Nestled underneath the Alpine slopes of Vals, Switzerland sits Villa Vals. An aesthetically eco-friendly home designed by architectural firm SEARCH. Currently up for rent, the home is an excellent example of thoughtful design and execution. With a central patio at it’s base, Villa Vals is actually carved into the side of the mountain, utilizing the land to create a functional living space. There needs to be more shit like this.
Ladies and gentleman we must become the watchmen of our media outlets. We cannot simply digest the messages of companies and corporations trying to sell us shit. You see, every speaker has a message. And every message has an audience. I’ve got to thank Kyra for that one. She put me up on game. Nonetheless, we present this commercial to highlight the elements of rhetoric that are at play. In this case, used in efforts to compel middle aged white women to buy a Ford. Please consider the strategies included in this short, that are used to situate the viewer as the prime individual to be compelled to cop a Ford. The kitchen setting, the assumed roles of husband and wife, and the idea that copping a Ford will transform your life, all work to persuade that stay at home mom that she is the perfect candidate for a new car. Yes, the advertising game has changed a lot since then, which unfortunately means messages have become more subliminal and less obvious. Which leaves the responsibility to us. All I’m saying is stay on your toes, and don’t believe the hype.
Seems as though renewable energy will be the 2010 and beyond. Still learning the basics of the renewable energy game, Ben or my pops are probably the experts you should go to to learn more. While I’ve heard lots about solar energy, and my pops’ fascination with wind turbines, this article from National Geographic was my first introduction to volcano power stations. A new source of power for entire neighborhoods? Perhaps. I’ll let Christine take it from here.
Most of us were babes in Chris Mullin’s prime. Nonetheless, his prowess on the court puts him among some of the best to ever play the game. An All-NBA first team selection in ’91-’92 Mullin can be mentioned alongside Wilt Chamberlain as the only players Warrior players to average 25+ points and 5 rebounds for five straight seasons. Although a talented hooper, Mullin loved to get faded, often times coming to practice on one, and skipping mandatory team meetings to drink. When A.K’s pal Don told Chris to clean up his act, Mullin came back a new man, and started killing. One of the best to ever do it, this segment on Mullin documents Chris’ life on and off the court, reminding us how nice he was at the game he loved.
Some Friday gold from Coolhand Luke. One of my favorite bloggers in the game, his site 38th Notes touches on alternative news from our beloved Oakland, CA. Unbeknownst to me, and probably many others, martial arts icon Bruce Lee spent a considerable amount of time honing his craft and developing his skills in the city of Oakland. Residing by Maxwell Park in East Oakland, Bruce opened up a martial arts studio in 1964 on Broadway, right near Oakland Technical High School. When challenged by the Chinese Martial Arts community of San Francisco for the right to teach non-asian students, Bruce had to put on. Hit the MORE to view a short film highlighting what went down that day.
Cotdamn. The 70′s were so geeked. Believe it or not, the image above is from the inside of a ship. From the end of the Sixties to the mid-Seventies the chemical company Bayer rented a pleasure boat during every Cologne furniture fair and had it transformed into a temporary showroom, featuring the work of a contemporary designer. The work featured above comes from installation guru Verner Panton, who’s installations served to create these imaginative spaces, while helping to define 70′s architecture. We need to find something like this for the celebrations. Nicole where you at?
Nine times out of ten when P speaks, I’m all ears. Last week Pharrell provided a keynote speech at Midem, a music business conference held in Cannes, France. Speaking on the state of the music industry, and his work over the past decade, Pharrell related how he’s managed to not only stay relevant but in many ways define the sound of popular music over the past 10. I know I’m not the only one when I say Pharrell makes me believe that anything is possible. Bruh’s settled in France talking about the shit he enjoys doing. Lot’s of insight in here. Hope you enjoy.
Here at Wine & Bowties we like to champion creativity. More specifically, creative expression that provokes thought. While many forms of art serve as a great medium for this, I’d argue that street installations are emerging as one of the most poignant interpretations of art. If for no other reason than for the simple fact that as a viewer you are forced to interact with the piece. Compelling you to think and consider the work even if you wern’t trying to. The works of Mark Jenkins and BLU relate this idea well, along with the work presented above. Situated in an old district of Rotterdam, and measuring 7m high and 25m long, the Temple of Trash is a creation aimed to promote recycling and environmental awareness. A movement with a message. Now that’s dangerous…
Hyphen just showed me his greatest youtube ever. Ever? Ever? Debatable. But it’s up there. I know, I know you’ve seen this too. But she hasn’t, so let her enjoy it. This is getting fun. Not to say that it wasn’t before. But thank you for rockin with the bowties. Feel free to hit us with any thoughts, ideas, opinions, or questions. The Contact Us is just a click away.
It’s been a minute since I’ve sat down to watch a full football game. Such a time commitment you know. Nonetheless, I’m bout to sit down, get on and peep this Vikings/Saints in a few hours. Mike told me if the Saints win the Superbowl Reggie Bush is gonna marry Kim Kardashian. Ahh fuck. Kim Kardashian just got mentioned on the bowties! I wanna delete but I won’t. At the same time, I wanna see Brette Favre pull an MJ and go out on top. Regardless, it should be a good game, with more highlights like this. Happy Sunday.
The first time I watched this I felt a bit numb. And in a way helpless. Like something was happening that I couldn’t do anything about. Something so far away, but something so real. How’d it get to this? What can I do? I feel so helpless. But who am I to feel helpless? I can’t pick up and move to Liberia next week and try to help. Or can I? For the time being I think the best is to help educate others. I can tell you about it. And maybe you can tell someone else. And they can tell someone else. And soon we can all do something about this. Raising awareness is important, but once we become knowledgeable about something, we also become responsible for it. If absolutely nothing else, let this serve as a bit of perspective. In short, life is not the same for everyone. And people say FML…
I’m conflicted. I feel like Coke infiltrates my life sometimes. Like it just shows up in front of me hella unannounced. Even worse I find myself drinking it, like today. And I find myself writing about it, like now. These corporations need to fall back like Kanye after he went bad on TSwift. In my humble, the brands in the 2010 are those who provide the most value. Are you doing something for me, or are you just taking my money? But we’ve digressed. The cans above mark a moment when Coke did it right. The detail, the colors. The aesthetics. They’re oh so essential. Which leads me to my next point. If you go backwards you can never lose, because what you’re fucking with was created outside of the contemporary environment, thus making it timeless. New shit can get played out quick, because after a lil while there’s something newer. No offense.
Max-
I’m attaching a zipped folder of some of the work I’ve done in bathrooms.
A friend of mine got a hold of a business card for your blog (with some green attached) and I noticed the quote “Imagination is more important than knowledge” on the back and though you might like some of these photos.
Keep up the good work.
