Takashi Murakami in front of his painting, “New day DOB’s Acrobatic Spectacular: Society” (2011), expected to bring between $350,000 and $450,000 at tomorrow’s sale. Below, he is joined by Yoshitomo Nara and KAWS. (Photos: Stephanie Murg)

On March 11, 2011, Takashi Murakami was in his Tokyo studio, busy with preparations for the biannual GESAI art fair that was scheduled to open in a couple of days. Then everything changed. “It was a total shock,” he said the other day at Gagosian Gallery in New York, recounting his experience of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that triggered a tsunami and nuclear accidents. “In the days immediately following the earthquake, there was panic and hysteria, but eventually we started to think how we could do something, with artists.” That something was “New Day,” which began as a blog-based version of GESAI (the fair was cancelled in the wake of the disaster) and evolved into a range of activities, including the sale of merchandise and special installations at art fairs, with all proceeds donated to organizations helping with recovery efforts. Now the initiative is primed for its biggest event yet, an auction of 21 works donated by artists including Murakami and members of his Kaikai Kiki stable (Mr., Aya Takano) as well as the likes of Damien Hirst, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, and Yoshitomo Nara.

Continue reading “A ‘New Day’ for Japan: Takashi Murakami Partners with Christie’s for Charity Auction” »

Pashley Cycles have teamed up with Ralph Lauren to create the Rugby Tweed Run Bike. Cream tires, brown leather bar tape, and a Brooks B17 saddle gives this cycle a very classic look. Pashley has taken extraordinary care in creating 50 of these limited edition Tweed Run Bikes. Watch the video below to get an inside look at the production process behind the bike and visit Ruby Ralph Lauren to order your very own Rugby Tweed Run Bike.

Continue reading “Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run Bike” »

Photo Credit: Billy Farrell Agency

On Thursday, June 9th The Standard and KAWS hosted a party to celebrate the installation of Companion (Passing Through), which is now on view at the plaza of The Standard, New York.

The party, DJ’d by Samantha Ronson and Quest Love, was attended by Lisa Anastos, Daniel Arsham, Julia Chiang, China Chow, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Honor Fraser, Sophia Lamar, Patrick Li, Jazzy De Lisser, Craig McDean, Dennis and Coralie Paul, Jose Parla, Richard Phillips, Andre Saraiva, Kenny Scharf, Shontelle, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Rufus Wainwright, who came out to show their support for KAWS and the first major public installation for the Standard on the East Coast along with a number of art insiders and socials.

Continue reading “Event Recap: The Standard and KAWS Celebrate ‘Companion (Passing Through)’” »

‘Casualties Of War’ by Manchester-based creative collective Dorothy is a series of plastic molded figurines that illustrates the dark side of war veterans. A direct commentary on a editorial article titled by the same name, the figurines portray the often brutal and negative aftereffects of the war, manifesting itself  in the form of brawls, beatings, rapes, drunk driving, suicides and more.

The 7cm-high figurines reference the classic toy army soldier model with a pool-shaped base and a similar green finish. featuring figurines in four different scenarios, the series is at once disturbing and honest, showing the reality and the many detrimental influences of war.

Continue reading “‘Casualties Of War’ Figurines by Dorothy” »

In an effort to raise awareness for its program to reintegrate child soldiers from Africa into society, UNICEF sent out a direct mailer to its supporters and potential corporate sponsors containing a packet of what appeared to be toy soldiers. The green plastic figures however turned out not to be warriors in combat, but kids engaged in familiar childhood activities. Continue reading “UNICEF: Toy Children” »

Francesco Bertelli takes design with his bicycles very serious and won’t hesitate in letting you know what you will and will not find on his bikes; from no logos and stickers to including vintage crankets. For those same exact reasons is why we love so much the Bertelli Bicycles, there’s no need for the unnecessary when you just want to take a nice cruise around the neighborhood to your favorite breakfast bar.

Bertelli combines brand new parts with “new old stock” and vintage parts found at flea markets, old bikeshops, collectors and his suppliers which makes each bicycle unique. Every part is assembled by hand, finished and fine-tuned by Francesco. Talk about dedication to individuality!. Continue reading “Bertelli Bicycles” »

Franz Porcelain, the exquisitely handcrafted and hand-painted porcelain sculpture has partnered with Lanvin, the oldest French fashion house, in the development of the Miss Lanvin Collection, a collection of limited edition, exceedingly luxurious mannequins. The 13-piece collection showcases chic models adorned in Lanvin haute couture fashions, featuring bold colors and some of the fashion house’s most unique designs. The collection allows all fashionistas to show off their intense passion for fashion.

Alber Elbaz, Lanvin artistic director, has reenergized the house by giving its signature codes a modern and successful interpretation. While Elbaz has revitalized the fashion house, he, like Lanvin, still appreciates tradition. Part of that tradition includes a strong affection for dolls. In this way, Elbaz chose to carry on the fashion house’s tradition by calling on Franz, to reproduce its keynote silhouettes in miniature dolls.

“While the end product is different, both Franz and Lavin share an intense passion for luxury and high quality products,” says Francis Chen, CEO and president. “When given the opportunity to work exclusively with Lanvin to create the Miss Lanvin Collection, it was a natural collaboration.”

The “Miss Lanvin Collection,” highlighting some of the most outstanding Lanvin designs, provides a capricious look at a variety of the house’s couture clothing. As one would expect, all the mannequins are fitted with striking, exceptionally designed stiletto heels. The collections’ mannequins will run retail price ranges from $210 – $375 each and range from 8 ½” to 11 ½” in height. View the rest of the Franz and Lanvin “Miss Lanvin” mannequins after the jump. Continue reading “Franz Collection and Lanvin Fashion House Introduce Miss Lanvin” »

MINDstyle International is pleased to announce a licensing agreement with Paramount Licensing, Inc., and the launch of their new art toy collectibles (ATC) line with The Godfather. Fans of the masterpiece will have an entirely new medium and interpretation because of the art toy product category.

The Original version (with marionette) is packaged in a special limited edition collectors box will launch at the “Family Tradition” art exhibition curated by Ron English in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 19th at De la Barracuda and San Diego Comic Con. In addition, two alternate color ways of the OG version will be available in limited edition from select retailers. View more images after the jump.

For more information, check MINDstyle. Continue reading “The Godfather Marionette by Michael Lau & MINDStyle” »

Yes we think profiting off a deceased icon is wrong…but DAMN this collectible looks amazing! Paying tribute to the King of Pop, premier vinyl specialists Hot Toys work up a new set of Michael Jackson figures, showcasing the masterful work exhibited on his famous Thriller music video. The figures will come in a 1/6 scale, featuring all the intricate details one would come to expect from a Hot Toys release. A launch is set for December 2009 just in time to make everyone’s Christmas list with a suggest retail price tag of ¥24,000 (Approx. $255 USD). View the full banner after the jump Continue reading “Hot Toys Michael Jackson Thriller Figure” »

Did you know that 1 organ donor can save the lives up to 100 peoples lives?

David Foox conceptualized organ donation after hearing the story of a family member who received a double lung transplant from an IronMan competitor killed in an accident. The recovery went well and today this organ recipient is active and enjoys life. By “dressing” organ donation up in this vinyl doll format, it has become an interesting talking point among people who may end up donating their organs and saving someone’s life.

David Foox conceptualized organ donation after hearing the story of a family member who received a double lung transplant from an IronMan competitor killed in an accident. The recovery went well and today this organ recipient is active and enjoys life. By bringing this issue to the forefront of peoples’ minds, Foxx has illustrated just how important it is for humanity to help save a life by becoming a donor.

Check out Foox’s website for more information. Continue reading “Organ Donors by Foox” »