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Archives for the month of: November, 2012
Today we’re going to discuss the man, the myth, the legend: Anish Kapoor. Mr. Kapoor, famed sculptor and visionary, was born in Bombay, India in 1954 and after a failed attempt at electrical engineering (on a kibbutz in Israel, no less), he decided to become an artist in London. Kapoor was a student at London’s Hornsey College of Art and the Chelsea School of Art and Design. At this point in time, Mr. Kapoor has been made a Commander of the British Empire and a Commander in the French Ordres et des Lettres. Pretty badass, huh? Let’s take a look at some of his famous design-centric pieces.
Tall Tree and Eye
Tall Tree and Eye is in the courtyard of the Royal Academy of Arts and is formed by 76 stainless steel “bubbles” that seem to float towards the tops of the surrounding buildings. The bubbles reflect images endlessly and their silhouette seems inspired by human DNA though the artist insists he didn’t intend for that. With this piece of design, the weight of the stainless steel material transforms into an airy substance.
Untitled (2009)
This amazing piece of sculpture sits in Atlanta at the High Museum. Untitled (2009) is a concave dish that was polished and sanded into a repeating triangular pattern that distorts the viewer into hundreds of fragmented images.
Turning the World Upside Down
This piece was in Anish Kapoor’s Turning the World Upside Down exhibit; this freestanding water-based piece was intended to reflect its nearby surroundings in unusual organic ways.
Cloud Gate
This is perhaps the most famous of Kapoor’s works: Cloud Gate or “the Bean” to Chicagoans (this writer is a Chicagoan so she has full authority!) This enormous piece of stainless steel is 186 plates welded together and polished so as to not have seams. The result? A vast sculpture on the city’s skyline that reflects and distorts the surrounding buildings. Stand under the bean and your jaw will drop…believe me.
ArcelorMittal Orbit
ArcelorMittal Orbit is an 377 feet tall sculpture and observation tower that was designed by Anish Kapoor in conjunction with engineer Cecil Balmond. It sits in the Olympic Park in Stratford, London and was created for the London Olympics in 2012. It is Britain’s largest piece of public art and allows visitors to see the whole Olympic Park from two vantage points.
This concludes the Anish Kapoor virtual tour but keep up with ToMo’s design blog for future inspirations!
Tis’ the season for holiday sweets! Shower the ones you love with chocolates, caramels, to pastries — oh my! There is no better package than one filled with sweet and savory flavors. Here are a few great online resources, party “sweet treat” ideas and homemade fun for the family to help you kick of the holiday cheer…
Delectable Gifts:
desserts
Yigit Pura is the first winner of “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and a San Francisco resident. His impressive resume includes chefing at Le Cirque, the Four Seasons Hotel, and Daniel Boulud in Las Vegas. After winning Top Chef: Just Desserts, Mr. Pura’s divine dessert talents have taken a modern turn with his very own Patisserie, Tout Sweet. ToMo is pleased as pie to feature his line of beautifully packaged, delicious dessert items.
Dessert Party:
Dessert Party
Popsicles and Prosecco: Wine and dine your guests this winter with intimate popsicle pairings! Choose your favorite white wine, rose or bubbly and splash in a refreshing fruitful popsicle. Yummy and inventive to impress your friends and family.
Holiday Family Fun:
homemade, dessert, holiday
Let the holiday cravings take over and treat yourself to a delectable dessert pizza! Berries n’ Brownie Pizza is a great way to bring the family together during an intimate holiday dinner. Covered in fresh cut berries and based with an ooey gooey brownie crust, your kids are sure to love this hands-on treat!
Grove Case
Sorry to side with the hipsters, but this handmade case is 100% solid Moso bamboo. With unique design engravings into the back this renewable bamboo is designed for durability.
Buy @ http://shop.x-doria.com/products/kick/409865#
Incipio
This impact resistant case has an added kickstand, allowing for hands free viewing. Available in black and white, this case looks like Apple itself designed it.
Case-Mate
This color filled case won the CES Design Innovation award. The interlocking pattern and curvature lines create a piece of art on the back of your iPhone.
Buy @ http://www.case-mate.com/iPhone-5-Cases/Case-Mate-iPhone-5-Colorways-Cases.asp
Scosche
This case looks like it came straight out of an action blockbuster. It has a special coasting that resists sweat, dirt, and oil perfect for one with an active lifestyle
Buy @ http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/product/2622
Opena
This case makes the iPhone that much better. A slide-out bottle opener built into the case, allows you to never go thirsty again.
Buy @ http://www.openacase.com/collections/frontpage/products/opena-case-iphone-5
Hex
Made out of water resistant, waxed canvas, this case is made for the urban dweller. If you have yet to check out Hex, they have some pretty cool products and they just started selling in Apple retail stores. Check them out!
Buy @ http://www.shophex.com/shop/cases/fleet-core-case-for-iphone-5-black-grey-stripe
Durables Wallet by Dodo Case
Although this may not justify as a “case” its sleek, functional design provides protection for your phone. This handcrafted wallet is made using traditional sewing techniques and provides space not only for your phone but also for cards and cash.
6. Perrelet Double Rotor Turbine
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Cost: $7,100
The Perrelet Turbine watch has 12 titanium blades that spin to mimic the motions of a jet turbine. It’s sexy and unique, without being obtrusive, it is absolutely one of the most eye catching watches one can own, and it is also the most affordable on this list. Coming in a few varieties, it will definitely appeal to a large audience of watch enthusiasts.
5. Bulgari Carillon Tourbillon DR3300
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Cost: $100,000
This original Bulgari design is hand made with 327 precision parts. The tourbillon architecture holds time for 75 hours when fully wound and consists of rare sapphire crystals, and other noble metals such as platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and indium. Only 30 of these watches were made, making this watch as exclusive as they come.
4. HYT H1 Watch
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Cost: $45,000
Half mechanical, half liquid, this new high-tech watch aims to redefine how time is presented. The bold, futuristic design tells time by moving the green liquid up and down the circumference of the watch face. The watch comes in multiple versions including titanium and pink gold and can be yours for as little as $45,000.
3. Louis Vuitton Tambour Minute Repeater
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Cost: $300,000
This sexy watch by Louis Vuitton will cost as much as a Condo, but really, who can put a price on perfection. This watch belongs to the acoustic, or chiming, class of watches, which many experts consider to be not only the most aesthetically pleasing type of complicated timepiece but also one of the rarest. The watch is designed for the busy traveler since it displays a local time, as well as a “home” time allowing for dual timezones.
2. TAG Heuer’s Mikrotimer Flying 1000
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Cost: $88,000
Touted as the world’s fastest chronometer watch, the Mikrotimer is capable of tracking 1/1000th of a second which is stupidly fast. The watch was originally built as a prototype, but is now going to be a part of a limited edition collection of 10 pieces, with each piece costing more than a luxury vehicle. If you’re into luxury chronographs that spin faster than you can blink, this is the watch for you.
1. Harry Winston Opus Eleven
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Cost: $230,000
This watch is like having your very own mechanical Transformer strapped to your wrist. The gears rotate, and the mechanisms move causing a dramatic morphing of the displayed time at the center. The ingenius mechanism gives the watch extreme character while providing a rare glimpse at the pinnacle of human craftsmanship. Never before have I seen a watch quite like this one.
TOMO DESIGN 