President Obama proposes a jobs plan for veterans | Homeless shelter population in New York City reaches a record high | Creative bets on the Super Bowl.
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TIMESCAST: TimesCast | February 3, 2012
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS are lost each year to online piracy, which stifles the ability of writers, songwriters and others in the creative arts to earn the royalties they are due and drains profits from legitimate manufacturers. Consumers often find themselves saddled with shoddy products and no prospect of obtaining a refund. Read full article > >
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Editorial Board:
A fair block on Internet piracy
As a medium, comic books offer a range and breadth of possibilities. They can tell the stories of viking feuds, interpersonal relationships, or superhero epics. Whatever the creative team can come up with can be put to the page. And although it might sound unlikely, that’s what makes it the perfect medium to explore historical turning points.
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Operation Ajax review
In her storied career, author Toni Morrison had somehow never made it to the National Book Festival on the mall. It took 11 years for her to come, which is probably why organizers decided to give her the festival’s Creative Achievement award. You’d think Morrison — who’s won a Nobel, a Pulitzer and just about every other literary prize there is to win — might be blase about another crowd of adoring acolytes. You’d be wrong. Read full article > >
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Toni Morrison makes a memorable first appearance at lovefest known as the National Book Festival
Tim Cook is an operational wiz. Philip Schiller is a marketing maven. Jonathan Ive is a design visionary. The men at the helm of Apple are among the best at what they do. But none seems to have that spark of genius like Steve Jobs — an industry oddity studied by business school students for his creative vision, uncanny sense for what consumers want and shrewd leadership. And that’s the central issue Apple faces, now that Jobs has relinquished day-to-day control. Apple’s breakaway success has largely been defined by Jobs’s ability to repeatedly develop groundbreaking computers and electronics. But the super-competitive marketplace ensured that the dominance of many Apple products was short-lived. Read full article > >
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Can an Apple without Steve Jobs come up with the next big thing?
From Raphael Wiggins, to Saadiq, to Ray Ray and back to Saadiq, modern R&B icon Raphael Saadiq picks up more momentum with each stage of his creative journey. Having lived onstage since he first went on tour with Prince in 1984, Saadiq can effortlessly weave the elements of his discography into a cohesive story, and it flowed delightfully for a sold-out crowd at the 9:30 Club on Wednesday night. On his past two critically lauded albums, Saadiq immersed himself in ’60s-era rhythm and blues. Many of his peers have sought the same well of inspiration, including Cee Lo Green and R. Kelly. While it has increased Saadiq’s fan base, the verdict among those who’ve been fans since his Tony! Toni! Tone! days is that they’ll wait out this retro-kitsch period until he decides what to do next. This reviewer felt the same way until hearing his band perfectly translate those classically styled songs live. Read full article > >
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Music review: Raphael Saadiq at the 9:30 Club
Champions of the modern bathroom chronicle their artisinal approach in a beautiful new book Barbara and Robert Sallick founded NYC’s Waterworks in 1978 and in the decades since helped redefine the modern bath as “an intimate yet luxurious retreat.” With their extensive knowledge on materials and craftsmanship and Barbara at the creative helm, Waterworks remains focused on authentic design—a commitment that shows in both their product and her absorbing online design journal , “The Perfect Bath.” Another publication, commemorating their success and sharing their creative vision, Waterworks’s newly-launched “Heritage Book” is equal parts promotional item and tool for designers, architects and homeowners. In addition to gorgeously-photographed images of their product and process, the book shares insight into the company’s prospective ideas. Sallick explains. “It’s our heritage that actually sets the pace and philosophy for our future.” She adds, “the best is yet to come in terms of keeping our authenticity and respecting the craft, while pushing the boundaries of design innovation and quality.” Handcrafting each of their fixtures in Normandy, France (because of the region’s quality sand), Waterworks approach to production is largely artisinal. Each piece passes through seven points of human contact—from tumbling and polishing to checking for water tightness—a step-by-step process that ensures mechanical integrity. The method also speaks to Barbara’s keen interest in design as collaboration. A huge ceramic tile enthusiast , she tells the story of witnessing the “magical” process it takes to create one piece. “Each of the 35 steps to a successful product requires the whole team to work effortlessly together…The end result holds the key to the DNA of the tile maker.” The designer’s fascination with such techniques falls in line with her statement that her three core beliefs for design “are in the sacred tenets of balance, proportion and scale.” Whether creating a “multifaceted sensory composition” for the bathroom or just knowing when to add a splash of red, this book thoughtfully details these and more of Waterworks’ strengths in creating the kind of utterly relaxing environments that have become a standard amenities in today’s high-end homes. To get your hands on the “Heritage Book” simply visit a Waterworks showroom or request the book online . Take our reader survey and enter to win a CH Edition Jambox!
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Waterworks Heritage Book
Vintage neckties upcycled into cheeky rosette brooches “I’m a sucker for odds and ends,” says Boston-based fashion designer Nicole Deponte . So when she inherited a trash bag full of one-of-a-kind vintage neckties in 2009, what started “as a happy accident”—an experiment with a belt—”grew into a ruffled collection of innovative accessories” called Lilian Asterfield. Among the line’s original scarves, hats and headbands, Deponte’s hand-sewn rosette brooches put a particularly feminine twist on the source material. The exaggerated poof of the accessory reinvents the meaning of a power tie for today’s dandy, looking equally fitting playfully paired with an ’80s suit as it would with a more modern cut. Although Lilian Asterfield launches a new collection each season, the label prides itself on not being season or gender specific. The brooches retail for around $25, and sells online through Etsy or Nicole’s site directly .
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Lilian Asterfield
Our selection of imaginative gifts in homage to one of our favorite comediennes In celebration of the resourceful comedian’s upcoming appearance at the Cool Hunting pop up Monday, 20 December 2011— where she will sign her book “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People ” from 7-9pm—we’ve selected items from our Gift Guide that channel her sensibility. If none of these items get your goat, a flip through “Simple Times” will provide you with plenty of innovative ideas on how to make this joyous (read: stressful) holiday season a bit brighter. Sedaris draws on nature for many of her ideas, and the Campfire Incense Burner is a clever trinket that serves as a reminder of the outdoors inside. Nothing goes better with incense than a healthy peace pipe, packed with Good Fight and Cool Hunting Smoker’s Blend , a tobacco alternative or herbal enhancement for those times when you need a little smokable something to get more creative. Show off your artistic prowess with a personalized case made from one of designer Amy Holbrook’s Needlepoint iPod and iPhone Kits , or gift the kit itself to your favorite crafter. A quirky headpiece you think you could probably make on your own, Tom Scott’s Hairy Visor is actually an intricately-knitted accessory that any old-school yarn freak or Sedaris-wannabe would love to adorn. The Double Rainbow Maker is a gift that would not only brighten up someone’s day, but it reminds us of Sedaris’ continual support of gay rights with its symbolic display of light when attached to any window. One of the most hilarious women in recent history, we think she’d approve of these Pop Culture Pencils boasting funny phrases like “Why Is Alec Baldwin So Cool” and “Why It’s Time For Lost To End.” Not one to shy away from costume-inspired apparel or bold colors, the Yellow Melissa and Triton Clogh Clog made from recycled/recyclable Melflex is a Sedaris-inspired shoe bound to turn heads. A writer herself, we’re sure she appreciates a good book and David Rakoff’s witty semi-autobiographical tome ” Half Empty ” would be appreciated by anyone with a refreshingly kooky personality. While her own kids and pets are reportedly of the imaginary sorts, nothing encourages a child or cat to dream like a cape for the little ones and some catnip for Whiskers. Our faves are this year are the Little Hero Capes , which protect tykes from the elements of the human world as they embark on a creative journey and the Severed Leg Catnip Toy , an offbeat gift that your frisky feline is sure to love.
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Gifts Inspired by Amy Sedaris
British singer Tallulah Rendall collaborates with artists for each track of her playful new album The whimsical British singer songwriter Tallulah Rendall ‘s upcoming album celebrates creativity in all its dimensions. Alive follows her debut album Libellus , which was notable for Tallulah’s soaring voice and her clever idea of creating “viral vinyl” that worked both digitally and as a physical work of art. Tallulah’s enterprising approach to music making is evident once again on Alive , which was independently funded through Pledge Music —the service that enables donators to follow the creative process of the album through regular updates from the artist. Always one for creative collaboration, Tallulah has extended her multimedia approach by working with a different artist on each song of this new album, inviting them to interpret her music in their own visual fashion. The first single ” Ghost on The Water ” features the sensual modern ballet of Amy Richardson-Impey, while the second more upbeat single ” Blind Like A Fool ” finds Tallulah animated on the circus high-wire by Jelly Brain Productions . The obvious pleasure Tallulah takes in sharing the creative process with others has us looking forward to the Alive album and its accompanying artworks when it’s released early 2011.
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Alive
We sit down with R.E.M.’s frontman to learn about his latest creative initiative When we found out that Michael Stipe was visiting Levi’s photo workshop in NYC to conduct a project of his own last Friday, we of course headed down to learn more. There within the tall white walls of the former gallery, dozens of young creative types lined up, all anxiously awaiting their brush with one of American music’s greats. As participants full of awe and admiration reached the front of the line, 7-inches and ‘zines piled up next to Stipe, who quietly greeted each person, explaining how they would take the next photo before sitting for the following one. After the last subject shuffled through, we sat down with the man whose career spans musician, filmmaker and artist to learn more about what brought him there, his thoughts on brand collaborations and karaoke. What inspired you about the space initially? It’s got a great provenance in that most New Yorkers know it as Deitch Projects, so some of the creative stuff that’s happened in this particular space is pretty legendary and this is a pretty awesome follow-up. It’s a very different thing, but I like the openness of it. I guess Levi’s is paying for it, but I think it’s really cool—whoever had the idea to do it. For our generation, working with brands was really problematic, no one wanted to be a sellout. But more and more that seems to be just what’s happening, do you still have a choice? I think you do have a choice and my band R.E.M. for instance, have never accepted any endorsement for any purpose that was not artistic. So the line that we draw is a fine line, but anything that is an artform or anything that is artistic or creative, like a film or TV show or some collaboration that makes sense, we’re okay with lending or allowing our music to be used, or our name to be used for something like that as opposed to having a tour sponsored by a brand. Obviously, this is somewhere in that gray area and that’s part of what makes it a little bit interesting. It’s responding to the needs of the market in the 21st century, but it happens to be a very cool company that’s doing it and it seems fairly no-strings-attached. So I’m happy to participate. How did the space inspire what you’re doing here? This thing? This very simply is a response to a moment in time. In 2010 we find ourselves in—it’s not a DMZ, it’s not a no man’s land—it’s like a middle space between what is still photography and what is a moving image. Technology has advanced to the point now that the most recent professional cameras actually don’t take still images as much they take short films and then you find the frame that you want to be a still image. I think that 10 or 12 years from now that is going to radically alter the way we think about what a still image is. And so what we did today is something that goes back to the very beginning of moving imagery with Eadweard Muybridge of course. It takes this very simple idea of a still image and animates it simply. In our case, we’re putting it through a Mac and doing a repetitive action that’s easy to understand. How did you choose the subjects? I just wanted it to feel really democratic, kind of like the space. And I didn’t want to do anything myself, I didn’t really want to own it. I’m happy to own the idea or to have participated in the idea, but I didn’t feel the need to take a picture or be one of the participants in the piece itself. I like how in a way it’s a little bit like a self-portrait daisy chain. I think that term has good and then very sexual connotations, it doesn’t have to have sexual connotations! If there’s a bad connotation, please strike that remark. Your image is being taken quite democratically by the next person in line, who takes the next person in line. As an artist I’m thinking about and dealing right now in sculpture with the bust in history. I’m not certain that there’s a 21st-century response to what a bust is as a sculptural thing. What is the historical significance of the bust that inspires you? Before photography and moving film there were more limited ways in which to capture someone’s likeness. In the case of world leaders, death masks were made—or life masks, in the case of William Blake. I’ve seen a copy that Patti Smith took and made into her version of a 21st-century bust. This would be in a way, research for me on my version of a 21st-century bust. I’m actually coming away from this with this feeding the other work I’m doing outside of music. This is an idea at the moment. The only sculptures that people know of mine are actually quite limited. There are no busts, that’ll come this year. Why bust as opposed to a portrait? It allows me to be able to see—if I’m looking at someone—maybe they’ve got a great personality, but I’m looking at them and going, is this someone who from three dimensions would create an amazing piece that would speak beyond me or beyond my desires as an artist, but might provide comment or commentary or inspire other people who have no idea who this person was. So it’s taking something that’s quite subjective and trying to, in a very positive way, objectify it. Do you mind telling us about your tattoo? This was one I had done in the early ’90s, it was maybe 1993 or ’94. Now it’s a part of me, I don’t remember the original intent. I don’t think it matters. What’s your favorite song for karaoke? Oh, good one. ‘Justify My Love’ by Madonna. It’s so retarded, it’s spoken word so you can really have fun with it if you’ve had a few beers too many, and people respond to it well. The easy thing for me is Jimmy Webb songs, Glenn Campbell songs that he wrote because I can actually hit the notes…unless they pitch it higher or lower than my particular range. Photos by Karen Day
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An Interview with Michael Stipe
Exploring Motor City’s artistic renaissance through a Johnny Knoxville-led doc The history of Palladium boots has always been one of exploration. Originally started as a tire brand in 1920, Palladium was known for tires so advanced that most European military aircrafts used them for their fleets. However, when the end of World War II saw the decrease of aircraft production, like many wartime businesses the company decided to take a different direction with the now-famous Palladium boot. With the goal of producing footwear as durable as their tires, Palladium made boots tough enough for the French Legion to wear through their explorations of deserts in North Africa and the terrain of the Atlas Mountains. Taking this concept of exploration, Palladium boots partnered up with Virtue (Vice’s creative agency) to create a series of documentaries exploring and investigating the secret and forgotten spots in the cities we live in today. The short films (all living on the Palladium site) have so far taken viewers to see hidden oil drills in Hollywood, hidden espionage sites in Berlin, and uncovered secret antennas of radio pirates on London rooftops. The most recent of the documentaries features Johnny Knoxville in “Detroit Lives,” navigating through the gritty streets of Detroit revealing a Gen-Y led artistic revival of the city stereotypically known as an urban wasteland.
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Detroit Lives
Art meets putt-putt in Bruce Stillman’s multi-purpose park A longtime fan of landscape sculpture, artist Bruce Stillman decided to turn his Minnetrista, MN farm into a functioning putt-putt course—with his works standing in as the props. We recently had a chance to check out the organic forms of his sculptures that populate the 12-hole Big Stone Mini Golf course, an experience that was both surprising and surreal. While you play, animals from Stillman’s adjacent farmland sometimes wander over, adding to the creative chaos. Additionally, Stillman built massive tables for chess or checkers, and a large fire pit for social gatherings. While his personal fantasyland is the largest display of his works, Stillman’s sculptures have shown all over the U.S., and his piece “Perpetual Motion” is a permanent fixture at the entrance of the Palm Desert Public Library . Both entertaining and enlightening, the sculpture park is perfect for all ages, and serves as a great reminder that art is everywhere.
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Big Stone Mini Golf
Add depth to photos and videos with Roxio’s 3D editing software The Roxio Creator 2011 media suite brings photos to life with its first-ever set of tools for capturing, creating and sharing 3D photos and videos on a PC. The program works with both content captured on a stereoscopic camera or standard 2D device, smartly enhancing or converting the files into impressive photos with full depth and scale. To achieve a 3D photo without a stereoscopic camera, start by simply taking two photos of the same shot, the first with a slight lean to the left, the second with a slight lean to the right—this provides the left eye, right eye effect. Upload the two photos to Creator 2011, which takes over from there with an easily navigable system for meshing the photos together, as well as typical editing effects. The software’s VideoWave feature helps stabilize and splice together footage from 3D-enabled cameras, standard video camcorders or both, for a modern take on the home movie. Once finished with the editing, you can upload the photos or videos to YouTube or Facebook, or produce a standard or high-definition DVD. The program also provides the option of choosing Anaglyph (for regular monitors or TVs) or RealID modes (for 3D-compatible viewing technology). To celebrate its launch, we’re giving away five boxes of Creator 2011 to CH readers. Follow us on Twitter and tweet a favorite photo you would like in 3D with @coolhunting and #creator2011 to enter. We will only accept one entry per user. Entries must be submitted by 6pm EST on 25 August 2010. Winners will be drawn at random from all qualifying (i.e. correct answer and only one entry) entrants at 12pm EST on 27 August 2010 and will be notified via Twitter.
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Creator 2011 Giveaway
Toni Morrison makes a memorable first appearance at lovefest known as the National Book Festival
Monday, September 26th, 2011Can an Apple without Steve Jobs come up with the next big thing?
Friday, August 26th, 2011
