Pop Artist Kenny Scharf Bongs? On Sale? Are You High?

Cerealart, the Philadelphia gallery of artist multiples, is selling ceramic sculptures that also function as bongs, by pop artist Kenny Scharf. Available in limited editions of white, purple, green or orange, and one-of-a-kind hand painted ones, each is stamped signed on the bottom.


above: Cereal Art’s Debbie Mangel with a bong by Kenny Scharf

The Purple, Orange and Green versions shown below are on sale through Nov.15, 2009:


above: Object To Enjoy (Orange, Green or Purple), Kenny Scharf
Size: 9 x 5 x 15.5 inches /23 x 13 x 39.4 cm
Material: Ceramic
Edition: 200 of each (orange, green or purple), stamp signed

At $400 dollars a piece, the three colors shown above are presently on sale for 25% off through November 15, 2009. Visit www.cerealart.com and enter the coupon code KSOBJECT to receive the 25% discount.


NOTE: Unless you are a card carrying legalized medical marijuana user, smoking marijuana is illegal. This sculpture / pipe is for tobacco use only.

The ceramic sculpture/pipe below is also available in white, but limited to only 50 and not on sale:

above: Object to Enjoy (note: white is not on sale)
Size: 9 x 5 x 15.5 inches /23 x 13 x 39.4 cm
Material: Ceramic
Edition: 50, stamp signed
Price: $450.00 USD

And the following limited edition Objects (not eligible for the discount), are each one of a kind and hand painted by Kenny Scharf:


Size: 15.5” h x 9” w x 5” d/ 39.4cm h x 23cm w x 13cm d
Material: Ceramic and Metal
Edition: From an edition of 25 unique individual pieces hand-painted by Kenny Scharf.
Price: $6,500.00


About Cerealart: Cerealart develops, produces and distributes a range of three-dimensional visual artist's multiples. The sculptural designs are conceptualized by critically acclaimed internationally recognized contemporary artists who are interested in exploring the possibilities presented by consumer culture. Authorship is published and highlighted as an integral part of each work.

The designs are limited production editions and are distributed through Cerealart, Museums and galleries throughout North America, Great Britain, Europe, Asia and Australia and New Zealand.

Some of Kenny Scharf's recent work:

above: Kenny Scharf, Purplosion, 2009, oil and silkscreen on linen,72 x 60 inches (182.9 x 152.4 cm), Paul Kasmin Gallery

above: Kenny Scharf, Journey to the Center, 2009, oil, acrylic, and silkscreen ink on linen, 84 x 84 inches (213.4 x 213.4 cm), Paul Kasmin Gallery


above: Kenny Scharf, Chocolate Glazed with Sprinkles in Space, 2008, oil on linen, 40 x 40 inches (101.6 x 101.6 cm); framed: 41 x 41 inches(104.1 x 104.1 cm), Paul Kasmin Gallery

Artist Bio:
Kenny Scharf was born in Hollywood. His work is instantly recognizable, with idiosyncratic cartoon creatures popping up in the oddest of places: in paintings, on functional objects, or piled up on top of each other to form huge totem poles. Scharf shot to prominence in New York during the 80s as part of the deeply influential generation of artists that emerged at that time.

He was part of an East Village trio with Keith Haring, his studio mate, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His artwork has been exhibited extensively and can be found in numerous international museum collections including The Guggenheim Museum and The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, The Eli Broad Foundation in Los Angeles and The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Kenny Scharf is represented by Paul Kasmin Gallery - 293 Tenth Ave. New York, NY 10001 and 511 27th Street, New York, NY 10001 -

KENNY SCHARF

Cerealart
149 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia Pa 19106
215.627.5060
www.cerealart.com

If you admire artful bongs, be sure to see this post on luxury hookahs, water pipes and bongs.


Or see more Airdiem, Meduse, Hurricane, Roor and hand-blown Illadelph bongs here.

Sleep Like A Roman God In Modern Multimedia Bed From Yoo Pod.

What is Somnus-Neu?
Som­nus was the Roman god of sleep — Neu is Ger­man for New- Thus new sleep.



Somnus-Neu® is an evolution of the idea of “technology convergence” and high design, bringing together into one space, comfort, design, connectivity, audio, video, lighting and experience.    

Programmable Lighting
   

A soft hue emanates from the underside of Somnus-Neu® your bedroom lit from the “night-light” zone, one of three distinct lighting zones built in, all of which are highly efficient and fully programmable LED lights. With 16 million possible color combinations, everyone can create their own unique shade, as mood lighting, underside lighting or reading light. Research has shown that color and light add are valuable components to the way we feel. Now there’s no excuse not to feel good.    

Audio
   
Everyone these days knows that music and sound can enhance and create our environment. Your music, Your media, Your environment. The heart of Somnus-Neu® audio is a Class D digital amplifier, which is highly energy efficient and produces less waste through heat than a typical Class A/B amplifier. Speakers fixed in 5 different points within the space create a listening experience controlled entirely by you. From soft waves rolling in as you embrace sleep, to hard hitting rock’n'roll, plug in your MP3 player, store your own music or stream it in from the outside.    

Upscale design
   
We’re connected through an ever growing internet community, the world at our fingertips, we at Yoo-Pod Ltd love being connected, we figured you might too. So we provided two touch-screens, one for you and one for your partner, recessed into the sides of Somnus-Neu®. Simply raise the screens from their hidden position, bring the arm around to place it in your perfect position and connect to the world.    

Movies In Bed
   
The real VIP movie going experience is right here. A giant movie screen lives hidden in the top end of Somnus-Neu, lower i57oftravelerst into position to take advantage of the “best seat in the house” – Yours. We incorporated a High Def video projector and brought the theater right to you. Hit the button, lower the screen, encapsulate the space with the automatic privacy curtains and experience the real thing. Every detail in Somnus-Neu® is considered, the upholstery the hand-crafted wooden bed head, the 100% recycled composites that create the form and shape, nothing has been overlooked. We understand also that people are individuals and as such have allowed for certain customization within the design. Different wood selections and upholstery are possible.

Here's a fun little animated video as to how the data trail works with the Somnus Neu:

     
Who is behind this? Founded by Grier Govorko (below), Yoo-Pod Ltd owns exclusively the Somnus-Neu® concept, registered trademark and design.

   

About the designer: Grier’s willingness to push boundaries has landed him much critical acclaim. His production design for the Chili Peppers’ 3-day concert run at Hyde Park in London –a concept which centered around a massive 100-meter wide video installation– has risen to the level of legend in production design circles. Nom­i­nated as pro­duc­tion designer of the year in 2005 for exem­plary work for the Red Hot Chili Pep­pers — he has been the designer behind all world tours since 2000. Somnus-Neu® is planned for release in 2010. Below is some wishful thinking on their part (Richard, are you listening?), this 'faux' branded image was posted by Somnus Neu on their facebook page.  


 all images and info courtesy of Yoo Pod Ltd. Yoo-Pod Ltd Contact info: Email: info@somnus-neu.com Ph: (New Zealand) +64 9 889 4254
Ph: (U.S) +1 310 928 3967

The Lavazza 2010 Calendar: Music To Your Eyes by Photographer Miles Aldridge.

It's that time of year again. When the drool-worthy calendar by Lavazza is released.

For the past 18 years, the annually produced calendar has been unavailable to the public and created with the talented firm Armando Testa for Lavazza's clients. Legendary photographers ranging from Albert Watson to Annie Leibovitz have had the honor of shooting the piece and more and more the yearly release is eagerly anticipated. Every year the calendar gets much deserved favorable and flattering press coverage along with other coveted and exclusive, and coincidentally Italian, calendars like Pirelli's or Campari's. And like the past two years, I have the entire calendar, behind the scenes shots and a making of video for you.

This year's calendar is yet another visual spectacle. Shot by photographer Miles Aldridge in a "Futuretrò" style, this years' them is the universal languages of Music and Photography.



British photographer Miles Aldridge was given the task of visually interpreting six of the ultimate Italian classics: Va' Pensiero, Guarda Che Luna, 'O Sole Mio, Con Te Partirò, Baciami Piccina and Nessun Dorma.

Now don't just gloss over the music and admire these beautiful photos. The classic Italian pieces of music are moving and inspiring. If you're not familiar with them, look them up and have a listen. You even have the opportunity on Lavazza's site to download an mp3 version of the tear-provoking classic Nessun Dorma by Antony and the Johnsons (in conjunction with Sony Music) here.



Now the 2010 Lavazza calendar:

January/February:

March/April:

May/June:

July/August:

September/October:

November/December:


The photographer talks about the project and some behind the scenes shots:

above: Miles Aldrige shooting the calendar

"This project instantly reminded me of Fellini". Miles Aldridge talking on set, at the Cinecittà studios in Rome, about the Lavazza Calendar. "Through the music, melodies and arias I glimpsed stories that told bittersweet tales, dramas, rebirths. I was reminded of characters and stories from films like La Strada and La Dolce Vita".



Even the six Calendar models are strong-willed heroines. "I didn't just want six beautiful girls. I wanted six women who could prove they were larger than life".



The life of Aldridge (married with four children and living in London) is all about light and colour. "I can draw inspiration from anything: a bright red garage in Soho, a woman wearing a green coat crossing the street. The fabulous orange in pictures by Francis Bacon or a palette of colours put together by the Wizard of Oz".



Aldridge prefers artificial shades: phosphorescent yellow, bubblegum pink, the bright green of imitation grass, and deep blue - not sky-blue or the marine blue found in wall frescoes, but the unidentifiable blue of an air hostess's uniform, or the blue of Italy's national football team. He also draws great inspiration from early colour films: "I love the way that Technicolor has always broken everything down into areas of pure colour, giving the shadows a brilliant shade of blue".



More behind the scenes shots:










The Video of the Making Of:
   
Credits:  
Supervision & Coordination Lavazza Corporate Image, Advertising Department 
 Photographer Miles Aldridge 
Creative Project Armando Testa 
 Creative Director Michele Mariani 
 Art Director Andrea Lantelme 
 Copywriter Michele Pieri 
 Production Federico Levizzani, The Box Films 
 Set Designer Andy Hillman 
 Stylist Alice Gentilucci 
 Hair Stylist Malcom Edwards 
 Make-up Artist Alice Ghendriah 
 Photographer Assistants Pawel Pysz, Alex Sjoeberg 
 Post Production Tapestry Models: Bianca Balti, Georgia Frost, Lydia Hearst, Daisy Lowe, Alexandra Tomlinson, Alek Alexeyeva 
Special thanks to Chantecler gioielli and also to Roberto Cavalli, Cavalli & Nastri, Diego Dolcini per Jo No Fui, Dolce & Gabbana, Fisico, La Perla, Sergio Rossi, Sebastian    

Be sure to see these past Lavazza calendars:

 

  The 2009 Lavazza Calendar (Annie Leibovitz)

 

 The 2008 Lavazza Calendar (Finlay McKay)