First signs of Halloween...

Well, I've seen various Halloween trinket and candy displays mass-marketed at Duane Reade, since August, but here's the first pumpkin I've seen in my neighborhood. Any costume ideas?

Fun I-phone cases

Via: A.D. on my FB newsfeed

Via: Amazon.com 

Jim Henson and Being Elmo

Thanks to Google's doodle today, I  know it's Jim Henson's Birthday....which reminded me of an entertaining,  little documentary, called  Being Elmo that I quite enjoyed.   It tells the story of the puppeteer behind the sweet little red muppet with the distinctive laugh that delights millions of screaming rugrats all over the world. It's fun. See it.
 


Via: Google.com

Japanese Film - Mizoguchi

This week, I saw the film The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums which is playing at BAM, as part of a series curated by Chicago Reader film critic, Dave Kehr. It's directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, who, along with Kurosawa and Ozu, make up the Japanese triumvirate of cinema masters of their era.

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums is a slow film with, ahem,  incredibly LONG takes, so it's a bit hard to sit through for 2 hours and 20 minutes. But if you have the patience, you will be impressed with Mizoguchi's visual composition, camera angles and point of view, which work together to tell a compelling story of a struggling Kabuki actor and his dedicated, selfless wife. Check it!

Via:  BAM.com 

Miniature Watch Sculptures, Dominic Wilcox

Take a look at these miniature watch sculptures by British artist, Dominic Wilcox.  I originally saw images of the sculptures on  the "It's Nice That" site, but the video on  the artist's YouTube channel better demonstrates the interplay between the subjects he features.  The artist designed this series "using a collection of vintage watches and customized model figures. By attaching tiny figures onto the second and minute hands of each watch, Wilcox has made unique, animated scenes from everyday observations and imagined situations."

I really like the "Oblivious i-Phone User" piece...

 Via: It's Nice That
Dominic Wilcox.com

Coach Taylor

Kyle Chandler, who played Eric Taylor, dedicated high-school football coach and inspirational mentor to hormonal and misguided athletes,  won a well-deserved Emmy for his performance on Friday Night Lights, one of the most under-rated series ever aired on television.

Every episode offered entertainment value, with its phenomenal acting, small-town authenticity, fully-fleshed out characters and consistent writing--that is, of course, minus the  time-suck spent on the Landry and Tyra murder/sexual assault  storyline.  Kyle Chandler's depiction of Coach Taylor was always nuanced and real, especially during his scenes with Connie Britton, who played his wife and school counselor, Tammy Taylor. Anyway, congrats to Coach Taylor!! Clear eyes, full hearts....


Via: Reuters.com

Musical Chairs

I've been looking for a desk chair for a few months and this one caught my eye.   London based artist, Jo-Yun Wang, designed this swivel chair with musical caster wheels.  If you had a whole bunch of them in a room, it would produce quite a charming arrangement.  Although,  I would imagine that with every move and note produced over time,  the rate of delight would decrease and rate of annoyance would  creep up.  I wonder if it's possible to turn them off?

Via: Psfk.com
http://www.jo-yun.com/Ensemble.html

Robot Wallpaper

I’ve recently moved into a new apartment and have found myself merrily lost in the “shelter” blogosphere, while seeking decorative inspiration and various ways to furnish my new abode. Being a student of technology, I was drawn to this wallpaper, designed by London-based firm, Studio Ditte. The pattern is made up of a charming brigade of bots, cobbled together with old hardware parts, disassembled gizmos and vintage prints to whimsical effect. The creative use of found objects, in combination with the theme of robots, provide a fun backdrop for a room, while offering a playful reminder of the role technology plays in our daily, domestic lives.


Via: Studio Ditte