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Star Wars X Nestle Coffee Machines Complete With Light Saber Stirrers and Mugs.





The Official Star Wars branded versions of products released in Japan just keep coming. After a line of eyewear and watches, now we move to the kitchen with tabletop coffee makers. Nestle Japan has collaborated with Lucas Films to release two Star Wars models of their Gold Blend Barista Machines. The limited edition tabletop coffeemakers come in two styles, each complete with light up light saber stirrer and porcelain coffee mug with icon.



The Dark Side:
The Dark Side/Empire model (limited to 3000 units) comes with two side panels, one that with the Star Wars logotype and the other featuring Darth Vader with the words "The Dark Side Is Strong With This One." A coffee mug with the symbol of the empire and a red functioning light saber as a coffee stirrer comes with the set:



The Light Side:
The Light/Alliance Model (Limited to 2,000 units) comes with two side panels- one with R2D2 and the Star Wars logotype, the other with C3PO and says "Thank The Maker." A coffee mug with the symbol of the Alliance and a blue functioning light saber as a coffee stirrer comes with the set:



Both CNET and Gizmodo knocked the items as silly Star Wars collaborative products not worthy of the official George Lucas 'stamp' but they also didn't show both side panels or even mention the light saber stirrers which are, frankly, awesome.



Each set costs ¥9,800.
They can be purchased online here.
Or some Japanese sellers already have them on ebay.

Did you see these other new Star Wars products?
Star Wars Eyewear:


• Star Wars Seiko Watches:

Andrew Myers Decides To Screw Art. Portraits Made With A Drill and Philips Head Screws.




It's hard to know whether or not to call Andrew Myers' work paintings or sculpture. A bit of both, Artist Andrew Myers uses anywhere from 8,000 - 10,000 screws (which he then hand paints) drilled into boards to create thoughtful portraits of men and women.




His backgrounds are created from a collage of telephone book pages. Despite the unusual mediums, the completed images are surprisingly soulful.

This recently completed screw portrait used 9,800 screws:


Other screw portraits by Andrew:



above: Portrait of John. Dimensions 48 in x 48 in x 5 in. Medium: screws, oil paint and phone book pages



above: An Artist's winter. Dimensions 24 in x 24 in x 4 in. Medium: screws, oil paint and phone book pages



above: Portrait of Bill. Dimensions 24 in x 24 in x 4 in. Medium: screws, oil paint and phone book pages



above: Portrait of Sabrina. Dimensions 48 in x 48 in x 5 in. Medium: screws, oil paint and phone book pages

About the artist:


Since his early childhood, Andrew Myers has been artistically influenced by european life and culture. Born in Braunshweig, Germany and raised in Ciudad Real, Spain his exposure to modern continental living and classical architecture prompted the universal and classical themes, yet modern design found in his artwork.

At the age of 20, Myers applied to the Art Institute of Southern California (now known as the Laguna College of Art and Design); with no previous art training, he was accepted based upon the natural talent his application portfolio evidenced. The young artist developed his skills through advanced figurative sculpture and accelerated painting curriculum. While these two and a half years of creative training provided Myers with the basic working knowledge of the artistic field, it was his drive, passion, and leap of faith into work as a full time artist that allowed him to cultivate his particular style. Myers blends modern material with classical figurative technique featuring a universal subject matter that is prevalent throughout his work. It is his unification of these three characteristics that results in the innovative and modern artwork that captivates viewers and has been so highly acclaimed nationwide.

Most recently, Myers has been working on public commissions, some of which include, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in the Diocese of Orange and a public work for the City of Laguna Beach, California, as well as several private client commissions.

Andrew Myers

Morphik: Cool Cuffs With Original Lowbrow Art, Photography and Graffiti.





Morphik is an arts-focused design company founded with the vision that everyone should have the opportunity to experience and own art... and wear it.


above: artwork by Bob Dob on turquoise calf leather wristband and photo by Jerry Uelsmann on python textured leather bracelet

Designed as an art-to-wear accessory piece, Morphik's men's and women's cuffs -or bracelets-  feature limited edition artwork by many of today's hottest lowbrow artists, graffiti artists and illustrators and would make a very special gift for any contemporary art lover.  Reproduced in a square frame and clasp made of brushed stainless steel, the artwork has an acrylic face that is scratch resistant. The artwork can also be hung on the wall just like a favorite painting or photograph (as shown in the example below).


above: artwork by Ciou is shown mounted for display

above: the back of the stainless steel insert is etched with the artist's name

The stainless steel frame enclosing the artwork drops and locks magnetically into the leather wristband or cuff.


above: artwork by graffiti artist John "Crash" Mathos on Men's Black Calf leather wristband

above: artwork by Skount on Men's Cognac distressed leather wristband

The artworks are interchangeable and can be switched out by pushing through a small opening at the back of the bracelet. The combination of wristband and artwork presents a truly unique outlet for personal expression.

The same piece of artwork (DAIM's Cold Explosion) can take on different characteristics when you change the leather wristband:


The same wristband or cuff (distressed metallic gold) with different pieces of artwork by Kim Zu and Nathan Ota:


They have a huge selection of both artwork and leather cuffs for both men and women. You can choose from photography, illustration, paintings, graffiti and more. Below are a few examples from some of the artists:

Ciou:


Bob Dob:


Junko Mizuno:


Miso:


Maggie Taylor:


DOES and John "Crash" Mathos:


Jerry Uelsmann:


DUST:


Sayuka Bloodstone:


The leather wristbands are stitched and assembled in Los Angeles.

Men's Cuffs:
•available in six colors (Calf and Vintage leather),
•Size 7 1/4 - 9 inches or 18 1/2 - 23 cm.
• $170

Women's Cuffs:
•available in 24 beautiful colors (Calf, Vintage, Metallic and Python textured leather),  •Size 6 1/4 - 7 1/2 inches or 16 - 19 cm
•$170

THE IMAGE:

above: artwork by Maggie Taylor

Careful thought and care has been made to retain the artwork’s original attributes. Printed on genuine Moab fine art paper and placed under a scratch resistant cover, the artwork is set securely inside a stainless steel frame. The image is made using a highest standard for inkjet printing performance. This original process results in archival prints that deliver amazing color and an acutely clear, photographic appearance. This metal frame contains strong magnets that allow it to lock securely.

AS ARTWORK:

Maintaining the idea that our art-inspired goods are objects of value and meaning, we have designed unique boxes to ensure care and safekeeping. The artwork comes in a specially made box with a black, finely textured outer covering. The artwork magnetically locks into a metal pedestal at the center where it is firmly held in place. At the top of the box is a closed window to display the piece. There are features on the back that allow the box to be hung on the wall. In form and function, the box is very similar to the frame of an artwork.

THE BRACELET BOX:


We have given great thought and time to the design of our boxes to provide care, safekeeping, and aesthetic value. The band comes in a specially made box with a black, finely textured outer covering. A display window is located at the top. Magnets are built inside to securely hold the band in place. The box can be placed on a dresser or table for display.


THE ARTIST BOOKLET
Each artwork comes with a booklet with information about the artist and work. Like an exhibition catalogue, the booklets contain the artist’s biography along with descriptions about each of their artworks available at Morphik. The artists have provided their own descriptions, which include interesting background details about the creative process, inspiration, and ideas behind each image.

A guiding principal at Morphik is to make contemporary artists more accessible to a larger and more diverse audience. For this reason, support of the artist community is very important. Our artist network spans the globe including Japan, China, the United States, Brazil, Germany, and France. Each artist has his or her individual style. Working in genres such as painting, graffiti and photography, each artist creates an exciting and fresh visual language representing the diverse trends happening in contemporary art practice today.

Morphik works to generate sponsorship of arts organizations that bring awareness to the benefits and vitality the arts have to offer. By donating to the arts, we aim to build creative and supportive partnerships worldwide.



Shop for your Morphik Art and bracelets here

Happy Hannukah from if It's Hip, It's Here!




Metalmorphosis Moving Water Sculpture by David Černý.




Most recently you may have heard the name of Czech artist David Černý during the London Summer Olympics as he was the artist who created the London Double Decker "push-up" bus, Booster (shown below).



A piece of which I was not a fan, I thought I'd share with you something of his I do like. Metalmorphosis is an imposing kinetic installation of a giant head that spits water. Part sculpture, part fountain and wholly impossible to ignore, the piece is 30 feet tall and weighs 14 tons.







Video:


Metalmorphosis:
Stainless steel, motors, computer driven control centre, water, etc.
Installation on 3700 Arco Corporate Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina

Height: 30 feet
Weight 14 tons

David Černý

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