os Gemeos Mural NYC
Art & Culture: Sarah Moli Newton Applebaum
Art & Culture: Joel Micah Miller Makes Tourism Beautiful

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