Kaws interview with i-D Magazine

i-D Magazine interviews the amazing Kaws on his life, goals, and his collaboration with the magazine which looks dope.  

David Choe Ice Cream Truck

Summer is here and there is only one way to cool down, with the David Choe ice cream truck. This customized ice cream truck is a collaboration between David Choe, Ewok, and Revok. So if you want to stay cool you gotta do it in style – look out for the truck if you’re in the Honolulu area.

Thanks to David Choe’s blog for the pic.

Do Not Heel!

Friends, the evil empire has once again gone too far; just another offense in Disney’s long history of cultural appropriation.

As we drove to our local movie store this week we couldn’t help but notice a billboard plastered with what we hoped to be giant wheat-pastings that resembled the marks of Shepard Fairey.

Obey was quick to deny any connection, in a simple post on May 23, 2008:

Do Not Heel: “Just in case you were speculating… Shepard/OBEY has had nothing to do with the new Disney HEEL ad campaign.”

Disney is doing a guerrilla advertising campaign to promote a new film called “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and as a corporate venture, these billboards are the antithesis of what graffiti represents.

Of course, writing about Disney’s bastardization of graffiti will probably serve as more advertising for this movie, which is what Disney wants, but something had to be said.

For more of the lowdown on Disney, this site has links to articles on racism, sexism, child exploitation, and many other Disney practices.

For info on REAL Shepard Fairy works, go here.

Mommy’s Chair

A while ago, a friend of mine sent me a link to some very interesting chairs. The chairs are called “Mommy’s chair” and are designed by an English artist named Lucy Merchant. The inspiration for making these chairs came from her own childhood drawings. What looks like a child’s drawing below is actually a photograph of the chairs – made from powder-coated recycled steel – making them suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Her entire series of furniture can be seen at her website, including a mirror chest, picket-fence heaters, and a table that folds into its own carrying case.

Yves Saint Laurent 1936-2008

As a 21-year-old designer, Yves Saint Laurent showed his first solo collection with Christian Dior, beginning a career which would span five decades and completely revolutionize fashion.

He believed that women’s clothing should be as timeless and classic as men’s, and his staunch belief that women ought to be able to wear pants publicly was controversial in 1968. He claimed it to be more of an issue of evolution than revolution, however, when he stated ““My small job as a couturier is to make clothes that reflect our times. I’m convinced women want to wear pants.” Women everywhere who love their levi’s have Saint Laurent to thank for being the first designer to succeed in putting women in pants. He was also the first designer to design a tuxedo for women and use black models on the runway.

Saint Laurent died on Sunday at the age of 71, having left a lasting mark on the world of fashion which mourns the loss of such a visionary.

NY Times obituary

The Revolution Will Be Fabulous!

New solo show by Peter Gronquist at Gallery 1988 in L.A., entitled The Revolution Will Be Fabulous: A Weapons of Mass Designer Show features artillery and arms decked out by your favorite luxury brands. Since Gronquist is not working with the luxury brands some of the construction is a little shaky. The political/social commentary is a little unclear but at the very least Gronquist’s work is amusing.

The show reminds me of the gas masks made by Diddo Velema in collaboration with Gucci and Louis Vuitton which were unveiled during the 2008 Bucharest luxury brand show.

DAVID CHOE!

The first time I witnessed David Choe paint was at the Boston UGHH and I’ve been a big fan ever since. We’ve been trying to keep up with the superstar since his first NYC show but now he’s an unstoppable beast of unmitigated dirty style, moving from the left coast and hitting the streets of London. I’m gonna shut up and let the pictures speak for themselves but if you want more, digital gravel also carries a collection of his drawings called Cursiv’.

The man has hit it big time at the Lazarides Gallery, known for attracting monstrous sums of money with artists from the likes of Banksy and Andrew Micallif. David Choe’s new show “Murderous Heart” is simultaneously showing in London and New Castle.

(pictures from supertouch)

Power to the People

Obey and Metropark are hosting an art contest in which people have the chance to submit new designs for 2 new t-shirts, one for men and one for women. Grand prize winners will have their designs produced by Obey and sold at Metropark stores. Runner up gets a gift card and free gear. The only restriction listed in the rules is that the design include the signature Obey logo, so start stretching those design muscles! Submissions are due by April 30 – more info/enter now

While you’re at it, check out Obey’s Spring ‘08 lookbook. I especially like the backpack on page 2…