Nine Lincolns, Hodgenville, Kentucky (2000) by Greta Pratt
On display at Mass MOCA which quickly became one of my favorite museums today.
Nine Lincolns, Hodgenville, Kentucky (2000) by Greta Pratt
On display at Mass MOCA which quickly became one of my favorite museums today.
Well, it's that time of the year again. Time to gather around the family table by the tree and share a traditional... bucket of KFC. Yes, if you're in Japan, that's often the case. And if you actually want to make sure you come home with that Colonel Sanders bucket with a Santa hat, you better reserve it weeks in advance.
It's the one story about Christmas in Japan I tell my friends that seem to get the most looks of disbelief so I'll share it here. Apparently this seemingly odd (but perfectly accepted in Japan) phenomenon started in 1974 as KFC started its first Christmas marketing campaign. Back then, the Japanese didn't eat fried chicken the way Americans do nor did they celebrate Christmas as widely either. The newly introduced fast food chain saw an opportunity to create enthusiasm around both after a regional manager took a hint from a foreigner in Tokyo commenting "Since I can't get a turkey in Japan, I'll get some chicken at KFC for Christmas." Imagine a TV commercial of a "typical" American family gathered around a Norman Rockwell Christmas eve, complete with tree, fireplace, stockings, reindeer sweaters and of course, a bucket of KFC on the table. This image resonated on Japanese minds and soon the red and white bucket became a staple in Japanese homes.
Here's the link to the current commercial on air in Japan. (link)
Happy Holidays everyone. Hope you're enjoying your bucket of KFC, where ever you are.
Technorati Tags:
christmas, kentucky fried chicken, kfc, japan
Wonderful set of COLOR photos before world war II. It's so eye opening to see the world we know so well in black and white now in vivid color. Great collection jonnygunn!.
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Vintage America in Kodachrome Color.: "
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(Via Neatorama.)
Technorati Tags:
world war II, vintage photos, color photography, great depression, lower east side, immigrants, japanese americans, golden gate bridge, small town, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, kodachrome
Here's a great way to keep track of how much chocolate you're eating (or would you rather not know?) If only potato chips came with such information...
How many calories have you eaten?: "
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(Via swissmiss.)
Technorati Tags:
chocolate, diet
Fascinating to see the world's obsession to be the tallest. I thought the race was pretty much over after 9/11 but seems to be a lot more sprouting up to the atmosphere. Check out this article on Wired and the details of the diagram above.
Technorati Tags:
architecture, skyscrapers, future
I have to admit, I'm a sucker for cute puppy and kitten sites. If you are, too, then this blog will delight you twice over. (link) The blog is called "Chiwawa to Tora Neko" (the Chihuahua & the Tabby) Apparently Rin (the dog) and Masamune (the cat) are just such good friends that they can't get enough of each other. I've seen cats and dogs that tolerate each other for the sake of keeping truce, but these guys really seem to like each other. And hats off to blogger, Sayu as she seem to really have a keen sense of capturing the right moment. For those of you who don't read Japanese, the captions on the photos are mostly sound effects (Grrrr, pitter pater, etc) and bumbling thoughts (whaaat? Hmnnnn! Tuna!)
Technorati Tags:
humor, cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, Chihuahua, tabby, cats and dogs, cute
Check out this cool mash up "Sure Side of Fame" by the immensely talented The Arbiters. An amazing mix of David Bowie, Biggie Smalls, Lou Reed and Tupac. Sounds messy? These guys make it sound elegant. Other mash ups feature M.I.A., Beyonce, Marvin Gaye and many many more. Follow the link on the site to download mp3 versions... they're certainly cranking on my iPod all the time.
Technorati Tags:
M.I.A., David Bowie, Lou Reed, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Marvin Gaye
Check out this blog filled with quiet beauty in and around temples in Kyoto (link). These shots below titled "Autumn Rain" gets me in to the mood for the season.
Autumn Rain: "
(Via http://easykyoto.exblog.jp">Spice of Life 京の街角.)
These postcards with worlds filled with idealism and saturated colors makes me wanna jump into a time machine and soak it all in. Check out more photos from the flickr link below.
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(Via swissmiss.)
Click on the link to see golf balls impacting everyday things like a birthday cake, jello and a cantaloupe. I'm not sure if it appeals to the average empty nesting golfer but perhaps they're aiming for a younger crowd. Either way, it's mesmerizing to watch.
(Via Random Culture.)
Saw a film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Quite an affecting film. The messages he seem to convey are somewhat heavy handed at times but all the characters were very sympathetic and kept the story alive and interesting. Especially an accomplishment considering that there were so many main characters in the film. Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Mohamed Akhzam, Gael García Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi, Kôji Yakusho and they were all commanding performances. Check out this NYT review as well (link)
Take a look at this thought provoking film about our perceptions of beauty. Being in the business of manipulating images myself, it's definitely a sobering reminder how much we influence people's self esteem. I think it's a smart effort and I hope it gets a lot of buzz. Check out Dove's site (link) with e-cards and mission statements.
Fascinating clip where these smart ravens in Japan has figured out ways to use modern technology to help them eat. Narrated by David Attenborough .
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via Ursi’s Blog |
(Via Neatorama.)
Technorati Tags:
ravens, nature, David Attenborough , birds
A vacuum cleaner that kids can ride on. What a great idea. Sure beats the duster slippers for cats.
buster vacuum cleaner for kids: "
(Via cocolio)
(Via swissmiss.)
Technorati Tags:
gadget, vacuum cleaner
[all photos by Minmin]
If you saw these beautiful bento boxes in a glossy Japanese cook book, professionally made, styled and shot, you might say it looks great but who would actually go through the trouble of making them in real life? Well, would you believe that this Tokyo mom makes (and shoots) these beautiful lunches for her high school daughter? Check out more of these beautiful bentos created by Minmin, artfully displayed on her Fotolog pages (link).
A good bento is a perfect universe of foods all by itself. A little bit of everything that adds up to a delightful experience. Bentos made by moms are especially romantic notions in the Japanese mind. Everyone's got their own tonkatsu sauce scented memory of the perfect packed lunch of their childhood. Nothing says "I love you" more than mom delicately drawing a happy face with ketchup on a mini round omelet. Right? Or is it just me?
But I would imagine it's more an art of the past at this point. I can't imagine many moms getting up hours earlier to make these daily masterpieces, especially in the age of decent 7-Eleven bought bentos and frozen microwavable "pre portioned for bentos" vegetables/meats at supermarkets.
More reasons to keep checking back to Minmin's daily creations.
Technorati Tags:
japanese, bento, lunch
Taking inspiration from the Million Dollar Homepage (link) where a 21 year old college student sold a pixel for $1 each and made a million dollars, here's someone else's attempt in real life. I'm not quite sure if I understand the people behind this project (Artvertising?) but it's interesting to see the internet inspiring real life for a change.
[from Brand Spanking New: Artvertising (apparently)]
(Via Brand Spanking New.)
Technorati Tags:
advertising, marketing
Saw a few interesting redesign proposals for The New York Aquarium at Coney Island. If built to plan, they will become buildings with a quality that New York architecture rarely seem to have: Whimsy. While there are plenty of inspirational buildings, as far as I know, this great city lacks building that makes it a point to makes you smile. Tokyo's Asahi Beer Building is one, Barcelona has a few buildings designed by Antonio Gaudi. I hope we'll get to see a big whale or jellyfish swimming in our skyline soon. [from New York Times article link]
WRT
Weisz & Yoes Architecture
Smith-Miller & Hawkinson Architects
[still from film, Kino International]
Saw a quietly beautiful film, "Old Joy." Here's Entertainment Weekly's quick synopsis and review by Lisa Schwarzbaum (link):
"One man (Daniel London) faces
impending fatherhood, the other (Will Oldham) still clings to a notion
of carefree, unencumbered drift. And what begins for these two longtime
pals as a weekend mountain camping trip becomes in Old Joy,
filmmaker Kelly Reichardt's shimmering, quiet treasure of a film, an
elegy to mutable friendship, enduring nature, and the sense of loss
that inevitably accompanies the adult pull to move forward. It's in all
the moments where little happens that Reichardt is most amazing,
investing even a gas-station pit stop with perfect emotional pitch."
The film resonates especially because of the similar conflicts I feel about changing friendships and unrealized dreams. There's a lingering sadness throughout the film and as such, I left the theater feeling uneasy. Perhaps, the emotions felt too familiar.
A few days later, the affecting film is hard to get out of my mind. Not because of the initial unease, but the growing realization that it took me on a remarkable journey. As in the most memorable experiences in real life, it left me with a rich satisfaction long after the credits stopped rolling. Hats off to Kelly Reichardt.
Another review about the film from the New York Times (link)
I'm picturing ice lego sculpture contests all around the world. How fun would that be?
[quoted from swissmiss] If you want to play with these lego ice bricks, you have to play fast. Great Idea!
(via neatorama)
(thank you Emily)
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(Via swissmiss.)
This is one technology I really hope for in my lifetime. Beam Me Up, Scotty: Scientists Transport a Hunk of Matter 18 Inches: " [quoted from Gizmodo] Scientists in Copenhagen took one more step toward the Star Trek transporter, figuring out how to teleport groups of billions of atoms from one place to another using light, quantum mechanics, magnetism and a concept they call 'entanglement.' Professor Eugene Polzik and his team managed to move an object about 18 inches, using an excruciatingly complicated process that amounts to some serious magic. Says the Prof: 'Creating entanglement is a very important step, but there are two more steps at least to perform teleportation. We have succeeded in making all three steps -- that is entanglement, quantum measurement and quantum feedback.' Scientists teleport two different objects [Reuters] (Thanks, Mark!) (Via Gizmodo.)
Although the scientists admit that no humans are going to be teleported a la Star Trek any time soon, this technology might make it possible to transmit and process data at unheard-of speeds. Can't wait to see that. Energize.
This silly gadget harks back to the days of the wildly popular Big Mouth Bass (was that it's name?). Remember how you thought that was so hilarious for the first 10 times and got annoying really fast? Well, this is probably gonna have the same life span but hey, I got a good laugh out of it, especially a few seconds into the video where they start cutting into a few different voices.
(Via Gizmodo.)
Technorati Tags:
humor, pigs, radio, gadget
Japan Airlines First Class (Photo: Y. Sonoda)
American Airlines Economy Class (Photo: Paul Leduc)
As I took a cross country flight recently, I made sure that I brought my own food as I wasn't about to nibble on the cheese spread and crackers they give out on the flight. I actually remember a few good meals on international flights but most were just awful. Despite the negative experiences, I'm still ever so hopeful that some magical airline will decide to show off their proud meals, even to a domestic economy passenger. Until then, there's airlinemeals.net where I can drool over Air France's first class meals and be reminded of pathetic "snacks" on a lot of flights I've been on.
An intriguing exhibit that I saw at Sonnabend Gallery, 536 West 22nd Street, photos of buildings around the world that recreates the look of the original headquarters of Chabad- Lubavitch. At first, I thought the ethos of corporate franchising was influencing this uniformity (McDonalds, Starbucks, AppleStore) but as it turns out, religious denominations have been using this kind of branding for centuries. Obviously, there are distinct differences between a Buddhist Temple and a Muslim Mosque, but it's also pretty easy to spot the difference between an Episcopal Church and a Greek Orthodox Church. Never the less, these sets of prints are interesting, perhaps because of the wonderfully awkward but sincere architectural references...
The Original, Brooklyn Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005
Kfar Chabad, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005
São Paulo, Brazil, Andrea Robbins & Max Becher 2005
[from TimeOutNY] New York over there
Is there a less likely icon than 770 Eastern Parkway, the drab Tudor-style headquarters of the Chabad- Lubavitch in Crown Heights? Yet thanks to Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, leader of the Hasidic sect until his death in 1994, 770 has become a global presence, proliferating in replica form from São Paulo to Melbourne. The building started out as a women’s clinic, but was purchased in 1940 by Schneerson’s father when he brought the Lubavitchers from Poland; Schneerson made it the focus of an international messianic movement. That worldwide reach is the subject of “Brooklyn Abroad,” an exhibit at Sonnabend Gallery by the conceptual-photography duo Andrea Robbins and Max Becher, who’ve documented 770’s many clones. The images offer a deadpan testament to religion as a kind of branding. See also Art listings, Chelsea.—Howard Halle
Saw a thrilling Noir film starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas and directed by Jacques Tourneur. The dialogue was punched out elegantly and the plot really tight. The story felt like a template for "A History of Violence" released recently, which I also enjoyed.
Check out these delightful shots by grade school kids in Chelsea, all done with disposable cameras. Goes to show you how ridiculous it is for me to learn how to shoot like the "masters" and obsess over the latest and greatest cameras. Note to self: turn off that "inhibition" switch on my next shoot. (Link for the whole set of photos)
[Kamron, age 6]
[Taffy, age 10]
[Shamar, age 5]
[Briana, age 8]
[Corinne, age 7]
-- The Friends of the High Line gave cameras to kids and sent them out to photograph Chelsea-- the shots are surprisingly good. (Via Gothamist.)
[ALISON ELIZABETH TAYLOR Swimming Pool, wood inlay, polymer 70x48inches]
[ALISON ELIZABETH TAYLOR RedRock, 2006, wood inlay, polymer 77x47 inches]
Some intriguing pieces I saw at James Cohan Gallery today. From afar, they look like elegant illustrations but when you look at them up close, you start to see the wood grains in intricate shades. These large pieces are fascinating to observe but they're not just technical achievements. The warmth of the wood adds soul to the otherwise vacant characters. Check out the show at 533 w26th Street, near 10th Ave. Ends September 30th.
Ads for a Swedish paper. According to swedesres.se, the headline reads "Do you see the world as the world sees you?" I think it's smart for a paper trying to win the hearts and minds of people who pride themselves for knowing what it means to be Swedish. I wonder how a USA Today version of this campaign might look like... overweight, fast food gorging, semi-automtic toting and fake tanned?
[from garbergs.se]
dn adverts: "
[quoted from swedesres:] Four adverts for Swedens largest newspaper Dagens NyheterGarbergs. See larger images here. The copy goes ’Do you see the world as the world sees you?’ showing what non-Swedes would describe as typical Swedish. (Daily News) by advertising agency
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(Via swedesres.se.)
...and while we're talking about pillows. Some nice fall colors.
[Quoted from pillow madness: " photo:: design public
i tried"]
(Via red.house.)
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