20081020
20080919
DESIGN and DESIGN : Book of the Year
SALVADOR will be included in the upcoming Design and Design Book of the Year.
The hard cover publication which is released every January will consist of 730 designs from around the world. Definitely looking forward to seeing what they compiled.
More info here.
20080918
Barcode Building
I have to admit i'm seriously geeking out over this building in St.Petersburg, Russia. It's titled 'Barcode' and you can read more about it here.
20080915
20080912
Pecha Kucha Night 2 : Done and Dusted in Edmonton
So I made it through my first Pecha Kucha and have to say it was a great time. Though I was pretty nervous leading up to the opening, the wine helped bigtime to ease the situation. Plus it was nice to see that I wasn't the only one who had a bad case of nerves.
All in all it was a solid night. I really have nothing negative to say about the presentations as I know that it takes some courage to head up there and keep the audience captivated for a short period of time. But I did find a moment where one got uncomfortably preachy which created some debate on the way home. That for me was a great thing to come out of the show as it really raised a few questions amongst our group.
As for my routine, I think I did OK as I was able to avoid going to my notes. Plus it seemed like I was up there for only a minute as it really was a complete blur. Response was good during and at the intermission, plus I did get a few new contacts which was great. It definitely was a nice way to end the furniture run under ITEM and head into a new direction starting with the solo gig next year.
Big thanks again to Next Gen Edmonton for the invite. They really did a fantastic job and i'm looking forward to PK3!
20080911
20080909
Pecha Kucha Edmonton ... 2 days to go!!
With Pecha Kucha only a couple of days away, I have to admit the nerves are seriously killing me! I think getting word that a 300 plus capacity theatre is now sold out for the event got me crapping a wee bit.
I find i'm gong through moments of cold hands to over confidence. I also realized that the last time I spoke infront of a crowd this size was when I MC'd my Brother-in-laws wedding, which I have to admit, was done with ALOT of alcohol courage. Something that may not work so well with PK.
But in all seriousness, i'll be using this night to talk about the work compiled over the last few years under the ITEM moniker. I'll explain influences such as my love of Designer Vinyl to dealing with my Wife's clutter issues and how i've incorporated it into the ITEM fold. It's basically a chance for me to stop and take a look (very quick look!) at what i've been doing all this time and give me an idea as to where i'm going. Plus i've always avoided explaining the work and figure there's no better way to jump start that ride.
Fuck I just got nervous again!
20080903
solo ITEM
Work is well underway for the first ITEM solo show slated for the new year. The image above should give an indication of the shows theme as well as the proposed title....
'rat-AT-AT-touille'.
The exhibit will consist of 12 pieces. Venue and dates TBA.
20080902
PARC bench
I'm revisiting an earlier piece called PARC BENCH. The one pictured here is the first version made a couple of years ago for a *FROST exhibit. The intention was to have the user sit on the bench and basically run their fingers through the 'grass' while forgetting the days events.
A revised model is in the works and will be pumped out for '09.
ITEM does PECHA KUCHA
I've been asked to participate in an upcoming Pecha Kucha night here in Edmonton. If you're not familiar with this event, the format is 20 slides at 20 seconds each to present your case.
Let the nerves commence.....now!
20080814
20080805
itemART
Some free time, a bottle of Scotch and a freshly downloaded Slayer album got me back into painting again. Definitely a nice change up for me.
20080731
CLUTTER ad
First ever ad for ITEM hitting CLUTTER Magazine's 13th issue. The ad feature's the one-off Creme Moji.
20080711
Custom FRAMESICLES
Set of custom FRAMESICLES at last weeks LAUNCHPAD exhibit. The items were done by a few local Artist/Designers that included graff veteran Steve-Dave who will be working on a full set of 'sicles later this year. His is second from the left in this image.
20080612
UNKL decks
My Gravedigger decks (58" in length) for Boardeli Longboards have finally arrived back from UNKLBRAND with an amazing hand screened pattern.
The decks will be on display over at LAUNCHPAD next week and up for sale via Boardeli very, very soon.
20080611
20080610
Once Upon a Time: The Kouri Monster Lamp Custom
The second custom Monster brought to you by my main man from Chicago Chad Kouri.
Currently on display with Made in The West.
Currently on display with Made in The West.
20080526
EDITH Mailbox : Discontinued
EDITH mailbox is now discontinued.
I've reached my production goal of 15 and have officially ceased production.
Thanks to those that have taken the time and effort in obtaining one from me.
I am now working on a wall mounted mailbox as the third entry in the series.
The Salvador stand-up mailbox will only be a one-off while the upcoming wall unit will be available in a small production run similar to Edith.
20080522
Made In The West / Kouri MONSTER debut
The second custom MONSTER lamp is set to debut at a wicked show here in Alberta called Made In The West. The exhibit which opens Friday May 22nd in Calgary, will focus on design talents based in Western Canada.
The latest MONSTER by Chicago homeboy Chad Kouri is appropriately titled Once Upon a Time : Kouri Monster Custom. For me this a perfect departure from Motomichi's version and really has Chad's stamp on it. He's basically taken a household design piece and reworked it into Art.
Images coming soon.
20080508
SALVADOR mailbox
SALVADOR will be the second entry for my mailbox series. Currently being fabricated and ready for display by the end of May. As well i'm working in a removable planter attachment for the top that is not shown.
20080507
Muttpop Display
Had a chance to rattle off a little side display piece with my pal Kevin Holm which we both used to house some of our MUTTPOP vinyl.
20080225
Random Shot
Wider shot of Orange Edith sitting infront of Soapbox Films in Burbank. This project actually scored Lettuce the Design Green Award with a first place finish in the Environments category.
20080219
Moji Custom
Pretty stoked to line-up a Moji custom by Brooklyn Artist Lou Pimentel. More customs with local designers have also been lined up for the year.
Exhibit Watch
Another Munny show here in Edmonton this spring which will also include a bunch of customized Framesicles by local Tattoo Artists and Graphic Designers. More to come.....
Kouri Monster Custom Update
Chad Kouri was cool enough to send me this progress shot for his upcoming MONSTER lamp custom. Apart from this teaser, i'm completely clueless as to what the final product will look like.The lamp may make a few exhibit appearances this year. Fingers crossed!
20071217
20071213
20071211
MONSTER does Miami
Motomichi just fired over images from HEIST where our custom MONSTER made a recent appearance.I'm pretty happy to have this shown in public again as it's last outing at Toronto's IDS show was less than stellar. Some hefty damage came about to this item during shipping to and from the event. But luckily we were able to piece her back together and have another crack at it.
I really liked the way the light came through on this shot.
Upcoming Collaboration
Another collaboration in the works for '08. This time out it's with Edmonton graffiti artist Steve-Dave. Very excited about this one.More details to follow.
20071204
Soapbox Films Install
Big, big thanks to Russell at LETTUCE for sending me this image of Orange Edith installed at Soapbox Films in Los Angeles.
This version had a few customizations such as a lockable flap at the back as well as an increase in width to accommodate video tapes, packages, etc.
We also switched our construction from basic shop metal to stainless steel which will eliminate potential rust over time. A lesson learned from our first Florida based client.
More images to come.
20071129
ITEM playlist : QOTSA - Misfit Love
This tune has been stuck in my head for months since I had a chance to catch QOTSA here in Edmonton. Brilliant, brilliant show.
20071128
08 Project : Part 8
In regards to the legs on BOOM!, I keep thinking about Claude Cormier's Lipstick Forest at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, which I finally had the pleasure to see in person this past summer. I remember first seeing this in an old issue of AZURE way back in 2002 when it was completed and haven't shrugged it off since.So this is pretty well the main drive to use branches for the legs at this point. Not sure if i'll go more direct and go with the pink on this one. I have this urge to do a piece in a high gloss black/charcoal.
08 Project : Part 7
Funny how the BOOM! lamp seems to be developing. First the 'head' is 6 feet off the ground and angled, then straightened out for a table top version, and now finally sitting directly on the ground.It's kinda evolved into a cousin of MONSTER by the looks of it. Difference this time is that BOOM! looks to have legs and a more direct 'vinyl' feel to it which was the original drive behind MONSTER.
Now the thought process switches to material. Right now I am thinking of using heavy tree branch cut-offs for the legs (painted...hot pink? red?). No idea about the 'head' just yet, but I am actually considering discarded cardboard boxes to reduce weight and waste.
MONSTER Sighting
The Nakamura custom MONSTER has made an appearance in the latest issue of POL Oxygen. Big thanks to Kellie Holt for the inclusion.
20071119
08 Project : Part 6
Change of direction from the original model and sketches with the head no longer at an outward angle (balance issues). It now has more of a gory approach (unintentional) with the body ripped in 2 with the insides exposed and hanging out. Not the most pleasant point of inspiration but could work out well visually.Official working title will now be the BOOM! Lamp.
20071115
20071029
EDITH custom
A Yellow EDITH is on it's way to a client in Florida with some minor customization where the usual 'MAIL' wording was replaced with a house number. I actually dig this version quite abit.
08 Project : Part 5
Had a chance last night to work out some quick scale models for the 'o8 project as well as another piece that's in the works.I seem to be leaning towards the name BOOM! right now.
20071025
08 Project : Part 4
Bit of a spark today regarding the '08 Project after coming across a few pics of Japanese Blood Grass.I'm pissing around right now with the 'explosion' component of the piece and completely forgot that I had planted a few of these last year in the garden. The color is absolutely brilliant in it's full glory and has a wicked name to boot.
Still wondering though what the hell this piece is to be. Lamp, speaker, birdhouse, etc. Might say fuck it and leave it as an outdoor sculpture.
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