Tiny Showcase for the Gulf Restoration Network

A few weeks back Bobby posted some heartbreaking photographs of animals caught in the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Although the official governmental reaction has been disappointing, I have noticed a number of online charities and initiatives popping up that have been admirably designed to raise money to protect and restore the Gulf region.

Helping the cause, the people at Tiny Showcase have joined forces with artist Jen Corace to produce the above print (“Down, Down, Down”) to raise money for the Gulf Restoration Network. To my mind, it’s a win-win situation: each print sold raises $15 for the charity and buyers will have a beautiful print to hang on their walls and know that they’ve made a small difference. But do be quick: this unsigned edition will only be available until 18 June 2010.

Danica

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June 14, 2010 - See more posts by Danica

What Type Are You?

Part pop psychology and part typographical wonder, the clever folk at Pentagram have devised a delightful application entitled What Type Are You? Based on your answers to four simple questions, you are able to “drink from the font of self-knowledge, face the truth and find out just which type you are.” And by type, they mean typeface. Neat, huh?

Following careful examination, my results revealed that I am Archer Hairline: “a modern typeface with a straightforward appearance but one that has tiny outbreaks of elegance and tiny dots of emotion, only apparent on closer examination.”

I’d love to know what type you are…

FOUND THROUGH FRANKIE MAGAZINE.

Danica

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June 11, 2010 - See more posts by Danica

Record Club: INXS “New Sensation”

Like any decent Australian I have an INXS CD in my collection. I don’t really listen to it anymore, but it possesses a certain inelegant nostalgia for my youth and dancing around my room to “New Sensation.” Lately I have been keeping up with the INXS covers performed by Beck’s Record Club, whereby Beck and his co-conspirators have taken INXS’ rock songs and given them a pared back and dreamy interpretation. The collaboration features a diverse mix of Beck’s musician friends and observes the following concept:

Record Club is an informal meeting of various musicians to record an album in a day. The album chosen to be reinterpreted is used as a framework. Nothing is rehearsed or arranged ahead of time. A track is put up here once a week. The songs are rough renditions, often first takes that document what happened over the course of a day as opposed to a polished rendering. There is no intention to ‘add to’ the original work or attempt to recreate the power of the original recording. Only to play music and document what happens.

Given my childhood love for “New Sensation”, I thought it highly appropriate that I share the Record Club’s version. With its substitution of acoustic guitars, violin and backing vocals by St. Vincent for INXS’ original hard rocking sound, I think it is pretty lovely. Plus, I am also quite smitten with Beck’s cardigan/scarf combination.

Danica

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June 10, 2010 - See more posts by Danica

Pretty Foods

Whenever I am feeling a wee bit shabby, the first thing that I usually do is reach for a cookbook. I often have no intention of actually cooking anything; however, I find it oddly comforting to look at images of food. As I turn the pages I often ponder: if only I could locate a place where every food group imaginable is covered in oozing melted chocolate, cakes are made of a thousand rainbow-coloured layers and dull ingredients are shaped into love hearts.

Does such a magical land exist? Why, yes it does. Pretty Foods & Pretty Drinks is a tumblelog that posts food imagery based on one selection criterion: it has to be pretty. And some of the food is so extreme on the pretty-scale that I started to feel my teeth aching as I gazed wide-eyed, and slightly salivating, at the tumblelog’s photographs. Fortunately, calories can’t be gained through looking.

Danica

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June 9, 2010 - See more posts by Danica

Luci Everett

Melbourne-based graphic designer Luci Everett produces work that merges computer-generated imagery with handmade elements. The resulting style, which evokes a simultaneously fresh and vintage mood, has graced album artwork, posters, greeting cards and one-off conceptual art books. I particularly like the manner in which she captures texture and tactile details in two-dimensional form with origami effects and wisps of thread. It also looks as though she knows how to put on one hell of a party (I very rarely say OMG, but that was my reaction when I saw her French party invitation). In addition, if you follow the link to her portfolio she is exceptionally welcoming and personable. You’ll see why when you get there.

Danica

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June 8, 2010 - See more posts by Danica

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