Blah, Blah, Blah — sums up a lot a worlds/niches/people in four letters — then rinse and repeat. The piece of art above was part of the Armory Show last week — and although relevant now — could have existed for decades.

This bearded skull made me laugh. Not because of the absurdity of beards on skulls but because the trend of young male hipsters with this exact mountain man style of beard perplexes and amuses me. Have they run out of other ways to rebel or be different? And, now someone managed to sneak it into the Armory Show, validating it all the more. But, remember kids, when everybody does it, it’s not original, it’s following the herd.

I loved this simple portrait of a green-haired girl, it reminded me of nothing else — just that act of seeing boldly with color without obsessing on the details.

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It may seem morbid to some, but I love taxidermy. Mostly because I embrace the still physical embodiment that allows us humans to adore the exteriors of something mysterious out of context and at length. But this stacked taxidermy challenges our idea of gravity, even more intriquing.

Pink, feathered objects always get my attention and the delicacy and strangeness of this detail in a larger installation held my interest for a while. I felt like I had seen it before in a childhood forest walk.

And, so it goes. A week full of shows, thousands of pieces of new work, and the over saturation of the human psyche. How much can anyone possibly process at one or two sittings. If there was actually much “new” here our minds would explode, but there isn’t, as there are only a handful of minds every century that reach the masses with their truly unique visions. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of refreshing and beautiful work there was to see despite that fact. I’m sure if you do a quick google search you will be met with dozens of proper reviews. This is just a slice of a slice of a slice in a format not meant to give you peace of mind, but only one opinion.

iPhone images by kHyal™ — artwork property of its respective owners.

PushGallery did not feature this work inside — never will. A fictitious name assigned to this shoot. The glass door to this gallery — which I did not record — portrayed the setting. First, a brushed aluminum disk — engraved with PUSH, our favorite icon representing what is — “Do or Do not. There is no try.” — Yoda Wisdom — StarWars.

The entire show just had its debut right here. The work was created as kHyal™ and I briskly walked to the Fountain Art Fair, Saturday late afternoon. iPhone captured two images (TweetDeck_Hieroglyphics and I Could Have Been A Container) before hitting the pier — twelve more around the iron tug boat converted to the coolest art vessel afloat the Frying Pan.

1. AvatarBraids, 2. BadHairDay, 3. BluePlateSpecial, 4. I Could Have Been A Container, 5. IronMaiden, 6. kHyal™ on the Waterfront, 7. LakawannaTraining, 8. MonkeyInTheMiddle, 9. PipeDream, 10. PushGallery, 11. RustyRocket, 12. TweetDeck Hieroglyphics.

Textures — surfaces. Materials left to the elements. Flip to peculiar — obscure, funny, an inside joke that only you get. We reside in our private inner worlds — sometimes making the electric handshake.

Spontaneous art happens — sometimes I see it — sometimes it appears when reviewed after the fact. Within 30-minutes of wondering around on Saturday I had my part — before and during the Fountain Art Fair.

On special request — I do a mean version of Yoda, calls welcome. 203-838-5555.

Karl and I perused the 4th edition of Fountain NY 2010 on Saturday and Sunday during Armory Arts Week. We acquired another sKwirl and two others by Haberny and enjoyed the unconventional venue, a 10,000 square foot space at Pier 66 with a nautical twist, aka the Frying Pan. It’s interesting to view work on a vessel with amazing river views and a lulling sway — but difficult to take proper photos, particularly at night. (Look for Karl’s post tomorrow on *outside* Fountain.)

Self described as: “A reckless abandon of the art fair model.” Fountain showcased 20 exhibitors and independent projects and is an alternative art exhibition known for presenting cutting-edge and independent art galleries.

From the website, about Fountain:

“Possessed of a scrappy, youthful verve lacking in its more prestigious neighbors. Fountain was distinguished by a vintage street/self-taught aesthetic” ArtForum

Fountain was founded in 2006 as an attempt to leverage support for smaller independent galleries to gain access to larger collectors and critics. Since its inception Fountain has held 4 exhibitions in Miami, One in Chicago and is preparing for its Fourth exhibition in New York.

Fountain roots come deep within the independent Williamsburg art scene. Now in its 4th year in NYC, it has grown to represent over 20 international avant-garde galleries and projects, showcasing progressive primary-market works. Fountain offers fresh and innovative works in a brash DIY environment that runs parallel to the style of the work it represents.

We like the scrappy self-taught types, and look forward to Fountain Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach in December.

Images: All work is the property of its respective owners.

Everything Links — Winning Online

Our previous post on February 27 highlighted selections from Communication Arts Interactive Annual 16. CA online brings Communication Arts Interactive Annual 16 alive. From an interactive perspective — Experience rules all — Info Design: WeberGrill, Advertising: Herman Miller, Entertainment: Hard Rock Wall, Self-promo:  Joseph Canzani, Experimental: Body Collective. Jurors: Collective, Amber Bezahler; Tribal, DDB; Ingrid Bernstein, JWT New York; Nikolai Cornell, Obscura Digital; Brooke Nanberg, Jayne Agency; Rachel Pasqua, iCrossing; Mathew Ranauro, Publicis & Hal Riney; Hilary Read, EWI Worldwide; Glen Sheehan, T3. What’s new? — Webpicks, In the News, Communication Arts RSS Feed, Enter CA_Interactive_Competition_17, Print Communication Arts, Missing an Issue? Back Issues.

Interactive — online. Are you Experienced?

Yes, also a double meaning — Jimi Hendrix. “Are You Experienced?” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience for their 1967 debut album Are You Experienced.

Header Image © Communication Arts

As we prepare for a weekend full of art at the Armory Show, VOLTA NY, Fountain NY 2010, Red Dot and other venues — I stopped to think of how much I like unintentional art — sometimes more than purposely made artistic statements. So as the beginning of a multi-part ongoing post, I share with you two photos I took last year in San Francisco which are prime examples.

We welcome you to share your links and comments on the subject and hope to see you in New York this weekend!

Images: 1) “Time For A Slice,” restaurant signage; 2) Giant head strapped to car with florescent orange webbing ©kHyal 2009.

The business card landscape — usually flimsy, white stock, poorly printed and not flushed out in most cases. I save all business cards — good, bad and ugly. What stands out in the crowd — inventive, unusual and memorable. The ones I remember and keep for reference are well conceived and produced.

In our industry you want to stand out big time. Everyone expects the twist — different materials, techniques, shapes and message. kHyal™ wanted a vibrating mini billboard to represent her fiZz Agency card. Jumping out like it’s electrified. It suits her personality — bright and pink!

I wanted the subtle touch for creativeplacement. Tactile and reflective with copper appeal. It started on a dare after a colleague said, “you can’t do a black card — it’s a dumb idea”. All the reason to follow what I felt was going to fly. The reaction when I hand it off — always positive.

Looking like everyone else — boring. Being different should be common practice. Daring — take a leap — same is lame.

For more inspiration check out Daily Poetics on flickr.

Armory Arts Week starts today! Join, artists, galleries, collectors, critics and curators from all over the world. This year the Armory Show launches its first ever series of public programming in celebration of the City’s unparalleled artistic communities in a different neighborhood each night. Events include special receptions, open studios, art tours, museum discounts, performances, panels, artist discussions and parties. Check the website for details.

The Armory Show on Piers 92 and 94 is one of New York City’s great cultural events. This year Armory Focus, a new section that will feature an important art community every year, is premiering with 22 of the best galleries from Berlin. (Why is it called the Armory Show? Because it used to be held at the Armory — until it swelled to the seams and burst onto the Piers. Lesson learned? Think before you brand, kids, think before you brand!)

VOLTA NY — the sister art fair to the Armory Show — is the American incarnation of the art fair founded in Basel in 2005. VOLTA NY was conceived to continue the original mandate to create a tightly-focused, boutique affair that would be a place for discovery and concentrate on current and topical art production. VOLTA NY puts the focus back on artists through exclusively featuring solo projects,  promoting a deep exploration of the work of its selected artists and galleries, an opportunity for discoveries that move beyond those afforded by a traditional art fair. VOLTA NY is located at 7W 34th Street.

An ancillary show not to be missed is the Fountain Art Fair at Pier 66/26th Street. Our favoritism may be due to the fact that we love Greg Haberny’s work and are looking forward to his installation Pop Culture Wasteland.

DesignerGrill will be covering the Armory Show and reporting back over the next week. Hope to see you there — but if you have to miss it — check back in here for our tiny slice of the view.

The Armory Show and the Armory Show Arts Week image and information ©MMNI. Fountain Art Fair info ©Fountain Art Fair. Image: “I Love North Korea” ©Greg Haberny.

Thanks to Carol Wahler — executive director of the TDC — for my personal tour during the opening of last night’s Type Directors Club Annual Exhibition. The TDC 55 is on view in the Arnold Bernhard Center Gallery/University of Bridgeport through April 2010. The entries will become part of the UB Design Programs’ permanent teaching collection.

I was very impressed with the overall representation and work — ranging from highly recognized professionals throughout the world — to some stellar student pieces.

Graphic design works by world-class professionals chosen by distinguished jurors in the annual Type Directors Club (New York) design competitions will be on view in the UB Gallery in March and April. Held annually since 1954, the TDC competition sets the high mark for graphic design incorporating innovative typography in all fields of design — posters, books, packaging, editorial, apparel, motion graphics, branding, and others.

TDC 55 Judges: Typography; Laurie Demartino – Laurie Demartino Design Company, Roberto De Vicq De Cumptich – De Vicq Design, Chris Dixon – New York Magazine, Tina Roth Eisenberg – Projekt2, Jeffrey Fisher, Matthew Richmond – The Chopping Block, Alex Trochut, Chair: Matteo Bologna – Mucca Design.

TDC2 Judges: Typeface Design; Ken Barber – House Industries, Jonathan Hoefler – Hoefler & Frere-Jones, Richard Kegler – P22type Foundry, Gabriel Martínez Maeve – Kimera, Chair: Fiona Ross

The University Gallery is generally open from 9:00–5:00 Monday–Friday, and 12:00–5:00 Saturday. Please call ahead during academic breaks: 1-203-576-4034.

Even the judges’ poster was in the right style with the show. Instead of photos of the judges — type characters illustrated their personality — a true type face.

The fashion world is nutty business. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what trends are real vs. the hoaxes. Japan is a country with fashion trends that have included wearing all the tags on your clothes, ala Hee Haw. So why couldn’t we believe that skirts screen-printed with underwear clad bottoms would be too far flung?

I actually think this look is pretty groovy — however, I do believe it would bring some young women even more unwanted attention from men.

We’d love to hear about your favorite way out fashion trend — so do tell!

Images: property of their respective owners.

I’ve spent 22 years reviewing thousands of portfolios — from recent graduates to seasoned professionals originating from top design programs throughout the country. All professionals entering or continuing in the industry need a killer presentation starting with a dynamic portfolio.

At creativeplacement, we continually seek up-to-date resources worthy of our standards — Armin Vit + Bryony Gomez-Palacio, his wife and partner, recently self-published a keeper. Flaunt delivers a collection of over 40 case studies, survey statistics, fabrication details and real comments from leading design professionals.

As an introduction, the UnderConsideration site allows a PDF download of a few sample pages. Instant gratification option of Flaunt — download the full PDF version for $15.00. Five minutes later — delivered online without a hitch. The print version is also available (if you can wait) for $24.99.

In addition to all the visuals, the statistics are right on target. An important resource for everyone in the design industry. Don’t leave home without it!

Image graphic: © UnderConstruction