Frog Design has piqued my interest with their “A Digital Escape” concept, which is a mask that makes you look like a robot, but more importantly makes the world look and smell however you wish it to. They suggest that it will be used to hide the damage we’ve already done to the planet, but I think there’s a demand for something like this already, especially the scent-manipulation part. This isn’t that strange an idea, if you consider how many people already personalize the sounds of the world using an iPod - why not sight and smell? I know that I’d like one of these, even if it made me look like a freaky cylon - though I think I’d use it more to augment my view of the world than replace it. I leave you with the view from inside the mask:

Images from Frog Design

Filed under: Art | Design — Max @ 7:53 pm

Flipping through the back of Dwell Magazine, I ran across an ad for some familiar-looking art; the familiarity was born in high-school biology class when we did a gel electrophoresis experiment. Gel electrophoresis is commonly used for analysis of DNA and other proteins. DNA 11 on the other hand, will do this analysis on a DNA sample you send them and prepare a work of art based on the results - artistic license seems to be minimal here, with the customer specifying size, color, and other options. In a very real sense, however, this is both a family and self portrait - it’s a picture of the blueprint from which you were built. If that’s a little too much to advertise, they also create portraits from fingerprints and lips; both with striking and less-abstract results. And with prices starting from $190 ($390 for DNA), it’s probably cheaper than commissioning a more traditional work of art to fill that blank spot on the wall.

Check out the gallery at www.dna11.com.

Filed under: Art | Design — Max @ 6:29 pm

While its profile reminds me of something I might see in a hair salon back in the 70s, this zeppelin shaped desk ornament is actually a speaker designed specifically for iPod use. I know football shapes are cool and all, but I’m not sure I’m onboard with this shape and it’s popularity with iPod speakers (B&W Zeppelin). It’s hard to tell from the pictures if this new unit has a nice classy glossy feel, or a cheap plasticy glossy feel. At $349.99, one would hope that it’s the former. One would also hope that this speaker can give out some decent sound. With two 44mm drivers and 5W per channel, I bet this baby can get pretty loud. However, the speaker shape and orientation is something I’ve never encountered before. I’m assuming from the price (dangerous–I know not the most reliable source), that it is capable of at least tolerable sound reproduction, but I’d really love to hear one for myself to confirm this.

If you’ve got the cash, and want something that most guests will likely confuse for a desk lamp, you can swing by Audio Cubes to pick up the Maxell MXSP-4000.TD Time Domain Speaker for $349.99.

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadgets | Technology, Home Audio, Portable Audio — Santi @ 9:12 am

I love motorcycles. I love how they look, I love to ride them, I love how passionate people get about them, and I love Suzuki’s new concept: The fuel cell driven Crosscage. This concept trades in the traditional small displacement gasoline motor for a fuel cell and electric motor. As a consequence, it has no gears, no engine noise, no tailpipe, and no pollution. While the sound of a bike holds a large amount of appeal, this high-brow technology in a motorcycle holds a whole different appeal. To add to its already stunning technology, its styling is simply phenomenal. The name obviously comes from its unique structure covering the “engine” area. The single sided swing-arm, and single sided front fork (never seen that one on a motorcycle before) make this bike quite asymmetric looking. But Suzuki manages to pull off a brute, punk, mean, street-fighter look with the bike, that I think is to die for. No word on the release, but as you can see from the picture, they have at least one made for testing :)

More pictures below.

Continue reading Fuel cells gone wild: The Suzuki Crosscage Motorcycle

Filed under: Art | Design, Cars | Transportation, Green | Sustainable — Santi @ 6:07 am

I’m looking for a new wall clock for my living room, and I came across this kick ass clock from Wrapables. You get the center piece (with the arms) and then some numbers and index blocks. All of these parts have adhesive backing, and you get to stick them on the wall however you want. I think I’ll stick to a traditional circle, but I just might try a triangle. I think this product is a great idea, and from the picture the build quality looks decent.

I’m ordering one this weekend, so I’ll post up the results once the clock arrives. In the mean time, if you want to pick one up yourself, one of these clocks will set you back $39.95 from amazon.com

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadgets | Technology, Home | Garden — Santi @ 8:18 am

May I present to you the Craftsman 80th Anniversary 3/8 in. Full Polish Next Generation Ratchet. This limited edition ratchet features Craftsman’s Midnight Black titanium finish and the 80th Anniversary logo. It includes an engraved cherry display case.

As far as I can tell, there are only two products in Craftsman’s lineup that feature this drop dead gorgeous finish. The other one is the NASCAR Collectible 3/8″ ratchet, which looks pretty much the same except that it features a NASCAR logo rather than the 80th Anniversary logo.

This baby is available online only for $79.99 at sears.com (the nascar one is $89.99). I want one sooooo bad, although I think would be afraid to actually use it for fear of messing it up.

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadgets | Technology, Home | Garden — Santi @ 8:53 am

I’ve been a fan of GelaSkins for some time now. I think they provide nice scratch protection for your gadgets while having some really cool designs.

They are now shipping two designs from artist Brian Despain. The one pictured above is called The Exchange. The other one offered is The Stranger. Both have this quirky, surreal feel to them. I love ‘em both; now to decide which gadget gets the treatment.

One of the great things about GelaSkins is the originality; I’ve never heard of Brian Despain before, but he’s got some really great art! I’ve sent an email asking about prints and such, as I’d love to have some of his artwork in my home… stay tuned for updates on that.

[image from gelaskins.com]

Filed under: Art | Design, Gadget Protection, Gadgets | Technology — Santi @ 8:23 am

There’s an awesome little store in the West Village called Mxyplyzyk that I like to visit when I’m in New York. Similar in name to Mr. Mxyzptlk, the Superman villain, this store sells bits for the home like lamps and tables that are fun and functional - a toothbrush holder shaped like a giant molar figured into the last visit, and a coffee mug that looks eerily like a disposable coffee cup tempts me every time. On this visit, though, I saw a pen that I couldn’t resist.

Continue reading Another Great Pen: The Troika MD Pen

Filed under: Art | Design, Clothing | Accessories — Max @ 7:12 am

So I’m moving into a Dome Home. That’s right, an Epcot Center, living in the future, geodesic dome home.

Continue reading Tensegrity Domes? whoa…

Filed under: Art | Design, Green | Sustainable, Home | Garden — Santi @ 8:32 pm

I was looking through the online MOMA Store, and I saw this Icon Watch that caught my eye. I think it would look great with a suit, and I’m heading over to the MOMA store tomorrow for a closer look.

In case you can’t wait: $75 from the MOMA Store, less for museum members.

Filed under: Art | Design, Clothing | Accessories — Max @ 8:32 pm