The Only Time Rust Looks Good On A Car. The Art Of Bo Lundvang.

Today's NY Times featured an article about the automotive art by Swedish writer and artist Bo Lundvang which prompted me to look further into his artwork.

The "rustings" as he calls them begin with a rendering of the desired image in a computer program. The finished image is sent to a vinyl cutter that produces a stencil from a large piece of adhesive vinyl, which Mr. Lundvang then affixes to a piece of bare steel measuring roughly three feet long and 1½ feet tall. With the stencil in place, the artist applies a process — “my own little secret,” he said, refusing to say more — that speeds the oxidization and regulates the formation of rust. When the stencil is removed, the image stands in smooth, gray steel against a background of deeply textured rust. Lastly, the entire work is covered in a sealing agent to protect against further oxidization.

Koenigsegg CCX:




Lamborghini Aventador:





'69 Dodge Charger:




The works, of which he creates no more than two each month, are for sale on his web site, with prices for predesigned work starting at $1,500, and special commissions costing more.

New Customizable Speakers From Zazzle.

Do it yourself custom products are getting better and better. Once upon a time your choices of items to which you could upload your art or photos ranged from mugs to mousepads. But at Zazzle.com, they stepped it up by adding shoes, skateboard decks, custom iPhone cases and soon to be available (May 20th) ... custom speakers!



The Doodle speakers for Zazzle.com by Orig Audio are completely customizable. The first ever portable speaker that you can customize with your art, photos, and text. Uploading your content is easy and your design will be shown to you in real time using our proprietary virtual product-view technology. Once you’re satisfied with the design, your Doodle will be vibrantly printed in full color to make the perfect custom speaker.



The OrigAudio Doodle speaker is a light and durable hard-plastic speaker with a vibrantly printed fabric face cover and kickstand for easy propping.



Powered by two AAA batteries or via USB cord (included), the Doodle speaker has a 3.5 mm. headphone jack that is compatible with any standard music device.


Depth: 7/8 inches
Width: 2.5 inches
Length: 4.5 (1/16)
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Power: 2 AAA batteries or a USB cord (included)
Works with ANY standard 3.5 mm. headphone jack audio product

The design template looks like this:


Plug in your creativity with the first ever custom portable speaker! This speaker launches May 20th, so sign up now to be first to get the Doodle Speaker from Zazzle.com!

other offers from Zazzle:
• get 10% off custom iPhone cases
• Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more w/code FREESHIPFORU

Create your own one-of-a-kind product at Zazzle

The Beauty Of Booze: Alcohol Molecules As Art

above: Tequila, as seen when magnified 1000 times

Magnified up to 1000 times under a high tech laboratory microscope, images of various alcohol, mixed drinks and plain beverages like Cola and iced tea are sold as customizable fine art and prints by American company BevShots.

The images are made by first crystallizing the drink of choice on a lab slide. Using a standard light microscope with a camera attached, the light source is polarized and passed through the crystal. This creates the magnificent colors and patterns you see in the following images.

Below are some examples of the macro photos of alcohol molecules from some common liquors and mixed drinks.

Liquor

Vodka:

Gin:

Scotch:

Whiskey:

American Amber Ale:

Sake:


Mixed Drinks
Dry Martini:

Pina Colada:

Rum and Coke:

Black and Tan:

Mint Julep:

Bloody Mary:

White Russian:


The pictures were taken in Florida State University's chemistry department and are are licensed from Florida State University and Michael Davison, the research scientist, who, in 1992 discovered photographic microscopy.


above left: Michael Davidson, right; Lester Hutt

The man who keeps the party going is Lester Hutt, president of BevShots MicroArt, LLC. BevShots is the perfect blend of Hutt’s business and science background. While working on his graduate degree in chemistry from UC Berkeley, Hutt worked on NASA’s Mars probes searching for evidence of past life on the red planet. Apple, Inc. then called on him to be a part of history as they released their revolutionary new product, the iPod.

You can purchase the above images and more in various sizes starting at $19.99.

Shop for them here.

all images courtesy of BevShots.

Artist Decorated Eames Chairs For Auction Benefit Operation Design

above: Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair by Joe Iurato

If you're like most design lovers, you either own or have always wanted to own a molded Eames Plywood Chair. Well, now's your chance to have a very unique one and benefit a good cause, all at the same time. From May 11 Through June 1st, the Public Works Department is featuring Eames Inspiration, an online ebay auction of customized Eames molded plywood chairs to benefit Operation Design.



Curated by Billi Kid and Luna Park, each chair has been decorated by various street and graffiti artists and the reserve price is set at $1,000 each. The chairs will also be featured in the windows of Barneys New York on Madison Ave and 61st.

Here's a look at all the chairs available for auction.

Left: Aakash Nihalani and right: Billi Kid

Left: Blanco and right: Cake

Left: Celso and right: Cern

Left: Damon Ganandes and right: Darkcloud

Left:David Cooper and right: Elbow-Toe

Left: James and Karla Murray and right: Joe Iruato

Left: Matt Siren and right: NohJColey

Left: Peru Ana Ana Peru and Skewville

Left: Sofia Maldonado and right: Stikman

Left: UR®New York and right: Veng


some detail shots for you...

above: detail of Elbow Toe's On The Wings Of Desire Eames Chair

above: detail of Sofia Maldonado's Caribbean Clouds Eames Chair

above: detail of Joe Iurato's Ideas Are Cheap Eames Chair

above: detail of UR® New York's Nyc Layers Eames Chair

above: detail of Matt Siren's Skullboy Takes A Seat Eames Chair

above: detail of Damon Ginandes' Awaiting Eames Chair

above: detail of James and Karla Murray's STORE FRONT: The Disappearing Face Of New York Eames Chair


Start bidding here.


About Operation Design:

Operation Design offers students direct interaction with professionals and challenges young people in public schools, grades K-12, to put their creativity to practical, important, and real use.

Operation Design organizes architects, graphic artists, design professionals, construction professionals and related professionals to work with public school students to create motivating and inspiring spaces and projects.

Operation Design is an independent 501c3 not-for-profit organization based in New York City.