Yamaha's TENORI-ON : Digital Music For Several Senses.

Above: designer of the Tenori-On, Toshio Iwai



Media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha collaborated to design a new digital musical instrument for the 21st century, TENORI-ON. A 16x16 matrix of LED switches allows everyone to play music intuitively, creating a "visible music" interface.



The TENORI-ON provides six different performance and sound/light modes for broad performance versatility, and these modes can be combined and used simultaneously for rich, complex musical expression.

For DJs & producers it is a unique performance tool enabling them to perform using MIDI and load the TENORI-ON with samples to 'jam / improvise' within their set BPMs.



By holding one of the ten function buttons located on either side of the TENORI-ON and operating the LED buttons you can change voices, change octaves, and apply a variety of effects and variations to your performance.



This unique visual/tactile interface has been specifically designed to allow intuitive, instantaneous operation of a variety of functions.



TENORI-ON “Modes”
The TENORI-ON 16 x 16 LED button matrix is simultaneously a performance input controller and display. By operating and interacting with the LED buttons and the light they produce you gain access to the TENORI-ON's numerous performance capabilities.

The TENORI-ON provides six different performance and sound/light modes for broad performance versatility, and these modes can be combined and used simultaneously for rich, complex musical expression.


Above: Creating light and sound with a finger

Layers
TENORI-ON layers can be thought of as “performance parts” or “recording tracks.” The TENORI-ON has a total of 16 layers. Separate notes and voices can be assigned to each layer, and all layers can be played together in synchronization.

The 16 layers are divided into six performance mode groups. The six modes have different note entry methods and operation. Up to 16 layers created using different modes can be combined for rich, complex musical expression.



Above: hardware details

Blocks
Once complete set of 16 layers is called a “block.”
The TENORI-ON can store up to 16 programmed blocks (16-layer groups) in memory, and you can switch from block to block instantly during performance.

You could, for example, create a musical composition in one block, then copy that composition to another block and edit it to create a variation of the original composition. Or you can load a number of previously-created compositions into separate blocks from an SD Memory Card and switch between them to create variation during playback.


Above: collaborate and share or send music

Click images to enlarge:



To see all the technical specs go here.

It's available for purchase now. Price? Not quite music to your ears at $1,200.00 USD.
Buy it here.

Guido Daniele's Hand Painting Used To Sell AT&T's Roaming Capabilities

Most of us 'creative types' and net surfers have seen Milan-based artist Guido Daniele's amazing hand painting before, but its latest incarnation is in a new AT&T International Roaming ad campaign by BBDO Atlanta, shot by Toronto based photographer Andric (who happens to speak Italian so he could converse easily with Daniele). The animals and imagery painted on the hands are to symbolize the countries in which you have 'roaming' capabilities with AT&T.

Wocka Wocka Wocka Down The Runway: Giles Deacon Does Pac Man Couture.

Critics say that hot fashion designer Giles Deacon's latest collection for Spring/Summer 2009 is fairly conservative for him and not as wacky or irreverent as his past fashion excursions. With more traditional silhouettes (there were exceptions), fabulous graphic colored camouflage patterns and trim, as well as streamlined solid colored double knit jersey dresses, he may actually be turning somewhat... dare I say it... wearable.



However, the styling and production of his Spring Summer 2009 runway show, the floor of which was painted with the familiar graphic imagery of the 80's video game pac man, was anything but conservative. In an homage to Midway's Pac Man video game, every few models to strut down the runway wore large metal headgear which emulated the pac man characters (with a little creative liberty, of course).


Above: The 1980 original pac man video game characters and interface



Wocka wock wocka.......










Fabulous runway photos by Marco Madiera

Other noteworthy pieces in Giles Deacon's new collection, sans pac man accoutrements, included modern, splashy interpretations of military camo:





Some facts about the Designer:
• Giles Deacon has designed for Jean Charles De Castelbajac, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren
• His design studio is the Rochelle School in East London where Katie Hillier, Luella Bartley, Hazel Robinson and his other fashion friends work
• In 2007 he was named British Designer of the Year
• He used to date Beth Orton
• He's a brilliant illustrator - having been published in Interview, The Face, Pop, i-D.



He also designed a collection (above), Gold, for New Look with Drew Barrymore in the ad campaigns (the pair decided to work together after a chance meeting in an elevator), and he also designed womenswear for DAKS for two seasons ending in autumn/winter 2008-9.


Above: Fashion designer Giles Deacon

To see his entire Spring/Summer '09 Collection, go here.

Funky Find Of The Week: The 'Fuck The Rain' Umbrella

Maybe you reside in rainy Seattle or the gloomy UK- or you just hate the rain. Either way, this umbrella by the Russian design studio Art Lebedev makes it loud and clear to the rain gods that you prefer a sunny day.
Plus, you can flash it at any car the cruises by a puddle, splashing you.

Made in China
Designers: Artemy Lebedev, Anton Schnaider



Comfortable handle allows you to clasp it to your backpack when it’s not raining. Automatic open/close. Material: 100% polyester

Price:
55.47 US$
35.25 €
Buy it here.

Paul Newman, May He Rest In Peace. 1925-2008. We Will Miss You.

Legendary film star, philanthropist, devoted husband, passionate car racer and worldwide sex symbol Paul Newman has died after a long battle with cancer.

Hollywood legend Paul Newman has died after a battle with cancer. He was 83. The star of such films as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Road To Perdition and many more over a career spanning 50 years, was surrounded by members of his family at the time of his death.

Newman was nominated for ten Oscars over the years, winning three, the first for the 1986 film The Color Of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese.

Newman acted in 60 films in all, appearing in some with his wife, Joanne Woodward, like The Long Hot Summer and Paris Blues. He worked alongside legends like Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and Tom Hanks. He even provided his voice for the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, which turned out to be his last role.

Famed for his philanthropy as well as his acting, Mr. Newman was married to Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward for more than 50 years.



Too see more wonderful photos and the original wedding announcement for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, go here.

He also had successful side careers as an auto racing driver and creator of a line of food products, Newman's Own,** that bore his name and face on their labels.




The "Newman's Own Foundation," took profits from that company and sponsored numerous charitable organisations. Newman also founded his "Hole in the Wall" Camps, which provided fun summer breaks for children around the world suffering from life-threatening illnesses.



Above: In addition to being a great actor, his passion was racing. He was still racing cars, even at age 80.

"His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all," Robert Forrester, vice-chairman of the Newman's Own Foundation, said in a statement.

Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds paid tribute to the actor today, describing him as "an inspirational character". Mr. Reynolds met Mr. Newman when the actor was looking for an Irish home for his Barretstown Gang charity. "It was Albert Reynolds who brought Paul Newman to Ballymore Eustace, where he found the estate to be enchanting and an ideal location for his children's charity," a spokesman for Mr Reynolds said.

Mr. Newman was born in a Cleveland suburb on January 26th, 1925, and was a Navy radio man in the Pacific during World War Two. Afterward, he went to Kenyon College in Ohio on a football scholarship but took up acting after being cut from the team because of a bar-room brawl.

After his father's death, Mr. Newman helped run the family sporting goods store before heading to the Yale Drama School.

He ended up in New York, finding bit parts in TV and a Broadway role in Picnic in 1953. His first major movie role was portraying boxer Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me .


The above video is by Youtube user ItsCourtenayMmkay

His loss will affect the entire world and he will most certainly never be forgotten.

**Newman's Own®, Inc., founded on a lark by Paul Newman and his buddy A.E. Hotchner in 1982, is now a leading premium food company that offers more than 150 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own is expressed in its Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given more than $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide.