Unseen Said

LYLE OWERKO: THE BOOMBOX PROJECT

2010-04-10T13:30:00.007-05:00

Lyle Owerko is a photographer and filmmaker, who shot the image that appeared on the cover of Time magazine on Sept 11, 2001. His latest work, The Boombox Project, is a visual history of the icon of street culture. I wish I had kept my Sony around.

SAYAKA GANZ: RECLAIMED SCULPTURES

2010-03-21T09:54:00.008-05:00

Sayaka Kajita Ganz is a Japanese sculptor who lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She creates fluid, highly expressive animals and elements from nature out of common household items that have been used and discarded. Her artwork represents her experience of being uprooted as a youth and having to acclimate to new environments. In the end, we all belong and can be reborn to become a part of something beautiful.

QUENTIN TARANTINO MOVIE POSTERS

2010-03-20T13:57:00.013-05:00

Quentin Tarantino movie poster series by Toronto-based designer/art director, Ibraheem Youssef. See the complete set here.

SKULLS + PHILIPP PLEIN

2010-03-06T15:37:00.010-06:00

It's no secret I love skulls and fashion. Designer Philipp Plein uses skulls as a motif throughout his collections. I am particularly drawn to the dichotomy of his creations for women where feminine and rock-n-rock (masculine) aesthetics meet. It's the allure of the dangerous woman.

CLIFF CHIANG 12 INCH REMIX

2010-01-23T11:56:00.007-06:00

Illustrator Cliff Chiang mashed up classic 80s movie soundtracks with classic 80s comic book heroes. The results are fun and totally awesome.

MODERN COPYWRITER

2010-01-01T08:01:00.005-06:00

Created by my friend, Jason Siciliano, Modern Copywriter is a new site that spotlights talented copywriters from around the world. Each entry features one sample piece with a short bio and a link to the writer's online portfolio. The site offers a great way to survey the state of advertising, design and interactive work. Jason has even set up an Amazon store where you can buy the essential tools copywriters need including music, books and electronics. Jason is currently working as a Managing Copywriter in Target's internal Creative Studio. You can check out his portfolio here.

MIKE MICTLAN PRIZEFIGHT MUSIC VIDEO

2009-12-07T11:57:00.005-06:00

This amazing video and website for Prizefight from rapper Mike Mictlan, is masterminded by my friend and designer turned director, Greg Hubacek. At any point while the video is playing, users can switch between 5 different remixes without stopping or missing a beat. That alone would make this video buzz-worthy but it's not the only trick up Greg's sleeve. Watch as 3/4 of the way in when the video changes from black to white, so does the website. Truly an interactive and engaging next-level experience. I know this was a labor of love for Greg and the results show. Props, yo!

GLOBE ROLL FIXED-GEAR BICYCLE

2009-11-28T21:54:00.011-06:00

As the hipster lust for fixed-gear bicycles has escalated, so has the price for them. Some custom-made fixies now fetch eye-popping numbers. The Roll is a relatively inexpensive fixed-gear bicycle from Globe and its parent company Specialized. While the Roll 1 retails for $610 (shown) and the Roll 2 costs $830, both come with stunning aesthetics and high-end features, like the integrated handlebar and stem, normally found on more expensive bikes. I believe I've found my next ride.

KRIS KUKSI BEAST ANTHOLOGY EXHIBIT

2009-11-21T11:58:00.005-06:00

Artist Kris Kuksi has an exhibition called Beast Anthology at the Joshua Liner Gallery in New York City, featuring his intricate mixed-media sculptures. I love his themes and aesthetics, particularly his inclusion of skulls. You can view the exhibit now through December 19.

UNIQLO COLLECTION TOKYO 2009 WEBSITE

2009-09-19T10:37:00.012-05:00

UNIQLO brings their latest collection to life through an interactive website where models strut on a cross-shaped catwalk. By clicking on any model, you get an isolated look at each of the items that make up the chosen ensemble.

Not only can you get ideas for putting an outfit together, but you can also see how each garment approximately fits on a real body. I say approximate because you have to translate the clothes to your body type unless you happen to have the figure of a model.

PHILLIP TOLEDANO: DAYS WITH MY FATHER

2009-08-02T08:55:00.013-05:00

Days With My Father is an online photo essay of photographer Phillip Toledano and his time spent with his dad after his mother's death. It's an extraordinary example of words and visuals coming together to express what it means to live and love. Deeply moving and highly emotional without a false word or photo, Days With My Father will resonate with me for a long time.

I was fortunate enough to run across this site from a tweet by my friend and designer, Annie Ulku. I've always been a fan of Twitter but the link to Days With My Father single-handedly validates Twitter's existence for me. For those still uninitiated, Twitter is indeed a great way to share information and inspiration.

THE GHOST & THE GRACE CD COVERS

2009-07-17T06:28:00.008-05:00

I love the power and elegance of these CD covers for The Ghost & The Grace. Designed by Sidearm, AKA Karl Peterson, a designer and musician living in Bellingham, WA.

THE ECONOMIST THINKING SPACE

2009-07-10T06:45:00.008-05:00

I’ve never read The Economist but I might pick up an issue after visiting their new website concept called Thinking Space, which asks people, “Where do you get your ideas?” Surprisingly, the site features readers of The Economist that I wouldn’t expect: fashion designers, musicians and scriptwriters. The magazine apparently has broader content than just finance and economics. A nice interactive touch allows users to upload their own spaces but I didn’t see a gallery that would showcase this content. Hopefully, user spaces will be added in a future update to this engaging online experience.

CAI GUO-QIANG HEAD ON

2009-05-29T06:44:00.007-05:00

Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition, I Want To Believe, is now showing at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, through September 6. The title of the installation shown above is called Head On and features 99 life-sized replicas of wolves made out of papier mâché, plaster, fiberglass, resin, and painted hide.

AH XIAN CHINA, CHINA BUSTS

2009-05-19T06:21:00.010-05:00

Ah Xian is a Chinese artist who journeyed to the historical center of porcelain production at Jing De Zhen after living in Australia for more than a decade. His China, China collection combines the Western portrait bust with traditional Chinese porcelain techniques and symbolic motifs of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Featuring body-casts of his friends and family, the 40 busts were hand-painted by local artisans under his direction.

JEFFREY CATHERINE JONES & FRANK FRAZETTA

2009-05-12T06:53:00.019-05:00

I ran across the painter Jeffrey Catherine Jones (first 3 pics), who had a sex change in the late 1990s, and her work reminded me of Frank Frazetta (last 3 pics). As a kid, I rode my bicycle to the downtown Minneapolis Shinder's and read comic books. Among them was The Savage Sword of Conan, which lead me to Frazetta. The power of the heroes and nudes of the women were too tantalizing for a young boy to resist. Jones brought back all those memories.

THOMAS ALLEN BOOK ART PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-05-11T06:56:00.012-05:00

Photographer Thomas Allen, who graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master of Fine Arts, creates cool dioramas by cutting out the covers of old pulp paperbacks and juxtaposing them to create new storylines.

WALL-E RETRO POSTERS

2009-05-10T08:07:00.004-05:00

Limited edition retro-styled posters for the movie, Wall-E. Designed by Eric Tan and originally used as a promotional postcard passed out at San Diego Comic Con 2007. Available for sale at Acme.

BEAR SLEEPING BAG

2009-05-09T10:05:00.005-05:00

I find it interesting that life comes at you in bunches. I recently watched a program about bear maulings and then ran across this bear-shaped sleeping bag made by artist Eiko Ishizawa. Originally a soft sculpture, a production model for sale is currently in the works. I keep thinking how ironic would it be if you were camping and got mauled by a bear in this sleeping bag? Quite the curious ending.

DATSUN 10TH ANNIVERSARY 280ZX BLACK GOLD

2009-05-07T06:43:00.004-05:00

A bro of mine, Gil Muiños, shared this awesome commercial. Everything about it is perfection. I want this car. And even if I wanted that 'Stache, I couldn't grow one. Maybe that's a good thing.

BACK IN BLACK 2 T-SHIRT EXHIBIT

2009-05-06T06:32:00.009-05:00

It's back. In black. Natch. The BACK IN BLACK 2 T-Shirt Exhibit showcases original, one-color t-shirt designs by 17 of the best digital illustrators and designers in the US and Europe (who are behind your favorite t-shirts from popular apparel companies, bands and record labels). If you're lucky enough to be in Tampa, FL, on May 16th, you can get your t-shirts screen printed right on the spot at Czar’s Imperial Theatre. Or you can order them online. Hurry. The tees go fast. I got mine picked out.

SHEPARD FAIREY TREK BICYCLE

2009-05-03T07:55:00.012-05:00

I follow Lance Armstrong on Twitter and he posted these photos of the Shepard Fairey designed Tour of Italy Trek Madone bicycle. I'm a Specialized brand fanatic but to say I want one would be an understatement. Which leads to the obvious questions: Can I get one and more importantly, can I afford one?

THREE RANDOM IMAGES 2

2009-05-02T07:50:00.011-05:00

Another set of randomness. The first is a poster for the 2007 Sandra Bullock movie, PREMONITION. The middle is from photographer, Joe Baran. And finally, the infectious personality of Soul Brother Number One, James Brown, can't be denied.

CHELSEA GREENE LEWYTA ILLUSTRATIONS

2009-04-24T06:02:00.008-05:00

Chelsea Greene Lewyta is a student at Pratt Institute who creates extremely personal, visceral works of art. This triptych completed for her senior winter semester is titled, "Hate, Lust, Love". As she says, "You can draw your own conclusions."

PHILIPS CINEMA 21:9 LCD TV

2009-04-21T08:15:00.007-05:00

Exclusive short film by Adam Berg featured on the website for the Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV, the world's first cinema proportioned television screen. The site hosts this fully interactive movie titled CAROUSEL. It is filmed in one continuous tracking shot and offers an interactive exploration into the world of movies being made for the cinema screen through the eyes of the director and the special effects and lighting experts.

CHINESE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADS

2009-04-20T07:05:00.009-05:00

These are amazingly executed print ads for the China Environmental Protection Foundation from JWT Shanghai, China. I can't read Chinese but the top ad is about industrial pollution, the second concerns automotive pollution and the third addresses global warming. Click each image to enlarge and see the details. There's more than meets the eye here.

VINTAGE PORSCHE RACING POSTERS

2009-04-20T06:51:00.005-05:00

Vintage Porsche posters designed by Erich Strenger and Volz. I wish car advertising looked like this again.

ZEUS JONES SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTION

2009-04-17T06:23:00.015-05:00

I saw this while SXSW was going on and for some reason didn't post it. My bad. Here is a completely different way to look at sustainability from Zeus Jones and their developer partner, Sierra Bravo. I love the presentation. Simple, logical and to the point. Brilliant thinking. Props.

KIM HOLTERMAND PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-04-16T22:14:00.006-05:00

Kim Holtermand is a photographer from Denmark. Her architecture images are minimalist and graphic with light that some may find cold and lonely but I personally find warm and inviting. Haunting, but in a good way.

KORE FLATMO TATTOO ARTIST

2009-04-06T06:21:00.004-05:00

Kore Flatmo is a tattoo artist from Cincinnati, OH. His expressive and highly detailed work is some of the best I've seen. Check out more of his intricate creations at his studio's website, Plurabella.

FALLON SKIMMER SOCIAL NETWORKING TOOL

2009-03-24T12:49:00.006-05:00

Fallon just launched a free application called Skimmer that allows users of social networking sites to gather their activities into a single desktop widget. Skimmer will pull together posts from Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Blogger and YouTube. Agencies are always trying to demonstrate to clients that they understand social media. Fallon has proven they not only get it but they are leading the way through innovation.

JASON HACKENWERTH BALLOON ART

2009-03-16T07:20:00.008-05:00

I love balloon-makers. David Hackenwerth is a balloon-maker of the highest order. His artwork resembles fantastic microorganisms and alien creatures. An interesting if unfortunate dimension to his work is like all balloons they eventually deflate over time.

SIMON HEGSBERG 100 METER PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-03-15T08:36:00.005-05:00

These pictures are part of WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE 100 METERS OF EXISTENCE, from photographer, Simon Hegsberg. The photograph is exactly 100m x 78cm long and has 178 people in it. I love seeing people captured in the moment and wondering about the stories behind each individual.

THREE RANDOM IMAGES 1

2009-03-13T06:59:00.011-05:00

Every once in a while I'll be posting three images I've randomly found that for one reason or another have caught my eye. The first photo is the street artist Shepard Fairey getting tagged. Interesting in light of his recent work for Saks Fifth Avenue and its WANT IT! campaign. As for the Nike photo, I just love the dog looking on. And finally, I watched Scooby Doo as a kid and never thought of Velma like this before. Ruh Roh Raggy!

YULIA BRODSKAYA PAPER GRAPHICS

2009-03-12T06:44:00.012-05:00

Yulia Brodskaya is an artist who explores ways to combine illustration, typography and paper with amazing results.

WRENCHMONKEES MOTORCYCLES

2009-03-11T06:50:00.002-05:00

Wrenchmonkees is a Copenhagen, Denmark, builder of custom motorcycles. The bike pictured above is simply named Monkee 11 and is currently exhibited at the Danish Museum of Art & Design.

TOPPS AUGMENTED REALITY BASEBALL CARDS

2009-03-10T06:45:00.005-05:00

Augmented reality is a rapidly evolving technology that more and more brands like Mini Cooper and GE are using to engage consumers. It’s currently used by Topps to attract young baseball card collectors and makes the brand instantly relevant again in a slumping industry. Augmented reality uses your webcam to scan Topps 3D Live baseball cards to bring players to life on your computer.

APPLE iPOD TOUCH WEB BANNER AD

2009-03-09T14:17:00.006-05:00

From the how’d-they-do-that department, here is the new iPod Touch web banner ad that interacts with the navigation bar of websites like Pitchfork, MTV and CNET. Apple always seems to be ahead of the curve.

PAUL FRANK SUNGLASSES PRINT ADS

2009-03-09T06:56:00.008-05:00

In Europe and Asia, sex and sexuality is viewed differently: More open and more explicit. These ads, from the Bangkok, Thailand agency, KID, are actually tame compared to some I've seen. Nevertheless, I'm sure something like this would never run in the US. This campaign features classic demonstration ads showing the consequence of not wearing Paul Frank sunglasses. The tagline reads, DON'T MISS THE FUN IN THE SUN.

KNIGHT RIDER TURBO BOOST TRIBUTE VIDEO

2009-03-06T07:09:00.006-06:00

And now for something completely different. I love how the ridiculous can be sublime. This video cuts together almost all of the turbo boosts in the original Knight Rider. I never was a fan of the TV show, but I may have to become one because this video 1) has one of my favorite Metallica songs, and 2) David Hasselhoff's reactions are so over-the-top funny.

INTERPOL REST MY CHEMISTRY VIDEO

2009-03-05T06:27:00.007-06:00

Cool music video from a great band. Directed by Blip Boutique featuring visual programming by Aaron Koblin with editing and visual effects by Roger Scott.

BECKS MODELING CLAY PRINT ADS

2009-03-04T06:50:00.006-06:00

Becks Plastilin is big modeling clay manufacturer, but the company isn’t well known outside of Europe due to the global domination of Hasbro’s Playdoh. I love campaigns that elevate an ordinary and innocuous product to a higher emotional calling. The tagline says it all, LET THE KIDS BUILD A BETTER WORLD. Fun and inspirational.

BOVEY LEE PAPER CUTOUT DRAWINGS

2009-03-03T07:28:00.009-06:00

Bovey Lee is a Chinese artist who takes the ancient Chinese folk art of paper cutout drawings and contemporizes them by blending traditional subject matter such as folklore or celestial animals with images drawn from her own background and experiences. All her work is hand cut on rice paper.

KRISANNE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-03-02T06:40:00.003-06:00

Krisanne Johnson is a photographer from Xenia, Ohio, who is now based in New York City. Her ability to capture a moment and reveal the beauty of living in the real world is insightful and moving. Her work has appeared in The Fader, US News & World Report and the New York Times.

2009 ACURA TL COMMERCIALS

2009-03-01T10:15:00.007-06:00

Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper come to mind recently as memorable and effective campaigns but overall car advertising is tough to do. That’s why these commercials for the 2009 Acura TL catch my attention every time I see them air. Definitely not the norm with great music and arresting visuals that pay off the message. Beautifully executed.

LAKAI FULLY FLARED INTRO

2009-02-27T12:56:00.004-06:00

This is an oldie but a goody. Spike Jonze directed this slow-mo intro for Lakai's Fully Flared video. With the sweeping, beautiful music of M83's "Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun" and tons of explosives, skateboarding has never been more epic or majestic. Badass.

WAYNE LEVIN PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-02-27T06:46:00.005-06:00

If you know me, I have this fascination with surfing and its culture. I want to learn to surf but I’m not a good swimmer and I’m afraid of deep, open water. But someday, I’ll get on the board. In the meantime, if I can’t surf I can at least live vicariously through great photography. Based out of Honolulu, Hawaii, it’s not surprising that Wayne Levin specializes in capturing evocative ocean imagery from seascapes to schools of fish, and of course, surfers.

CHRISTIAN FAUR CRAYON ART

2009-02-26T07:21:00.009-06:00

Artist Christian Faur uses actual crayons as pixels to create imagery that's part sculpture and part painting but all truly amazing.

ANAGRAM BOOKSHOP PRINT ADS

2009-02-24T21:37:00.003-06:00

The power of words on a page is brought to life in this stunning visual campaign for Anagram Bookshop from the Prague agency, Kaspen.

SHORT LETTERPRESS DOCUMENTARY

2009-02-24T18:56:00.008-06:00

This is a great 6-minute video on letterpress printing featuring Firefly Press in Somerville, MA. Here in Minneapolis, the art is alive and well due to the efforts of our own letterpress craftsman and proprietor of Studio On Fire, Ben Levitz. Be sure to visit Studio On Fire's blog, Beast Pieces, for more inspiration.

TARA DONOVAN STYROFOAM CUPS

2009-02-22T12:56:00.005-06:00

New York-based artist, Tara Donovan uses common, everyday objects and materials like pencils, straws and Scotch tape to create complex, organic installations. Here, her work with Styrofoam cups feels natural and alive.

SCRABBLE PRINT ADS

2009-02-20T15:22:00.007-06:00

I played Scrabble over Christmas holiday for the first time in many, many years. Check out these great print ads from JWT Santiago Chile.

KANYE WEST WELCOME TO HEARTBREAK

2009-02-19T07:08:00.010-06:00

Director Nabil Elderkin uses pixelation as the vehicle to convey this songs themes of being out of touch and out of one's mind. It's Kanye West all grown up and introspective, right down to his Bill Cosby Coogi inspired sweater.

IAN KIM

2009-02-18T07:35:00.006-06:00

Ian Kim is an artist based out of LA. You've probably seen his illustrations in the latest Gatorade Quest for G campaign. But check out his site for more incredible work like his interpretations of the legend of the Monkey King.

ONITSUKA TIGER ZODIAC RACE

2009-02-17T19:28:00.016-06:00

Onitsuka Tiger is celebrating its 60th anniversary, a major milestone in Japanese culture filled with symbolism around the "Cycle of Life". Watch the legendary race as animals compete to secure spots in the Zodiac calendar.

1957 FERRARI 250 TESTA ROSSA

2009-02-16T22:17:00.002-06:00

This rare 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is expected to shatter the $10.89 million record at RM Auction's annual Leggenda e Passione event at the Ferrari factory in Maranello this coming May. Already race-proven, this car’s styling has indeed stood the test of time. Classic.

JET BIKE BY NORIO FUJIKAWA

2009-02-16T21:40:00.005-06:00

Don’t know if this jet bike is an actual prototype for production or not, but it doesn’t matter. Norio Fujikawa, the industrial designer and concept artist, can imagine and express the best of anime and mecha aesthetics.

WATCHMEN ARCADE GAME

2009-02-15T08:40:00.000-06:00

The official UK site of the highly-anticipated movie adaptation of the graphic novel, Watchmen, offers an 80s arcade-style 8-bit video game. Go for the high score as you punch and kick bad guys as either Watchmen superheroes, Nite Owl or Silk Spectre. Insert your virtual quarter here.

MAKE SOMETHING COOL EVERY DAY

2009-02-14T20:47:00.004-06:00

Since joining the Flickr group, Make Something Cool Every Day, Brock Davis has been creating some ridiculously brilliant art. His shattered series is a prime example. Check his set daily for your dose of inspiration.

HYDRO74 VS NIKE & HOUSE OF HOOPS

2009-02-13T06:37:00.004-06:00

I love the work of designer Joshua M. Smith, AKA Hydro74. I also love basketball. And I’m particularly fond of Nike. So when the three meet, it’s a win-win-win as far as I’m concerned. Be amazed at his limited edition work for Nike and the House of Hoops here.

KITTENS INSPIRED BY KITTENS

2009-02-13T00:46:00.005-06:00

Now normally, when I get an email with a video about a furry four-legged creature, I just hit delete. But this video involves a cute 6-year old, who happens to be the daughter of Al Kelly, the ECD at Fallon. Don’t know him or his daughter but I can tell things are never dull at home. If this doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what will.

LINGERIE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

2009-02-12T23:04:00.008-06:00

With team names like the San Diego Seduction and the Dallas Desire, the inaugural season of the LFL kicks off in Fall 2009. Alternatives like the Arena Football League have come and gone if nothing else due to just being more of the same old, same old. Instead of more men playing more football, we now have beautiful women in sports bras and bikini bottoms playing football. Their tagline says it all: True Fantasy Football. Sex sells.

SHEPARD FAIREY: SUPPLY & DEMAND

2009-02-12T22:15:00.005-06:00

Now viewing at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston is the first museum exhibit of Shepard Fairey, the influential street artist who created the iconic Obama poster. The retrospective spans the last 20 years since the first appearance of his Obey Giant sticker campaign. If you’re lucky enough to be in Boston, check it out Feb. 6 to Aug. 16, 2009. For more info, click here.