Design Crisis Recommends

Now that you've undoubtedly wrapped up all your holiday shopping thanks to the gift guide Erin and I lovingly crafted last week, I think you've earned a little you time.  Forget the malls, holiday cookies and oh my god please don't think about swapping another white elephant.  You need to decompress!  We here at design crisis have pulled together a couple non-holiday adventures that are sure to give you the mental make over you need. First up:

Bauhaus 1919 - 1933: Workshops for Modernity at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY.  Admittedly, I've been a little obsessed with the Bauhaus lately, I'm not sure if I've been dialing into a social subconscious that's already decided this for me or if my interest is a strange coincidence but either way, I'd gladly consider donating my right left arm to go check out this show.

Already receiving rave reviews for the breath of work included, the MoMa, which itself is a nod to the Bauhaus movement, is exhibiting works that came out of the Bauhaus before it's fall to Nazi Germany.  The works are carefully arranged alongside historical documentation via photos, letters and films from the school, leading the viewer through an all encompassing journey of, what would become, the most powerful influence on modern design.  If you're within a 100 mile radius of Manhattan go to it and come back to me with a full play-by-play report.

If you're not in the New York area and don't have 24-hour access to a charter jet (great holiday gift idea, btw!) might I suggest the documentary Beautiful Losers.  Featuring such art and design heavy weights as Geoff McFetridge, Barry McGee, Harmony Korine, Shepard Fairey and the adorably crush-worthy Mike Mills, Beautiful Losers traces the lives of 14 artists as they collectively, and almost accidentally, re-defined the New York art scene (and modern art as we know it) in the early 90's.  Completely unpretentious and accessible, the documentary humanizes each artist while totally and completely inspiring it's viewers.

Here's the trailer if you don't believe me:

Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.

I caught this on Netflix on demand this weekend whilst nursing a hangover with my sure-fire hangover cure trifecta:  scrambled eggs, V8 and marathon documentaries.  I give the combo 5 stars.

Some other random recommendations for your enjoyment, in no particular order:

Book: Creative Space: Urban Homes of ARtisits and Innovators.  I received this as a gift from a most lovely house guest recently.  It is now completely defiled and covered in my drool.

TV: Ninja Warrior.  Everything you could ever want in a television show and more.  The new season is starting soon and I can barely contain myself

Music:  The new phoenix album is fantastic.  So what if one of the songs is on a car commercial?  As the lovely Geoff McFetridge points out in Beautiful Losers, the only difference between fine art and commercial art is intent.

Magical Mystery Tour

I've already admitted that the holidays make me a little grinchy. All the rushing about, fighting traffic and deadlines, often makes me wish I could teleport into a stress free, holiday free zone. Perhaps I should also grudgingly admit that I occasionally enjoy the holidays. Last night was one of those occasions -- good friends, good food, Christmas lights and booze. It was... nice. So today, I'm feeling all vulnerable to sentiment, a wee bit susceptible to oozy good cheer. And in that spirit, I'm gifting you with a slice of holiday magic:

Behold these gorgeous images by Barry Underwood, who stages light sculptures at night and then photographs them to spectacular result. If you don't feel a little sense of wonder while viewing his work, your sense of wonder may be broken.

Dear Barry, all I want for Christmas is a 40x40 print. That shouldn't be a problem, should it?

If you live in Oakland, go see his show at Johansson Projects. As a photographer who also shoots at night, I can tell that his work would benefit from being seen in person. There's such incredible, delicate detail in the images that they promise to surprise and amaze when viewed in full scale without ever revealing their mysterious origins.

Just like magic.

Holiday Gift Guide: Under a Billion

For the last few days Erin and I have been pounding the interweb pavement bringing you the best holiday gifts chump change can buy; but we know what you're really here for:  our billion dollar round up.  We spent lots of time finding the world's most exclusive items, Lucite Chanel Briefcases, Diamond Studded Fixed Gear Bikes, $320,000 prize cows, the list goes on.  But we realized, you know, if someone is going to drop a billion skrillas on their beloved, why not go with a gift that says "I think you're awesome and I want the whole world to know.  Forever." That's why we here at Design Crisis Headquarters are proud to offer the world's Most Exclusive, Most Expensive Holiday Gift Ever (fact).

For 1 billion dollars cash, you may purchase a life-long ad on design-crisis.com.  That's right!  Erin and I will continue blogging for the rest of our natural born lives in order to ensure that the whole world knows your BFF is totally awesome.  Want to promote her business?  Great!  Want to show a picture of her holding a baby kitten?  No Problem!  Whatever it is you want to share with the planet, this is your chance!  Act now, this special holiday offering won't last long.  After December 25th Design Crisis ad opportunities will revert to measly civilian rates with laughable 30-day contracts. To reserve your eternal ad on Design Crisis, contact us at hollaback@design-crisis.com today!