Hasta La Ideas

From post-apocalyptic imagery to pop culture references, two painters explore a single theme

When close friends Casey Diebold and Adam Devarney both graduated from Pratt University their journeys as artists naturally took them to very different places. Devarney returned to the serenity of his native Burlington, VT, while Diebold stayed in Brooklyn to work as a commercial storyboard artist. Their diverging paths have finally crossed again in the form of “Godspeed,” a collaborative exhibition opening 9 April 2010 at NYC’s Sacred Gallery.

The loose concept comes from Devarney’s suggestion of the phrase “God Speed”—a term that allows for their their work to be comfortably contained under one main theme, as well as individual interpretations. While Diebold played off the term more literally, depicting ungodly speeds and high-powered action, Devarney saw “Godspeed” as the loose English translation of the French salutation, bon voyage.

Heavily influenced by skateboard culture and ’80s illustration, Devarney’s work mixes mediums, styles and aesthetics. “I am excited by the idea of taking things out of context and re-purposing them, the chemistry interests me,” he explains. Working with wood panels, Devarney explores voyaging characters on the brink of self-destruction. His paintings follow the “vagabonds of the great beyond,” who are fighting the inertia of their movement.

The past might inform the resulting anachronistic portraits, but they’re firmly in the future. Delvarney says, “my work in this show comes from a soulful place. I am exploring characters, weary and worn down, voyagers who have been pushed to the limit. That is something everyone can relate to.” While Devarney’s stoic aviators put the viewer on edge, Diebold captures cinematic realism in incredible detail at frightening speeds.

Diebold creates surreal graphics with dizzying movement and beautiful texture, an approach he says is informed by his “fascination with future dystopian culture and science fiction like ‘Logan’s Run,’ or fictional gang movies like ‘The Warriors.'” His love of films shows in the multiple layers of allusion in his work, from Alex Cox
to George Miller. His choice to depict the action at a particular moment in the narrative forces viewers to think of the infinite possibilities, creating a dreamlike effect.

“Godspeed” opens at Sacred Gallery this Saturday, 9 April 2010, and runs through 30 April 2010.

Rodarte’s upcycled bag for Opening Ceremony channels free-spirited style

From tutus for Black Swan to fine fabrics for furniture maker Knoll, Rodarte‘s Mulleavy sisters often lend their design talents to those seeking their virtuosic ability to cut and paste style references. Their Cylinder Belt Bag for Opening Ceremony, from the first collection in their collaborative line, sees the L.A.-based duo turn a new corner with a sturdy handbag crafted from vintage leather belts.

The upcycled purse extends Rodarte’s latest spring collection for their eponymous label, which drew on their Northern California roots. With Redwoods and and the ’70s in mind, the bag—along with other items like a “Tom Petty” hat and leather lace-up shorts—shows how even with a simple concept, they rework a style to keep it cutting-edge.

Made in Japan, the purse features a buckle closure and adjustable strap, comes in black or brown leather, and sells for $750 from Opening Ceremony or Barneys (black only).

Those in L.A. can check out Rodarte’s fashion-forward perspective in person at the MoCA exhibit “States of Matter,,” on view through 5 June 2011.

A new book of eye-popping art from revered designer Tristan Eaton

When Tristan Eaton isn’t designing toys or reworking brand identities as head of Thunder Dog Studios, he can be found collaborating with an array of today’s exciting artists. An incredibly talented designer in his own right—with works in the permanent collections of both the Cooper Hewitt Museum and MoMA—Eaton has been an advocate of street culture since his time at Kid Robot. In the forthcoming “3D Art Book” from Prestel, Eaton curates over 100 hundred eye-popping illustrations from a cast of influential graphic designers, painters and clothing brands.

Eaton’s love for stereoscopic images emerged at age 19, when as an apprentice at Detroit’s famed screen-printing shop Highway Press, he began silk screening 3D posters. Less than a decade later through his breakthrough solo show, “3D Happy Action Fun,” Eaton introduced the aesthetic into the concrete art gallery world. His work was so strongly received that shortly after he began working on a 3D project with a small group of artists including The London Police, Superdeux and Jeff Soto.

Eaton was inspired by reviving what was merely novel technology during the ’60s and seeing how it is reflected today, saying “When you compare the artists in this book, you will see that we share nostalgia for the good old days of alternative art and pop culture; when you contrast us, you will see how each of us outsiders have re-envisioned these references in our own unique ways.”

Taking four years for completion, works featured in the 224-page book include those from revered artists like Bill McMullen, Cey Adams, Dr. Revolt, Pose, Tara McPherson and Ron English. “3D Art Book” will be released in April 2011 and will include two pairs of retro 3-D glasses. The book is available for pre-order from Amazon and Powells.

An exhibit of student work centered around sustainable design and denim

Collaborating with eco-friendly fashion label Loomstate, students from the
Parsons The New School for Design recently created a curriculum based on zero-waste design with a focus on denim. The course, mentored by Loomstate‘s Scott Mackinlay and Rogan Gregory, serves to educate students about sourcing, dyeing and employing sustainable denim from responsible sources.

Culminating with the selection of Andria Crescioni’s winning design, the young designer used the tools learned through the course to create an anorak that will be produced as part of Loomstate’s Fall 2011 collection.

To highlight the importance of socially and environmentally responsible design and to showcase the fruits of the collaboration, the works from the program will be on display at the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center through 23 February 2010.

A playful marriage of Finnish patterns and classic American sneakers

Unveiling a new model, reissue and pitch-perfect collaboration, Converse’s triple-threat announcement today builds on the brand’s commitment to making everyday sportswear with playfully wearable style. For their spring collection, Converse partnered with
Marimekko, sourcing patterns—the colorful Tarha (1963) and the looping scaly Pikkusuomu (1965) by Annika Rimala and the tiny triangles of the Kirppu (1980) by Maija and Kristina Isola—from the Finnish textile house’s archives.

The work of some of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, the graphics also speak to Marimekko’s modern art influence—as explained in the
mini-documentary Converse made about the project.

The partnership brings the bold prints to both classic hi and low Chucks (around $80) as well as to two more surprising profiles—Helen ($75), a slightly more feminine Purcell named for Jack Purcell’s wife and reproduced stich-for-stitich, along with the PJ ($75-85), a brand-new look that’s slim and thin-soled, like a classic ’50s sneaker.

Packaged with equally cute shoe bags in matching prints, look out for the collection this spring on
Converse.com and at premium retailers.