Twitter Influencer: Maya Hayuk

One of the great things about twitter is how it enables you to stay abreast of your favorite artists’ work and happenings. Accordingly, we were super excited for the ever-amazing Maya Hayuk to join the twitter fold.

Her exploding colors and affection for pattern, symmetry and geometry melded with references to everything from Mexican woven blankets, Ukrainian Easter eggs, views from the Hubble Telescope and Rorschach tests is extremely appealing. Whether it’s fine art collaborations resulting in album covers, posters, tee shirts, photographs, videos, murals or stage sets, her exuberance never wanes. Her twitter feed is new but promising. Follow along with this growing influencer!

March 24, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Book Review: Pattern Magic 2

Not long ago we covered the fashion cult favorite, Pattern Magic. If you enjoyed delving into the intricacies of the unique patterns Japanese designers are known for, you’ll love the second volume, which was recently released in English. Here you’ll find even more fascinating designs and instructions on how to manipulate your own patterns into unexpected shapes and forms. Crack this book open for instruction and inspiration into the beauty, art and architecture that is fashion design.

March 23, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: Pulling Strings

Over the past few weeks we’ve been noticing a new trend in the the retail sector. Everyone from Custo Barcelona, Anthropologie and Isabel Marant has been experimenting with string. From florescent sharp edges to crafty corks and quirky block heads, each display reveals a precise and economical take on the brand. Using linear paths to lead the eye, these installations remind us of a recent feature in Theme Magazine. The artist uses electrical tape to construct optical vanishing points, a throw back to the basics and a reminder of what we all learned in art class.

March 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Packaging: Raaka Chocolate

Chocolate packaging always seems to go the extra mile and Raaka’s latest collection of handmade virgin chocolate at Lafayette Espresso Bar is no different. Using a colorless palette, the textures are asymmetrical, delicate and quite appealing!

March 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

One Thousand Cranes for Japan

This beautiful project just appeared in my Percolate feed and all of you should know about it. In collaboration with Anomaly, Unit 9, Breed, Blinkart, Dutch Uncle, Jelly, Ben Kay, Acco Ozawa, Rebecca Gaon, Picasso Pictures, Tess Birch and many other kind and giving illustrators, One Thousand Cranes for Japan was born.

A beautiful Japanese tradition tells that a wish may be granted in response to someone with the devotion to fold one thousand origami cranes. This project seeks to draw on that ancient healing and show that the emotional blow received can be responded to through the strength of solidarity and human compassion.

Artists have created beautiful designs that can be made into origami cranes. A donation to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund will allow you to download a design with instructions to guide you in making a crane.

March 21, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

BMW Art Car with Esther Mahlangu

Yesterday was my first day “off” in a while and I spent it wandering round town. On my pursuit to make it to Columbus Circle, and subsequently, Central Park, I walked by the Museum of Arts & Design. Though I’ve heard of BMW’s ongoing collaboration with artists to outfit their vehicles, this was the first time I saw the real time results.

In partnership with Esther Mahlangu, of South Africa, this BMW 525i was commissioned in 1991. Mahlangu is best known as a Ndebele painter and bead artist, and for this particular project, she translated a design that’s most often seen on Ndebele architecture onto the car. A brilliant and beautiful canvas, fit for any endurance race or exhibition.