Brian Dettmer: Adaptations

Generally I disapprove of the destruction of books. In the case of Brian Dettmer's artwork AND non-resellable textbooks, I encourage it. Well, I guess since its "art" it isn't really destruction, but I mean in reality it is. You are making the original object, the book, useless for its intended purpose. You can't read these. The author, I'm sure, would disapprove. End of tangent.

The artist used nothing but an x-acto knife and tweezers to create these remarkably detailed pieces. The show Adadptations is running through May 9 at the Packer Shopf Gallery in Chicago.




via ch

Board Short Review

So after several long and agonizing debates between myself and... myself, I have decided to present my Board Shorts Review 2009 in the following format:

1. Intro
2. Filler
3. Pics
4. More Filler
5. Conclusion

I think that's pretty standard formatting. Formatting is important right? I mean continuity and the expected are what writing is all about. I beat the shit out of spontaneity in the parking lot last night and nonconformity knows better than to show that ugly mug 'round here. I don't write for me, I write for the English language. I'm also a bit unhinged.

Look, whatever it is that I just wrote up there isn't really important. What is important is the fact that you and I are here. Now. Well, sort of now... I mean I already wrote this and you're reading it at some point after the fact, so I guess that's all just a lie and I've been exposed for the fraud I am. Well done. You have ruined what was left of the life of a broken man. Not me, but some other dude who takes all of this way too seriously. Honestly I don't know what's wrong with people.

Right. Anyway, on with the show: so for those of you who are unfamiliar with the board short genre, these glorious swim trunks come in lengths ranging from 18"-23" and are sized like pants in the waist. Every year there is some new technological development which makes that season's shorts weigh less, dry faster, or increase your sperm count. If you're interested in a performance breakdown, this is the wrong place for you. Aesthetics are what we're all about over here, plain and simple.

I don't want to make an opus out of this deal, but I recognize that there are styles aplenty out there and I don't want you to think I skimped on the research, so for those who want to see the entire catalog I considered, check out this fancy flickr page I made.

For the rest of you lazy Susans, I shall drop the science like so:

HAWTNESS ON A BUDGET: gotta rep the hometown heroes at Target. Sure they rip off designs from everyone and their mother, but you can't beat that style for those prices. Close second: Ye Old Navy.

NEW BIG NAME HAWTNESS: So the style cues for this season are shorter shorts and an '80's neon vibe. Sure there are offerings that still rock the bad tattoo-ink stylings of the last few years, but we at Newrosis like to dance near the front, so if you want camo printed tramp-stamped old lameness, try the discount section at PacSun (seriously).

Billabong: You know you'll get quality and style, but let's be honest: every third grom at the beach is going to have your shorts. Exclusivity is the key to a satisfying life. That's a central Minnesotan proverb, and real words to live by. Grade: B-

DC Shoes: The DC logo/branding is timeless. I love it. LOVE IT. Some of their non-branded pieces are also pretty intriguing, but nothing mind blowing. The Biff is the creme de la creme. Grade: B

Fox: I don't know why motocross riders need board shorts, but I also don't know why ostriches have wings. We'll chalk it up to an evolutionary oversight. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the styling, particularly the Vortex, but of course they have to have that god-awful fox displayed as prominently as possible. Grade: C+

Hurley: My favorite Lost character, and also ubiquitous symbol of SoCal circa 2000. I'm not crazy about their stuff, but the Icon at least makes it hard to see whose shorts you're wearing. Grade: C-

Quiksilver: The winner among the big boys in my opinion. The Cool Out and Mo Massive are slick as hell, but you know you won't be the only one wearing them. Grade: A-

O'neill: Disqualified for having the most ridiculous non user friendly website ever. EVER. Grade: F

Rusty: Overall not great, but the Snake Charmer and St Francis are good looking shorts that might be a little more under the radar. Grade: B

Volcom: I mean, by this point in the review, I'm just seeing too many of the same styling cues and patterns to give any of the Volcom designs high marks. The Dingo looks seirzure-inducing, if you're into that sort of thing.

BEST OF 2009...as of now anyway...

RRD Sideshore Mondrain: Best Overall

Quiksilver Cool Out: Best Big-Name Short

RRD Glitter: Most Unlikely to be Worn

O'Shea Starstruck: Best Import

RVCA Synchronicity: Best "Conservative" Short

Best overall line for this summer goes to RRD (Roberto Ricci Designs). Far and away the most unique shorts I've seen. I would love to give you a rundown of why RRD is so great, but I am sick of this entire operation here and I have law to practice, so if I'm not rushing you...good day!

Remember you can check out pics of everything I looked at on the Newrosis Flickr page.

Jan von Holleben: Dreams of Flying

Some Hump Day eye candy, courtesy of German photographer Jan von Holleben. I always wanted to be Superman. Dreams of Flying was captured between 2002-2008.




via three85.com

FIELD Art Installation by Richard Box is Crazy

So this field below high-voltage power lines somewhere in England is now covered by these flourescent bulbs which are powered by ambient electricity. Let me clarify: they are not plugged in, they are simply being powered by the electrical field that surrounds these power lines. Slightly less hocus-pocus description of the process below via io9:

A fluorescent tube glows when an electrical voltage is set up across it. The electric field set up inside the tube excites atoms of mercury gas, making them emit ultraviolet light. This invisible light strikes the phosphor coating on the glass tube, making it glow. Because powerlines are typically 400,000 volts, and Earth is at an electrical potential voltage of zero volts, pylons create electric fields between the cables they carry and the ground.

Box denies that he aimed to draw attention to the potential dangers of powerlines, ‘For me, it was just the amazement of taking something that's invisible and making it visible,' he says. ‘When it worked, I thought: ‘This is amazing.''

Yeah amazing is a pretty apt description. It would be quite a spectacle to witness. In a good way though, not like when Britney Spears shaved her head or when Sarah Palin talked about foreign policy. See more of Box's work at his website.

via io9

The Razor Residence by Wallace E. Cunningham

Located above Torrey Pines State Park in La Jolla, California, the Razor is enough to make any supervillain salivate. Lex Luthor pondering Superman's demise while taking in endless views of the Pacific seems like an ideal fit. Or perhaps Jackie Treehorn's La Jolla escape...

Anyway, this thing is just disgustingly sexy, and is probably singlehandedly responsible for the financial collapse of the western world. I don't know what that means either, but whatever the house is crazy. All floor-to-ceiling glass and polished concrete.





via contemporist

POSTS ARE COMING I SWEAR TO YOU

This week, by hook or by crook, I shall provide you with Newrosis' guides to Summer '09 board shorts and sunglasses. I am making a commitment. A promise. A promise that, if broken, will cause me to get really, really choked up. Seriously, I'll be sad. I may also briefly feel inadequate, but I assure that feeling will pass like flatulence on the wind.


Cheers, happy hump day.

Rhymesayers' Soundset 09

Legendary underground hip-hop label Rhymesayers brings back their Soundset showcase for 2009. This year's event will be held at Caterbury Park in Shakopee, MN on May 24. Tickets range from $25-75 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster (booooooo) or Fifth Element* in Uptown (Hooray!).

Performing: Atmosphere, MF Doom, Brother Ali, Sage Francis with B. Dolan, Immortal Technique, P.O.S, El P featuring Mr. Dibbs, Eyedea & Abilities, Abstract Rude and I Self Devine.

Should be a great show, sucks it isn't in the city.

*-Limited number of presale tickets available in-store.

Rock the Garden '09 Features Decembrists, Author Vomits

The lineup for this year's Rock the Garden concert at the Walker Art Center's Sculpture Garden was announced on 89.3 The Current this afternoon, and boy am I not going.

Headlining the event will be The Decembrists, who I loathe because of their lead singer's nasally whine and impossibly emo vibe. Also appearing will be Calexico, who get a MEH out of 10 on my scale of caring. Yeasayers, who I have heard of but cannot place at the moment, and Solid Gold, whom I have discussed previously here, round out the bill.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 22, tickets for MPR and Walker members are on sale now.

Matchstick Minas Tirith

J.R.R. Tolkien's City of Kings, Minas Tirith, built by Patrick Acton out of matchsticks.


I'm gonna come clean: I'm obsessed with Tolkien's world, but not in my wildest daydreams would I ever presume to try and reproduce anything The Master created. This work by Acton, this pile of matchsticks, absolutely works for me. So congratulations Peter Jackson and Patrick Acton, you succeed where all others fail. Minas Tirith is set to be completed sometime in 2010.

Below, check one of Acton's other creations: Hogwart's!


via boingboing

Keybag from Joao Sabino

Possibly my favorite handbag design ever. Why? Two possibilities: it is really that amazing, or I don't ever look at handbag designs because, y'know, that'd be weird.

Available at the designer's website for 130 Euros.


via designboom