If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

22 Miniature Ice Fishing Hut Sculptures - One Empire Wide by David Trautrimas.

One Empire Wide is a series of sculptural works exploring discarded Canadiana through scale model ice fishing huts by artist David Trautrimas. The 22 miniature models shown here, made with materials and detritus from Canadian culture, will soon be on exhibit. Details at the end of the post.

1. 'The Avro' 10 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Etched Acrylic & Spray Paint 2012:

2.'The Bloedel' 8 cm x 14 cm x 8 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

3.'The Bomb Shelter' 6 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

4.'The Brewers' 14 cm x 14 cm x 10 cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

5.'The Champlain' 9 cm x 11 cm x 12 cm Spraypainted Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

6.'The Clairtone' 9 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

7.The Cooper' 8 cm x 15 cm x 10cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

8.'DEW' 11 cm x 16 cm x 11 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

9.'The Dollar' (front and back view) 9 cm x 17 cm x 9 cm Baltic Birch, Etched Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

10.'The Eaton' 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm Etched Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

11.'The Metric Movement' (front and back view) 7 cm x 16 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

12.'The Nordiques' 9 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

13.'The Nortel' 8 cm x 19 cm x 11 cm Baltic Birch, Spray painted Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

14.'The Robertson' 13 cm x 13 cm x 14 cm Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

15.'Sams' (front and back view) 8 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm Etched Acrylic, Baltic Birch & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

16.'The Tear Drop' 8 cm x 12 cm x 14 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

17.'The Timbit' 9 cm x 14 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch, Acrylic & Japanese Linen Card 2012:

18.'The Smoker' (front and back view) 8 cm x 15 cm x 13 cm Etched Acrylic 2012:

19.'The Tonneau' 6 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm Aluminum Foil, Acrylic & Baltic Birch 2012:

20.'TTC ZED' 9 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm Acrylic 2012:

21.'The Neighbourhood Watch' (front and back view) 11cm x 12 cm x 13 cm Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

22.'The Pool' 9 cm x 16 cm x 10 cm Aluminum Foil, Baltic Birch & Acrylic 2012:

In ‘One Empire Wide’ discarded Canadiana is reinterpreted by the artist as architectural models of ice fishing huts. Akin to their full sized counterparts, these scaled down versions engage the vernacular of reclamation, but in lieu of scrap building materials they reuse the detritus of recent Canadian history for their designs. From disposable fast food containers, failed companies, defunct government commissions, abandoned corporate branding to outdated military technology and emigrant sports franchises, these discarded cultural and social fragments are thoughtfully crafted into ingenious, inhabitable structures.

Each lovely little architectural model will be made in an edition of four and available for purchase at the price of $500 a piece.

above composite © If It's Hip, It's Here, images courtesy of the artist

David Trautrimas - One Empire Wide
June 1st to July 1st
Opening Reception: June 1st 6 to 9 pm

LE GALLERY
1183 Dundas Street West
Toronto Ontario
M6J 1X3
416.532.8467

Wire Faces Made From Sieves Cast Beautiful Shadows In The Installation Cement Bleak.

Artist Isaac Cordal's urban installation, Cement Bleak, in Dalston, London consisted of faces modeled on sieves or wire colanders.

Set up so that the public lights projected shadows on the pavement, the results were beautiful. See for yourself.

See more of Isaac Cordal's artwork here.

Army Men Jewelry from Knight&Hammer Benefits the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

What better jewelry to post about on Memorial Day than a collection of 'Army Men' inspired rings and necklaces whose purchase benefits those who gave so commendably to their country?

Knight&Hammer is dedicated to jewelry for the greater good designed with even greater creativity. Three lavishly gilded action figure rings (Sniper, Shooter and Recon) and two necklaces (Recon and Make Love, Not War) are part of their Jewelry with a Conscience line, where a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these items benefit the Military Order of the Purple Heart

The Products

SNIPER Ring, cast in bronze with their signature shank, gilded in either 18k Rose Gold-leaf , 18k Yellow Gold-leaf or Platinum-leaf :

Buy it here

SHOOTER Ring, cast in bronze with their signature shank, gilded in either 18k Rose Gold-leaf, 18k Yellow Gold-leaf or Platinum-leaf:

Buy it here

RECON ring, cast in bronze with their signature shank and gilded in 18k Yellow Gold-leaf, 18k Rose Gold-leaf or Platinum-leaf with a 3” army man.

Buy it here

RECON necklace in 18k Yellow gold-leaf gild, 18k Rose Gold-leaf Gild or Platinum-leaf gild with a 3” army man on 18” black matte enameled steel chain necklace:

Buy it here

MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR necklace, 18K yellow gold gild, 3 army men each approximately 3” with black matte enameled steel chain totaling 18” necklace with 3 dangling Swarovski heart crystals:

Buy it here

This special collection of Army Men jewelry by Knight&Hammer can not be found on their website. However, you can purchase these items from their etsy store (they are not available from their website store).

About KNIGHT&HAMMER:

Joseph Knight is the creative force and designer of all Knight&Hammer Collections. Starting in 2003, under his discerning eye, he has placed limited selections of Knight&Hammer Collections in luxury boutique retailers in New York, Philadelphia, Castle Rock, Boston, and Seattle.

Knight&Hammer is dedicated to evolving the best ideas, materials, and techniques from their global jewelry heritage into innovative, fashion forward designs. The Knight&Hammer lifestyle encourages adornment with consideration to the broad scope of beauty throughout the world. They will continually develop their unique brand position and recognition while always adhering to the highest quality standards in design and precious materials.

Knight&Hammer developed the motto: Jewelry with a ConscienceTM. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each piece from this collection is donated to charity.

They have created specific pieces of Jewelry with a ConscienceTM benefiting the following organizations:
www.TuesdaysChildren.org
 www.GirlsLEAP.org
www.SeattlesChildren.org
www.HelpingElephants.org
 www.GildasClub.org  
www.Fokal-USA.org 
www.RaphaelsLifeHouse.org
 www.SavingSpecies.org

You are able to acquire other Knight&Hammer jewelry on-line here.

Happy Memorial Day!

Be sure to see these hip Military-inspired products I've found over the years.

Memorial Day Weekend! Time For Some Grill Talk. Well, More Like Grill Porn.

above: The beautiful Druida BBQ by Mermelada Estudio of Spain

Everyone likes a good outdoor barbeque on Memorial Day weekend, so here's a few posts that single out some of the most interestingly designed outdoor grills and barbeques.

Just click on the images below (or the post titles) for a large selection and description of each of these great-looking outdoor gas, charcoal, wood burning and eco-friendly grills and BBQs.

The Top 25 Modern Outdoor Grills and BBQs

And More Modern Outdoor Grills and Barbeques:

And soon I will be posting even more new modern and outdoor grills and barbeques for you for this summer. Just keep checking back. And Happy Memorial Day Weekend!