HEO JEONG IM...ENTER THE COFFEE STICK

Designer Heo Jeong Im has just introduced the Coffee Stick. Now, the deal with his creation is hot, fresh brewed coffee on-the-go. How's it work? Just grab your cup of hot water, drop your stick in, a few turns of the wrist and wham-o, coffee. Choose from Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, Caramel Machiato, Mocha Latte & Americano flavours.

I think that this is a good looking 'design concept', but not all concepts need be produced and the downside certainly is a downer.

Let's look at some of the negatives, shall we:
-a horrible waste of resources...what's the landfill life of the stick?
-why not create something somewhat re-usable, say, a spoon for my yogurt instead of the bulbous stirrer?
-at a glance, it looks more like a pregnancy test...should I pee on the stirrer before or after I mix my coffee?
-the only things I enjoy on a stick are lollipops & corn dogs.
-if you really need your 'coffee on the go" wouldn't you rather toss a hand-full of Starbucks' Via's in your pocket or bag? After all, size matters and Heo's stir-stick is flippin' huge!

MILTON GLASER 'TO INFORM and DELIGHT'

From Arthouse Films: Milton Glaser "To Inform and Delight"

"For many, Milton Glaser is the personification of American graphic design. Best known for co-founding New York Magazine and the enduring I ♥ NY campaign, the full breadth of Glaser's remarkable artistic output is revealed in this documentary portrait, MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT. From newspapers and magazine designs, to interior spaces, logos, and brand identities, to his celebrated prints, drawings, posters and paintings, the documentary offers audiences a much richer appreciation for one of the great modern renaissance men..."

NYC SIDEWALKS: TOURISTS vs NEW YORKERS

In a city teeming with graffiti, a recent piece stood out hands above the others. The stenciled piece of pure genius was recently spotted on a sidewalk at the intersection of 22nd St & 5th Ave. The unknown sharp-witted graffiti artist hit this one home for all native New Yorkers who have ever had to deal with confused & slow-pokey tourists that insist on taking up valuable sidewalk space.

CRO aka RAY NOLAND 'DALEY RIOT'

Dig the behind-the-scenes footage of CRO aka Ray Noland as he builds his "Daley Riot" canvas.
If you're in Chicago June 11th, I hope that you're going to check out CRO's "Sweet Tea and American Values" inaugural exhibition at the Chicago Urban Art Society, 2229 S Halstead St. (at Canal Port)...the joint is 4,200 square feet of pure, unadulterated gallery pleasure!

Daley Riot from CRO on Vimeo.

DENNIS HOPPER ON ART

We lost one of the great men of our time yesterday. Prostate Cancer won out over the 74-year old actor, God bless Dennis Hopper, an amazing actor and an avid art collector. Mr Hopper was also a well accomplished photographer, with a number of published books under his belt.

I remember going to the theater to watch Blue Velvet, back in '86. Dennis' presence and performance affected me greatly and has stuck with me ever since. The vision of a sharp-dressed Dennis huffing the Nitrous while whining 'mom-my, mom-my!' is forever burned in my brain.

*The video below briefly touches on his reasons for collecting art for the better part of half a century.

RYAN DOOLEY: GENIUS or MADMAN?

On a semi-recent trip back to NYC I snapped a random picture of this primitive bird-man figure scrawled on a wall, somewhere around West 23rd & the West Side Hwy. I had absolutely no idea who the artist was, until last month, that is. With a wee bit of research and a dash of dumb luck, I found out that dudes name is Ryan Dooley and I'm convinced that he's either a freaking genius or a complete and total madman or both.

PS: when you view the attached video, titled 'Home 3", be on the look-out at the 2-minute mark where you'll see the bird-man figure again.

Check out his 2-dozen or so Vimeo's HERE or hit up Ryan's website HERE

FRANK CHIMERA: ILLUSTRATOR, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Frank Chimera is an illustrator out of Portland, Oregon who has a penchant for mid-century graphics and some damn good design. PS: Frank did some stellar designs for the '08 Democratic National Convention, too.

The image below is from his 'The States' series and if you haven't figured it out yet, those Chuck Taylor's are in the shape of Kansas...man, that's some cerebral shit!