Brandalism. Fashion Branded Spray Paint Cans by Antonio Brasko.

Designer Antonio Brasko's project, Brandalism, is a study on the influence of street art and graffiti in the fashion world. Through the use of brand marks (logos and logotypes), iconic colors, and spray cans, Brandalism seeks to reintroduce the ideology of vandalism, branding and fashion from an experimental design perspective.

The Incredible Whimsical Steampunk Sculptures of Stephane Halleux.

You may not be familiar with the name Stéphane Halleux, but if you saw the Oscar-winning animated short, Mr. Hublot, you've already seen some of his work. I'd been following his talents for awhile and was thrilled with the recognition Mr. Hublot received at the 2014 Academy Awards.

Stephane crafted the main character for Mr. Hublot, whom he affectionately called "Mr. Cinema" during his construction:


It was Halleux's steampunk sculptures that caught my attention about a year ago. An incredible imagination coupled with craftsmanship, unique materials and a dose of adorable make me want to buy every single one. In the over 20 sculptures of flying soldiers, controllers, winged men, robots and vehicles shown below, you can see which ones served as the inspiration for the character. Take a close look at the finely crafted details - the leathers, metals, goggles, buttons, suitcases with plaques, working levers, spinning propellers, functioning wheels and more.



Stephane's sculptures as they appear in galleries:



Stephane has been sculpting since 2005 when he first began to create the fabulous universe he’s still developing to this day. He studied at the Saint-Luc Institute in Lièges (Belgium) before working as a model maker and coloring for the animation business.


above: in the images of Stephane with some of his pieces, you can see the scale

In addition to his sculptures, Stephane embarked on an amazing steampunk video game, The Dead Flowers Case, produced by Mando Productions in Paris, France. They were seeking funding for the game on Kickstarter last year, but the campaign was cancelled in November 2013 for reasons unknown. For updates on the status of The Dead Flowers Case, they suggest you stay up to date on the Facebook page.



Galleries that carry Stephane's work:
•Galerie Schortgen in Luxembourg
•Absolut Art Gallery in Bruges
•Galerie Ariel Sibony in Paris

images courtesy of Stephane Halleux, many taken by Muriel Theis

Stephane Halleux

Ceramic Sculptures That REALLY Look Inflated by artist Brett Kern.

I discovered Brett Kern's fabulous ceramic sculptures while reading about them on io9. The sculptures look remarkably like inflatable vinyl toys, but are made of glazed ceramic, complete with blow-up tab glazed in gold or silver and featuring the artist's stamp. I couldn't help myself and did something I rarely do. I bought one immediately - a large yellow T-Rex.


above: Brett's work on display

above: Brett working on one of his "baby" sized dinosaur sculptures

Some snarky critics might find his work derivative of Jeff Koons' inflatables (actual vinyl inflated toys placed on mirrors), Hybrids and blown-up looking metal Rabbit (made of stainless steel with chromium color coatings). But Brett's are of a different subject matter, different medium, different process and of course, a different end result.


above: Jeff Koons' various 'inflatable' sculptures are made of different materials and using a different process

That said, you've now got to see his work.

Triceratops ceramic, glaze, 12.5" x 28" x 13":


Brontosaurus ceramic, glaze, 4" x 13" x 23":



Stegasaurus ceramic, glaze, 4" x 13" x 23":


Tyrannosaurus Rex ceramic, glaze, 15.5" x 13" x 8":



The sculptures shown above range in price from $500 - $800.

Also available are "baby" sized sculptures for approximately $100. These ceramic smaller versions measure approximately  (6" x 5" x 8") depending on the dinosaur.

Baby Dinosaur sculptures:



He also collaborated with artist Justin Rothshank on a cool series of his ceramic dinos embellished with decals.




Of these, only the one shown below is still available for purchase at the price of $1,250. - at least it was at the time I am writing this post:


Also available is a fabulous Astronaut that looks like a blow-up toy ($1,500):


Brett, who hails from Pennsylvania and now lives and works in Elkins, West Virginia, started out as a graphic design major but after one year of college he discovered his love of clay and switched his focus to ceramics.

Upon graduating in 2010, Brett was awarded a long term Artist-In-Residence position at the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT. After a year there Brett returned to West Virginia to begin his teaching career at Davis & Elkins College and to continue his own work.

His self-professed infatuation with pop culture of the late eighties and the nineties influences the subject matter and purpose of his work.  'My predilection for producing collectible objects comes from my training as a potter and my persistent preoccupation with collecting toys, pop memorabilia, and nostalgic items from my youth." says the artist.

The resulting products are a collection of what look uncannily like inflatable dinosaurs whoopie cushions and toys, but are made of cast clay ceramic and glazed in various colors. (Brett has also crafted other ceramics that don't look as though they are inflated).


above: Brett creates other ceramic works, such as the items shown above

Brett's work is available to purchase here at his etsy store

While maintaining his teaching career, Brett continues to show nationally and regionally. Taylor Books in Charleston, WV and The White Room in Thomas, WV both display his art. Brett received Best in Show in the HxWxD juried sculpture show at the Rosewood Arts Center in Kettering, OH and has work in the 5th annual Beyond the Brickyard show at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT.

Brett Kern Art