AREAWARE presents STOP SHOP, a new pop-up-shop boldly located in NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal sporting an impossible-to-ignore Christmastime theme dubbed “a delirious technicolor holiday midnight dream.” Setting itself apart from the rest of the pop-up-shop-pack, STOP SHOP was designed by International Lampoon Item Idem, Ltd. , (the moniker for Japan-born, NY- and Paris-based conceptual artist Cyril Duval and partner Kalena Yiaueki), and curated by photographer Keetja Allard in collaboration with creative director and retail consultancy Philip Attar Creative.

Fashion, design, furniture, toys, jewelry, accessories, and object d’art range from $13-$3500, from the likes of Kid Robot, City Foundry, LM.affair, VPL, threeasFour and many more. Check out my full review at Coolhunting.com.

This winter, the Art Institute of Chicago presents German designer Konstantin Grcic‘s first US solo show. Grcic has made a career of subverting and reinterpreting familiar social and cultural references in such a way as to make them strangely, fascinatingly, unfamiliar. His minimalistic work sharpens the senses, making us question common objects we so often take for granted, and how they define the spaces in which we move. Chairs, desks, lamps, kitchen equipment, you name it: all just different enough to raise our antennae, but still recognizably approachable.

I had the opportunity to preview the exhibit for Clear Magazine‘s December issue, and the full story is available by clicking here.

In Greek mythology, “Arcadia” was an idyllic, remote mountain region where man lived in perfect harmony with nature. Gestalten‘s new book by the same title – Arcadia: Cross Country Style, Architecture and Design – demonstrates how modern design continues to facilitate a lifestyle in tune with our natural surroundings, featuring incredible architecture, bespoke furniture and interior design projects from around the globe.

Check out my full review at Coolhunting.com!

*Images courtesy of Gestalten

above: The Flying Chair by Phillip Grass, December 2007
(digital prototype to be built later this year out of wood, fiberglass,
epoxy resin and chrome paint. The seat will be a shell of fiberglass,
upholstered with PU foam and white leather.)

above: Zhair chair by Phillip Grass, July 2008 (digital prototype)

Rhode Island-based furniture designer Phillip Grass has an eye toward the future. His sculptural designs are works of art: fluid, sleek and playful, evoking a sense of speed. His goal? To create “furniture that stimulates the senses and enriches the surroundings – as good artwork does.”

His talent and sensitivity to stability, size and material is well earned. Grass studied at the Art Academy in Bremen, learned wood-sculpture in Austria, and built furniture for respected Copenhagen manufacturer Rud Rasmussen before starting out on his own.

About Grass’s newest, hai_speed series (top image), in his own words:
“In the hai_speed world, there have been found six species so far. They all come from the same source and share certain characteristics. Each hai_speed being is made entirely by hand. The core is shaped out of wood (1). In order to ensure each hai_speed being a long life the wooden core is strengthened with layers of bamboo fiber (2) and epoxy resin. As hai_speed beings do not only look good and fast but are real freedom lovers each hai_speed being is finally coated with automotive quality paint. This ensures that hai_speed beings can enjoy life in their residence as well as next to the pool preparing for a swim.
The dimensions of the hai_speed species discovered so far are about 300 x 130 x 100 cm or 9’10″ x 4’4″ x 3’4″ (LxWxH).”

For more information, visit www.phillipgrass.com or www.phillipgrassgallery.com
*All images courtesy of Phillip Grass