Dominican Authorities Approve Container Cities For Haiti Housing Relief

by Bridgette Meinhold,

Numerous disaster relief housing projects have been proposed to help in the aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake last month, and while many of them seem workable, none (as of yet) will actually be implemented. But a new shipping container project designed by Richard Moreta and his team may change all that. http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/26/dominican-authorities-approve-of-container-cities-for-haiti-housing-relief/

Celebrating the 'Decodence' of the SS Normandie

By Carolyn Kelly

Unlike other major exhibitions of the art deco period, DecoDence: Legendary Interiors and Illustrious Travelers Aboard the SS Normandie, which opens today at the South Street Seaport Museum, isn't an over-the-top display. http://www.themagazineantiques.com/news-opinion/current-and-coming/2010-02-18/art-deco-design-and-the-normandie/

Wave-Wrapped Solar Monaco Pavilion Unveiled for the 2010 Shanghai Expo

by Mike Chino

Excitement is amping up as Shanghai prepares for the 2010 World Expo by unfurling stunning feats of architecture ranging from supermassive sun valleys to epic energy-efficient pavilions. Keeping step with the other impressive structures on display, Naço Architectures has unveiled a shimmering solar powered pavilion wrapped in an illuminated wave of LED lights. http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/19/wave-wrapped-solar-monaco-pavilion-unveiled-for-the-2010-shanghai-expo/

Companion Parrot by Tithi Kutchamuch

London designer Tithi Kutchamuch has created a necklace with charms modelled on the skull and entrails of a parrot.

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/02/18/companion-parrot-by-tithi-kutchamuch/#more-65560

The Spotless Garden

By MICHAEL TORTORELLO

THERE’S a “Beyond Thunderdome” quality to Rob Torcellini’s greenhouse. The 10-by-12-foot structure is undistinguished on the outside: he built it from a $700 kit, alongside his family’s Victorian-style farmhouse in Eastford, Conn., a former farming town 35 miles east of Hartford. What is going on inside, however, is either a glimpse at the future of food growing or a very strange hobby — possibly both. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/garden/18aqua.html?ref=style

A Dutch Home With Some Serious Whimsy

By GISELA WILLIAMS

THE kitchen in Don and Sylvie Murphy’s home, on the suburban edges of Amsterdam, is orange, about the same shade as their goldfish, their food processor and Ms. Murphy’s car, a vintage Fiat 500 parked outside. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/greathomesanddestinations/18location.html

Rainbow Church by Tokujin Yoshioka

Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka will exhibit a glass window made of 500 crystal prisms at MUSEUM. beyond museum in Seoul this May.
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/02/12/rainbow-church-by-tokujin-yoshioka/#more-64450

The Robotic Chair by Luca Nichetto for Offecct.

Robo, the new chair design by Luca Nichetto for Offecct has been presented during the Stockholm Furniture Fair, alongside his personal exhibition, which inaugurated the new Offecct Showroom in Stockholm.
http://www.abitare.it/selected-by-abitare/robo-by-luca-nichetto/

Demons and Devotion: The Hours of Catherine of Cleves

The Morgan Library & Museum, NYC
January 22 through May 2, 2010
The Hours of Catherine of Cleves is the most important and lavish of all Dutch manuscripts as well as one of the most beautiful among the Morgan's collection. Commissioned by Catherine of Cleves around 1440 and illustrated by an artist known as the Master of Catherine of Cleves, the work is an illustrated prayer book containing devotions that Catherine would recite throughout the day. The manuscript's two volumes have been disbound for the exhibition, which features nearly a hundred miniatures.
http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?id=25

New Theater: Lincoln Center Raises the Roof

By ROBIN POGREBIN

In the early 1960s Hugh Hardy worked as an assistant to Jo Mielziner, the theatrical designer. Mr. Mielziner was collaborating with Eero Saarinen on the design of the Vivian Beaumont Theater for the new Lincoln Center, and part of Mr. Hardy’s job was to mediate between his boss and the great architect. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/theater/04theater.html

Embroidery Chairs by Johan Lindstén

Stockholm 2010: Stockholm designer Johan Lindstén will present a collection of chairs with backrests featuring embroidered country scenes in Stockholm next week.
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/02/05/embroidery-chairs-by-johan-lindste%cc%81n/#more-63580

Swirl: A Washing Machine in a Ball for Laundry in Developing Nations

by Beth Shea,

Imagine if you could kick, bunt and play your way to clean clothing. Well Swirl, an innovative new concept for easy laundering on the go lets people do just that. This colorful ball (which we wish had been entered into the Greener Gadgets design competition) designed by German-based designaffairs Studio lets people fill it up with dirty clothes, water and soap and then the rotational motion of soccer and play does all the work. http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/05/swirl-a-washing-machine-in-a-ball-for-laundry-in-developing-nations/

The Allure of the Automobile

High Museum of Art March 21- June 20, 2010

Phillip Wright's 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow, recognizable by its sharp hood ornament, is appearing in a survey of engineering brilliance from the open road. "The Allure of the Automobile" opens at Atlanta's High Museum of Art on March 21.
http://www.high.org/main.taf?p=3,2,1,14,1

Now Showing | Norwegian Good

By PILAR VILADAS

Snøhetta is coming to New York. These rock stars of Scandinavian architecture will be featured in “Snøhetta: architecture-landscapes-interiors,” opening Feb. 4 at Scandinavia House: the Nordic Center in America.
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/now-showing-norwegian-good/?ref=t-magazine&src=tmcc

Ryan McElhinney's Playful Reuse

By Emily Pilloton


Ryan McElhinney turns trash to treasure with a playful spin on reusing found materials. His "upcycling" approach turns old toys into lamps and mirrors using a high-glass metallic lacquer. Each piece is handcrafted in his London studio. Check out his whole collection here, and keep in mind that orders have a 6 week lead time.
http://www.interiordesign.net/blog/1860000586/post/1750052375.html?nid=2068

John Baldessari | Everything but the Kitchen Sink

By LINDA YABLONSKY

In 1971 John Baldessari made a print of a text-based artwork that has become legend. It said, “I will not make any more boring art,” and the pioneering California conceptualist has been as good as his word.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/john-baldessari-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink/?ref=fashion

Follow a Museum Day (The link is still active today!)

On February 1st 2010 we want you to spread the word about museums on Twitter.

Just tell your followers about a museum you follow, or point them to our directory of museums on Twitter so that they can pick one for themselves.
http://www.followamuseum.com/

Art of the Week: The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

Pierre-Jacques Volaire, The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, 1777, 53 1/8 x 89 in., oil on canvas, Purchased with funds from the Alcy C. Kendrick Bequest and from the State of North Carolina, by exchange
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=307776434551

Rapid Re(f)use: New York City Rebuilt From Its Own Trash

New York City, much like any big city, disposes of a lot of trash — but what if that trash could be used in a constructive manner? NYC-based architects Terreform have proposed a new form of construction for the City that uses industrial sized robots to create buildings and islands from waste instead of sending it to landfills like Fresh Kills.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/29/rapid-refuse-new-york-city-rebuilt-from-its-own-trash/

Mattia Bonetti's furniture is bound to lead to discussion on the influence of contemporary art on design. Whimsy and glamour rub elbows with style and originality.
http://mocoloco.com/art/