Who's The Man? Artist Rudy de Belgeonne, That's Who.

Who’s the Man is an epic installation of a thousand individual hand-painted panels with words used to describe and define ‘man’ by artist Rudy de Belgeonne. The installation will form the centerpiece of an exhibition which opens at London's The Future Gallery in June 2010.



'Every type of man you’ve ever been called, ever felt like, ever known’

Inspired by all the weird and wonderful names he’s been called over the years, Rudy plays with the ever-changing identity and categorisation of the modern man by creating definitions of masculinity packaged as products, as each word becomes a logo in glossy seductive enamel colours: Hero, God, King, Scoundrel, Rogue, Brute, Bad Boy, Love God, Fancy Dan, Mama Man, Sonofabitch, Sonofagun, Bloke, Joe Schmoe, Golden Boy, Nancy Boy…and on and on…




Five years in the making, Who’s the Man is a series of 1000 typographic works painted in beautiful shiny signwriter’s enamel on wooden panels. The installation of 1000 original paintings will be exhibited alongside limited edition sets of different sub-groups – Good Guys, Bad Guys, Gay Guys, Insults, movie references and so on.


above: SwineFiendDevilBrute, 1118mm x 840mm, Giclee print, edition of 25

Presented in this way each word becomes a logo, advertising a response to the ever-changing male identity, defined by morality, sexuality and the body. Using seductively glossy colours, each word is painted in a style that reflects its meaning – either literal or subconscious – referencing our language, typography, brands and visual culture.


above left: Superman Lover, 840mm x 1118mm special edition of 10, hand-painted giclee w 23ct gold leaf
above right: BAM-GRD, 840mm x 1118mm, Giclee, edition of 25

On the simplest level, Who’s the Man is an encyclopaedic and decorative texture of emotionally resonant colours and designs, but the playful placement of each panel reads left to right, top to bottom as a witty poem or narrative, where word associations throw up questions in the mind of the viewer about their own attitudes and expectations of masculinity.


above left: 16 Big Shots, 1626mm x 1118mm, Giclee print, edition of 25
above right: Space Cowboy Gangster of Love

The entire work (5m x 4m) will be accompanied by a limited-edition series of hand re-touched prints of each of the various subsets.

There will be an opportunity to purchase limited edition pieces at the exhibition: on sale will be the 1,000-panelled installation and a series of hand re-touched giclee prints in limited editions of 10. Visitors may also request a special commission by Rudy de Belgeonne on wooden panels.


above: 16 Lovermen, 700mm x 500mm, hand painted, enamel on wood, edition of 10

Exhibition details:
Thursday 3 – Tuesday 8 June 2010
10.00 – 18.30

The Future Gallery
5 Newport Street, London WC2H 7HY
T: +44 (0)20 3301 4727

Sponsored by:
Pearl and Coutts, quality residential and commercial property lettings in London
Courvoisier The Future 500, an exclusive network of 800 rising stars across the UK



About the artist:
Rudy de Belgeonne is a Slade-trained artist who’s fascination with puzzles and gameplay led him to work for many years new media as an interactive games designer. In addition to his painting, Rudy has worked on a wide range of projects – both personal and professional – that occupy the space where art & technology meet. He lives and works in London.

all images and info courtesy of the artist and gallery

Private Co-Branding. Karl Lagerfeld's Strippable Model For Eres Swimwear & Lingerie.

The fashion House of Chanel and sister brand Eres swimwear and lingerie have created a fun interactive campaign, photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, that features model Emily Didonato in a pop up window.



Move your cursor over the cutely dressed model and it reveals the Eres lingerie and swimwear underneath.

Here are some screen grabs of the 'before' and 'after':


And some screen grabs of the interactive process.

before:

after you begin clicking upon the visual:


before:

after:

before:

after:


from CHANEL news:


“CHANEL est une maison-mère avec plusieurs enfants qui ne portent pas son nom. La maison ERES en fait partie. CHANEL fait des maillots de bain et de la lingerie occasionnellement dans le cadre particulier d’une collection. ERES en revanche ne fait que ça, sans prendre ombrage de l’image forte de CHANEL. Mettre de la lingerie ERES sous une robe CHANEL est une démarche “mode” naturelle, moderne et spontanée. Normalement le co-branding se fait entre étrangers – ici il se fait en famille : PRIVATE CO-BRANDING.”

The new and improved translation below was provided by reader, Karina (Thanks Karina!):

“CHANEL is a company which owns multiple smaller companies which do not carry its name. The brand of ERES is one of them. CHANEL only occasionally makes swimwear and lingerie in the specific context of a collection. ERES, on the other hand, does nothing but making this, without taking umbrage at the strong reputation of CHANEL. Wearing an ERES lingerie underneath a CHANEL dress is a natural, modern and spontaneous approach of fashion. Normally, co-branding is between strangers – here it is within the family: PRIVATE CO-BRANDING.”


Start stripping Emily here.

0 To 60 In... An Hour. The Infiniti Special Edition Bell & Ross Watch

Luxury Car manufacturer Infiniti and French-Swiss watch brand Bell & Ross have collaborated on a limited edition timepiece. The special edition BR03-92 Phantom Instrument, designed by Bell & Ross, is to commemorate the recently revealed Infiniti FX Limited Edition performance crossover. Only 100 of the individually numbered wristwatches will be available worldwide.





TECHNICAL DETAILS


Movement: Automatic mechanical ETA 2982.
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds (all central hands). Date with quick correction.
Case: Diameter 42mm, 316L glass bead blasted steel with black ‘carbon-powder coating’ finish, and winding crown.
Back: Screw-down, stainless steel with engraving of the Infiniti signature and adjacent personalised limited edition serial number (1–100). Bell & Ross insignia etched below.
Dial: Galvanic Black. Infiniti purple-coloured seconds hand. Numbers, indexes, and photoluminescent finish for optimal night reading. Circular window for date display.
Glass: Anti-reflection sapphire crystal.
Water-resistance: 100 metres (10 bar).
Straps: Heavy-duty synthetic black fabric or rubber.
Reference: BR03 PHANTOM
Price: €3,300
Number issued: Unique edition of 100 examples





The press release:
The launch of the exclusive timepiece, an elegant accessory for the discerning Infiniti customer and the watch collector, marks the collaboration of two brands which are synonymous across the globe with exceptional performance, craftsmanship, precision, and modern luxury.

The special edition BR03-92 Phantom Instrument has been designed by Bell & Ross to commemorate the recently revealed Infiniti FX Limited Edition performance crossover, restricted, just like the watches, to only 100 individually-numbered examples worldwide. However, such has been the extensive demand prior to the release of the watch, that only a handful remain.

The parallels from the fusion of Infiniti and Bell & Ross are clearly evident in the appearance of the piece. The black carbon powder finish, which encapsulates the 42 mm case, resembles the graphite finish applied to many exterior parts of the Infiniti FX Limited Edition and is just as beautifully-crafted. The seconds hand which sits on a galvanic black dial, is lined with a distinct purple coating, the same colour which lies at the heart of Infiniti’s brand identity, and can be seen everywhere from the instruments of the car to furnishings inside the Infiniti Centre.

Whilst on the move, it is all about the ownership experience which is personal and exclusive: the rear of each the 100 pieces has been engraved with the Infiniti signature and is complemented by an individual number of the edition within the BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Infiniti series.

Jim Wright, Vice President Infiniti Europe, explains: “The limited edition BR03-92 Instrument Phantom watch is a perfect tribute to the core qualities of Infiniti. It is also about offering the Infiniti owner something truly special and individual which we are able to achieve through this exceptional timepiece.”

The BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Infiniti watch goes on sale on 01 June 2010 at a recommended retail price of €3,300, and is available for purchase from all European Infiniti Centres. For their locations which range from Barcelona to Bucharest, see www.infiniti.eu.

The Glänta Ceiling & Suspension Lamp By Johan Carpner

Swedish designer Johan Carpner has designed a suspension lamp and a ceiling mounted lamp with patterned foliage that creates an interplay between light and shadow. The Glänta is produced and distributed by BLOND and is available in white, black or grey matte lacquer with diffusion light shade. The Glanta comes in two sizes and with two possible foliage patterns.










BLOND BELYSNING AB
Silkesvägen 13
BOX 503
331 25 VÄRNAMO

e-mail them for information, availability and prices.


See more of designer Johan Carpner's work here.

A Sneak Peek At The 2010 Vader Project & Auction Catalog

If you've never heard of The Vader Project, the idea began in 2005 and the first exhibit took place in 2007. Since then, it has continued annually. Each year, various artists are asked to customize a 1:1 scale authentic prop replica of the actual Darth Vader helmet featured in the STAR WARS™ films.


above helmet for 2010 Vader Project by Plasticgod

This summer, 2010, the following 100 talented artists are participating in the project:
Josh Agle (Shag), Troy Alders, Kii Arens, Attaboy, Anthony Ausgang, Axis, Aye Jay, Gary Baseman, Andrew Bell, Tim Biskup, Mark Bodnar, BXH HIKARU, Andrew Brandou, Buff Monster, Mister Cartoon, Chino, Mr. Clement, Robbie Conal, CRASH, Steven Daily, Dalek, Dehara, DGPH, Cam de Leon, Devilrobots, Yoko d'Holbachie, Bob Dob, Tristan Eaton & Azk One - Thunderdog Studios, Marc Ecko, Eelus, Ron English, FERG, David Flores, Brian Flynn - Hybrid Design, Paul Frank, Gargamel, Huck Gee, Fawn Gehweiler, Mike Giant, Girls Drawin Girls, Dan Goodsell, Gris Grimly, Joe Hahn, Haze XXL, Jesse Hernandez, Derek Hess, Itokin Park, Jeremyville, kaNO, Mori Katsura - RealxHead, Sun-MinKim & David Horvath, Jim Koch, Frank Kozik, David S. Krys - DSK Designs, Peter Kuper, Wade Lageose - Lageose Design, Joe Ledbetter, Simone Legno - Tokidoki, MAD, Mad Barbarians, Madtwiinz, Marka27, Mars-1, Bill McMullen, Melvins, Mori Chack, Brian Morris, Nanospore, Niagara, Mitch O'Connell, olive47, Martin Ontiveros, Estevan Oriol, Alex Pardee, The Pizz, Plasticgod, PlaysKewl, Dave Pressler, Ragnar, Jermaine Rogers, Erick Scarecrow, Secret Base, J. Otto Seibold, Sket-One, Shawn Smith, Winston Smith, Jeff Soto, Damon Soule, Bwana Spoons, Jophen Stein, Suckadelic, T9G, Gary Taxali, Cameron Tiede, Touma, UrbanMedium, Usugrow, Michelle Valigura, VanBeater, Amanda Visell.

And I have an early look at some of the amazing designs that will be included in the exhibit and auction for you:







press release:
This summer, The Vader Project launches the final chapter of its four-year art odyssey. The iconic collection features 100 Darth Vader Helmets re-imagined by today’s most notable artists. Completing its epic world tour, The Vader Project returns to Los Angeles in June for a special ten-day exhibition in Hollywood as a preview to the upcoming Freeman’s Auction in Philadelphia.

The Los Angeles Preview Exhibition is free to the public with an opening reception on June 11 from 6-10pm. On June 12, the space will present a catalog signing event with over 20 participating artists in attendance beginning at 2pm on June 12. The Los Angeles Preview Exhibition will be open June 12-20 daily from Noon to 6pm.

In July, The Vader Project travels to Freeman’s Auctioneers and Appraisers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the final opportunity to view the helmets in person before they are sold at auction. “The result is astounding” said Simeon Lipman, Pop Culture Specialist at Freeman’s. “The sale will give members of the public the chance to purchase unique artworks made from these iconic symbols of the movie industry by a number of well known artists including Shag, Marc Ecko, Tim Biskup, Frank Kozik and many more.”

The Freeman’s Auction will take place July 10, 2010 at Freeman’s Auction House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania preceded by a 5-day exhibition there July 5-9.



The Auction catalog is a large 200 page comprehensive book that features highly detailed photos of all the helmets from every angle. You can pre-order a catalog of The Vader Project here.

Here's a peek at a few of the pages from the Freeman's Auction catalog:









Collectors and art connoisseurs worldwide will have the opportunity to bid online at Freeman’s website. Most bidding will begin at $1,500. For more information about how to participate in the auction, please visit “How to Buy at Auction” at www.freemansauction.com/buying.asp.

Curated and produced by Dov Kelemer and Sarah Jo Marks of DKE Toys, The Vader Project features 100 of the best underground artists and designers working today. “From a simple idea in 2005 to a record-setting exhibition in 2009, it’s time for our child to venture forth into the world,” Kelemer and Marks said. “We are pleased to have partnered with Freeman’s to make these fine pieces of art available to the public for the first time.”

This auction is not sponsored or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd., and has no relationship with Lucasfilm. Star Wars and all related intellectual property is © or ® 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved.

All images and info courtesy of The Vader Project and Charm School Marketing