Urban Design

Since I asked whether “Back to the Roots” is a new trend in design and urban art, I was still on the search for some example which underline my theory. Recently I found something interesting on a blog of one of my commentators… Wood meets Typography In 2009, the british graphic design company Why not Associates recently created so called typographic tree columns in collaboration with Gordon Young, a visual artist who focuses on creating art for the public domain. If you like words and nature, I guess you will love this great wood typography! ...

Have you ever heard about the Art Stars project by Ralph Lauren’s Polo Jeans brand? Although the project, which collaborates with some of the most exciting young artistic talents, is already running for some weeks, today was the first time I read something about it… Polo Jeans Co. is proud to present Art Stars, a showcase of work from 51 of Europe’s most recognized up and coming contemporary artists. Inspired by the iconic American Star Spangled Banner and synonymous with the Polo Jeans Co. brand, the artists will create 3D pieces on stars made from the finest American denim. These will be displayed in select Polo Jeans Co. stores in key cities across Europe, before coming together in a public exhibition in London in late 2010. (Introducing Art Stars) ...

When I visited Hamburg some days ago, I got a copy of the “Being Alex Diamond” art book by Jörg from the Heliumcowboys Art Space - Thank you for that! After I wrote that post about Alex Diamond’s Demon Circus exhibition in Barcelona, I’m a big fan of the style and the intentions behind the artworks: The Alex Diamond project clearly calls attention to the dangers of cultural myths and the process of constructing aesthetic consensus and value, it also makes a tender attack on the vacancy of celebrity culture and the market’s role in determining so-called quality. (Harlan B. Levey) ...

Recently I got some interesting info by the guys of Elbtunnel.com about their limited art-editions! From now on and regulary they will present new artworks by artist from all over the world and always very special. Famous graffiti artist Flying Förtress breaks the first ground with his limited, hand signed prints on canvas. Each Canvas is screenprinted and also handpainted and very special Flying Förtress original in size 50x70 cm for your collection. ...

After I watched Banksy’s “Exit Through The Gift Shop” yesterday, I have a split opinion about Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash. Brainwash made millions of dollars with copying great street artists’ artworks, and I don’t know whether I should think that he’s a mean cheater or only a clever baddie?! The onliest thing I know is, that the people who call themselves “Mr. Brainwash Fans” are really brainwashed: *Hundreds of people lined up in the cold on Sunday to attend the grand opening of Mr. Brainwash’s “Icons” exhibit in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Astonishingly, most of the diverse mix of hoodrats, art fags, and the cluelessly curious were ardent fans. ...

“The Clockmaker’s Retreat” is the title of an recently published article by the New York Times about the German urban (pop) artist Stefan Strumbel and his art series about “heimat”. Stefan has a graffiti background and became popular with his crazy cuckoo clocks, which combine traditional handicraft and modern spray-paint culture… Mr. Strumbel’s clocks, which are based on traditional models but are adorned with grenades and handguns instead of rabbits and antlers, now sell through Galerie Springmann in Freiburg for $1,200 to $35,000 (or 850 to 25,000 euros) each. ...

As you can actually see, I redesigned this blog in the last days. My claim was to bring a bit more structure and clearness in the theme, so that you are able to find the interesting post in a faster and more comfortable way. To break down some old structures, I removed some small features - but I don’t think you will notice that. Moreover, I changed the colors for a fresher look and feel. ...

“Will you marry me?” is an very interesting question - There’s always a lot fuss around it. Also Derick Childress and his friend had a lot of work with planning and making the actions for that special question. With a lot of spot-lights, a good camera and some motion, they created a giant light-writing marriage-proposal - “Emily, will you marry me?” - in Raleigh, North Carolina at the end of the last year. ...

Today I found a very nice video by Job and Roel Wouters about the fun of drawing letters. Job Wouters is better known as “Letman” - He’s an internationally known typographer who also created artworks in urban environment. His brother Roel is a conditional designer who lives and works in Amsterdam. Both will be part of the “If You Could Collaborate” exhibition in London, where they will present their new “Rainbow Gun”. It’s a self-made, cumbersome looking hand-held spray-painting machine. ...

Do you know the Slanted magazine? It’s a typography magazine, which exists since 2005 and is published quarterly. It combines the sectors typography, layout, illustration and photography. The ninth issue, named “Stencil. Type.”, of the Slanted magazine is about stencil fonts and their modern applications! “Slanted presents the innovative work of Gavillet & Rust and their fontlabel Optimo (Geneva), the large format paintings of Christopher Wool (New York), an impressive photo series of Francois Fleruy (Paris) and many more. The sections “Fontlabels, Fonts & Families”, “Fontnames Illustrated” and “Typolyrics” introduce contemporary fonts and designers from all over the world, followed by interviews with John Boardley, Kouga Hirano and Chip Kidd and an interesting type essay by Hannes von Döhren.” ...