Pattern Pulp

Street Finds: Opposites Attract?




babeland-aidsposter

After taking a quick glance at the above imagery, one would assume these designs came from the same origin.  Not the case.  On the contrary, the symbols used in the downtown sex shop logo, Babeland, are the same markings used to promote AIDS awareness at the 14th St. subway station.  Positive and negative signs have always implied a balance of contrasts, and while it makes sense that both categories would seek inspiration on the same avenue, the final message is somewhat lost.  Then again, perhaps there’s brilliance in the fact that these signs are interchangeable. 

mcdonalds-anniesorganic

Highlighting another world of opposites, fast food giant, McDonalds has recently released the campaign, Give it Love, using a mcnugget and fry combo to connote a kiss and a hug.  In a breakfast aisle on an alternate universe, Annie’s organic bunny love cereal can be found on the shelves at Whole Foods Markets.  Again, we see opposing brands attracted to the same symbols, perhaps these patterns prove reality is the circumference of opposing forces.

March 26, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Tattoo Textures




leon-shioujii

Tattoos have never been more mainstream.  A few years ago, a close friend and recent transplant from Sydney described her shock (and excitement) at how common body art was in New York, as the art form that was seriously frowned upon down under.  Veering away from popular styles, such as Traditional and Old Skool techniques, Leon Shitoujii’s nomadic and textured line drawings are an interesting break from the norm.  Shitoujii works primarily in black and gray, and views each canvas as an experiment where line marries movement. Luckily his fans are both devoted and open-minded, as these permanent markings are unpredictable from the get-go, “I’m pretty lucky they let me have their skin,” a remark that’s as terrifying as it is exciting.

robyn-burgess-port1961

Robyn Burgess is a master in line work.  Her paintings emit abstract movement, similar to Shitoujii’s body art.  One of her more recent works, entitled, The Taxi Driver: Bloodwood Forest, presents a collage of imperfect stripes, an emotional combination of opposing forces. Using burn markings to signify texture and movement, portable wooden sculptures double as rustic retail displays at Ports 1961’s new Meat Packing boutique.  Drawing up parallels between these recklessly elegant sculptures to Shitoujii’s work isn’t hard.

March 17, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Spring Strollers with Åsa of Stockholm




asaofstockholm1

Spring has sprung in Manhattan and that means stroller season has once again returned.  As I enjoyed a leisurely Saturday afternoon of people watching and casual reading in Hudson Park, I watched gaggles of moms pass by- each with a luxury stroller darker than the next.  I found it odd that no one had decorated their hood, a prime canvas for art.  At that very moment, Åsa Rodgers and her beautifully accessorized stroller walked by. Pattern Pulp was lucky enough to catch up with her for a brief chat.   “As a new mom I quickly found that the stroller and diaper bag were to become my main accessories, and in my case I was not  ready to give in to the dull and practical products I saw in the stores,” said Rodgers.  Using her design background, Rodgers quickly solved her own dilemma by launching Åsa of Stockhom Baby Collection from her Tribeca studio.  

asaofstockholm2

Over the past year sales quickly increased as mothers began approaching Rodgers on the street and resultantly became walking advertising for her.  “I wanted something unique and beautiful that reflected my own personal style. My inspiration came from great fabric designers who incorporated impeccable quality with playful patterns that I knew my son would love!”  In addition to dressing up strollers, Rodgers’ collection now includes matching diaper bags, nursing bibs, baby aprons and booties.

March 9, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Food: More Sweets to Love




chocolate-jumble

For those who enjoy inspecting their food as much as eating it, desserts and notably chocolate, now offer an array of contemporary patterns and design.  There’s a crop of pastry chefs working in today’s global marketplace that are all unified by the goal of innovation.  Christopher Elbow, originally from Nebraska, combines a menagerie of ingredients in an effort to create intricate transfers.  While this technique is quite common in the dessert world, the results from Elbow’s kitchen are refreshingly modern.  Taking an equally creative route, the chocolatiers from Lagrange34 in Torino, Italy have reinvented the traditional chocolate bar, using geometric shapes to mold edible sculptures.  A masterful example that combines both the surface and shape is evident in many of PattyCake Baking Co‘s latest creations.

February 12, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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