Adidas Ad

Like a lot of people my age, I've watched Star Wars IV in excess of a thousand times and all three films from the 70s and 80s hold a special place in my heart. It was appalling when they added in the extra scenes with the crass special effects for the DVD release of the original trilogy.
I'm by no means a Star Wars geek, but I just couldn't help my chin hitting the floor when I saw it, shortly followed by some totally irrational but well deserved screaming.
There are some things that should just not be messed with. That said, I actually enjoyed this spot for Adidas Originals. The quality of the post production and the humour spot on, as well as a good mix of people from different worlds which is perfectly fitting. But you still shouldn't have messed with it and for that I want to slap you all in the face. Really hard.

Crazy Drumming

I think I'll watch this video if I ever have a day when I'm struggling for motivation. If we all put the same level of effort and enthusiasm into the things we do as the drummer does from Rick K. and the Allnighters, well... we'd get a lot more done. And probably be a bit thinner and sweatier.

Toilet Paper

Personally, I don't get it. It's a toilet, which isn't a particularly nice place to be at the best of times, more so if you're sitting on it. So why does anyone choose to read there? In and out in 3 minutes max. Shit, wipe, read in the living room.
I've researched this in the name of good journalism and, frankly, good dinner table conversation and ice-breakers at parties and there seems to be a lot more people than I would ever have believed that read in the khazi. This bin from Snowtone is for you guys. You freaks.

Blek Le Rat

It's been over three decades since Blek Le Rat started stenciling around Paris. Without a shadow of a doubt, he's the pioneer and, looking at his back history it's interesting to see where the medium developed from. It's a shame so few people even know of him, in comparison to the other B word anyway.

He's got an exhibition on at White Walls Gallery in San Francisco which is on now and finishes on 5th June 2010.

I'd also recommend getting his book, "Blek Le Rat - Getting Through The Walls" which is out through Thames & Hudson. I got my copy signed by Blek Le Rat when he was promoting the book at London Graphic Centre and, amazingly, there was virtually nobody there.

Audi R8 Ad

I've just seen the new Audi R8 ad from BBH, directed by Sam Brown. There's a behind the scenes making of short film as well which is worth a look. Pretty much everything was shot in camera with virtually no CGI.

Mark Khaisman

Amazing images by Kiev born Mark Khaisman, who now resides in Philadelphia, and creates his works by layering brown packing tape.

Google Earth Alphabet

Google Earth Alphabet made only from locations in the Netherlands.

via @danielmather

Urban Outfitters Edinburgh

I've just seen the stairs in Edinburgh's branch of Urban Outfitters on Princes Street and, being a bit of a ply fanatic, they're well worth a quick blog post.
I love the fact they've been designed by laminating numerous layers to produce what can only be described as an awesome thickness of ply. The diagonal grain means any glorious angle you look at these treads from, all you see is end grain. Nice, huh? If you don't understand the beauty of this, shake yourself and try again...

Time Flies

"Time Flies" is a little stop frame animation of a two hour budget flight condensed into seven seconds. I've just cobbled it together for now, if I can think of a real use for it I'll commit a bit more time for proper grading and transitions as it's a bit raw right now. I tried to capture as many interesting clouds, wing tilts and flap movements as possible to cram as much difference into a short space of time as I could.

Pixels

This short film, Pixels, by Patrick Jean is getting posted, blogged, tweeted and generally bandied around like wildfire. And rightly so. It's totally awesome.

A Decade Of Playboy Centrefolds

This is what a decade of Playboy centrefolds looks like. It's 1988 - 1997, in case you're an aficionado on such things, and it's a work by Jason Salavon where he's used "...point-by-point mathematical averaging..." to produce the image.
via @Booooooom

The Beatles x Sei A

A Day In The Life by The Beatles, uploaded to Sound Cloud by Sei A. If you like the Beta Band you'll love it. And there's a version of Sgt. Pepper too.

MoviePeg

Pretty simple design, pretty simple purpose. The MoviePeg retails at just under a fiver and puts an end to the problem of having to either hold or find the right newspaper, book or beermat to prop your iPhone onto watch a movie.

Lazertits

Task: take image of old pin up or good shot of a lady. Add laser effects to her breasts. Lazertits. A totally pointless website, but worth a butchers.

via Neil Mason Studio

McFaul x howies - ABM Event

A Beautiful Machine is a two-week event curated by McFaul Studio and howies and is running from the 26th March to 9th April. A combination of art, talk and ride based above the howies store in Bristol.

With over 50 artists from around the globe, 15 incredible speakers, a bicycle treasure hunt and a special bicycle auction it's going to be a whole lot of fun.

Spike Jonze - I'm Here

The preview of director Spike Jonze's new short "I'm Here" is online.

Min-Kyu Choi UK Plug

Great news about Min-Kyu Choi, winner of the Brit Insurance Design of the Year 2010, and his folding plug. Another example of an idea you look at and kick yourself you didn't think of it, which just goes to show we're all guilty of not spending enough time thinking about the world around us and how we can improve things. I can't believe we've been using the clunky big plug design, apparently the biggest household plug in the world, since it's conception in 1946.

I do hope Min-Kyu makes the money on this before a big corp finds a way round his patent... All of the entries are on show at the Design Museum, London.

The Work of Christoph Niemann

Christoph Niemann is well worth a mention, his work has a nice sense of wit. He's got a new book out which is "A playful homage to New York" and shows aspects of New York depicted through the medium of photographed Lego bricks. The above image is taken from a n Abstract City series which are well worth a look.

Peskimo vs. Chris Dickason

Peskimo and Chris Dickason join up to bring us Tease Made - and exhibition of prints, paintings and doodles running from 19th March to 11th April, 2010 in Bristol. It's an exhibition at Start, a new art space in Bristol, and is based around all things to do with having a nice cup of tea. Sounds like my kind of place.

Colour Acuity

Just got a zero score on the Colour Acuity Test which means I have perfect colour acuity. Good job really in my vocation... And no, I didn't retouch the score.

Journey To Work

This is a shot through the windscreen on my journey to work this morning.

Eric Testroete's Japan Stop Frame Video

This stop frame video by Eric Testroete of his photos from a trip to Japan is really well put together and, partly because it's Japan, enchanting to watch. Anyone who's been there will fleetingly recognise so many of the flashes of places and thoroughly enjoy the video even more.

Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer

Spiffingly ruddy brilliant, Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. Influences include Chuck D, Terry Thomas and George Formby. There's a load more stuff on his MySpace site too...

Stormtrooper's Day Off

I love these shots of Stormtroopers on their day off. If they weren't so good, I'd say someone has too much time on their hands, but some of the poses are so perfectly positioned it's a high quality project well worth the hours that have been invested in it.

Mini Me

Just got hold of this copy of me and my brother when I'm probably about 3, back in the days when photo booths didn't do colour shots (Holy crap, that was about 30 years ago). I'm the good looking, quizzical one on the right. I got the brains too.

00-Weird

I'm too busy laughing right now, but I'm going to have to watch The Spy Who Loved Me again now, just to find out where the big fish featured in the story. And what's that? Lovers Fishie Club? I'm very confused now. At least Gary Wilmot, err, sorry, Roger Moore, is ready for settling down with his Lotus Esprit estate. See the original American version of the poster and more movie posters from Ghana over at Empire.

EXOvault iPhone Case

I don't seem to be able to make a cup of tea without coming back to see someone else writing a blog about the iPad, or tweeting about a blog about the iPad. So I'm posting something good about the iPhone.

These cases are handmade by EXOvault, a small, artist-run company in Brooklyn. Machined from two solid blocks of either aluminium, titanium or brass, they fit the iPhone 3G or 3GS like a glove so your beloved iPhone won't even be scratched.

Spiders

Unlike many people, I'm a fan of spiders and never kill them. They're good for controlling the pests in the garden and lets face it, they're pretty stunning when not squashed under your size 10 boot. Thomas Shahan's amazing up close and personal photography with some eight-legged friends makes you realise just how wonderful they are.

Infra Red Photography

Pretty striking stuff. Original post from Abduzeedo

Helvetica Biscuits

Nope, your eyes do not deceive you. You can get Helvetica cookie cutters and then, presumably, be the envy of everyone you know as you have t with your tea (he says, avoiding the other obvious "Can i have a p please Bob" jokes)

Graffiti Analysis

If I ever have the time, I'll do this - graffiti analysis, showing there's a lot more that goes into a tag than might meet the eye...

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett join forces once again for the Gorillaz next outing to Plastic Beach. The single "Stylo" will be released in a couple of days on 26th January with the album following on 9th March. Stylo features Bobby Womack and Mos Def makes a couple of appearances on the album as new character "Sun Moon Stars."

Russian Photography Group

Ok, so. If you're ever bored, get into a photo club like this, shown on the English Russia website. This photo is from the project where the community have to construct and shoot the following scenario:

“A Zombie: A man, rolled up in bandages should crawl on his stomach at a pedestrian crossing. He should have a knife sticking out of his back. Another guy should chase him with a working chainsaw”

Others include a waiter up to his waist in a refuse chute - that one is well worth checking out. This is now one of my favourite websites.

Drag Racing Bus

Yeeeeeeeeeah...

Mr Bingo x Haiti Disaster

Mr Bingo is producing a couple of prints which are up for sale though his site - a mere fiver each to you, but a hell of a difference to the disaster fund. So you get a damn good print and a damn good feeling too. Every penny is going to charity, GFSmith have supplied the paper free of charge and K2 Screen have produced the screen prints FOC as well. Dig deep everyone...

Basco5

I've liked Basco5's work for ages, just never got round to posting any until now.

A Very Eggy Engagement

It's a long story, but I planned a second proposal to Liz as the first one (18 months ago) didn't go amazingly to plan. True to form, the second one didn't either. Snow caused massive delays and our romantic lunch in Amiens, France, turned into a horrible 23 hour journey which saw us arrive at our holiday destination at 4am the next day. Thankfully, she said yes. Again.

Massive thanks have to go out to Felt Mistress, the wonderfully helpful, generous and creative soul who made me this outstandingly good fried egg with an extra little ribbon so I could tie the ring to it. If you haven't seen her work before you're missing out and should feel ashamed if you don't now seek it out.

Dexter

Working my way through Dexter after getting Series 1 for crimbo. I don't quite know how the hell I missed this when it was on TV. Probably because I hardly watch any TV. They've got as far as Series 4 and I've only just heard of it, but I'm totally, unhealthily addicted.

3 Frames

Pretty simple concept, take three frames and animate them on a loop. A little entertainment every day.

Decembeard

Well, it's almost here. We've had Movember. Welcome to Decembeard. It's a natural progression.

Animated Print

Totally bonkers. This is an example of a flyer printed with photosensitive inks which uses an embedded microchip to control the ink and actually animate the flyer. This is something I want to see in the flesh...

Jon Burgerman Studio Sale

I can't go, unfortunately, so I don't mind letting everyone know about it now as I won't be competing for Burgerman bargains. Saturday 31st October, yep tomorow. 1pm - 3pm. Good bargains and the chance to meet Jon Burgerman.

Imelda May

Just back from seeing the truly awesome Imelda May, at Shepherd's Bush Empire. If you ain't tapping yo' foot yo' is dead. Excuse the useless pic.

Blackroc

The Black Keys collaborating with a whole bunch of other equally brilliant artists, like Mos Def, Nicole Wray and Pharoahe Monch. Blackroc is released on 27th November, wish it was sooner.

Scott Campbell Show

Known the world over for his skills as a tattoo artist, Scott Campbell is showing artwork in Europe for the first time. This is a stack of a hundred $1 bills with layers carved away to create an image. His show opens at Lazarides on Greek Street today.

French Tea Box

Got this tea box in Paris, as I seem to have so many teabags floating around and they're never organised. The smug chappy on the front of the tin is saying "I am especially a little Russian, a little Chinese, a little Indian... also very English." Or something like that anyway. And just to reiterate this point, his tea bag chums from the four tea-corners of the globe are on the four sides. I love, but am a little perplexed by, the Russian teabag tag saying "Dbshzh" so if anyone with a knowledge of Russian tea terminology can shed any light, although I have a feeling they simply picked a few letters that looked Russian. In case anyone is interested, tea in Russian is "чай" pronounced "ch-igh" (as in Chai).

Fox Base Beta

Saint Etienne's Fox Base Beta is available for pre-order now to fan club members and will be shipped in a couple of weeks.

Tanaka vs. Burgerman - Hoophy

Jon Burgerman has done the 10th Hoophy from Shin Tanaka. This is what tea breaks were made for, apart from drinking milky tea of course.

Matt Stuart Photography

Matt Stuart has "...a fascination with people and the way they live their lives is why I enjoy the business so much..." and I think his work is excellent. Nice to see a sense of humour in anything these days, so hats off to him.

There, I fixed it

Not mentioning names, but I know someone who did something similar to this. He knows who he is... More hilarity and stupidity to be found on the There, I fixed it website

Stefan Kanchev

Wonderful stuff by Bulgarian artist, Stefan Kanchev. Sadly no longer with us, but love his work which won him deserved recognition throughout his life and posthumously. I'm going to spend some serious time meandering through the amazing body of work on his site.

Natsko

Natsko, who's mixed media landscapes and cityscapes have a kind of nostalgic feel to them. Brought up in Tokyo and now living in London, she has an interesting portfolio that is well worth a look.

The Little Friends of Printmaking

Great work from The Little Friends of Printmaking. A couple with a massive commitment to creating excellent, intricate prints. Buy some at their shop...

Shepherd Fairey vs. MTV vs. Karmaloop Tee

Charity tee designed by Shepherd Fairey for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, exclusively through Karmaloop. 40% of the proceeds go towards The Staying Alive Foundation to fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.