Air New Zealand Markets The Heck Out Of The Hobbit With Wrapped Planes, A New Website, An Air Safety Video, And Lots of Extras.

With the upcoming release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (the latest of the J.R.R. Tolkien movies, all of which have been filmed in New Zealand), Air New Zealand has pulled out all the stops to market itself as 'The Airline of Middle Earth.'



above: their website design reflects the imagery from the movies.

With a fully wrapped plane in the movies' graphics, on board promotional items like hairy socks, sleeping masks and usb drives, a baggage carousel made to look like The Shire and a Hobbit-Inspired inflight safety video.

The Baggage Carousel:





The Socks:


The Sleeping Mask:


The USB Drive:


The Commemorative Pin:


The Safety vests worn by airport ground crew officials:


The Wrapped Plane:






In addition to all the above, Air New Zealand partnered with WETA Workshop on a brand new Hobbit-inspired Safety Video which actually has a cameo by Hobbit director and Oscar winner Sir Peter Jackson.



The film, titled An Unexpected Briefing in reference to a chapter from The Lord Of The Rings novel, shows an aircraft packed with hobbits, dwarves and orcs preparing to take flight.



Oscar winner Sir Peter makes a cameo appearance as a Gollum-inspired creature before disappearing after finding The One Ring on the floor and slipping it on:



Flight attendants are dressed as elves and wizards as they take their passengers through a list of safety instructions, all of which are inspired by the J.R.R. Tolkien novels.



Gollum is seen prowling the aisles as Tolkien's great-grandsons Mike and Royd Tolkien argue in the front row, and actor Dean O'Gorman, who plays Fili the Dwarf in the movie, demonstrates safety equipment.



behind the scenes:


The official trailer for the upcoming movie:


The movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Adventure officially opens December 14th.
The Official Movie site.

all images courtesy of Air New Zealand

Mark Rothko Paintings Recreated In Colored Rice by Henry Hargreaves.

As an homage to legendary modern artist Mark Rothko, Henry Hargreaves has recreated six of Rothko's modern paintings using colored uncooked rice kernels and calling the series Mark Rice-Ko.







About The Artist:
Henry Hargreaves is a New Zealand still life, art and fashion photographer working out of his studio in Brooklyn, NYC.

His life long love of taking photos took an unexpected turn when he was spotted traveling through South East Asia and was whisked off to Europe to work as a high end fashion model. After 4 years on the other side of the camera and the catwalk he gave it up to pursue his own creative pursuits.

He has since established himself as a full time photographer known for fun, creative, provocative and memorable images. He has created a wide spectrum of work be it for commercial clients like Ralph Lauren, Sagmeister and Walsh, GQ, V, Esquire, New York Magazine or in personal projects like 3DD, a 3D Celebration of Breasts, The Death Row Last Meal series, Bacon Alphabet or the Edible Subway. What unites his work is his restless and curious mind, a fascination with the unusual or quirky and a desire to see how photography can illuminate the world and spark conversation.

15 Great Holiday Gifts For Grinches. Or The Hippest Stuff For Haters.

Perhaps you know someone who's feeling a little more "Bah, Humbug" than "What A Wonderful World" this holiday season. Wondering what to buy the bitter one in your life? Fret no more, I've got a fabulous list of gifts for Grinches that are affordable and may even put a smile on the face of the most ornery curmudgeon this holiday season.

The "Best Wishes" Middle Finger Key:

All brass and designed to fit all Kwikset K1 locks, this housekey by Goodworth & Co. is flipping the bird with double sided imagery.
Buy it here

Go Away Doormat:

Enough said.
buy the Go Away Black Coir Doormat

The Fuck Off Wax Sealing Stamp:

Instead of sealing envelopes with a kiss, how about with an expletive?
buy it here

Hey Asshole note pad/check list (in two versions):


Gotta leave a note for your roommate or co-worker? I love this notepad by Knock Knock with tons of bitter options. One version has everything in handwriting, the other in sans serif print.
Buy the handwritten version here
Buy the brown sans serif version here

Fuck The Rain Umbrella:

The digitally printed polyester umbrella from Art Lebedev is so bitter, it's even flipping off nature. Buy it here.

People I Want To Punch In The Face Journal:

From 27th Street press, this little notebook's title says it all. Gold foil stamped with a sentiment that most of us share at sometime or another. Blank pages.
Buy it here.

Anti-Social T-Shirts, Totebags, Mugs and More:

From the hilarious folks at Someecards, the "I Wish There Was A Social Networking Site Where Everyone Would Leave me The Fuck Alone" sentiment can be purchased on a variety of items. Shop for them here.

I Hate Everything and I Hate People Cross Stitch Patterns:

Buy the I Hate Everything pattern here
Buy the I Hate People pattern here

"You Are Dumb" coffee mug:

This porcelain coffee mug does double duty. Holds your java while telling everyone around you off. From The Onion, it has their logo on the back side.
Buy it here.

Indelicate Doilies:

Reusable packages of printed doilies by Knock Knock say things to your guests you wish you could.
Buy the Indelicate Doilies here

Fuck Off Calling Cards (pack of 20):

Let your cards say it for you.
Buy them here

Same Shit Different Day Desk Calendar:

This perpetual calendar will stand on a desk or add charm to any wall. The poignant theme is repeated relentlessly, throughout the year. The dates are blank so you can use this any year that you want to! Calendar page measures 7.5 inches tall x 6 inches wide.
Buy it here

Bitter Pens:

You'll need something to fill out the Hey Asshole and Same Shit Different Day Calendar with..so why not these appropriate pens by Knock Knock?
Buy them here

The Misanthrope's Guide to Life (Go Away!) by Meghan Rowland and Chris Turner-Neal:


Misanthrope, n.: 1.) One who hates mankind; a curmudgeon; a loner; 2.) The guy in your office who responded to your e-mail of baby photos with "D-. Passing, but not college material"; 3.) A Realist

Quiz yourself:


In this guide, you'll learn how to get away from the pain-in-the-asses who make you seriously consider investing in a fallout shelter and making it your new home. You'll take isolated comfort in these survival strategies, including how to:

• Conduct managed incoherence to get the delivery boy from the lobby to your door
• Take a "French leave" in order to eat alone at work
• Get ousted from your kickball league by dressing as Magnum, P.I. for every game
• Get back at the jerk yapping on his cell phone by reciting the lyrics to Harry Chapin's version of "Cat's in the Cradle"
• End a conversation by "Gwynething" (also known as playing the "I'm delightfully foreign" act) someone to death

This is the survival guide you will be annoyed not to have. Available in paperback or Kindle edition.
Buy The Misanthrope's Guide to Life (Go Away!)

I Hate Everyone by Matthew DiBenedetti:

This 400 page paperback redefines the term hater. Inspired by too many years in a life sucking corporate job, and supported by a deep groundwork of family, friends, relationships and real "life" in a dark corner of New Jersey; even cheerful optimists will commiserate with and come love to hate with author Matt DiBenedetti.

Sample pages:


It's true: Misery does love company. But what kind of company can you keep if you can't stand anyone? This kind. No matter who they are or what they do that sets you off and gets you going, you'll find 'em inside. From rich people who are dicks to guys named Rich who go by Dick to those who are always cold to people who are just hot, no one is safe. But one thing is certain—everyone will find someone they equally despise. And you're gonna love it, period.
Buy I Hate Everyone

And there you have it. 15 gift options to make a Grinch grin this holiday season.

Hot Chicks and Cool Cars. The 2013 Miss Tuning World Calendar from Bodensee.

Once again, it's time for the gratuitous scantily clad women and cars combination that is the annual Miss Tuning World Calendar. Photographer Max Seam has shot this year’s Miss Tuning World, Frizzi Arnold, against the impressive architecture of Helsinki and the beautiful landscapes around the capital for the tenth annual Miss Tuning World Calendar from Bodensee.



Brunette beauty Frizzi Arnold is featured in the land of hot saunas and cool lakes for her 2013 Miss Tuning World calendar shoot that took place earlier this year in Finland.

Cover page
Location: Tuomiokirkko, Helsinki
Car: Toyota Paseo (Owner: Marika Nerelli)
Background info: Tuomiokirkko, Helsinki Cathedral, is a landmark in the Finnish capital.


January
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Dodge Challenger (Owner: Harri Saari)
Background info: The airport was established in the 1950s as the airport in Finland. In the background, a discarded Finnish Airlines DC-3 can be seen.


February
Location: Unique Lapland, Helsinki
Background info: In the Snow Hall of Lapland, the temperature prevails throughout the year at a minus temperature of 5 °, which allows for dog sledding, Igluübernachtungen and cool drinks at the ice bar.


March
Location: Valtti Areena, Vantaa
Cars: Plymouth Sport Roadster (Owner: Antti Vaitinnen) & SKODA Octavia (Owner: Marko Ketonnen)
Background info: Hockey is to Finland what football is to Germany - the National Sport. Kiekko Vantaa has existed since 1994, playing in the second highest league.


April
Location: Kaivopuisto Park, Helsinki
Car: Mustang Fastback (Owner: Joni Juvonnen)
Background info: What does a son give to his father on the 50th Birthday? A car! And, not just any car, but this Mustang Fastback designed together with the sametractor and trailer.


May
Location: Studio
Car: Opel Kadett C (Owner: Uwe Wolf)
Background info: The Opel Kadett C by Uwe Wolf won the EUROPEAN TUNING SHOWDOWN.


June
Location: Parking Lot, Vantaa
Car: Honda Civic (Owner: Tero Muotka)
Background info: Fire plays an important role in Scandinavia. First,it acts as a light and heat source in the long, cold winter months, and it keeps Mitsommernacht celebrated with traditional Mitsommernachtsfeuern.


July
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Ford Escort Cosworth (Owner: Christoffer Johansson)
Background info: Cosworth plays a major role in both the automotive sector as well as in aviation. So, where would a Ford Escort Cosworth look better than in an aircraft hangar?


August
Location: Halkolaituri, Helsinki
Car: Ford Pickup (Owner: Jussi Luntamo)
Background info: Halkolaituri is the old port of the Finnish capital which is populated today by numerous vintage ships. The Ford pickup was cut off behind the driver's seat and is connected to an old Russian military vehicle.


September
Location: Eiranranta, Helsinki
Car: Lincoln Premiere (Owner: Jaakko Veline)
Background info: A leap back into the 60s


October
Location: Helsinki Malmi Airport, Helsinki
Car: Gunfighter Truck (Owner: Jaakko Honkanen)
Background info: The Gunfighter Truck is a completely styled truck and a daily staple on the Helsinki route.


November
Location: MS Relandersgrund, Helsinki
Car: Nissan S-Cargo (Owner: Jani Lemberg)
Background info: MS Relandersgrund, a steamer is converted into a pub, is a popular place in the northern port of Helsinki.


December
Location: Unique Lapland, Helsinki
Car: Mercedes 280 (Owner: Heikki Mantere)
Background info: The village of Santa's workshop is located in the Finnish Arctic Circle and was awarded in 2000 as the most remarkable Scandinavian Christmas spectacle.


The limited-edition glossy calendar (1500 copies) from TUNING WORLD BODENSEE is on sale for €25 (shipping included). You can buy it here (credit card purchases only).


About TUNING WORLD BODENSEE:
The international exhibition/event for car tuning, lifestyle and the tuning-club-scene. Approximately 1,000 fast-tuned cars within twelve exhibition halls, 235 exhibitors and numerous premiers and presentations of the latest models and news. 152 clubs, about 200 private cars, 20 lovely girls at the MISS-TUNING-FINALS, five awards and two evening parties - these are the latest numbers of the 9th TUNING WORLD BODENSEE - the one and only original event in car tuning.


Can't get enough curves and cars?



Be sure to see the 2011 Miss Tuning World calendar images here.