Nicola L. is one of those artists who has simply been around forever. She’s known by only her first name and last initial, and she manages to bring unmistakable style to each and every thing she does. She’s been known to create performance art, films, conceptual art, and sculptures, but perhaps her most enduring form is her functional art. It’s at once whimsical and serious, serving a very real function but having loads of fun doing it.
Looking at Nicola L.’s art, it’s hard not to notice her preferred subjects: eyes, heads and snails make repeated appearances. Though she does at times visit different forms for her functional art, the human body remains a subject of continued interest for her.
Since her first solo gallery show in 1969, French-born Nicola L. has been showing her functional art in galleries all over the world. She makes her pieces – lamps, planters, fish tanks, tables and sofas – in extremely limited editions, and in 2006 she had a large retrospective show of her functional art in Ingrao Gallery in NYC.
These stylized shapes of the human head, eyes, body and limbs take on a whole new meaning when they are in the context of functional art. They become familiar and warm, but also very playful. We don’t usually see head-shaped bookcases or eye-shaped ceiling lamps, so Nicola’s pieces often inspire wide smiles as the unexpected shapes are noted by viewers.
But there is also a hint of creepiness about some of the pieces, especially those featuring eyes. The artist manages to interject that tiny bit of discomfort into these pieces that many of us are used to feeling from conceptual artists: it seems that there might just be a subtext there, but we feel like we are missing it.
The artist says that she came by functional art almost accidentally after constructing a foot-shaped sofa for her and her friends to sit on. Nicola L.’s impressive body of work spans over 40 years and is truly something to behold. And if you can afford to furnish your home with functional art, hers is some of the most timelessly impressive you’ll find.
Creative & Unique Modern Furniture Designs
We sit on it during the day, sleep on it at night, eat off it and even look at our reflection in it – but how much thought do we really give our furniture? Click Here to See More
ESPN normally doesn’t feature street BMX but they were so blown away with Walter Pieringer’s shots, that they decided to give him a feature on their site! Congrats to him cos the set of 13 images are really damn good and pls check out his site to see other amazing bike-related imagery.
Dark Toy artist, Plaseebo has just released his newest creation, “LARVOPUS”. This Limited Edition figure of only 4 custom hand painted pieces by Bob is a collaborative with Velocitron/Japan. The 5.5 inch high figure is a combo of clear vinyl and a hand cast resin Octo base with a switched color changing LED unit mounted underneath the base that projects the color lights up, illuminating the clear vinyl body. Signed and numbered at $250 and available HERE. I love how Plaseebo mixes the genres of Kaiju monsters, with Western horror aesthetics and then adds his own scary touches to each figure. Made with love to scare you…..
[VIA]
Super Robot Wars is a series of Role Playing Videogames that first came out in the 1990′s on Bandai and continues to be a popular franchise to this day. Kutobukiya are bringing out a series of SRW figures slated for the beginning of next year which promise to have at least 30 points of articulation and averaging 300-400 pieces to snap together….(Sladegelmir & Wildwurger are out now)
See the Official SRW site HERE.
I Love Graffiti site from Germany posted a nice set of 10 pics of Brit graffer, Nylon (TNS)as part of their ‘Top Ten’ series of posts…
And he’s playing an ESP guitar which makes me smile.
The Nissan Land Glider is a compact electric vehicle concept that features an innovative computer controlled steering system, allowing the car lean into the turns for better balance. The driver seat is placed centrally inside the narrow cabin of this two-seater car and another seat for the passenger is located directly behind the driver’s seat. The steering wheel has been designed like a flight yoke and cameras and monitors have replaced the rear view mirrors. The dashboard is one more thing of the car that you have never seen in any other cars. With the potentially lighter weight and narrow profile, this electric car is being expected to hit the crowd soon.
Designer : Nissan
The ZENDOME.20HE is a unique recreational spot concept enclosing a 20sqm and increasable up to 1000sqm of exclusive floor space covered with sensually arched roofs. The brilliant and creative characteristic of the organic space and advanced frame system has really made it an eye-catching and distinct structure. Moreover, several domes can be combined in inspirational groups. Powder-coated steel and PVC coated polyester fabrics are the main materials that have been used to form this great waterhome. Usually the dome comes in white color, however, it can be changed as per the design of individual taste.
Designer : ZENDOME
The Touch Screen Faucet from Fima is equipped with smart and intelligent features that will do all the thinking on behalf of you. This unique and innovative gadget will pamper you with high-tech traits but yet features a simple and stylish outlook. Its sleek lines, stylish stainless steel made body, simple shape and touch sensitive display will help you to preset the ideal temperature of water and control the usage, making it an environmentally responsible and elegant bathroom essential. Hanging the faucet is easy and operating is easier. It features large icons for different options that can be programmed through simple touch of your fingertips.
