We’re down to Spain vs Netherlands already in the World Cup finals! And before it’s all over ~ you have to check out Nike’s installation in the atrium of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg. Meet Ball Man! A giant 21 meter high footballer made from 5,500 suspended skills balls and weighing more than 4.5 tons. Developed using a 3-D image of an athlete and then aligning each of the balls individually, which are strung together by over 10 kilometers of wire from the ceiling. Additionally, it incorporates some of Nike’s latest products (National Team Kits and Nike Elite Series). While we’ve been seeing a trend in individually suspended weights, etc. to create incredible 3d sculptures that become far more than a sum of their parts from afar… this installation certainly takes the scale to a whole new level!
Nike definitely gets bonus points for thinking beyond the installation ~ each of the 5,500 balls will be given to local community programs after the tournament! Such a nice gesture, i wonder if they recipients will be able to tell which one of Ball Man’s balls they receive? Pics and video on the next page!
You just have to appreciate the effort of master craftsmen when you look at the new Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt. Luxury watches are art pieces. And you certainly can’t argue with that when you see this one. In fact i first thought it was a mini set of binoculars that you wear on your wrist! Brought to you by MB&F, the guys who also made the stunning HM3 Frog, you simply have to see the details of this sculptural time piece up close on the next page for yourself!
Crossroads by Garvin Nolte “The video installation “crossroads (what to do)” deals with the influence of others onto one’s own path of life in an abstract way.” Ever feel like everyone is pulling you in so many different directions? or telling you where to go and what to do? Is your technology dictating your life… literally? Lovely video/installation piece! See the video on the next page!
This week NOTCOT.org has been filled with color and fun. This week’s roundup captures a range of aesthetics, from bright and playful to dark and macabre. Click the individual images to find out more about each post.
The snatching of purses happens far too often ~ and no matter where you are, you can never be too careful. So consider this french I Lock You device, like hand cuffs for your purse. Lock it to the super market cart, cafe chair, bike basket, etc. If someone thinks they can just grab it and run, they’ll be in for a surprise. Though this design doesn’t exactly “lock” in a way that someone who knows can’t open it… it will at least deter someone looking to walk by and grab your purse along the way. Though, i guess you could actually use real handcuffs for this too… See pics of their design and some use cases on the next page!
Quench your thirst for luscious drinks over at Liqurious. This week’s roundup is as beautiful as it is delicious. Click on the individual images to find out more.
You know i love a good unexpected brand/artist collaboration ~ well this Electrolux + Tobias Allanson piece is awesome! When artist Tobias Allanson was commissioned to illustrate Electrolux Ergorapido’s performance in real-life situations, he decided to create a kinetic sculpture using a real Electrolux Ergorapido. His sculpture showcases Ergorapido’s effective dust pick-up, maneuverability, LED headlights and 2-in-1 function in four situations in the home environment. The sculpture was also filmed! Check out the video on the next page… as well as lots of pics, and the making of vid!
Silly as it sounds, sometimes running an ad on NOTCOT may be one of the best ways to get my attention (not surprising when you think about how much time i spend on the sites daily!) ~ latest one to really suck me in? These new Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011 ads! I’ve always been a sucker for bold, concise text though… and they are fun and inspirational! And so pro-making things and living your life! And from there, i ended up on the Jeep page and the Manifesto video just pulls you right in. A nice reminder of American design/manufacturing… and a fun morning kick off video!
Also fun? The design videos about the making of Jeeps, and seeing old video footage of how they used to design cut in with the design processes of today! See more videos and visuals on the next page!
On products that got me all excited at CES back in January that i couldn’t write about until now… the Belkin Conserve Valet!!! A “Smart USB Charging Station ~ Save Energy, Reduce Clutter”… as you know, chargers left plugged in can still be power vampires, but it’s not always easy when you’re in a rush to remember to unplug them all! I’m guilty of “docking” (aka plugging my phones/laptop/etc in) right next to my bed when i crash, then grabbing them and heading out in the mornings… leaving the chargers hanging… with the Belkin Conserve Valet, i can do that, and not waste energy! Since it will auto shut off and draws ZERO power when its not in use! It’s also nice that its so pretty and simple ~ with a nice matte black grippy surface, cord management, and more… perfect for cell phones, bluetooth headsets, ps3 controllers and more! (Perhaps it needs an add on stand to dock my iPad too?) The nice Belkin-ers sent me some early samples to poke at, so you can see an unboxing and some close up pics on the next page!
A roundup of another great week at NOTCOT.org with everything from iPhone plungers to Star Wars Pancake molds. What’s not to love? Click the images to find out more about each post.
Yes, i’m cleaning up a bit ~ my house, my closets, my computers… and a few posts i’ve been dying to post that fell through the cracks as i went a little travel crazed the last few months! This exhibition still blows my mind looking back on the pictures i just found!
A tribute to an unfamiliar side of Achille Castiglioni. “Effetto Castiglioni”, an exhibition at the e De Padova showroom for Milan Design Week, presented for the first time the models of exhibit designs and architectural projects by this great master. Twenty-three models stored until today at the Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni of the Triennale Design Museum leave their cardboard boxes to narrate the expertise of Castiglioni, in a path that extends from the 1950s to 2000. Projects documented precisely at the crucial moment of the creative idea: the model. They are unbelievably detailed and playfully creative for their time (actually, even for NOW!) ~ you have to see the one made of cheese, the one that feels like a kaleidoscope, and more… see the pics on the next page!
RPA: Rubin Postaer and Associates ~ ad agencies always seem to have so much FUN with their office spaces! Remember the Sainty + David Whittle at rp& (of RPA) post? With the amazing art adorning their walls? Well, here’s a peek at the rest of the RPA offices! My favorite part is definitely the adorable original Honda Civic ~ their first account back in ‘79! What’s especially fun, is to see so many props from their various adverts in real life! From the SoyJoy tree, to “I Pinch” Crab, and more honda campaigns i’m sure you’ll remember when seeing the pics! Also fun, they are full of passion and creativity ~ and character! My favorite tradition they shared ~ on “birthdays” (anniversaries of being at RPA!) everyone signs pieces of paper with drawn candles ~ you can see a picture of one showing Gerry Rubin’s in his office… awesome to see how many candles there are! Also worth a read ~ love this article in Smart Business from 2007 about Gerry Rubin’s philosophies on the importance of nurturing your corporate culture! Anyhow, take a little walk through some of the highlights of the world of RPA in Santa Monica, CA (including their Club RPA bar…) on the next page!
On random packaging obsessions ~ stumbled across these special italian Lurisia Water Glass Bottles while at an ICFF event in NY and was mesmerized! Apparently redesigned back in 2008 ~ “This project combined forces of the creative design agency Sottsass Associati, the experts in industrial design from Fratelli Guzziniand, finally, Saint-Gobain Glass, the world leader in glass manufacturing,” says PopSop. And it won a beverage innovation award in 2009! How have i never seen these before?!?! Apparently their water is supposed to have quite a cult following? And they have spa’s in italy as well… And as cool as these lighthouse lantern like bottles are… the vintage logo of the lighthouse keeper is adorable as well! Take a peek at more images on the next page!
Summer has arrived at Notcouture. This week’s roundup includes stunning swimwear, accessories and even travel bags for your stylish getaway. Check out these gorgeous pieces by clicking on the individual images.
Some toys just stop you in your tracks. Like this brand new VP-T Celsius Toy Reactor-88 made for the upcoming Rotobox Ganmettal Celsius Custom Show coming up at the Toy Art Gallery in LA on July 10th, 2010! When i saw the sneek peek over at Vinyl Pulse, couldn’t resist begging for more pictures of this adorable little guy ~ so, if you’re ready, take a look at more details, even a look at his jetpack (ok, it might just be a backpack or the contraption that holds his wings on, though a guy with wings might still be able to use an extra boost) and more on the next page!
p.s.
Love seeing the native american art influences in Reactor-88’s work ~ such a fun combination with custom toys!
We’re down to Spain vs Netherlands already in the World Cup finals! And before it’s all over ~ you have to check out Nike’s installation in the atrium of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg. Meet Ball Man! A giant 21 meter high footballer made from 5,500 suspended skills balls and weighing more than 4.5 tons. Developed using a 3-D image of an athlete and then aligning each of the balls individually, which are strung together by over 10 kilometers of wire from the ceiling. Additionally, it incorporates some of Nike’s latest products (National Team Kits and Nike Elite Series). While we’ve been seeing a trend in individually suspended weights, etc. to create incredible 3d sculptures that become far more than a sum of their parts from afar… this installation certainly takes the scale to a whole new level!
You just have to appreciate the effort of master craftsmen when you look at the new 
Crossroads by 
The snatching of purses happens far too often ~ and no matter where you are, you can never be too careful. So consider this french 
You know i love a good unexpected brand/artist collaboration ~ well this 
Silly as it sounds, sometimes running an ad on NOTCOT may be one of the best ways to get my attention (not surprising when you think about how much time i spend on the sites daily!) ~ latest one to really suck me in? These new 
On products that got me all excited at CES back in January that i couldn’t write about until now… the 
Yes, i’m cleaning up a bit ~ my house, my closets, my computers… and a few posts i’ve been dying to post that fell through the cracks as i went a little travel crazed the last few months! This exhibition still blows my mind looking back on the pictures i just found! 
On random packaging obsessions ~ stumbled across these special italian 
Some toys just stop you in your tracks. Like this brand new VP-T Celsius Toy 
