maps oh my

Very happy to see artist Shannon Rankin was all over the web this week. (See her work featured on Colossal,hard feelings, the best part)She's a fellow Mainer who is making good work. "I create installations, collages and drawings that use the language of maps to explore the connections among geological and biological processes, patterns in nature, geometry and anatomy" via the best part.

NASA on Flickr

This past fall, NASA compiled a series of photos, documenting half a century of aeronautical space exploration, that were uploaded on Flickr. So far there are seven sets of pics, totaling around 400 images, of iconic NASA launches, construction of NASA facilities, as well as NASA outfits. According to NASA there are many more images to come.

Tie one on.

via Something's Hiding in Here

Inspired by the personal style of mid-century artists and architects, the talented craftspeople at Something's Hiding In Here have developed a beautiful collection of bow ties. These ties utilize simple hardware, stitched with vintage French woven labels and a vast array of colorful fabrics plaid, striped and patterned.

selling your body, capturing america

In the early 70s, Danish photographer Jacob Holdt sold blood weekly to finance his hitchhike across America. On a cheap camera that was a gift, he documented the country for five years encountering "poverty and the exclusion of the socially disadvantaged." He later showed the body of work in slides titled American Pictures around the world, (I hear a young Barack Obama attended one of his lectures,) he became known for his poignant, spot-on presentation of America. Last fall, Denmark’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (of the museum's I've visited, this is my favorite!) held a solo exhibition of his American photography.

via nowness

unseen

via unseen portland

Unseen Portland, modeled after Andrew Kessler's discovery of Denver through the lens of the unseen, is one a collection of close-to-home imagery shot only by inhabitants. His goal: to show the city as raw as possible. Accomplished: I feel like home.

Cassette cover art

via NPR.org

NPR recently posted a Best of List for cassettes released in 2010. This is a showcase of some of the great cover art.

Keep It Goin' Louder

via The Post Family

Producer/hitmaker extrordinaire, and all around stylish man, Diplo, along with DJ SWITCH, and Skerrit Bwoy are jamaican dancehall outfit, MAJOR LAZER. It may not be as accessible to enthusiasts of his work with MIA, or Santigold, but this video is easily on par with "BORN FREE," as best video of the year.

dogtooth.

With a simple poster design and a wonderfully deadpan trailer, Greek film, Kynodontas (Dogtooth) is my most anticipated film this year.

FUN is OK

Really dig the graphic work of Geoff Allen at FUN Is OK. He helped FIANNA tattoo studio create a strong brand identity that fits well with the historic community of Portland, Maine.

Pleasant River SOAP Co.

Pleasant River Soap Company's packaging re-design, unveiled in November, uses recycled materials printed with soy inks and wind generated power. The small Windham, Maine business makes only the purest soaps without artificial fragrances, colors, preservatives, animal products or animal testing. Each bar is handmade, created in small batches using locally-sourced ingredients. They've developed some unique and delightful scents like, FENNEL POPPY, ALMOND LAVENDER, ORANGE CINNAMON, LIME ROSEMARY, BAY RUM, PATCHOULI and MAINE WOODS.

in need of a redesign?

via pinterest

 

 

via signpaintermovie

via bird and banner

via sheaff-ephemera

 

Won't you redesign your logo, mister? Just a few suggestions to inspire..

take me to istanbul

these photos by favorite choses make me dream of going.

thrifting

Jenna has been selling vintage blankets, housewares for the holiday. 

Find her at picnic. Later this month on etsy.

good morning

I've met a new favorite film, Good Morning, by the great Yasujiro Ozu. It is called the wildcard of his career, as it plays through the eyes of children rather than old men. (Most of his films revolve around the concept of mono no aware "sympathetic sadness" but this one is bouncy in its unending childhood.)

Watch for the modernist view of 1959 Japanese suburbs, leave with social commentary on small talk and questions about age vs. wisdom.

Disneyland.

I hear Shigeto may make a stop in Portland soon. Fingers crossed.
Yesterday, NPR put out this 'first listen' a compilation by Shigeto label Ghostly International, We'll Never Stop Living This Way. You may want first listen.