Memorial Day Weekend Links To Military Inspired Design, Art and Objects.

Over the past few years I have written various posts related to Military and Memorial Day objects and art. Each post is an in-depth look at something inspired by those who serve, dedication and bravery.

From simple and fun jewelry and housewares to a custom porcelain Soldier chandelier for highly secure Military bases and provocative fine art, here are links to each of the eight posts in honor of this Memorial Day Weekend.

•The American Flag Made of Toy Soldiers, Sneakers, Legos, Eyeglasses & More.


•Saluting Design: An Army Of Military-Inspired Products & Modern Art.


•'Made In China' Is A Soldier's Portrait Created With Over 5500 Plastic Toy Soldiers.


•Capturing Toy Soldiers With Mini Blue Helmets All Over The World.


•30 Pieces of Poignant and Uncensored Art by U.S. Veterans of War.


•Pride of Soldiers, A Scabetti Sculpture in A Highly Secure Military Location.


•Army Men Jewelry from Knight&Hammer Benefits the Military Order of the Purple Heart.


•Casualties Of War: Provocative and Compelling Versions of Plastic Toy Soldiers.


God Bless All Those Who Have and Are Bravely Serving Our Country. Happy Memorial Day.

30 Pieces of Poignant and Uncensored Art by U.S. Veterans of War.

above: Autobiography (02) by Maurice Costello

In honor of Veteran's Day, I wanted to share with you some very personal and intimate art pieces from the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago. The National Veterans Art Museum inspires greater understanding of the real impact of war with a focus on Vietnam. The museum collects, preserves and exhibits art inspired by combat and created by veterans. The pieces express their experiences through photography, sculpture, paintings, drawings and mixed media.

Please note: The work in this museum- and shown here- was made by veterans of war and the depictions of their experience is poignant and uncensored.

Good Morning PTSD by Christopher Arendt:

Real Life Souvenirs by Jay Burnham-Kidwell:

Towers (1) by Victoria Bryers:

Exiles on Main Street by Elgin Carver:

Title Unknown by Ronald Doc Cook:

58,000 Plus by John Dell:

Angel In The Desert by Marcus Eriksen:

(un)clothed and in her right mind by Iris Feliciano:

Aftermath by Michael Gottschalk:

Orphan III by Bill Hackwell:

In the Jar of Mars by Michael Helbing:

Where the Publisher Meets the Writer by Jay Burton Hellwege:

Tourist Photographs from Iraq - This is How I Wanted to See Myself by Aaron Hughes:

Fascinating Vietnam by William Hoin:

Memory of a Conflict by Louis Janetta:

Blown Away by Richard Lindsay:

Seventeen Months, Twenty-Nine Days by Grady C. Myers:

Early Out by Scott Neistadt:

Morphene, Anyone by Neal Pollack:

Mending by Scott Rogers:

The Wall by Michael Rumery:

Anguish by Bruce A. Sommer:

Together Separately by Anthony Stetina:

They Also Serve (POW) by Gary Tillery:

Prayer Boots by John Turner:

Head by Gregory Van Maanen:

Diptych Self Portrait by Kimo Williams:

This is How You Died by Richard Yohnka:

Punji Trap Wound by Bernie Zawiki:

Autobiography Installation by Maurice Costello:

The above pieces only represent a few of the works within the museum. You can view the online collection here.

God Bless all the brave men and women who give of themselves for the rest of us and this country. Thank You.

all images courtesy of the NVAM Collection Online website © 2012 - National Veterans Art Museum

Limited Edition Bell & Ross Skull Watch: Instrument BR 01 Airborne Talisman Watch

Instrument BR01 Airborne- The Talisman watch by Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross, known for their specialized military and instrument watches has recently released the Talisman Watch. This special limited edition Bell & Ross watch is not available to view on their website or to purchase from their site and production is limited to only 500.

The inspiration:
The BR 01 Airborne is an anthem to the extraordinary saga of military paratroopers. This new watch is a tribute to those brave young men who fought in one of the toughest army corps, particularly the US Airborne divisions.

The Airborne divisions were born during the Second World War. They were the first to be exposed to danger and the first ones to face death. Their most famous motto was “Death from Above” symbolised by a skull that was a reminder to them of both their power and vulnerability.



Since then, the symbol has spread to other military regiments. It is often embossed on uniforms patches or on fighter planes. The skull is a constant reminder of the omnipresence of death on each military mission.


Above: Grumman F14 Tomcat Squadron 103 « Jolly Rogers » - Skull and Crossbones


The Watch:
The new BR 01 AIRBORNE model is directly inspired by a historical military symbol and is the most unique watch in the BR 01 collection.



"The BR 01 Airborne reinvents the notion of the talisman, and personifies the very spirit of these outstanding men. It is a genuine tribute to the noblest of military values as well as to the bravery of soldiers who face death on a daily basis to defend their country."


Day and Night views of the watchface:



Below are high res images, please click on them to enlarge:



Night:


Technical specs:
* Movement: Automatic mechanical ETA 2892.
* Functions: Hours, minutes.
* Case: 46mm diameter. 316L glass bead blasted steel with black finishing type carbon powder coating.
* Dial: black. Photoluminescent hands and skull for optimum night readability.
* Glass: anti-reflection sapphire crystal.
* Water-resistance: 100 meters.
* Bracelet: rubber, leather or heavy-duty synthetic fabric

Thanks to The Watch Quote for images and info. And, of course, to Bell & Ross.

The watch was unveiled recently at BASELWORLD and will be available through chic boutique Colette beginning on June 8th, 2 days after D-Day.

Bell & Ross official website