Hasta La Ideas

Watches crafted from reclaimed planks

Conceived in Italy but based in L.A., WeWood watches combine European craftsmanship with sustainably-minded materials to reinvent the average wristwatch—in wood.

The budding brand offers up a line of tasteful Miyota-movement timepieces crafted from several varieties of Maple, Guaiaco (an indigenous South American tree) and Red Wing Celtis, with all materials reclaimed from unused flooring scraps. Devoid of toxic chemicals as well as any colored stains, the natural shades and grains of the different wood types shine through for an organic take on oft-metallic or plastic watches.

Currently crafted in two styles—chrono and classic—the series of 11 watches include light beige, black and even an army-hued green—the natural shade of the Guaiaco tree.

The watches sell for $119 from WeWood, with every sale resulting in a planted tree.

Seed bombs—a simple mixture of clay, fertilizer and plant seeds—are a favored form of DIY “drop-and-go” weaponry among gardeners taking the greening of public spaces into their own hands. To aid the expansion of the guerrilla gardening movement in its persistent goal of transforming forgotten or abandoned urban landscapes into greener spaces, L.A.-based design firm Common Studio came up with pre-made seed bombs.

As part of the interdisciplinary studio’s “Greenaid” concept, they repurposed old quarter-operated candy machines to vend single seed bombs. Anyone can purchase one of the machines (approximately $400 each), which generate profit as they impact the local area’s chances of becoming host to more colorful plant life by making seed bombs more accessible. As an added incentive, Common Studio will supply the seed bombs in mixes specifically developed for the local environment and its ecology. Interested buyers can get a quote on the vending machines by emailing them at “info [at] thecommonstudio [dot] com.”

Similarly, the Cincinnati-based design firm VisuaLingual developed its own make of seed bombs. Available in three region-specific formulas—East Coast, West Coast and Midwest—each yields a colorful mix of florals. The pods come in satchels of five ($7) and sell through the company’s Etsy shop.

For a more thorough look at both the histories and how-tos of guerrilla gardening, check out Richard Reynold’s book “On Guerrilla Gardening: A Handbook for Gardening Without Boundaries,” available from Amazon or Powell’s.

Inspired by the spectacle of matadors and bulls, potter Adam Silverman’s new works merge “beauty with ugliness, elegance and violence.” The artist, also the L.A. director of Heath ceramics, will display his gorgeously tortuous works in the upcoming show “Faena Nueva” at Heath’s L.A. studio.

Drawing on childhood memories of bullfights that his uncle took him to in Spain, Silverman combines the vivid hues of the sport’s unforms with a crackling glaze surface, suggesting the violent nature of the man-versus-beast event. After testing several colors and textures, he eventually came up with six new glaze bases to tell the story. One dramatic red vessel particularly articulates the concept, with a swirl of glaze echoing the movement of a matador’s cape.

With a focus less on function and more on investigative and experimental works, Silverman leads the way in custom and design-focused ceramics. Recently working with architect Nader Tehrani, the duo created “Boolean Valley,” a 400-piece site-specific installation comprised of cobalt blue clay objects based on the Boolean logic principle.

The colorful Faena Nueva exhibit runs from 10-25 April 2010 at Heath Ceramics, with an opening reception on 10 April from 6-9pm.

All images by Gerard Smulevich

On the heels of Via, the latest project to hit Los Angeles’ public spaces is How Many Billboards?, an earnest strategy by MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House bringing art into the everyday discourse. Until the end of March 2010, L.A. will see 21 artworks on billboards spread across areas in and around Hollywood, West Hollywood, Culver City, Westwood and Silverlake.

In the works since 2006, for the project to happen MAK Center relied on prominent billboard companies to donate space and then commissioned artists like Michael Asher, Kenneth Anger and Renee Green to create thought-provoking images.

In a city where conflicts between the local government, residents and billboard companies are ongoing, “How Many Billboards?” co-curator and MAK Center Director Kimberli Meyer points out that the difference between public art such as murals and image heavy advertisements is not clearly defined. L.A. has gone through temporary bans keeping new billboards from going up, and outdoor artwork gets lumped in.

The show will be accompanied by guided bus tours, film and video screenings, as well as panel discussions and lectures. Check the website for more details, including a map of where each of the billboards is located and the artists’ statements about their work.