William O'Briend Jr. designed what he calls the Allandale House. It a unique triangular cabin that was constructed for an idiosyncratic connoisseur. This is a modern version of a forest cabin based on an extruded A-frame. The design use of the A-frame is well used in this home. The large window in the front provides a beautiful view while still providing some excellent natural light to the interior of the cabin. This home does have a second floor and it was made possible due to the wider A-frame in the back. The house links three horizontal extrusions of “leaning,” or asymmetrical A-frames. The skinny A-frame on the western side contains the library, wine cellar and garage. The wide A-frame in the center of the house is dedicated to two floors of bedrooms and bathrooms. This is quite a cabin to say the least. It was well designed to meet the modern age but also it used geometrical angles to give it a more unique look.
TELEPHONEME is a new film from MK12: it's a hybrid live-action/animated piece about language working as a double agent, carrying a hidden meaning with it for reasons unknown. They got the idea after discovering an educational film from the 60's, titled The Alphabet Conspiracy. In the production notes they took the original soundtrack from the 60's movie and remixed it into a slightly darker version of itself, which they stated it became the foundation for the new film TELEPHONEME. This short film uses cues from The Alphabet Conspiracy as well as other educational films from back in the day. It has some awkward editing and absurd premises that fit the genre of the past. The color palette choice in this film was simple and deliberate, and they also used a technique to split out different colors like red, green, and blue to superimpose these colors throughout the film, but they also moved independently of one another, creating different transitional and graphic effects.
Side Note: If you like the font that they used in the film. Then check out the website where you can download MK12_Chadwick font for free.
Denon is getting ready to celebrate their 100th Anniversary on October 1, 2010. This historical event can't go without a new product to commemorate this achievement. Denon goes back to it's beginning with the new Denon 100 Turntable($2,500). This high-end turntable features the company's high-performance direct-drive turntable technology, compatibility with the new DP-A100 cartridge, a five-year warranty, 100th anniversary logo badges, and a signed certificate of authenticity from the chief production engineer who hand crafted the device. So if you got 2,500 dollars laying around and you love turntables then this baby is for you.
Over the weekend I took some time to check out two of Gary Hustwit's films which are Helvetica and Objectified. Helvetica was a documentary film that looked at the world of typography and graphic design, and their impact on our visual environment. Objectified was another documentary film about industrial design and product design and our relationship with the manufactured objects that we use every day. Each of these films were an interesting watch. They each took an in-depth look at the way that the human culture looks, feels, and categorizes design on a daily basis and most of the time we don't realize we are doing it. If you are like me and you were done watching them going I want more than I think you're in luck.
Hustwit is currently in the process of working on the third installment of what he calls the "Design Trilogy". The third film to join this trilogy is calledUrbanized which will look at the issues and strategies behind urban design. It will feature some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers throughout this film. Urbanized which is currently in production will not premiere until sometime in 2011. So you will have to wait but if you want to be kept in the know about the upcoming film then you can join Hustwit Twitter feed.
I have been in the market for a while now for a new keyboard and mouse combo. The one I'm using now is just not cutting it. The fact that the mouse and keyboard are separate is a pain and it's taking up space. So when I was in Daytona a friend of mine showed me the combo of choice the Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard. This is a sleek, wireless keyboard that gives you the edge with a touch pad and media center controls. This slim keyboard is laser cut from a single piece of semi-translucent, black Plexiglas and set in a brushed aluminum frame for a sleek addition to any office or living room. It connects via Bluetooth Wireless and is powered by a Li-lon battery and comes with an elegant charging base and has back-lit controls on the keyboard. This keyboard also gets about 2 months worth of usage off of just a two hour charge. This keyboard has so many features that it's bound to impress while still providing optimal usage for your computer needs.
This keyboard/mouse combo is definitely what I have been looking for in a keyboard. So with the purchase of this keyboard it will complete my media center for my living room. So old keyboard and mouse its time that you found a new home because the Logitech diNovo Edge is about to take your place. Sorry you had a good run.
300 post later and this blog is still going and getting better all the time. I want to thank each and everyone of you that comes to my blog and reads, shares and enjoys what I'm doing. I appreciate your support and also don't be afraid to leave a comment or two. I'm always interested in what you have to say as a reader.
So now that I'm done being sappy let get into the new release of Playlist-17. I decided to mix together a short mix of some ambient style tracks this time around. I haven't done a mixed playlist in a minute so I thought it was appropriate.
In this mix I used Shigeto's sample of "Grandmas Words Rise Out of the Stone" in the beginning and end of this mix. Shigeto, I have to give you props on this sample and the track. So with that said, if you want to hear more Shigeto then head over to his site where you can download his NEW EP What We Held On To for FREE. If you also get a chance check out some of the other artist like Aether, Solvent, Flying Lotus and Gold Panda. All great artist. So go ahead and have listen or download or if you want share this mix.
Cover art by: Damion Schweizer
Tracklist
1. Grandmas Words Rise Out of the Stone by Shigeto
2. Intro/A Cosmic Drama by Flying Lotus
3. Dajame Dormir by Aether
4. Solar Fields by Sky Trees
5. Ketto by Bonobo
6. After the Smoke by Shigeto
7. Built in Microphones by Solvent
8. How to Dress Well by Ready for the World
9. Dances and strategies by Solvent
10. You by Gold Panda
11. Cremona Memories by Keep Shelly in Athens
In the film they follow González through scenes shot during his time working on his second album In Our Nature. They use his voice recording diary to follow his everyday reflections from struggling with writing songs to his everyday thoughts on life. The film also explores universal themes such as loneliness, boredom and isolation, The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Jose Gonzalez gives us insight into one person's attempt to manage and understand his own existence. It was shot over a three-year period on location in Sweden, Japan, Singapore, United States, South Africa, England, Chile and Argentina.
Being one of the more enigmatic and thought-provoking musicians of the last decade, González is one of Sweden’s most successful exports. He has sold almost one million records worldwide and has received accolades from the media in every country in which he has performed. So I can see why they would want to do a documentary on such a talented musician. I hope I get a chance to see this documentary.
Johan Loekito and Samsung worked on a concept project to make sure that you don't lose your mobile phone ever again. Cause I'm sure in this day and age we don't watch our phones like hawks. It's called Samsung Proxima and it's a concept that involves a cellphone with a wristband acting like a docking station. This watch also has a proximity sensor on board making the wristband emit a tone or vibrate if the phone is too far from it. This also helps the user find the device with a single button press. The Proxima also is able to detect other users with the same phone in your area and lets you contact them. I'm sure that with something like this you can change the settings to turn this feature off if you wanted. I think the design on this concept is slick but for the other uses I'm not really sold on it. What do you think of this concept design?
Tham & Videgard architects were looking to build a hotel in the trees and that is exactly what they did. This hotel covered in mirror's was recently opened in Sweden. It was designed to be accessed by a rope bridge, this amazing Mirrorcube suite doesn't leave you hanging there. It comes with a double bed, small bathroom, and a terrace on the roof with a modern decor. If you were wondering well what about the birds running into the mirror's? Well don't worry they have installed infrared film that only birds can see so that they don't run into the glass. I personally don't know if I would want to stay in something like this but it would be cool to check out. So if your planning a trip to Sweden and you want to stay in one check out their site and book your mirrorcube.
Before I begin I want to give a big thanks to Tycho/ISO50 Blog and FITC for giving me the chance to see him perform with his band in San Francisco. The FITC event was a private party so to be able to attend you had to attend the FITC Conference or be one of the lucky winners on ISO50's giveaway guest list spots. Although I didn't go to the conference I would have liked to have seen Scott Hansen's seminar on his background, processes, and theory's along with some walk throughs and presentations of his recent work. I did however get the next best thing and that was seeing the new band play out. Tycho's band did a great job of capturing the sound that is Tycho but also giving it a different yet more unique feel to the music. Each member of the band gave off the right energy and vibe to keep the crowd moving while satisfying our ears with great music. Overall I have to say that I was very satisfied by the end of the night with the performance and the presentation of Tycho's music and visuals. I hope that many of you will get a chance in the future to check out his band's set. Lastly, I want to give another big thanks to Raoul Ortega who I meet last night for allowing me to use his photos from the event. Raoul has done work with Dusty Brown and Tycho before so it was cool of him to allow me to use his photos. My camera was not taking the best of pictures last night, however, it did do a good job on the videos that I took which can be viewed below. I used my Samsung TL220 camera. If you want to check out more of Raoul photography which you should then check out his Flickr account and his Website.
I found this on Behance and had to share this concept of exploring the future of mobile computing. It was done by Mark Law who is a creative designer working in all sorts of fields from industrial design to interaction design, branding and graphics. He Completed this for Intel, Oregon. I agree with a lot of this video in that the world of computers and smart phone interaction should be developed more and the concept might not be to far off.
The use of wood can bring out the warmth of a home. In this design the CplusC Architects were going for the idea of “good wood.” Displaying the firm’s love of wood and how it inspires a warm flavor of architecture, this timber home design welcomes residents and guests with an entry sequence leading to a recycled Jarrah door. Inside, the main hallway can be compared to a tree trunk, lined with a rich wood floor and ceiling, and the home’s various rooms branching off it in succession. The hallway leads through the structure and into the heart of the house – an open-concept kitchen, living and dining area – and out onto a rear courtyard, where a wood deck encircles the pool. The architectures who built this home put some detail in the different shades of wood as well as using different angular designs to give the home a more warm modern feel to it. photo credit: Murray Fredericks
The Outside Lands festival was a memorable experience with its great music, food and wine. The event which was held in the Golden Gate Park was beautiful with its surroundings and cultural feel that is San Francisco. Although, it seemed to have less people than expected it did not put a damper on the experience or the quality of the event. The organizers of this event deserve major props for its fast tickets lines, its ease of movement and with the placement of the stages. So many festivals seem to put there stages so close it's like listening to a train wreck.
On Saturday, thousands descended upon the heart of Golden Gate Park for a day of cultural experience from the food to the wine and finally to the talented musician's that made the festival rock. To recap Saturday's experience I will have to start with Bassnectar who dropped some of the sickest dupstep I have heard since seeing Dieselboy at Bonnaroo. Bassnectar, also known as Lorin Ashton, made sure his homecoming was remembered as large black objects were launched into the crowd during his 50-minute set on the Sutro Stage. The crowd was eating up the stage presence and the bass was wobbling the crowd into a dance fury of fist pumps and dance movements.
Then came the Tokyo Police Club who kept their stage presence with the assistance of the crowd. Who throughout the set assisted the band in different clap sequence to keep the flow of the music. The four band members also took their turns leading the crowd and making sure everyone stayed engaged at least until the next song came around. “Thanks for helping out,” lead singer Dave Monks would say with a smile. If only every band could show that kind of enthusiasm.
Finally came The Strokes who closed out the night with a bang. The return of this band and their stage presence was more than anticipated. The band just picked up where they left off and played like they never stopped. They got the crowed going with classics from their 2001 release of "Is This It" they then went on to play a collection of other great tracks from their other two albums. This was a great set to close out the evening for Saturday. Unfortunately I was only able to experience one day of this great festival but it was enough to satisfy my music hunger for the time being. I'm sure that next year will have more of the great same experiences that this year provided. See you next year Outside Lands.
Today I wanted to share Kitsune Noir's Mixcast No. 40. I have been digging this mix for a hot minute. The first thing that caught my attention for this mix though was the cover art. From the post on Kitsune blog the photographer who took these photo's was one of Kitsune friend Ed Fladung. I have to give Ed props on his photography skills. I also need to give a thanks to Kitsune for his nice collection of tracks that he put together on this mix. He put brand new stuff by Arcade Fire, Blonde Redhead and The Books as well as some smaller artists like Brothertiger, Twin Sister and Gold Panda. Unlike most of his mixcast on his blog this one doesn't have voice overs on the tracks which I particularly like. So if you want to hear a good mix today then go ahead and download this Mixcast No. 40. Also check out Kitsune Noir's Blog. He has some great material that I'm sure most of you would enjoy. I know I do.
