So Long Easy Rider. Dennis Hopper Dies Of prostate cancer at 74.

Dennis Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010)

Actor, writer, director, photographer, painter, voice-over and patron of the arts, Dennis Hopper finally succumbed to prostate cancer this morning at the too young age of 74.


above: portrait of Dennis Hopper by Andy Warhol. This 1971 portrait of the famous actor Dennis Hopper was painted just a couple years after his appearance in the hit movie "Easy Rider" of 1969.

Best known for edgy film roles in such classics as Rebel Without A Cause, Easy Rider, Apocolypse Now, Blue Velvet, Hoosiers, The River's Edge and many more respected productions (check out his massive film credits at imdb). He was also a painter, a photographer, a voice-over and a friend to hundreds.

Below are a few photos from his illustrious career. I will be following up with a post on his art and photography, which will surprise you if you are not familiar with it.


Rebel Without a Cause (with then dear friend James Dean):

Robert Altman photo of Dennis:

1978, photo by Bruce Broom:

Apocalypse Now, 1979:

Easy Rider, 1969:

Self portrait:

Blue Velvet:

Water World:


Dennis in front of Julian Schnabel's painting of the actor:


No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos:

Rest In Peace. Dennis.

In tribute to his recent passing, Dennis Hopper, Behind The Camera And The Canvas, is a comprehensive retrospective (100 images!) of the actor's work as a photographer and fine artist.


Dennis Hopper, Behind The Camera And The Canvas.

MADDECK Playing Cards By Ozlem Olcer. They're Magically Cubistic.

The MADDECK is a series of playing cards which feature stunning illustrations by Ozlem Olcer. The deck was created for PAG, an Istanbul based design company developing projects and manufacturing products in collaboration with graphic artists and illustrators.

The name Maddeck - short for ‘Magicians, Astronauts & Dancers’ - is given after the first 3 dream jobs of the designer as a child.



The deck is a reflection of unusual and edgy designs with an innocent feeling, much like the designer herself. This combination shows itself both on the one by one hand drawn shapes of spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds and also on the expressions of the characters in J, Q and K. The Joker of the deck is King Puhu, the famous and beloved drawing of Özlem Ölçer.



The four suits; Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds are deftly drawn, ornate but legible. here are a few random examples:







The Face cards are beautiful cubistic styled renderings of Jacks, Queens and Kings:








About PAG playing cards:

The idea of the project is creating a brand of collectible playing cards with an alternative interpretation to the traditional decks. This is an ongoing project, where a new deck will be designed every six months by various graphic artists and illustrators.

Although design and aesthetics is the main starting point of the project, the functionality and quality of the decks are also considered as important as visual expectations, making playing cards not only collectible but also usable and comfortable to play.

They are sold in a box of two decks with different backside colors.
In every deck there are 55 cards, one giving information about the artist and the deck.

The cards and the inner boxes are printed on 330 g black core paper imported from Germany, an ISEGA certificated, very durable and flexible material, which cannot be seen through and is indispensable by considering the quality of playing cards. It is also the optimum material with its particular characteristics such as very high opacity and good flatness.



Sold 2 decks to a pack.
buy them here.

Cubistic Cubbies: Cornell Boxes From TECTA

Late architect and designer Alison Smithson designed these unusual storage and display boxes that are now being produced by Tecta of Germany.



Presented this year at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2010 in Milan, the Cornell boxes are available in three variations; a single tabletop version, a single floor standing version or a double floor standing version.

Cornell Box S30 D:

Cornell Box S30 1F:

Cornell Box S30 2F:

Images from Salone del Mobile, 2010



To inquire about price and purchasing contact TECTA.

Converse All Stars Go Upscale. Beautiful Leather Handmade Chucks.

The All-American Converse classic, Chuck Taylors (aka "Chucks") have been given an Italian makeover in stunning handcrafted leather.



With only 64 pairs available in each color (milk or black), the supple leather and suede versions of the classic shoe are entirely handmade by Italian trained designer Ryusaku Hiruma. “I wanted to bring together the history of Florence and Converse’s legacy,” designer Ryusaku Hiruma of Sak says of the collaboration. Hand cut adornments, hand stitched leather, perforated star logo and all leather soles are some of the elegant touches.

Of course, at $600.00 a pair, chances are you won't be shooting hoops in them.

Black:



Milk (ivory leather and sand suede laces and toecap):


Available for purchase at Opening Ceremony.