Yanko Tsvetkov has come up with a map based purely on the stereotypes that americans have of the world. In my opinion it certainly knocks down them borders! This satirical outlook on the world is far clearer to a modern map than any i have seen. With the world no longer in need of exploration and far more about outlook.

Banksy… So last decade…Make way for P183, Russia’s answer to street art.

This is my favourite of his street art, it shows a Russian protestestor holding a flare guiding him through the tunnel. Street art is still alive, i only wish i saw more of it! It is completely separated from Graffiti in my book, Graffiti makes a place look old and tires, street art renews a neighbourhood. It gives the people a voice, all be it anonymous, to show the ‘man’ what they think.

Would it not be great to walk around and see these pieces sporadically placed all over cities, giving run down areas, dilapidated building and dingy alleys a heart. They also are so democratic allowing the masses to see them, rather allowing the few into galleries. People cannot view these as anti social acts, as they actually are one of the most social acts we still have.

With news that Banksys iconic kissing police in Brighton was sold last year and taken away from its context, i can only see new artists as fantastic for society and art at all levels. Anyone out there feel up to the challenge as well?

Yes, you are seeing correctly, carbon fibre skis; cancel the trip to specsavers. One of the most celebrated names in motoring, Audi, has joined forces with the ski designers at Head to create something that can only be described as astounding. 

Audi have developed a product that utilises both the technology of the motor and ski industries, making a ski that changes every ones game. With its sleek design and all black aesthetic you can really imagine it carving down the white powder backdrop.

A designers dream maybe, but with a complex core that helps any skier to glide there way down with confidence.

The tech team have produced a spec to be proud of; with a wooden core sandwiched with titanium and aluminium all shrouded in a carbon fibre blanket.

960 grams of weight, equivalent to less than two blocks of butter. Making them easy to manipulate on the snow terrain.

• Lightweight carbon skis designed and developed by Audi Concept Design in Munich may make ‘series production’ by winter 2011
• Developed with the same obsessive attention to optimum performance, quality and innovative design as Audi cars
• Audi Carbon Skis complement the new Audi merchandise Ski collection, available to order in Centres now

“Carbon and aluminium are central elements in Audi design – these exclusive materials underscore the outstanding quality of our cars,” Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design for the Audi Group said. “The design of the ski also intentionally dispenses with unnecessary lines and concentrates fully on the material.”

Its engineers have used carbon as it helps to maximise stiffness while minimising twisting. They also have exceptional dampening qualities helps to provide a carving ski at the top of its game.

The nature of ski’s need to have amazing technical and engineering internals, whilst also carrying amazing aesthetics. Audi have created something that they should be proud of, and this is definitely a ski that will leave the mountain jealous with envy.

……..See you on the slopes.

Speakers are all over the place these days, with boring docking stations that produce tinny sounds within even more boring plastic casings, but Devin Ward offers something new…(but old).

Devin Ward, a humble electrician come artist from Los-Angeles converts old vintage tube radios into something more current, installing a mini-jack connection allowing for all the modern music players to be wired in.

These nostalgic products would be perfect for any ones christmas list, i wouldn’t mind one on my desk! There all priced up to £215 and can be found at Etsy

Some of the models even come with tone adjustment knobs to help it get that quality sound perfection. There’s loads to choose from on the website all with the same vintage customisation.

In Devin Wards words

“A modern twist on an old design. Where vintage radios get revitalized and customised.”

Uniform wares have designed an amazing new chronograph wristwatch as part of the 300 series. Carrying with it a ‘less is more’ attitude, with a slic and polished finish, it really come off as a modernised classic design. You will be happy to know that behind that amazing clock face is swiss made working ticking away, keeping everything moving just how they do in Switzerland itself!

The brushed steel finish looks amazing against the strap, and with a handy calendar, provides a watch that keeps us all on time, sorry for being cheesy!

It comes in black, tan and brown, so theres one for anybody!

TIMEPIECE SPECIFICATION

So the Dutch have finally come up with a way to bring the mountain to Mohammed! Arcitects  Hoffers and Kruger have drawn up plans for a 7000ft man made mountain. At a cost of £270 billion and taking 30 years to construct, in my opinion it is a step to far.

It aims at offering a solution for winter sports, cycling, walking, white water rafting, rock climbing and many more extreme sports. For a country that is famously flat, it will certainly make an impact. With finacial backing flooding in, it really looks like this may just happen.

“The mountain, tentatively called Die Berg Komt Er, or The Mountain Comes, could take thirty years to complete. Investors are already being sought for the project, and Dutch skiing, climbing, and cycling associations have signed on, according to BD.

Thorwald Veneberg, technical director of the Royal Dutch Cycling Federation, said: “The altitude and the length of roads in the Dutch hills do not compare with high mountains in the Alps or the Pyrenees. The federation wants the plan and is therefore more than happy to assist.”

Zonneveld said: “This plan is serious. All kinds of big companies have now stepped in, various municipalities and investors are interested. Sport is perhaps the main reason why there is so much attention for this mountain. Because sport captures the imagination.”

 

To be perfectly honest i think that this is one step to far, architects can not try to be nature! Why don’t the dutch celebrate the natural landscape they so have. As a skier myself i would sometimes love to build a massive mountain in my back garden, but reality often sets in and i realise that would just be stupid.

I’m all for creative design and architecture that is refreshingly different, but for me at least, this is just to far.

This is amazing! paperclips with arms ha, there perfect for anyone, looking like squashed people trapped in the narrative.

All the bookmarks i have a boring these will definitely bring something new to my reading.

need i say more?…

Piana Alessichair- the new collection designed by English architect David Chipperfield for Alessi.

Their design is one of simplicity and effortlessness. Chipperfield has created chairs that are well made in a material that will help them become timeless, with there matt finish and tactile form.

The chair rotates about a single axis, with all the mechanisms neatly hidden behind the outer mouldings, to create versitility and allow it to fold flat. This makes it so easy to stack them and move them around.

Fabricated from polypropylene they are available in six bold colours; Grey RAL 7032, Black RAL 9017, Green RAL 6000, Yellow RAL 1017, Red RAL 3027 and White RAL 9001.

I really like the bold statement colours of these chairs along with there unassuming presence. There simple form perfectly balances the functional use of the humble chair to create a contemporary chair which will remain ‘fresh’ for years to come. These are to be featured in London at the 100% Design Show 2011 and also in an Alessi show room on the prestigious Via Manzoni street of Milan.

Good job Chipperfield!

I love these Steelwood chairs by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. their simple form makes them easy to place in any area, home, café, business or even the garden. They may have been around for a few years but there easy styling makes them look so up to date.

What I really like about this product is its solidity. It’s robust design means that it will last a lifetime, even ageing gracefully, wearing in to create an ever changing form. If you’re crazy enough to want to get rid of it, you can easily disassemble it and recycle the aluminium and wood. This is all down to it being constructed just using a few bolts instead of glues.

Want to find its pefect partner, well the Steelwood table, as it should, works amazingly. Using all the same techniques the Bouroullec duo create an amazing partner for the chair. This is definitely  going on my wish list.

I stumbled upon this unique table lamp and instantly wanted to find out more, which led me to the design studios.

The range comes in a variety of colours, the red and black versions being my favorite. But their simple design helps to showcase the contrasts of materials used, with the high gloss shade and base helps illuminate natural wood.

However my favorite part is the woven string cord, which gives it that vintage feel, making it feel nostalgic despite its modernity. The simplistic, sparse nature of this design unexpectedly carries a huge presence in any setting.

All of the excel range is available directly from http://www.rollandhill.com/