The Arts

30 Brilliant Typographic Solutions

We just got our issue of Typography 29 in the mail over here and so we've been deep in the typography of things lately. Here is an excellent collection put together by Noupe.

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Project H Math Toys: Vote Now!

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Just as soon as you can, head over to Project H Design and vote for their latest project; designing educational math toys for developing and US retail markets, based on the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School in Uganda (an Architecture for Humanity building).

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Pecha Kucha Night at CoCA, Seattle. Thursday 7pm

Just found out about this one and won’t be able to make it because I’ll be in San Jose covering West Coast Green. But you all should go! These are great…

Please join CoCA as we play host to Pecha Kucha Night. This month’s theme is "Trouble". You’ve got some, we got some – let’s share. We’ve
assembled an incredible roster of writers, visual artists, race car
drivers, actors and other creative luminaries. Share ideas, see great
work – we’d love to see you there!

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Wabi Sabi, Biogerontology and “The Book of Tea”

by Daniel Flahiff

“It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is
a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible
thing we know as life.”

- Kakuzo Okakura
The Book of Tea

via Whisky River

carriage house

In art school we called it Wabi Sabi, in reference to objects that are imperfect, decaying or in various states of entropy. Picture an old barn, a rusty shovel, or even a rock worn smooth by rushing water, but be sure to leave out the romanticism. Wabi Sabi embraces and celebrates decay, acknowledging it as an essential part of life. The movement of all matter in the universe from order to chaos, from organization to disorganization.

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Top 5 Picks: Venice Architecture Biennale, 2008

La Biennale di Venezia 2008!

The theme of this year’s Biennale of Architecture in Venice, which opened on Sunday, is ‘Out There: Architecture Without Building’ so we thought it appropriate to review it from afar, from ‘Out Here:‘ as it were. Curator Aaron Betsky has this to say:

"Architecture must go beyond buildings because buildings are not enough. They are big and wasteful accumulations of natural resources that are difficult to adapt to the continually changing
conditions of modern life…Most buildings are ugly, useless and wasteful"

Hmm.

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The Fabulous Stains at Grand Illusion 9.12.08

FabulousstainsThis rarely-seen cult classic never recieved a theatrical release! I saw a crappy VHS copy in college and haven’t seen it since. Great cameos from The Tubes, The Clash and The Sex Pistols.–and now the awesome Grand Illusion theatre in Seattle is screening it tomorrow night in celebration of its release on DVD.

As soon as I get done typing, I’m clicking over to Amazon to pre-order my copy.

See y’all tomorrow night!

Architecture 2.0: Koolhaas v. Napoleon III

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In today’s Seattle Times, Mark Rahner talks to architect Rem Koolhaas about ego, empathy and architecture. What I find particularly insightful is Mr. Koolhaas’ vision of his role, both then and now, as a facilitator, teammate, and bureaucrat.

Bureaucrat?

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Coolest Doghouse Ever by Graypants

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Looking for something different for Fido’s birthday this year? Well look no further. This custom dog house from the architectural duo ‘Graypants’ should do quite nicely. Taking their cue from modernism’s spareness and penchant for glass curtain walls, the design duo has crafted a fabulous little abode for your pampered canine.

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Elgin Movement Recycled Cufflinks by SteamPunk

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Move over Prina, there is a new kid on the block. Check out these tight cufflinks designed by Watch-cufflinks á la Steampunk; take a defunct designer watch, pull out the guts, slap on a link back and voila! you’ve just upcycled some junk into a fashion accessory guaranteed to start a conversation! Check out the huge selection and get yours here…