above: The James Stranahan statue donning NBC's promotional "cape"
As part of a marketing push for the new NBC series "The Cape" (two-hour premiere tonight, Sunday, January 9, 9-11p.m. ET), 30 New York public statues and monuments have been cloaked in black fabric capes accompanied by a temporary kiosk or plaque that gives a brief mention of the figure's history along with the story of The Cape (Vince Faraday, a valiant cop framed for murder played by David Lyons) - linking the two "heroes".
The blue-black capes began appearing on statues all over the city on Januaray 5th. City Parks Department officials allowed NBC executives to create hype for "The Cape" by draping the frocks on sculptures of historic figures until Sunday in exchange for a $120,000 donation to maintain public art.
Vickie Karp, Director of Public Information for New York City Parks & Recreation, says "The new NBC series is a novel way to remind even the most jaded New Yorker that heroes are all around us."
For those of you who don't live in New York, here's a look at some of the various "caped" statues:
President Lincoln:
Admiral David Farragut:
Frederick Douglass:
Christopher Colombus:
Harriet Tubman:
Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva:
Eleanor Roosevelt:
George M Cohan:
Horace Greeley:
General Fowler:
Fiorello LaGuardia:
James Stranahan:
William Henry Seward:
Statue visitors will also be able to enter the “Hero Behind the Cape” giveaway contest using FourSquare and Twitter. Participants can enter the sweepstakes by visiting any one of the 30 caped statues all over New York City and checking in via their FourSquare account. Also, visitors can enter by taking a photo of themselves at any of the statue locations and posting their photo to Twitter. Users will simply need to direct message the official Twitter handle (www.twitter.com/NBCTheCape) or use the hashtag #herobehindthecape when they post their picture. You'll have a tough time beating Pete Labrozzi, though.
above: Pete Labrozzi has been diligently posting images of himself in front of the statues for the past few days.
Their Zeta Office Collection, designed by Jérôme Groove and Johann Aumaitre, consists of a Bureau (desk), a Console and Chevet or table d'appoint (end table). Each is made of folded steel, powder coated in dark grey or white. Designed beautifully for cable management and functionality with laser cut 'branches' or veins', the pieces with their angular planes take up minimal space while providing useful work surfaces.
The Zeta Bureau: In Anthracite:
The Zeta Console: In Anthracite:
The Zeta Chevet or Table d'appoint: In Anthracite:
FEATURES • minimal and stylish designs • Organize your power cables through the laser cut trees/branches/veins • Close Internet box, chargers, UBS. • Storage Rack • Steel powder coated paint in White or Grey Anthracite • Designers: Jerome Groove - Johann Aumaitre
A Calendrier Olfactif- 2011 Candle calendar set by Quintessence
A box of twelve individually packaged candles marked for each month, from Paris based perfumerie Quintessence. From chefs and palmists to fashion designers, each container and scent has been created by a different artist.
Hey Lava Lamp lovers, Abrams has come out with a calendar for 2011 that is truly far out. The Ultraviolet 2011 Wall Calendar: 13 Posters That Glow in Blacklight features 13 vintage ultraviolet black light posters from the 60s and 70s from the collection of Dan Donahue.
Printed with fluorescent inks, the 28 page calendar measures 14.5 x 10.4 x 0.2 inches
Dan Donahue runs an artist-for-artists design group called Groop and he has given us a sneak peek at next year's 2012 black light calendar cover:
It's been one year since Polaroid appointed Lady Gaga as their Creative Director during which time they have collaborated to define a direction for a line of products that blend the brand's core values with Lady Gaga's creativity. The result is the Grey Label by Haus of Gaga which consists of three products.
Below are images of the three new Polaroid Grey Label products along with the company's press release and a video of Lady Gaga's presentation at CES 2011 - The International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The Polaroid press release: A Collaboration Between Two of the Most Influential Icons of Our Time, Polaroid Grey Label Comes to Life With Three New Products That Showcase the Magic of the Polaroid Instant Experience
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2011 - Polaroid and its Creative Director, Lady Gaga today unveiled Polaroid Grey Label, an original line of products co-designed with Lady Gaga. This collaboration between two cultural icons reflects Polaroid's long standing tradition of innovation tracing back to founder Dr. Edwin Land and Lady Gaga's mission to deliver products that enable creativity for all, celebrate artistry and make sharing instantaneous across the physical and digital. The inaugural Polaroid Grey Label line is truly expressive of Lady Gaga's artistic vision and includes the GL10 Instant Mobile Printer, GL30 Instant Digital Camera and the GL20 Camera Glasses, a unique new look at how to turn images into a fashion statement.
"I consider myself to be a visionary, not just a songwriter and a singer. I am an artist," said Lady Gaga, Polaroid's Creative Director. "I brought my vision and love of fashion, technology and obsession with the future into all of my work with Polaroid."
The first trio of Polaroid Grey Label products at Polaroid's CES booth:
1. GL10 Instant Mobile Printer: • Advanced Technology: The newest instant printing experience begins with the embedded dye-crystal ZINK® Zero Ink® Technology from ZINK Imaging. Patented ZINK PaperTM is an advanced composite material with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside. Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are clear, so ZINK Paper®, looks like regular white photo paper. The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer uses heat to activate and colorize these crystals. • Superb Print Quality: The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer uses ZINK's second-generation thermal technology, delivering image quality that rivals a photo-lab. Prints emerge fully developed and protected by a smudge-proof, water-resistant coating. • Aesthetically Pleasing and Environmentally Responsible: Designed for both form and function for use both in the present and future. ZINK technology requires no messy ribbons, toner or inkjet cartridges.
The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer will be available in May 2011 (US $149.99 MSRP). ZINK 3x4" Paper will be available in May 2011 at a price to be announced.
2. GL30 Instant Digital Camera: • Brings the Polaroid Instant Experience to Life: Introducing a new generation to the joy of instant photography, the GL30 uses next generation ZINK Zero Ink Technology from ZINK Imaging. • Fuses the Digital and Physical Worlds: Featuring the benefits of a digital camera, instant photo printer and digital display, the GL30 is a creative tool that delivers the best of the digital and physical worlds. • Pays Tribute to Polaroid's Legacy: Reminiscent of Polaroid cameras of the past, the GL30 is clearly a significant departure from a typical camera. Designed for longevity, the GL30 is not only for the future, it's an object of desire. Users can select from a number of filters and borders to create truly original images that instantly fit in the palm of your hand.
The GL30 Instant Digital Camera will be available later this year, at a price to be announced.
3. GL20 Camera Glasses: • Merges Fashion With Photography: Never before has the world seen fashion, photography and technology come together in one, singular product. • Tells Your Story to the World: Users can instantly capture or upload photos with the built-in camera and then display the images on the glasses' LCD screens for others to see. • Expresses True Artistry and Originality: Only Lady Gaga could create a hybrid that's part fashion statement, part revolutionary technology and part tool for self-expression.
The GL20 Camera Glasses will be available later this year, at a price to be announced. The Polaroid Grey Label Evolution
After being named Polaroid's Creative Director in January 2010, Lady Gaga and Polaroid collaborated to define a direction for the line that blended the brand's core values with Lady Gaga's creativity.
Stemming from "greige goods," a fashion-industry term for fabric in its purest form, the Polaroid Grey Label line encompasses Polaroid's heritage of delivering simplicity with the style, wit and sensibility of Lady Gaga.
Committed to bringing originality back to product design across all genres, Lady Gaga articulated that all Polaroid Grey Label products communicate three essential elements of self-expression:
• Creativity: All Polaroid Grey Label products are designed with the idea that creativity and sharing go hand in hand, in both the digital and the physical world.
• Instant Artistry: All features found in Polaroid Grey Label products celebrate, express and bring an element of artistry and originality to the act of image making.
• Fashion: Intended to be just as much everyday fashion accessories as innovative imaging tools, all Polaroid Grey Label products feature unexpected design elements such as leather touch points, brushed metal and exposed mechanical details.
"The Polaroid Grey Label line embodies the Polaroid brand, with an injection of the future-looking fashion and design mantra of Lady Gaga that simply can't be replicated," said Scott W. Hardy, Polaroid's President. "It represents Polaroid innovation for the new generation, one in which there are no limitations to sharing creativity through photography, both physical and digital."
About Polaroid Across several generations, people regard Polaroid as one of the most trusted, well-respected and recognizable brands when it comes to instant photography. The Polaroid brand has been around for more than 70 years starting with polarized sunglasses which then evolved into instant film, camera and camera accessories, marking the beginning of the well recognized Polaroid Classic Border Logo. In recent years, the Polaroid brand has expanded into flat panel televisions, portable DVD players, digital photo frames, digital HD camcorders, waterproof digital cameras and more. People can expect to see new Polaroid products that will deliver the fun, instant gratification and value for which the brand has long stood. For more information, visit www.Polaroid.com. Polaroid, Polaroid & Pixel, Polaroid Grey Label, and Polaroid Classic Border Logo are trademarks of PLR IP Holdings, LLC.
About ZINK Imaging ZINK Imaging Inc., a privately held company, was founded to enable millions of customers to enjoy the magic of ZINK® Zero Ink® products. ZINK Imaging invented, manufactures, and is an OEM supplier of the ZINK Printing Technology and the award winning ZINK Paper® to partners that will bring ZINK‐enabled products to market under their respective brands. ZINK Imaging's headquarters and research and development labs are in Massachusetts, with a state of the art manufacturing facility in Whitsett, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.ZINK.com.The ZINK® Technology and ZINK® trademarks are owned by ZINK Imaging, Inc.
Sex toys belong in the bedroom nightstand drawer. At least until now. Lebanon designer Marc Dibeh's "Love The Bird" Lamp discreetly conceals a vibrator stowed in a functioning table lamp.
featured 69 posters from his extensive collection.
