From Vancouver
Dear Frances Bean Cobain
In response to Frances Bean Cobain's recent acquisition of the rights to her late father Kurt's name, likeness, appearance, and intellectual property rights, Vancouver-based writer and musician, Mish Way, wrote an honest and heartfelt open letter to the enigmatic woman, now 19. Questions we've always wondered, like "What does it feel like to know that at any given moment, in any given public place, at least half of the men around you idolized your father? Do you think about this stuff? Sorry, I’m doing it again." will make your heart swell. Read it on the Cultist Zine website. - Jennilee
From Elsewhere
Mirror by Tetsuo Kondo Architects
Tetsuo Kondo Architects have made a mirror that reflects a clear image when viewed straight-on, but appears cloudy from the side, softly reflecting it's surroundings' blurred silhouettes. I love this artistic and poetic take on a functional object. - Jennilee
From Japan
Modern Times by Patrick Tsai
Well known for his photo documented love story with Madi Ju in "My Little Dead Dick", and his heartfelt blog about life in Japan post-Tohoku Earthquake, "Talking Barnacles", Patrick Tsai has released a new book with Nanarokusha, called Modern Times. The book beautifully and humorously shows Patrick's take on China and its wonders from 2007-2008, leading up to the Olympics. Check out a preview of the images here. - Jennilee
From Elsewhere
Cleartones
I can't help but be a tiny bit annoyed when my cellphone rings and interrupts my conversations or train of thought. Thankfully, I came across Cleartones, a collection of beautifully minimal ringtones that make the world sound a bit better with it's subtle and refined notifications. Says it's creators, sound designer Hugo Verweij and designer Joachim Baan, ‘A ringtone should gently add a functional sound to the soundcape of our lives: Like a ripple in the sand of a curvy desert dune or sparks of sunlight reflecting in the water.’ Check it out here—a tweet gets you a sample download. -Jennilee
From New York
Shah Editions
New York based illustrator and designer, Mansi Shah has taken her love for vibrant digital patterns and colours and started Shah Editions. Each series of her products, whether it be a print, a piece of clothing, or jewelry, is adorned with one of her signature patterns. My favorite edition is the limited edition Up/Down Lapel Pin, available here! - Jennilee
From Vancouver
Beth Richards Swimwear
Vancouver based designer Beth Richards has launched her debut collection for SS 2012, inspired by icons. Through her love of early street and skateboard culture, her inspiration draws from the iconography of the cross, the local only tags from Dogtown, and the glam supermodels of the '90s, including Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss. These badass functional Italian-made suits can be worn on the beach or on the streets as bodysuits, and even protect the wearer from harmful UV rays with UPF 50+. They're available at Roden Gray and Tailored Goods in Vancouver and online on Net a Porter. - Jennilee
From Japan
Lifecycling
Lifecycling intimately takes a look into the lives and spaces of Japanese creatives, including Beams creative director Kenchi Aono and designers Mana and Takashi Kobayashi. Think of it as a Japanese version of Freunde Von Freunden or The Selby with beautiful write ups and interviews. - Jennilee
From New York
Spin To See Who Pays Bottle Opener by Hyde
Derek Brahney and Edge Trullinger, with Kate Jones of Ursa Major, have made a really interesting brass bottle opener that's based on a design from the early 1900s. If it points to you, then you've got the next round! Available at Partners and Spade.-Jennilee
From Vancouver
Haphy by Alex Heilbron
Vancouver based painter Alex Heilbron presents her first Vancouver solo exhibition at Shudder Gallery (433 Columbia St.), titled "Haphy". She describes Haphy as "a whimsical, non-sense word that describes a partial feeling half-way happy". Four years of Alex's work, which is described as "a narrative referencing '70s style cartoons and modernist paintings" will be presented in a light-hearted but emphatic exhibition that is a response to the habitual interpretation of contemporary art. The exhibition opens on Thursday April 19 and runs until May 5.-Jennilee
From Elsewhere
Moon Glass Collection by Tale
Seoul based studio,
Tale has created a collection of ceramic cups for rice wine and sake, that beautifully reflect the phases of the moon. When you fill the cup, it mirrors a full moon, and as you drink, it slowly reveals a half, then crescent shaped moon. - Jennilee
From Vancouver
Inventory Magazine Launch Party
Inventory Magazine has launched their anticipated 6th issue with features on vintage dealer Bobby Garnett, Batten Sportswear, Tory Leather, and Visvim. I'm honoured to have a photo essay in the issue too. In celebration, they will be hosting their West Coast launch party at the Inventory Stockroom (45 Powell Street) tonight, March 30. The combination of good people, nice clothing, drinks and new reading make the event something that shouldn't be missed. If you can not make it, the magazine will be available at these selected retailers. - Jennilee
From Vancouver
Tutto Bene
"Tutto Bene" is a joint art exhibition that will feature the work of 01 Magazine co-founder
Nathalee Paolinelli, alongside
Phillip Melvin,
Joey Haley, Jonathan Petersen, and
Barry Doupe. The opening reception takes place Friday, April 6 at Interurban Gallery (1 East Hastings) and is curated by Vancouver-based artist,
Mark Delong. Be sure to check out the artworks, especially this amazing larger than life sized hamburger made by
Francisco Grassi in collaboration with Nathalee! - Jennilee
From Elsewhere
ANP Quarterly Volume 2. No. 6
The newest issue of the highly sought after ANP Quarterly, a large format art and community focused publication, has been released and it looks great! This issue features '70s English punk band Crass, filmmaker Gaspar Noé, artist K8 Hardy, creative director Willo Perron, KCHUNG radio, and more. The free magazine founded by Aaron Rose, Ed Templeton, and Brendan Fowler is available at select retailers, bookshops, and record stores worldwide. - Jennilee
From Japan
Building Block by Kimberly and Nancy Wu
If there is one collection I am super excited about this season, it has to be
Building Block's Black Collection. Building Block is the side project of automobile designer
Kimberly Wu and her sister Nancy. Their first collection consists of five handbags composed of leather, rubber and wood. With the intention of living outside luxury and trend, the designers think of the line as an exercise in minimalism and necessity, finding inspiration in returning back to the basics. The multi-talented designer, who travels between Tokyo and LA, also has an
inspirational blog showing her daily life, design aesthetic, works in progress. -Jennilee
From New York
The Wild and The Innocent Group Photography Exhibition
From Vancouver
"Lieu De Culte" Adieu Installation
Mexico based artist and
Adieu clothing designer Melinda Santillan made a beautiful installation for us at the
01 Magazine Pop Up space called
Lieu de Culte. Playing with the idea of altars and cult objects, the 01 Magazine space window (8 E. Cordova at Carrall) will act as a “Lieu de Culte” (place of worship) with rotating installations until March 31. - Jennilee
From Vancouver
Here and Elsewhere Interviews Jeff Hamada of Booooooom
"Looking for new work every day has become a sort of ritual for me. I enjoy the curatorial aspect but the most exciting part for me is the interaction with the readers. I get a rush seeing a whole bunch of submissions get sent in after launching a new project. So in a way the site just sort of happens to be about art, it could be about anything as long as it allowed me to connect and communicate with people."—An excerpt from an interview with Vancouver-based Jeff Hamada of the ever inspiring phenomenon of a website, Booooooom. Be sure to look through the other interviews on Here and Elsewhere, ran by some great creatives that work with major cultural institutions in Vancouver. - Jennilee
From Portland
Wax Collector by Esque Studio
Portland based Andi Kovel and Justin Parker of the internationally renowned Esque Studio have created a mesmerizing candle holder called The Wax Collector. The glass vase collects melted wax drops that over time resemble a layered sand painting. - Jennilee
From Elsewhere
Ghost Knigi Postcards by Nieves
One of my favorite zine publishers, Zurich based Nieves, has collaborated with design studio Le Pigeon Voyageur and created a lovely postcard set featuring their infamous gum-drop shaped ghost in various predicaments! Love! - Jennilee
From Chicago
Try Harder by Jason Lazarus
"Try Harder" is not only the name of an Otis Redding record, but also a piece by Chicago based artist Jason Lazarus, showing an image of a determined Otis on his knees with "Try Harder" written across it. Jason installed the 9' x 12' motivational piece at Heaven Gallery in 2008 and has been distributing free small newsprint versions of the poster via SASE ever since. His website shows a submitted image gallery of places where people feel they needed the most motivation. - Jennilee.
