The Hi-Can (short for High Fidelity Canopy bed) is another one of those modern decadent hedonistic multimedia beds we've been seeing more and more of these days.
This particular bed was designed by Italian designer Eduardo Carlino for Hi-Interiors, a spin-off from design company Detamobili.
There's not much the bed lacks, except maybe for a built in espresso maker.
The bed has blinds that can enclose around you created by Somfy, a state of the art sound system by JVC, reading lights, a built in PC by Microsoft, and a full multimedia complement with game and entertainment console (XBox 360) connected to a projector so you can enjoy hi-definition images, games and movies on the screen that slides up and down at the foot of the bed.
The bed itself, mattress and mechanics is said to be one of the finest and are made by Nottinblu. The bed does adjust (of course, how else could you sit up to keep the popcorn from getting in the sheets?) and all can be controlled by one remote that can be customized to control other appliances in your home as well.
And, the Hi-Can bed is available in eight different colors:
Price: €42,000 euros or $62,349.00 USD and that doesn't include, tax, shipping or installation.
To order your own hi can bed, go here.
Minneapolis broadcast design & animation studio motion504 recently completed the reception sponsor reel for the Minneapolis screening of the AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the American Commercial.
It's one of those incredible pieces of communication where everything falls into place. The concept, the direction, the set design, the lighting, the sound design, music, post-production. Even still frames, as you'll see in my screen grabs, are like little perfectly composed pieces of art. In short, many people in my industry, myself included, will look at and wish they had done it.
The inventive title sequence created by motion504 introduces each reception sponsor through a cinematic narrative that imagines the craft of “moving type” via mechanical gadgets that look as if they were built a century ago.
Led by Creative Directors Scott Wenner and Amy Schmitt, motion504 helmed the entire project, start to finish: concepting and storyboarding; direction of the live-action shoot; 2D & 3D animation; lighting and compositing.
Set in a world with a turn-of-the-last-century aesthetic, the visually striking sequence opens at the storefront of the fictional Verne Bros. Kinetic Type Company.
Inside, the elderly protagonist earnestly works away during the wee small hours at his closed shop. His undertakings are a mystery until, suddenly, peculiar kinetic gadgets appear and unexplainably come to life. His compelling conjurations abound in the dusty workshop, as each unique gadget unravels with science-defying wonder, creatively introducing the AICP reception sponsors, one by one.
After brainstorming numerous ideas, motion504 eventually arrived at one that would speak to its intended audience and showcase what motion504 actually offers to the industry as company: motion design, animation and visual effects. The end product strikes at the core of motion504’s creative forte, while illustrating how design and animation can communicate in the realm of broadcast and commercial advertising -- through image-driven narrative.
Rather than building 3D models that transformed and unfolded, motion504 instead opted to create simple machines that look hand-made, yet function just beyond the realm of possibility, while retaining their outward purpose as kinetic type. The gadgets, along with production set and props, were designed with Victorian influences to evoke the work of an artisan.
The studio arranged for a one-day live action shoot using the RED Camera. “Having a snorkel lens was crucial to get the close-ups that we needed to create the right feeling,” said motion504 Executive Producer Eric Mueller. “Our studio worked closely with the production team to ensure the gadgets would look like they belonged in the space. The end result is a visual tour-de-force. ”
BWN principal Carl White, who had the unique challenge of making the devices feel real, but still evoking a feeling of magic, handled sound design. “BWN did a fantastic job of figuring out how these gadgets would really sound if they existed,” said Mueller. “They are true sound artists.”
Wenner modeled the 16 3D gadgets in Cinema 4D, motion504’s primary 3D package for graphics. Each unique gadget features Victorian-influenced detail, flourishes and decoration, which Wenner hand-painted in ZBrush. Amy Schmitt, who worked closely alongside Scott from the project’s outset, including the live action shoot, handled a majority of the intensive tracking lighting and rendering required by the project.
According to Wenner, the biggest challenge motion504 faced had to do with the AICP’s only caveat: sponsor names may change at any time during production.
This meant the 3D models must be built flexible, interchangeable or even newly created at moment’s notice, with a fast turnaround.
“The project certainly required us to be nimble, but the creative liberties we were given far outweigh the technical parameters,” concludes Wenner. “Creating the AICP Show reception sponsor reel is something we were very excited to do. With everyone involved we answered the call and created a piece of which we are incredibly proud.”
Credits: Concept, Design & VFX: motion504 Creative Director/3D Compositor: Scott Wenner 3D/Compositor: Amy Schmitt Executive Producer: Eric Mueller Director: Scott Wenner DP: Bo Hakala Art Director: Sarah Jean Kruchowski Producer: Todd Cobery Editor: Joe Martin Sound Design: BWN Sound Designer: Carl White Client: AICP Minnesota (Kirk Hokanson, Executive Director)
all information, images and video are courtesy of motion504
As the foremost benefit event of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), the MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala which took place on November 14, 2009, featured Ballets Russes Italian Style (The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again), a commissioned work by international artist Francesco Vezzoli starring Lady Gaga and dancers from the Bolshoí Ballet.
above: Vezzoli and Lady Gaga
Artist Francesco Vezzoli invited renowned contemporary artists and creators Miuccia Prada, Damien Hirst, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, and Frank Gehry to engage in his MOCA NEW Gala performance showcasing the world premiere of Lady Gaga’s new release, Speechless.
Each contributed unique elements made especially for the one-night-only production, including the Steinway Grand piano customized by artist Damien Hirst:
The dress donned by Lady Gaga was designed by Prada along with Vezzoli:
Architect Frank Gehry created a hat for Lady Gaga in his signature angular style:
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin designed ballet costumes and masks for the event.
And of course, the requisite art-loving celebs were there like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (aka Brangelina):
Pharrell Williams and artist Takeshi Murakami, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale:
and lots more.
a little clip from Access Hollywood of the event for you:
If you missed the event, which of course most of us did, you can bid on some of the artist and designer contributed costumes and props from the Gala.
Here's all the images and details for you, including opening bids.
MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala Benefit Auction November 14- December 20, 2009
MOCA is proud to offer these extraordinary MOCA NEW objects, in addition to the exquisite masks and costumes worn by the Bolshoi Ballet dancers, in this special MOCA online auction. All proceeds will support the museum’s exhibition and education programming.
Auction Items:
Lady Gaga Costume
As the renowned headline performer at the MOCA NEW Gala, pop icon Lady Gaga was styled in an exquisite couture dress by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli. A lyrical expression of the avant-garde, this singular design is an evocative reflection of the intermingling of theatrics and musicality that distinguishes the career of this eccentric songstress and a priceless remembrance of her one-night-only MOCA performance.
Costume Details:
•Dress made of printed doubled satin. Black and white photographic print.
•Chandelier overskirt.
•Plex boots with black satin bordersand and black satin small buttons, chandelier heels. (Size 37)
Category: Lady Gaga Costume
Value: $30,000
Minimum Bid: $20,000
Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Hat by Frank Gehry
A remarkable architectonic accessory, the sculptural hat adorning Lady Gaga at the MOCA NEW Gala is a special creation by Frank Gehry, known worldwide for his extraordinary ability to confound fixed notions of space and form. As the first art piece of its kind at MOCA, this distinctive headpiece is a unique artwork that combines the excitement of Vezzoli’s baroque discothèque with Gehry’s visionary approach to architectural innovation.
Category: Lady Gaga Hat
Value: $30,000
Minimum Bid: $10,000
Donor(s):Frank Gehry
Costumes for the Dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli contemporized the classical Bolshoi Ballet dancers for Vezzoli's MOCA New Gala performance with impeccable costumes that thoughtfully accentuated each movement, heightening the drama of the sensually refined yet subtly melancholic tale that unfolds on stage. Showing the designers’ theatrical side, these flawless fashions—limited in this auction to one male and one female garment—are stunning constructions made and worn exclusively for the MOCA NEW Gala.
Category: Bolshoi Ballet Costumes (Male and female costumes are auctioned separately)
Value of each: $15,000
Minimum Bid for each: $10,000
Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Female and Male Mask by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Woven prominently into the dramatic narrative of Vezzoli’s Ballets Russes Italian Style, the magnificent facial masks guard the true identity of key characters while showcasing the creative sensibility of collaborating artists Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. The signature pair of masks in MOCA’s auction—male and female—reflects the unconventional mode of performative contemporary works that capture the gala’s unexpected climactic moment.
Female mask: Male mask:
Category: Masks
Value of each: $5,000
Minimum Bid for each: $1,500
Donor(s): Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Condition of Online Sales:
Bids must start at the minimum amount stated on the individual artwork page.
All bids are binding.
Online bidding will close on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 11:59pm.
The highest online bids will be confirmed by MOCA. All property is sold “as is”. Payment and Shipping Information:
Artworks should be paid for and Shipping arrangements must be made by Thursday, January 8th 2009.
Buyers are responsible for shipping and insurance charges.
Purchases are subject to California state sales tax.
