For the Dysfunctional

Silent Farter - a stool that amplifies the sound of farts. Although the sound may be muted, the scent is still there!
Constant Shaker - Made for those who fidget and shake their legs while sitting down, it can count the calories burned by doing just that!


Equality Seeker - Designed to make everyone at the table equal, the taller you are, the shorter the chair, and the shorter you are, the taller the chair.

These are some of the chairs from Chairs for the Dysfunctional Project by Alice Wang.. Interesting fun furniture that keeps you on your toes!



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Masculine and Green

One of the color trends for Spring/Summer 2009 has shown itself in interiors, and that is the color GREEN. The color gives off a calm earthy feel to the room. Here, I've selected a few interiors who are up with the color trend, yet also have a masculine edge to them. The masculine style of dark woods, dark leathers, and neutral tones are softened and uplifted with GREEN. It can be put as touches to the interior using home accessories such as vases, glassware, or pillows. It can be used a bit more strongly such as being the color of the sofa, or chairs in the dining room. It can be used even more strongly such as the color of the wall. Just don't overdo the color, and the application in the interior. You just want to accent the place not overwhelm it. The various colors of green have different meanings, whether you want to go more foresty with a forest green color, or subtle with an olive green or vert green, or even eye-popping with a neon green!

The point is: Accent don't Overwhelm!






photo credit: gaelle le boulicaut, the knightsbridge, studio annetta.

Chaos @ Saks?

On my shopping outing today, I entered Saks Fifth Avenue and saw artwork snippets from Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One for Saks' Spring 2009 WANT IT! Campaign. Mainly it was on tables, as I was distracted with other stuff displayed here and there ;) I thought to myself, what could this campaign be all about? The stuff that were displayed as WANT IT's were trends to follow, the latest, the best, etc. Personally they weren't that wanted, not to object to anyone, its just from my personal point of view.
The main question is .. is the campaign seen as artfully choatic or distraction chaotic or beautifully chaotic? To me, its a balance of artfully chaotic yet distraction chaotic.

You be the judge.





photo credit: notcot

Do magazines still inspire us in creativity?

The freedom of expressing ourselves has long evolved nowadays with much more creativity than we've seen before. For example, we have the freedom of writing and posting via blogging, wordpress, etc. or we have the freedom of expressing ourselves through art, for example in advertising, visual arts, editorial designs, etc. Just take a look at how and where we get inspiration from. Most of all, we get it from magazines. We do turn ourselves to our computers searching for the latest and the best in art via googling or bloggers who are up-to-date in many aspects of life, be it in topics of fashion, design, cars, or what ever your interests may be. Yet somehow we still turn ourselves into magazines..whether buying it for the sake of reading it or for admiring the hardwork put into making it highly creative, by the forms of excellent writing, great photography, art work, advertising..thus keeping us coming back for more!

As I was browsing online for a new coffee table book, I fell upon "We Make Magazines..Inside the Independants" by Gestalthen Publishers. The book explores the dynamic magazine culture and celebrates their visual energy and brilliant ideas that they've come up with, and how they've evolved during the years to keep things interesting and artistic. The layouts, the spreads, the photography, the paper used, its different than what we "see" via the internet. Its a different feeling. It still interests us to buy magazines because somehow the internet alone doesn't satisfy us in terms of just getting inspirations for many things. The magazines, art books, real-life situations, advertistments, and many more can inspire us to do many things (generally in art).

The book is edited by passionate international magazine connoisseurs. It features exclusive in-depth interviews with editors and founders, and illustrates diverse topics that are essential in publishing magazines. Showcasing more than 100 independent magazines with stunning spreads, images, layouts, and websites, from over 30 different countries. It has a directory of over 700 of the most cutting-edge independent magazines available!! This book is for anyone who has a passion for print in the media, or who just want a beatiful book for the coffee table.

A colorful festival in this island

Bahrain is such a diverse artful island, especially during the months of March and April, where the Spring of Culture takes place. I'm proud to say that I love it when I see more and more people turning up to see what the festival holds.. Now in its fourth year, a bigger wave of artful creativity dazzles us bringing together music, sounds, and artful talent from around the world.

Yesterday, Award-winning vocalist Angelique Kidjo delighted the audience with her lively music in Arad Fort. Coming soon, Ghalia Benali will bring a soulful touch with her music, Cuba's Diva Omara Portuondo, as well as Salzburg Marionette's Sound of Music, and there's so much more! I can go on and on, so much to see so much to do!..It's an inspiring festival..An eclectic taste of art! From plays, to musical concerts, to colorful art exhibitions, poetry readings, workshops, sessions with some of the performing artists, lectures, and dance performances..It's Colorful Artistic and Green! Yes, the Spring of Culture is taking its first steps by going green in an attempt to save and protect the environment.

The Spring of Culture is for all age groups, enjoyed by Bahrainis and Non-bahrainis alike, because art is a universal language, understood by many, and appreciated by many. Another year for a colorful cultural festival around the island..and to many more :)

For more on this colorful festival, visit Spring of Culture

Organic ceramics

Organic shaped ceramics by emerging artist Giannis Mamoutzis. A shy yet passionate guy whose works show originality and passion. Creative forms and curves are shown in his pieces, makes you get into your own imagination of thinking what each ceramic piece really is and means.




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Cassette Paintings

By Finnish Artist Sami Havia...Album covers painted on old cassette tapes..something old turned into something new and creative :)




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