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Print is dying. Print is dead. The publishing business is toast. I can’t believe you don’t have a Kindle/iPad. Isn’t that bag too heavy with a hardcover book in it? Common refrains these days, especially here in the tech innovation center of the world: the Bay Area. And, wonderfully, the cool cats at McSweeney’s just keep on ignoring these doomsayers, continuing to produce printed matter that rarely disappoints those of us who still relish a reading experience that doesn’t require a charger. That McSweeney’s does this is probably not news to most of you. I was surprised, then, that their packaging design (with help from Jessica Hische) for Dave Eggers’ latest novel, A Hologram for the King, wasn’t fawned over more in the press, design or otherwise. |
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This post is reserved for one of those things that simply blew my mind upon seeing it. Li Hongbo has created various human forms from thousands of pieces of paper for his exhibition “Pure White Paper,” which was held last December at Dominik Mersch Gallery in Australia. As the video indicates, each piece is glued together manually—one by one—to create the entire form. Untouched, they feel quiet and familar. However, as Hongbo demonstrates the flexibility in their craft, they come alive in a completely unexpected and bizarre way. |
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Every time I look to hire someone for an ambitious type exploration, Sean Freeman’s name is often at—or near—the top of the list. I am in constant awe of his creative ambition, and his level of execution is top notch. His poster for the Decemberists (above) immediately caught my eye. The Decemberists are one of my favorite bands, and the poster is well-suited for their folky sound and whimsical lyrics. It’s also quite indicative of Freeman’s incredible range. |
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On the simplest level, there is something
about Andrew Kuo’s paintings that just make me feel good. At a distance, they are
merely brilliant geomoetric displays of shape and color. Upon closer inspection, they become color-coded representations of scattered, candid and often-funny or anxious thoughts and
feelings he had during specific moments in his life. For instance, one painting, titled Watching TV (on 3/23/13), from
his latest exhibition “You Say Tomato” at Marlborough Chelsea, is a representation of things he viewed over an eight-hour period contrasted with what each of those situations reminded him of. Often depicted in the work are intimate—yet in
many ways relatable—relationships with people, food, sports teams, New York
City and so forth.
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I have to admit a slight bias with this one due to the fact that he was my college professor, but Dirk Fowler’s simplicity and wit continues to amaze and inspire me. His knack for combining separate but familiar images in new ways often seems effortless. As a result, his limited edition concert posters for the likes of Wilco and Loretta Lynn have since become collectors items (along with many others). |
