Last week we wandered over to Brooklyn Bridge Park to attend the opening of Jane’s Carousel, which is now housed in a brand new pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel. The carousel is almost 100 years old, and was originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922.

The Jean Nouvel designed 72 x 72 foot acrylic building is not only a protective shelter for the carousel, but a jewel box that provides framed views of the bridges as well as the Manhattan skyline. The East and West facades are fixed and completely transparent, while the other two facades open via a series of folding steel and acrylic doors. The operable facades each have 18 doors split into two groups of 9, opening from the center outwards. The doors rest on tracks recessed on the floor and programmed to open in four different positions, while the skylight, inspired by the structure of the carousel, is made of insulated glass units.

The pavilion was nice – a glass box that encases the carousel and allows it and the views of the city to be the center of attention. They didn’t do this at the opening, but apparently at sunset the shadows of the three rows of horses will be projected onto four 70′ by 25′ screens. Sounds like fun – we’ll have to go back to check it out!

The carousel lights reflected in the glass and onto the bridge beyond.

A beautiful embedded sign for the carousel.

A rendering of the light projections at night. And finally, a series of photos of the installation process taken by Julienne Schaer.

New print release! We’re thrilled to bring you another print edition by the super talented Stacey Rozich - The Builders, which was originally commissioned by Seattle-based design studio Iacoli & McAllister.

When I set out to make this piece for Jamie and Bryan, I wanted to convey the work ethic and the ingenuity that I see in all of the things that they create. The Builders features two strong figures, imposing in their stance and costuming, who are holding tools – a subtle nod to Jamie and Bryan’s craft. I snuck in Jamie’s little white dog as the creature between the figures.

15% of each print sold will be donated to Puppies Behind Bars. Read our interview with Stacey here, and buy the print here.

Very cool new Terra Nova silicone iPhone case from Poketo.

mischer’traxler studio is a partnership between Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler. They have an ongoing project called ‘The Idea of a Tree” which features objects that are produced using the natural input of the sun with a mechanical process. This creates unique objects that represent the sun’s intensity on the day and place of production.

The length/height of the resulting object depends on the sunhours of the day.
winter = shorter objects
summer = longer objects

The thickness of the layer and the colour is depending on the amount of sun-energy.
more sun = thicker layer and paler colour
less sun = thinner layer and darker colour

The correlation between input and output makes the changes visual and readable. The product becomes a three-dimensional ‘photograph’ of the time and the place where it is produced.

After one day of winding the cotton structure can be ‘harvested’ off the machine. A few days, later the dried piece is finished by hand and a label, telling day and place of production, is placed on the evening side of the object.

From November 6th to December 6th, their work will be on display at Novalis Fine Arts, a design and art gallery in Turin, Italy. Check it out if you have the chance!

Kutarq, a multidisciplinary firm led by Jordi López Aguiló in Valencia, Spain, just released a very versatile room divider. Just Fold It is a flexible and modular divider that can be added to and arranged as needed. Perforations on the surface increase stability by counteracting wind resistance.

The Edgewood Cup is a series of porcelain cups with wood grain imprints. I like the mixture of natural and manmade.

Smythology is a fairy-tale by Jeremy Tarr.

Charming, poignant and absurdly funny, (S)MYTHOLOGY is a contemporary fairy-tale that whisks you on a wild adventure from the streets of London to the far reaches of the globe from haunted islands to African villages, from the peaks of the Alps to the depths of the Underworld. Twenty-one year old Sophie has spent her entire life in virtual seclusion in a London flat fearful that should she venture out into the world the curse that was placed on her as an infant would turn friends and lovers into stone (marble, to be exact) just by merely looking at her. But when events beyond her control drive her onto the streets of London, she must combat her fears and battle the forces that have kept her hidden away since childhood.

I’m really attracted to the drawing style of the illustrator, Katy Smail. Her drawings are intricate and so full of character. So beautiful. I’ve included more of her illustrations below.

Incase is now making headphones. The new Sonics are perfect for pairing up with the new Nike MAG’s.

I love these graphic, word-based rugs by Linus Dean.

I am into this turquoise Acapulco chair big time.

Inspired by the Mayan weaving technique, the chair was designed in Acapulco, Mexico circa 1950, and today is being made just a few miles from there, ensuring its charachter and authenticity.

They recently came out with a leather version, but this one is my favorite.