The Mercedes-Benz Museum houses an incredible amount of automotive history, unexpected surprises, and is in and of itself an absolutely mind blowing architectural space. That being said there are a million and one different posts i could write about it, and none would do it justice fully. So, let’s do this my way and start with my favorite detail… the ELEVATORS are amazing! When you enter the space, you can see straight up to the roof (and a peek at the sunlight coming in) as floors spiral all the way… you could even say the ceiling has a Mercedes-Benz star inspired shape… and then you notice what look three like vertical tracks going up… and these awesome metal pod (with abstract ghost like eyes/shape) moving up and down… it’s surreal. A bit overly concrete feeling (gave me a similar vibe to Oakley HQ’s entrance)… there was something very sterile/scifi feeling about the entrance space. I could have stood there and stared up at the mesmerizing symmetry of it all for ages. So see more close ups of it in action on the next page!

p.s. Also amazing are those giant panels… the ones that look like concrete? they arent. That’s how they move cars into the various floors.

p.p.s. Additionally, when it comes to ventilating the space and quickly dealing with a fire/etc… this building is the official world-record holder for the World’s Largest Artificial Tornado! It’s over 100ft, generated from the center of the roof… i’ve just updated the post with a few videos on the next page…

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Check out some of our latest posts over at NOTCOT.org. This week’s picks include stunning architecture and interiors, some playful items like the AK-47 Aqua fire and a bit of tech, like the iPad teardown. Click on the images to find out more.

A selection of this week’s posts over at NOTCOT.ORG, capturing a bit of the adorable, stylish, playful and bizarre. Click on the images to find out more.

Let me just start by saying that I’m fully aware how ironic it is that I, with my amateur photo skills, was sent to cover this exhibition of absolutely gorgeous photography by National Geographic at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City. But when Jean couldn’t make it to the preview and asked if I’d be interested, I was happy to fill in for her. I hadn’t been to the Annenberg Space for Photography either, so it was a good opportunity to check it out.

I got a sneak peek of “Water: Our Thirsty World” which presents images from National Geographic photographers examining the importance of earth’s fresh water resources, and the dangers we face if we don’t work to preserve them. This exhibition coincides with the release of the magazine’s April 2010 “Water” issue. More pics and info on the next page!

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Here are some of the latest posts over at NOTCOT.org. This week has been full of artwork, animals and architecture. Click on the images to find out more.

Had the pleasure of visiting ad agency, RPA, to see a friend today ~ and amidst the creative spaces, and many pics i couldn’t resist taking, firstly, i have to share their murals in the Acura team’s office that have inspired me to want to take a sharpie to my white walls… Jump over to the next page to see how beautiful these murals by Sainty and David Whittle are on the next page!!! Apparently they made these murals in the rp& offices (a division of RPA) while working with them on the insane Acura RDX advertisement where they spent 10 days on 1 wall with 17 painters and used 455 gallons of paint… to make a hand painted 30 second animated spot. WOW. So check out the close ups of the murals, as well as the actual ad spot and the making of! Beautiful stuff!

p.s. love that they are rp& ~ part of me wishes they were secretly behind The Ampersand blog! Or at least ON it more!

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Checking in from NOTCOT.org, where it has been an exciting week. This week’s picks include skulls, creatures, architecture, and much much more. Something catch your eye? Click on the pics to get the scoop.

Wow just stumbled upon this incredible poster… up close it’s all stars… step back and the skull emerges… oh, and it Glows In The Dark!!! Sweet Dreams by Daniel Bjugård ~ discovered it on the amazing swedish print site Wonderwall. See close ups on the next page!

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A grid full of inspiration ~ here are 25 of my favorites off of NOTCOT.org from the last few days! Click any of those squares to find out more! And don’t forget… its curated user submission, so feel free to submit inspiring finds that grab your attention!

Another Dear NOTCOT surprise ~ this one comes in from Lou Mora ~ awesome photographer, and apparently between seeing the matte black penguin and the Oscars last night… he got inspired and decided to take some sand paper to a blue penguin and make a GOLDEN PENGUIN!!! Ready to see the evolution? See all the pics he sent over on the next page…

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Roundup time! Felt like a nice jetlaggy 4am to share 25 recent favorites that jumped out at me from NOTCOT.org… as usual, click the squares to find out more!

Oh, W+K Studio Goodness ~ you guys are SO sweet, and awesomely inspiring. On fun surprises to come home to after the latest round of travels ~ firstly, how adorable is it that they made the envelope pattern align perfectly? I almost felt bad to pull the envelope off to read the card… but luckily i did, since i couldn’t stop smiling once i saw all the many fun signatures and notes within!!!

SO ~ here we have the unboxing/close up look of the incredible, hand screened (with love!), limited edition of 75 (but only 50 for sale here) 2010 Goodness Calendar… this is lucky number 37! Other than beautiful graphics, i love the note on the back… and that its a calendar that runs from Feb 2010 - Jan 2011… and i totally agree with them, i often forget i need calendars around until well into january, so why not offset it a little? It’s still totally useful!

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It’s pretty mind blowing what some artists manage to do with nothing but a pile of red bull cans! I know i’ve been a bit slow in updating the tags recently ~ time flies! So i’m super excited that NOTCOT Advertiser, Red Bull, was game to let me showcase my favorites from the previous Red Bull: Art of the Can winners in the tags for a few weeks! Also, entries are now open for the next round of the Red Bull: Art of the Can contest, so if you think you have what it takes, definitely get chugging the red bulls and designing/building away, then enter! Now for a bit more inspiration, look at a few close up detail shots of some of my favorites on the next page… i can’t even imagine how they did some of these!

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I hopped on a plan in london, hopped off in LA, and within hours i ran off to Manifest Equality ~ art for change strikes again ~ the location: this time in LA in a converted Big Lots in Hollywood ~ the cause: equality! Last time it was Manifest Hope in DC during the Obama Inauguration. Tonight was the pre-opening night event kicking off this week of Manifest Equality. With artworks from hundreds of artists ~ and The gallery will be open to the public, Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 through Sunday, March 7th, 2010. There are so many unmissable pieces, quite the music lineup for the next week, and if you’re in the LA area, it’s a must see! I took so many pics, i couldn’t even decide what to share with you, so on the next page is a look at my favorites views of Manifest Equality ~ including a video of one of the most incredible water/reflection/reactive to music pieces that is definitely worth seeing in person!

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On posts that are a bit overdue ~ catching up while curled up in London right now ~ one of the sweetest packages came over from the boys of High Snobiety and Selectism ~ super fun letterpressed coasters! With their logos on the fronts and urls on the backs ~ and an adorable little “Thanks for 2009, Drink to 2010.” message holding them all together. While i adore these… the making of video is even more mind blowingly mesmerizing to watch! You have to check it out and more pics & details on the next page!

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