Around the Globe, in Tel Aviv

I’ve been away for a little over a week, appreciating the change of pace, meeting new faces and carrying an iPhone that somehow reaches it’s photo capacity on a daily basis. Before I head back to New York this evening, I thought I’d share a few shots from the road.

It’s been interesting to see what’s changed in Tel Aviv over the past year. While the Bauhaus style buildings and architecture are generally the same, new developments have sprung up all over the city.

Sarona, Jaffa and Neve Tzedek all continue to be evolving at a rapid pace. Each area is uniquely different, encompassing experimental food, design and fashion.

The concept store Numero13 has only been open for two months, but it’s already defined it’s footing in the neighborhood. The products primarily come from Israel, Europe and Japan and the selection’s a bit like Merci Merci or Corso Como, but with a more laid back Israeli/Parisian vibe. There are kid friendly graffiti notebooks, mens bathing suits, women’s dresses and accessories along with cool random art. You can even get a haircut within the shop.

The best thing about a city that lines the beach, is that it’s so easy to dip in and out without making a whole production of the visit. I’ve spent about half my time at Gordon Beach, which has been a total pleasure and a change of pace. I believe this is a sand-friendly rescue stretcher. Interesting, isn’t it?

In my attempts to connect the city and it’s intersections by foot, I’ve passed by more knockoff shops and discount local clothing stores than one can imagine. I love popping in to see what people are casually shopping for after work and on lunch breaks. I have more shots of denim and zippers than I know what to do with.

telaviv_patternpulp_denim

This pattern was interesting though…I can see it easily translated into home wear. The texture feels blotchy in an organic, yet processed way.

This spread encompasses an Israeli breakfast for four. It’s pretty insane, in the best way. Stay tuned, will share more once I’m back in New York!

May 28, 2014 | By: Shayna Kulik

Graffiti as Art with Joachim Ixcalli

Barcelona is teeming with talent. The creative vibe is a recognizable one, as we’ve been receiving submissions over the past four years that collectively speak to a singular street-inspired tone. Today we’re adding updates to Joachim Ixcalli’s profile.

Originally from California, but currently living in Spain, Joachim, 29, incorporates a mixture of patterns and overlapping textures into his drawings and painted murals.

Combining icons, popular dialogue, Pacific-Mediterranean influences and illustrations to mirror relevant themes of our time, each work leads us through a maze of decadent illustration.

The upbeat nature of his work has commercial appeal, as Joachim’s palettes and playful layouts remind us of other Pattern Pulp favorites: Mike Perry, Geoff McFetridge, Emil Kozak, Nasa* and Flavio Melchorre.

February 11, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Around the Globe: Graffiti in Paris

Learning to appreciate a city beyond it’s tourist attractions is a liberating thing. While in college, I remember reading a New Yorker article and this one line really stuck. It had to do with everyone flocking to nothingness and finding each other – which seemed like the funniest and saddest visual- particularly in relation to tourist itineraries.

When you travel, I think there’s real value in exploration. While the Louvre or the Eiffel tower is certainly rewarding, I don’t believe there’s anymore happiness to be found in checking that off the list, than finding the Django jazz bar woven between the Sunday flea market in Paris. It’s all part of the experience of discovering a new city.

When I explore, I generally keep the attractions in mind, but put greater emphasis on the surrounding neighborhood. I like to devote half days to weaving up and down new streets, looking for cafes, concert stickers, door patterns, gardens and random construction projects.

Here’s some graffiti I’ve been sitting on for a while- it’s from Paris, primarily the Marais. It’s animal and super-hero-centric. Enjoy!

January 28, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Artist Profile: Christopher Cascio

When you click on Christopher Cascio’s website, you’re met with quite literally a Clusterfuck. It’s a statement reflective of his humor, his insight and the way he incorporates pop culture into art.

Cascio’s other work is also repetitive in nature, technically intricate and infused with messaging reminiscent of his thought process. The musically minded, bold and graphic palettes are all-encompassing and invite the viewer to stay a while to explore a maze of visual commentary.

Cascio’s work is currently on display at New Image Art in the collective show entitled, 3 Cowboys, 2 Drugs and a Skater. The other participating artists are, Bryson Brooks & Holly Hein, Mark Cross, Panda Sex and Chad Muska. Click here for more info.

January 9, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Set Design: Puma's Olympic Wear Preview

We’ve got a huge treat for you today! Lesley Morphy recently worked on the PUMA International press launch for PUMA Cedella Marley (Bob Marley’s daughter) Olympic Wear Collection. The coverage on the collection will run this summer, but Lesley’s been kind enough to share the creative process behind the fashion show and set design with all of us.

PP: So tell me about the project…

LM: PUMA International PR hosted a global press launch for long-lead international fashion, lifestyle magazines. Editors from top-tier magazines were invited to preview the PUMA Cedella Marley (Bob Marley’s daughter) Olympic Wear Collection.

It included a fashion show, had an open bar and was catered by Miss Lily’s and the music was hand selected by the Marleys and played by one of New York’s hottest DJ’s: Queen Majesty.

PP: The assignment?

LM: To design a Jamaican inspired fashion show, clothing display, dj booth and time line as well as create a Jamaican vibe in an a New York Studio space.

PP: How did you solve it?

LM: I embraced the three colors of the Jamaican flag and did a lot of research on Jamaica. I gravitated towards woods, corrugated metals, graffiti. I also took graphics from the fashion line and applied them to the event space by using decals.

The client (PUMA) wanted to tell the story of its longstanding relationship with Jamaica, and I wanted to approach this in a unique way – so we took old reclaimed woods and built crates and graffitied them with facts about PUMA and Jamaica. We wheat pasted all the imagery. It was a unique way to tell a story and stay true to the concept, I really wanted to stay away from traditional boring boards.

PP: What did you find challenging about the assignment?

LM: The big challenge, as always, was time and money. Cedella Marley came for her walk through an hour before the event started, and I was covered in wheat paste, paint and applying decals to the floor behind her. We were literally making art till the doors opened. Luckily she was cool with it!

PP: Who helped you bring the vision to life? Did you hire a team?

LM: I hired an amazing team of local artists and builders. It was really cool assigning specific tasks to the specific talents of each artist involved.

To see the clothing, you’ll have to sit tight, everything will be released to the public a little closer to Olympic time.

Coverage by Lesley Morphy

February 29, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Street Finds: Graffiti in Japan

Pulling some personal shots out of the iphoto archives today. Here’s a spread of the various scrawlings I found on my last trip to Japan. These images were spread between Tokyo and Kyoto and appear to hone in on pronounced eyes, head-eating heads, simplified smiles and frowns and an overriding message reacting to societal norms.

October 10, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik