Face it, fam: Japan can’t make everything. As globalization continues to level the playing field, nations that have historically depended on foreign imports for luxury items are creating their own lines of affordable homegrown goods. As featured in our 2009 Style & Design package, we’re taking a closer look at the pros and cons of three notable new products made in developing countries. Read on to see how the whole world is getting involved…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Damon Albarn is a musician who loves the alter-ego. The multi-facted Londoner started as the vocalist/keyboarder for seminal ’90s brit-pop band Blur, before breathing life into four animated pop stars called the Gorillaz in 2001. His partner Jamie Hewlett (co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl) designed the foursome of 2D, Noodle, Russel Hobbs, and Murdoc Niccals, who became the face of two multi-platinum albums (Gorillaz, Demon Days).
His most recent project goes under a new name: Monkey. With Hewlett once again handling the visuals, Monkey recently released Journey to the West as an album, which is also currently being performed as an opera in the UK. Yes, the kind where the fat lady sings. Damon and Jamie greeted press at the Spotted Pig in New York last week to give more insight to the production of the soundtrack, the struggle of animation, and advertising at the Beijing Olympics. Read the interview below…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
The Olympic Opening Cermonies were awesome'got to give China that'but unfortunately the pollution is a pretty pret-tay big problem over there. Just in case you’re kicking it in the Forbidden City for the Games, we’ve put together a short list of pollution-defying (and ultra-fashionable) masks to help you deal with dusty air, spitting locals, or even the unexpected SARS outbreak…
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
With the Olympics kicking off tomorrow, it’s a festive time all around the world. Everywhere you look, there are promotional banners and corporate sponsorships slapped on the side of buses and buildings. Luckily there are also more subtle ways to pay tribute. Javier Mariscal, a designer from Spain, is showing love with sinks.
Hockey, track and field, and swimming are the three disciplines he drew into porcelain basins made by Roca. So now the only question is…who’s gonna do toilets? Sounds like a job for the Japanese. See the other two sinks below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
There are more than a few politicians who like to talk about “The China Threat” and how our free market Commie buddies on the other side of the Pacific will be the next superpower. Well, if their model-making prowess is any indication, the rest of the world is seriously screwed.
Over at the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum, they’ve erected a 1000 square foot model of what Shanghai will look like in the year 2020. Not only do they make insanely huge, detailed, and cool replicas of cities with 20 million inhabitants, they, you know, plan for the future. Yikes Matilda, brush up on your Cantonese'our suburban sprawl-lovin’ asses are grass! For a variety of pics of the Shanghai model, check out the gallery below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
USA Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski needs to fix his face. No, this isn’t hatred because Coach K makes his millions leading the unholy Duke Blue Devils basketball team. If that were the case, we’d just make a joke about his lips looking like a puckered asshole (reality-based humor is the funniest).
Anyone who watched Team USA’s Olympic warm-up games against Turkey, Lithuania, and Russia in Macau didn’t need HD to see that Coach K’s grill was all kinds of fucked up red and puffy. With the Redeem Team kicking ass, we were free to ponder the what the hell happened to his famous face. See our best guesses below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
In the West, we have a tendency to view China as a society so oppressive that no one would dare spray paint on a wall for fear of being shot dead in the streets by Communist authorities. But apparently, this isn’t quite true'judging from a series of photos recently taken by Juxtapoz on the streets of Shanghai, the country’s graffiti scene is alive and well.
The flicks were taken in the area surrounding Moganshan Road, which makes up the city’s art district. From quirky characters to politically conscious messages, it seems like they’re experimenting with a variety of different styles. Check out a few more flicks below.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Former Complex cover girl Jarah Mariano is picture perfect in a bikini. [Popoholic]
Let’s hope A-Ron The Don’s new Off Bowery line doesn’t smells like the old LES too. [High Snobiety]
Tonight’s South Park is an homage to Heavy Metal. [NY Mag]
While investigating the 2Pac shooting, why did the LA Times believe this guy? [Smoking Gun]
China has figured out how to control the weather. [Technology Review]
The latest battle for sneaker supremacy seems to be what brand can effectively nail what a “Chinese” design would entail. According to The Wall Street Journal, Nike and adidas are focused on creating footwear and apparel with Chinese design cues that will hopefully take-off, during the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
The swoosh first showed hints of their movement toward eastern-influence when they released the uber-limited Jordan 1 XQ pack (pictured), a collection of sneakers that featured dragon-inspired designs and dropped exclusively in China. In October, Nike also did a special make-up on the Lebron V that featured laser-etched cues personifying Beijing's “Forbidden City.” In addition to the recently released footwear, Nike also has launched a line of sportswear carrying a Chinese slogan that translates to “arise and advance,”' a phrase included in China's national anthem. So far it seems, Nike's one-upping the three-stripes in quantity, but look for adidas to push hard on Chinese-heavy apparel as the Olympics draws closer. Click the thumbnails after the jump to see some close-up shots of the recent China-inspired kicks.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST…
Take a trip to Xiahe, a remote Chinese county on the China/Tibet border, and you might witness a gang of Buddhist monks blasting each other with submachine guns. No, this isn’t a crappy American Chow Yun-Fat movie'it’s “Counter Strike.”
The classic terrorism combat game has become a favorite with the younger monks at the local Labrang Monastery, who unwind by playing at a nearby Internet cafe. “Apparently, the monks are not permitted to drink alcohol, eat meat or be married, but it's totally acceptable for them to play violent video games,” said an employee of Gearbox Software, who witnessed them in action. Good to hear someone can still tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
[MTV Multiplayer]
