Bill Cunningham New York

17 Mar 2011, Posted by Rupam in art, design, events, lifestyle, technology, 1 Comments

Last night my friends invited me to the official release for the documentary of
Bill Cunningham; entitled Bill Cunningham New York. Known as the original New York street-fashion photographer (way before Scott Schuman, Garance Doré or bloggers started making their mark) the 82 year old photographer has been documenting the streets of New York City, every day, for the past 40-50 years. Most known for his two columns in the New York Times “On the Street” and “Evening Hours”, Cunningham has a keen eye for capturing fashion as “he’ll do anything for the shot,” says Kim Hastreiter, co-editor of Paper magazine. Sometimes he is so determine to get the shot he’s after, even if it means running into incoming traffic. Not only does Cunningham capture originality and the energy of the clothes he is also a storyteller, every spread has its own unique voice and I can only imagine that he tries to re-create the same frame he captured onto each spread.

“I’M NOT INTERESTED IN CELEBRITIES WITH THEIR FREE DRESSES. I’M INTERESTED IN THE CLOTHES.”

As a patron of fashion, Cunningham is a simplistic guy when it comes to his own style. Owning just a few articles of clothing and a royal blue jacket worn by Parisian workers he maintains a simple lifestyle of solitude. His mode of transportation is an old bicycle, which he says (in the film) is his 29th as his previous bicycle was stolen. Having lived in Carnegie Hall until they kicked all the remaining six guests out, he lived in a small studio surrounded by filing cabinets and negatives of every shot he’s taken, sleeping on a cot in the midst of chaos. The New York Times Carina Chocano describes him as, “an aesthete and an ascetic, a member of the establishment and a bohemian, and among the last of his kind.”

If you’re looking for an inspiring movie with good laughs and a well blended soundtrack, make sure to check out this movie.

Find out where its playing here: http://zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork/playdates.html

Trailer:

Enjoy the show

09 Mar 2011, Posted by Neves in art, design, 0 Comments

The Armory Show 2011

For all of you who missed this years star art spectacle here is a glimpse from CO-OP’s eyes at the show…

take your time

Give up white— and turn to the dark side.

08 Mar 2011, Posted by Kylie in art, design, lifestyle, 0 Comments

I love black. I wear it virtually everyday. It is my base, my clean palette to play with, to accessorize. I wrap my body in it, but would I wrap my walls in it? Check out Cindy Gallop’s bachelorette pad. It’s an angsty teenager’s dream.

Uniqlo’s Tadashi Yanai

28 Feb 2011, Posted by Jim in brands, design, 0 Comments

I recently read a Wallpaper article about Uniqlo’s CEO – Tadashi Yanai. While the man behind the company is brilliant, what interested me more about Uniqlo was their game-changing approach to the fashion industry. As Yania stated, “We are at the cultural and economic crossroads of the modern world.” And so true they are. Why - the brand appeals to a myriad of audiences by marrying high quality and style, great prices and service, and an accessible approach. Their business approach is also threatening the traditional business model of fashion. Read the article (in the March 2011 print edition) and learn. Watch out Milan, Paris, London and New York.

Images from: NYTimes.com, Uniqlo.com

Glenn Ligon

26 Feb 2011, Posted by Paul in art, design, events, 0 Comments

I just got news that this New York artist has a show at The Whitney coming up shortly in March. I find his narrative text based paintings (based on writings and speeches) really intriguing and his neon reliefs simple and provocative.

This exhibition features roughly one hundred works, including paintings, prints, photography, drawings, and sculptural installations, as well as striking recent neon reliefs, one newly commissioned for the Whitney’s Madison Avenue windows.

DOT

21 Feb 2011, Posted by Paul in art, brands, design, lifestyle, technology, topics, 1 Comments

From the stop-frame film makers of Creature Comforts and Wallace & Gromit, Aardman creates yet another ground breaking short film. This microscopic masterpiece is all done with a mobile phone – Nokia N8 using its 12MP camera.

If you thought the film was great, just watch the making of it! Talk about painstaking attention to detail, this shows the dedication, passion and talent of this amazing studio.

For more:

http://www.aardman.com/

Natural Gas Ad

21 Feb 2011, Posted by Paul in art, brands, design, do not use this category, lifestyle, topics, 0 Comments

It took a month of preparation, 4 days and nights shooting, with a crew of over 40, shot live and in stopmotion with 4 different cameras. A film for TBWA Brussels, directed by Olivier Babinet produced by Lovo Films

Ice Sculptures

21 Feb 2011, Posted by Paul in art, design, do not use this category, 0 Comments

As I write this post very early on Monday morning it is yet again snowing in Larchmont, NY! Here’s just a few of the many icy artworks from from Harbin.

Urban Planning: Current Trends

09 Feb 2011, Posted by Andrea in design, lifestyle, technology, 0 Comments

I’ve been anticipating the opening of Section 2 of the High Line since I moved to Chelsea 3 years ago. The promenade, build on top of old elevated train tracks and stretching 1.45 miles (2.3 km), is not just a beautiful recreational addition to Manhattan’s West Side  – it is an indicator (and hopefully instigator) of modern urban planning.

The CO-OP team exploring the High Line Summer 2010

Section 2 of the High Line is under construction

The High Line is connecting a jungle of different cultures and experiences found along it – from new super constructions to old historic buildings, car repair shops and public housing to art galleries and the Meatpacking District. More than that, the urban investment is already showing to be a magnet for development, and proving the power of planning in igniting economic, cultural and community growth. Seeing how the High Line floods over its edges and along the streets its shadow covers to create opportunities inspired me to explore new ideas in urban planning. What are the new trends?

Jane Jacobs’ radical ideas of the 60’s seem to have merit in modern planning as well. Her planning ideals – multipurpose streets and districts, small block, variety in building personalities, and dense populations – finds parallels in the simple innovations of Anthony Lyons and David Green’s urban development in Gainesville Florida. Their focus – small blocks, walkability and a flexible structure – creates an “environment conducive to creative solutions” adaptable over time. Hopefully, their simple genius will inspire others.

In the US, two themes seem to be especially popular entering into 2011; bike sharing and livable cities. Bike Sharing is expanding across America building momentum in its attractiveness to the everyday commuter. Livable cities, a concept focusing on ecologic, economic and social sustainability, argues that “livable cities – easily navigated by foot and bicycle – foster happy, healthy, fit communities of people” while fostering growth in the economy and entrepreneurship. Both movements, with micro and marco benefits, are easily adaptable systems.

Bike Sharing Development in New York

It is not always urban planning or interest groups driving changes in a neighborhood. In Manhattan’s Financial District, economic and technological changes are forcing city planners to think in new directions. With more and more trading being done electronically, the need to be in a set location is diminishing and financial companies are leaving the financial district for more convenient locations. This gives space to residents, hotels, media companies, law firms, and tech companies who are increasing their migration to the area. As planners will begin to consider the change in culture and plan accordingly, how will the current trends in urban planning guide and affect changes in the Financial District?

How will the Financial District adapt to its new characteristics?

Images and movie from:

New York Times Online, PIX11 Online, CO-OP Facebook page

The real Super Bowl winners —

07 Feb 2011, Posted by Kylie in art, brands, current events / news, design, lifestyle, 1 Comments

I am the last person I’d expect to write a post about the Super Bowl, but I wanted to give credit where credit is due. No, not to the Packers [admittedly, I didn't even watch the game], but to the creative genius that populated the airwaves between all of the brute and brawn. At $3M per spot, this years commercial ad space was sold out by October.

Here are a few of my favorites. What were yours?

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This Chrysler commercial featuring Eminem is an evocative shout out to the Motor City. It my pick for most inspiring— a portrait of an industry and a city that knows luxury through decades hard work and struggle. “It’s the hottest fires that makes the hardest steel.”

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I was VERY impressed with the grace and ease at which Motorola took some deep jabs at Apple with this commercial. The Orwellian automaton society, all white, hoodies, walking in formation, each murmuring into their headphone mics. Here motorola challenges us to be different and “create a better world” — walk against the crowd, take out those ear buds and bring some color into the world!

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This Volkswagon commercial wins for just plain cute— a viral success even before it aired on television.

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I think this Doritos commercial is hilarious. It makes me sooooo uncomfortable. Love it!

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The situation we all fear:

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Very funny. Very cute.

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Most bizarre: