Visionaire 56 Solar: Let The Sun Shine

Visionaire Issue 56 has recently been published and this "solar" issue is like getting two books in one. Indoors, the board-bound book appears to be in a white embroidered slipcase with beautiful black and white photography and art. Expose it to the sun and the case, the embroidery and the images within the book transforms into color.




Contributing artists include Yoko Ono, John Baldessari, Ugo Rondinone, Inez Van Lambsweerde, Vinoodh Matadin, Mario Sorrenti, Roe Ethridge, M/M (Paris), Alex Katz, Richard Phillips, Olaf Breuning, Peter Lindbergh, Ryan McGinley, Richard Burbridge and Glen Luchford.

Here are some of the images in the issue as they appear indoors (left or above) and outdoors (right or below ):
















The book is limited to 3,000 issues. This collectible book as well as back issues of Visionaire can be purchased at Visionaire World.

But here's a tip, you can often find them cheaper here: Visionaire Issues at Amazon

Visionaire Publications is a company dedicated to creating beautiful artistic collaborations in limited editions. With three editions each year in limited numbers, they do sell out quickly.

Visionaire 55
Visionare 54
Visionaire 52 and 53

Artist Blaine Fontana Completes His 30 Limited Edition Nestkeepers.

above: 30 Limited Edition Nestkeeper Sculptures by artist Blaine Fontana


I'm a big fan of artist Blaine Fontana's work. His installations, his mixed media, his paintings and now these wonderful limited edition Nestkeepers. Thirty little imp-like sculptures each carefully painted in styles varying from japonesque designs to graffiti, exemplifying Blaine's vast styles and talents.


above: four profiles of the varied styles of Blaine Fontana's Nestkeepers.

It was in his 2006 show, The Manifest Soup Transcripts of Four Corners, (at the now closed Lineage Gallery in Philadelphia) that featured the first 8 of the 30 nestkeepers and he has just now completed them all.


above: the first 8 nestkeepers as they appeared at Lineage Gallery in 2006

The nestkeepers were inspired by this earlier painting of Blaine's:


Blaine sculpted the original prototype at which point fellow Otis Alum Daniel Garcia, then in the toy design department, applied his talents with the wax pen on the second casting and together they cast the finals.


above: the last 22 of the final 30 casts. The mold has since been destroyed.

The 30 nestkeepers are created from a solid silicon cast and then each 5" tall form is hand painted and adorned with unique elements, like twigs, nests, flowers, butterflies and even spray can tops.

Please click on the images below to enlarge and see the 30 nestkeepers.







The first 8 sold long ago, but to see or buy the $800.00 nestkeepers that are still available for purchase, go here.

Below are a few examples of the work of Blaine Fontana:





all images courtesy of the artist and society6


Blaine Fontana's site

Merdeka 2009

Let's celebrate it together.

and Happy Birthday to Malaysia

for the 52nd Merdeka Celebration.

Weird & Wonderful Worldwide Web Wonders

above: cool doorknobs, head handbags, lap pillow, taillight lamp and pig speakers


A few funky finds from all over the world for you:


above: Molecule doorknob by Sherle Wagner


above: A few of the weirder ties from the wonderful Cyberoptix Tie Lab.


above: the Hizamakura knee lap pillow comes with a black or red skirt and costs $101.00 USD
buy it here.



above: Dzimtry Samal's Human Furniture Collection, learn more here


above: One of Maurizio Savini's many life sized chewing gum sculptures, see more here.



above: Pig speakers from IDEA japan, not available in the US. In japan, buy it here.


above: Molteni & C's glove chair by Patricia Urquiola covered in Vivienne Westwood's Rubbish fabric


above: the headbag handbags by Raw Edges



above: Thai Baker/artist Kittiwat Unarrom makes gory looking human parts from bread.


above: Tail Light pendant lamps made from repurposed automotive tail lights by Stuart Haygath, available at LIMN.


above: External Hard Drive and Flash Drive concept by Mint Pass.