Phil Patton – Page 15 – DesignApplause

About Phil Patton

Phil Patton is a contributing editor at Departures and Esquire magazines, a contributing writer at Wired and an automotive design writer for The New York Times. He was a regular contributor to The New York Times House and Home section and, in 1998, originated the “Public Eye” column. He has written many books including: Made in USA: The Secret History of the Things That Made America (Grove-Weidenfeld, 1992), which was named a New York Times notable book of the year; Bug: The Strange Mutations of the World's Most Famous Automobile (Simon & Schuster, 2002); Michael Graves Designs: The Art of the Everyday Object (Melcher, 2004); and Dreamland: Travels Inside the Secret World of Roswell and Area 51 (Villard, 1998). He has also written for Art in America, ARTnews, Connoisseur, Geo, Harper’s Bazaar, Men’s Journal, The New Republic, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Rolling Stone, Smithsonian, Travel + Leisure, Traveler, The Village Voice and Vogue. Patton was Editorial Consultant on the Guggenheim Museum’s “Motorcycle” show in 1998 and Consulting Curator for the “Different Roads” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1999. In 2000 he was consultant and contributor for “On the Job: Design and the American Office” at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Lamborghini kitchen.

Dec 2, 2010

a kitchen like a super car?
Tonino Lamborghini, the only son of Ferruccio Lamborghini, the famous tractor maker who founded the sports car company, has designed a new kitchen bearing his name and the rearing bull logo.

Manhattan Motor Cars sent over two current Lambos for a party introducing the curved, gleaming counter installation at Pedini, the Tribeca store that sells it.

Since 1981, Tonino has been producing Lamborghini branded products — watches, leather goods — on the model of F.A. Porsche’s Porsche Design. He has turned out a set of women’s high heels with carbon fiber heels and what look like tail lights on the heel.

The sides of the kitchen counters are faced in ostrich leather embossed with the raging bull logo. A according to Pedini, the handles of the drawers are inspired by the door handles of the Diablo. Only two of the kitchens, priced above $103,000 — are on display — one in Los Angeles and one at Pedini.

above: another option — mondo kd, features lamborghini orange ostrich leather, high gloss lacquer, with a white solid surface countertop.

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NYC design walks.

Nov 30, 2010

check out the italian design outlets in SoHo and uptown.
ross lovegrove’s Cosmic lamp
Last night marked the beginning of the Milano New York Italian Design Street Walk, which runs through January 8. Under the auspices of isaloni, the cultural and commercial organization for design, companies are welcoming visitors. For a map of participants see isaloni.it/ny

Artemide premiered Ross Lovegrove’s dramatic “Cosmic” lamp series in the U.S.; it combines digital effects with the imagery of a dragon fly wing or a Brancusi bird. Gio Ponti was recalled at FontanaArte with lamps and graphics, while Kartell evoked Milan with huge photo murals on the walls of the Duomo and Galleria, providing backdrop for its new furniture designs. Molteni & C/DADA displayed a special limited edition of the Aldo Rossi secretary, called Carteggio, produced in green. One of the pieces will be bestowed on the lucky winner of a raffle. The box filled up quickly with business cards; the winner will be announced Dec. 24.

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KIA pop. Electric concept.

Nov 18, 2010

i think it’s an oddball but interesting design.

The Kia Pop was first shown at the Paris Auto Show in the fall. It is a vision of a small future electric car with pop art inspirations. The style is more product design than car design: it looks like some sort of Karim Rashid electronic appliance. The side windows resemble the lenses of goggles and the letters of the logo pick up on that odd oval form.

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Noguchi show, his contemporaries, flow chart.

Nov 17, 2010

noguchi museum — november 17, 2010 – april 24, 2011, new york. left: noguchi chart of influences. click photo to enlarge.

A new show celebrating 25 years of the wonderful Noguchi Museum and Garden in Long Island City, Queens, is called “On Becoming an Artist: Isamu Noguchi and His Contemporaries, 1922–1960.” It could have been called Six Degrees of Isamu Noguchi or Linked-in, featuring Isama Noguchi. It even comes with a wall-sized flow chart of connections. Some of the connected names are Bucky Fuller, Alexander Calder, Frieda Kahlo, Martha Graham, George Balanchine.

Noguchi also planned a swimming pool for director Josef Von Sternberg, at his house by Richard Neutra. (It was never built but imagine Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper paddling around together.) He did a bust of Ginger Rogers. More than a sculptor, he was a designer of furniture and lamps for Herman Miller, Knoll and others. He shaped public spaces and playgrounds. He worked with leading artists, designers and architects.

above: my arizona 1943
In 1943 in a wartime internment camp for Japanese Americans he wrote letters to friends like Man Ray and created “My Arizona” a wall sculpture of fiberglass and plastic commenting on the desert village where he lived out the war.

[ noguchi museum—november 17, 2010 – april 24, 2011 ]

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Modernism + Art20. 2010.

Nov 12, 2010

culbutor designed by marc held (1965)

above / below: ettore sottsass

above: jason miller was awarded the “modernism” best young designer award–these are his Lego inspired vases

At this year’s Modernism show at The Park Avenue Armory in New York Nov 12-15 two trends were evident. one was a continuing interest in mid century modern furniture. Dealers have now pushed into the eccentric odd corners of that style–eg Marc Held’s “Culbutor.” The second is a revival of interest in postmodernism–at least as embodied in Memphis and Ettore Sottsass ceramic teapots.

Modernism + Art20 is at the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, at 67th Street, on Friday from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Monday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 a day or $30 for a two-day pass; (212) 777-5218 or sanfordsmith.com.

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Patrick jouin. Design and gesture.

Nov 10, 2010

november 9 / february 6 2011 museum of arts and design new york.

The Museum of Art and Design in New York today premieres “Patrick Jouin: Design and Gesture.” The exhibition is part of the ongoing series “Madprojects.” It includes a series of lamps for the Leucos/FDV Collection. Handcrafted in Venice, the ethereal lamps are composed of tiny tubes and cloud like elements of LEDs and halogen bulbs. They bear such names as REED, ETHER and MERCURE.

The show also includes products Jouin has designed, backed by a looped film exploring the relationship between object and gesture.

museum of art and design: patrick jouin

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Jawbone. Jambox speakers.

Nov 4, 2010

the smallest wireless speaker and speakerphone on the planet.

A new design by Yves Behar’s Fuse Project is called Jambox. What is it? A wireless speaker and a take-off on the old fashioned boom box radio/tape player.

Fuse says: “Using principles of minimalist design, less parts and simpler assembly, we designed the JAMBOX to be portable, robust and have maximum sound output integrity. With its stainless steel construction and industrial-weight molded rubber casing, it is built differently from other typical speakers: All four sides of JAMBOX are wrapped in a single grill to cut down on moving parts. The perforated metal sheaths are textured to reduce vibration, and bear four distinct patterns that visually reflect sound in the form geometric patterns, this brings an artisan quality to the JAMBOX’s pure box aesthetic.

We also designed the communications around the JAMBOX, starting with the simple sneaker-box packaging that romanticizes the original boombox, “that was then”, with new modes of consuming and sharing music, “this is now.”

Say goodbye to that giant boombox circa 1985! We are launching our first Jawbone product that blasts noise instead of eliminating it! Here comes JAMBOX, a tiny wireless speaker to make those jams on your phone or ipad sound, well, awesome. And it’s also a speakerphone, in case the boss calls during the party… Available in 4 sound-proof colored textures at Apple stores on November 14, and at jawbone.

designer: yves behar /fuseproject
producer: jawbone

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2011 Ducati diavel.

Nov 3, 2010

a radically new bike offering an all carbon body, speed, style.

above: the diavel carbon.

The Ducati Diavel, 2011’s hottest new bike from the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, showcasing the brand’s continued innovations in design and technology.

A radical new approach to blending comfort and performance, the Diavel combines lightweight agility with exceptional sporting characteristics, resulting in a truly commanding new motorcycle.

Continuing the technological standard recently set by Ducati’s own Multistrada 1200 S, the Diavel features Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Riding Modes (Sport, Touring and Urban), Ride-By-Wire throttle and ABS brakes that combines to deliver the most dominant ride available. The lightweight and sleek Diavel weighs approximately 450 pounds. With strategic design in mind, the Diavel features excellent handling and an unmatched sense of confidence and control, while embodying a nimble athlete on starting blocks.

The Diavel’s comfortable ride features one of the lowest seat heights (30.3in) in the Ducati range as well as wide tapered aluminum handlebars beautifully shaped to fit the lines of the bike. Other technological advancements include LED lighting, keyless ignition and LCD split-level instrumentation with a TFT control panel display.

“The Diavel is confident and muscular; this stylized and innovative bike is shaping the future of motorcycle design as riders demand comfort, style and performance in a user-friendly package.” said Cristiano Silei, CEO of Ducati North America. “This Ducati introduction embodies both attitude and ability by offering an ownership experience unlike any other.”

Developed from the world champion Testastretta Evoluzione Superbike engine, the Ducati Diavel comes equipped with the Testastretta 11° power plant, able to harness the power of a Superbike yet produce a smooth ride, which can be adapted at the press of a button. Via the Ducati Traction Control system, the Diavel offers eight levels of traction sensitivity, which significantly increase the bike’s active safety and performance levels. What’s more, the Ducati Diavel boasts 162-horsepower in Sport and Touring modes for an adrenaline-fuelled ride, or 100 horsepower in Urban mode for a more relaxed experience.

The Ducati Diavel is available in two versions: the Diavel, $16,995, and the Diavel Carbon, $19,995, featuring a body formed entirely in carbon fiber, and forged aluminum Marchesini wheels that shave 5.5 pounds of unsprung weight from the motorcycle. The Ducati Diavel will be available at authorized showrooms beginning in February 2011. Color selections for the Diavel include traditional Ducati red or pearl white and red or black carbon on the Diavel Carbon model.

Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The company produces motorcycles in six market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Streetfighter, Monster, Multistrada, Diavel and Hypermotard. The company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, North American and Japanese markets. Ducati competes in the MotoGP World Championship. In World Superbike, Ducati won the 2009 Manufacturer’s title, bringing the total to 16 of the last 20 Manufacturers’ titles and 13 Riders’ titles. Competing in MotoGP since 2003, Ducati won both the Constructors’ and Riders’ world titles in 2007.

producer: ducati

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Nordic models + common ground.

Oct 31, 2010

a show of about thirty designs for buildings, furniture, lighting, clothing and other disciplines opened on thursday at scandinavia house in new york. 29 Oct 2010 – 9 Mar 2011.
above: helen & hard ( norway ) 2010 shanghai expo finnish pavilion “power by nature”

Called Nordic Models + Common Ground: Art and Design Unfolded, the exhibition was organized by Norsk Form—the Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway– in collaboration with The American-Scandinavian Foundation, which is celebrating its centennial.

The exhibition was designed and curated by the architecture firm Snøhetta in collaboration with Situ Studio.

The show is hosted by Scandinavia House on Park Avenue in Manhattan, practically in the shadow of Grand Central Station, which is a sometimes overlooked refuge for arts and culture from the Nordic countries. (Nordic seems to be the term used to include the Scandinavian nations of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden together with Iceland.) With a lively restaurant and a shop including designs from the area, Scandinavia House also hosts shows and speeches, films and concerts.

The firm Snøhetta is based in Oslo and New York and is known for its designs for the Alexandria Library in Egypt and the Museum Pavilion of the New York World Trade Center site.

Craig Dykers, one of the principles of Snøhetta, was on hand at the opening. He explained the “unfolding” aspect of the title, showing how each of the pieces of display furniture had been created from a single standard piece of plywood, sliced on angles and hinged. “It’s a living hinge,” he said, pointing out how it turned in either direction. The blonde, bare plywood evokes familiar memories of Scandinavian design, notably Alvar Aalto.

“We wanted to arrange it,” Dykers explained, “so that wherever you stand in the gallery you can look around and see an echoing idea.” So hanging lamps pick up on hanging clothing and carbon fiber chairs by Mathias Bengtsson suggest building designs. Wry ceiling lamps called Uggi, by Fanney Antonsdottir and Dogg Gudmundsdottir of Iceland, use the dried bodies of cod fish for their shades.

above: mathias bengtsson ( denmark ) spun chair 2002 – lighter than macbook air

above: fanney antonsdóttir and dögg guđmundsdóttir ( iceland ) dried codfish 2001

The fish not only make a little joke about the region but, as deployed, pick up on the fish-scale-like shingles used to cover the Shanghai expo pavilion by JKMM of Finland. The shingles are made of recycled bottles and other plastic; a sample of them are displayed on the wall beside a huge images of the spherical pavilion.

above: jkmm Architects (finland ) 2010 shanghai expo finnish pavilion “kirnu”

The show emphasizes the egalitarian qualities shared by the area’s cultures, Dykers said, and there is also a kind of democracy of parts at work in many of the designs. Repeated elements work together in a city shelter structure, a dress, a chair—even in a necklace called Butterfly Disguise II by Liv Blavarp of Norway, of disc like forms of maple, wenge, ebony and reindeer horn.

above: liv blåvarp ( norway ) butterfly disguise II, necklace 2009

above: helen & hard ( norway ) 2010 shanghai expo finnish pavilion “power by nature”

above: daniel rybakken ( norway ) night shot of daylight entrance 2010