Both a storefront and studio, Manhattan-based Partners & Spade do it all.
They produce films, books, apparel, and conceptual products as well as marketing and branding projects for select corporate clients. Have a look below for a glimpse, more on their site.
Their store space:
A few projects:
Re-imagined scaffolding hits the streets of NYC with three finalists’ winning prototypes
by Passa C
Protecting pedestrians from both debris and the rain, NYC construction scaffolding is a major part of the urban landscape yet mostly considered an inconvenient eyesore. With nearly 6,000 sheds spanning more than 1 million linear feet throughout the city, NYC Department of Buildings along with several partners challenged designers to re-think these sheds with the Urban Shed International Design Competition.
The team of nine judges—including Snøhetta director Craig Dykers (the architecture and design studio spearheading NYC’s National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion) and NYC Department and Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri—recently selected the three finalists who will advance to Stage II of the competition. During this phase each of the three designs will be built and installed on a job site in Lower Manhattan. The selected winner will receive city certification and the design will become industry standard and used for future construction projects.
The new sidewalk sheds will revolutionize the NYC cityscape as well as the pedestrian experience. The winning design should increase light and visibility, complement both commercial and residential facades, intuitively guide pedestrians, use more sustainable materials and make maintenance more economical. To see more of the final three designs and all of the entries, visit Urban Shed.
Levi’s launches a temporary space serving NYC’s photography community
Dial the clock back a few years and Levi’s was just another Big American Brand rapidly losing marketshare to other major labels and niche denim brands. Today (approximately one global financial crisis later) the San Francisco, CA-based clothier is mid-comeback with numbers to prove it and an unfolding multitiered campaign fueling the upswing. Of their various billboards, collaborations and promotions all under the banner “Ready to Work Go Forth™” the artistry-led workshops might not seem like such a big deal. But after visiting both the first S.F. printmaking installment earlier this year and the current photography version in NYC, I am hugely impressed by not just how well-executed they are but by the sense that there’s some real heart behind the project. To find out the backstory, we checked in with Levi’s head of Collaborations, Partnerships and Creative Concepts, Joshua Katz, who filled us in on what it’s like working with the brand, the power of community, and what drives the different identities of each workshop.
Where San Francisco’s event drew on the “precious objects” culture that makes printmaking thrive there, the ten-week-long NYC edition is more about the democratic nature of photography and how it’s “interwoven into everything” in the city. As such, there’s a little something for everyone in the massive space (formerly Deitch Gallery) with digital and vintage Leica cameras, other vintage camera brands, digital technicians, photo assistants, a printing center and light box, as well as exhibitions and installations. Collaborators include photographer and curator Tim Barber, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, master photographer Bruce Davidson, chef April Bloomfield, and photography publisher Hamburger Eyes. Launched last night with an event featuring droves of guests, a photobooth, lots of drinks, and DJ duo Chances with Wolves, Katz explains, “the reason a lot of brands don’t do this is because it’s hard, it’s tiring.”
The payoff of course is “if you make that extra effort, people can believe in it.” Or in other words, their success comes from embracing hard work and community as core values from the top down. “There are fundamental philosophies that don’t change,” says Katz. “The [brands] that stick around are people who recognize that they are part of a community.” In addition to opening its doors to artists, community groups and non-profits, all proceeds from sales of Levi’s goods (including the exclusive Trucker Jacket, pictured) and camera-related items will go to NYC-based charitable organizations Harvey Milk High School, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Edible Schoolyard New York.
Comparing his current job to his previous work with Quicksilver, Katz describes his own thinking on brands as having “a certain obligation to the people that wear them, to continue to solve their problems through products and be responsible members of their community.”
And as for Katz’ own role in that community? “I’m still a geek, I’m still a fan…photography is a way to ground me and remind me, capture some of those moments, and record what I do.” Where he’ll be documenting next as the project continues is still under wraps, though it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it will have something to do with music.
Until then, check out the calendar for a full list of NYC events (it runs through 18 December 2010) and see more of our images in the gallery below.
Artists band together in an altruistic exhibition to help close the American education gap
The creative and influential group of artists and activists behind Re:Form School have a very specific goal—to transform public schools and help students flourish. Their desire to reinvent the American public education system has inspired countless hours and tireless determination to create a major group art exhibition, as well as a public awareness campaign. From 9-11 October 2010, the Re:Form School show will bring together the work of more than 150 artists including Gary Baseman, Michel Gondry, Simone Legno, Mike Perry, Phil Lumbang III, Ron English, Jermaine Rogers, Joe Ledbetter, Lisa Congdon, Sage Vaughn and Shepard Fairey.
A myriad of school-themed pieces fill the exhibition space, a school building in Manhattan. Eric Anderson is busy filling a chalkboard with his images and words. Mixed-media artist Erik Otto decided to build a school bus created from reclaimed materials. With wheels he brought from San Francisco and driver’s seat is fashioned from a wooden school chair, Otto is creating a structure that can be rolled around during the show. Sonja Rasula from Unique LA is turning the principal’s office into a store filled with handmade items and unique crafts.
The Re:Form School mission statement offers these words of hope: “We believe every child should be allowed the opportunity to shine and thrive. They should feel safe, challenged and excited to learn. They should be encouraged to bring creativity, imagination and innovation into our future.”
Re:Form School is a REDU project aiming to find ways for rethinking, reforming, and rebuilding the education system. They hope this weekend’s art show will galvanize communities and encourage support for Urban Arts Partnership, Teach for America, Donors Choose and Rock the Vote.
Ultimately Re:Form School hopes the show this weekend will motivate people to find teaching and mentoring opportunities as well and to donate their time and money and help transform the education system.
Re:Form School is open to the public beginning 9 October 2010 through 11 October 2010 between the hours of 10am-6pm.
Quebec culls its most innovative designs for an NYC exhibition and shop
Taking up residence in NYC, the three-week-long exhibit “From Quebec” highlights over 70 innovative designs from our friends to the north. From furniture to fashion, the artfully edited collection showcases the concept Canadians master so well—blending traditional craft with modern ideas.
With works spanning both emerging and established designers, standouts include Périphère‘s “Pâté Chinois” shelving, M3beton‘s “Coulee dans le Beton” collection and Zoë Mowat Design‘s “Desk Buddy.” Also included is a preview of CH contributor Mike Giles’ wooden cased “Alba Me” alarm clock for Furni Creations, which will hit design stores November 2010 (shown at top).
An exhibit-and-shop-in-one, limited quantities of most designs are available for purchase, making it easier than ever to take home furniture from Kino Guérin and Olivier Desrochers, or more precious items like ceramic homewares from Porcelaines Bousquet and tiny chair pendants from Bruxe Design.
“From Quebec” runs through 22 October 2010 at NoHo’s concept shop Relative Space.
Cheer on Cool Hunting as our videos compete for Vimeo’s best Original Series
The first-annual Vimeo Awards and Festival showcases the talented roster of producers, editors, directors and more that create the oft-entertaining and -beautifully shot motion pictures hosted on web’s premier alternative channel.
We’re thrilled and honored to announce that Cool Hunting has been selected as a finalist in the Original Series category. Included among an accomplished group of challengers, we invite you to come out to see all the films and cheer us on to victory.
The festival takes place in NYC on 8-9 October 2010. Tickets sell through Vimeo’s website for $120 and $90 for students, enter discount code “COOL” upon checkout to receive 20% off the ticket price.
NYC’s art book fair returns for its fifth year with an exciting lineup of events and books
The fifth-annual NY Art Book Fair is around the corner, and organizer Printed Matter (NYC’s premiere art bookstore) have put together an exciting lineup of readings, signings, limited editions and more from an intriguing cadre of artists and international presses. The world’s biggest art book fair, the three-day-long events at MoMA PS1 showcase some of the brightest minds in contemporary publishing.
Highlights include artist Leidy Churchman‘s lobby installation—a massive set of facsimile book paintings on wood that depict “artists’ publications from the last hundred years”—as well as a special gallery project from San Francisco’s Goteblüd zine shop, which will present an exhibit of more than 600 Riot Grrrl zines.
As a media sponsor for the fair, stay tuned to Cool Hunting for information or check out Printed Matter’s website. NY Art Book Fair runs from 5-7 November 2010 at PS1. See additional images from the 2009 fair in the gallery below.
Democratic design firm launches with a paint-dipped cane
Omhu, a modern take on a traditional cane, turns the practical tool into an eye-catching accessory. The first product from the NYC-based company’s “Aids For Daily Living” collection, the Omhu cane is inspired by the efficiency of Scandinavian furniture and the glossy aesthetic of high-end bicycles.
Meaning “with great care” in Danish, Ohmu was founded by a trio of design executives who share the common thread of assisting relatives and friends in need of help with simple everyday tasks such as walking, bathing or reaching overhead. Susy Korb (formerly of Tiffany’s, Chrstie’s and Harry Winston), Rie Norregaard (Microsoft, Nike, Samsung) and Susan Towers (Kiehl’s 1851, Time Inc., Assouline), like the architects involved in the New Aging conference, are all working towards progressive design for an aging population.
Based on the design group’s shared experiences and expertise, Ohmu’s Baltic Birch cane is designed with an easy-to-grip handle, a high-strength yet lightweight aluminum shaft and a cushioned patented tip. The handle grip also keeps the cane from falling over when leaned against a wall.
Launching 1 November 2010, the recyclable cane will sell in three different sizes of small, medium and large, and come in a variety of color finishes (of American bicycle paint). You can pre-order the cane from Elderluxe, or look out for it online from Ohmu, as well as from shop at Cooper Hewitt, C.O. Bigelow Pharmacy and Assouline’s NYC store for $125. Stay tuned for future Ohmu product launches which include an accompanying illuminated cane dock.
As design’s savviest scour the streets of New York City this weekend in search of the best in global design, they may also spot white sticker silhouettes of iconic objects. Called Object Hunt, the city-wide initiative comes from a group of design sites (yours truly included) who teamed up to make and distribute the stickers, awarding one lucky person who twitters a picture with the hash tag #objecthunt with a two-night stay at The Standard L.A., a Dwell on Design home tour, and an Eero Aarnio toy puppy. Multiple entries are welcome but each entry must be for a different found sticker and the contest runs through 18 May 2010. And, for one more twitterer who finds and tweets one of our bugs, we’ll hook them up with a shiny new iPad enclosed in one of the custom cases we made with Speck.
We’ll be tweeting clues all weekend long, along with our fellow organizers, a roster that includes Notcot (who spearheaded the whole thing), Sub-Studio, Apartment Therapy, Design Milk, Moco Loco, The World’s Best Ever, and Design Glut. Make it easy on yourself by following the Object Hunt list.
See all the official details at Object Hunt. Good luck and happy hunting!
While there’s no denying the sheer eye-candy appeal of the 21 bikes currently on display at NYC’s Museum of Art and Design, the show goes beyond the glossy frames, contoured leather seats, and clever accessories, delving into the intensive craftsmanship that drives the growing rebirth of the trade. Called “Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle,” the exhibit emphasizes both the level of customization and the painstaking techniques that go into making these one-of-a-kind rides. The bikes featured in the stunning collection all represent design tailored to meet the needs of the rider’s precise specifications and interests, fitted for their exact body measurements, and carefully handcrafted by the world’s most skilled artisans.
The outstanding roster of talent includes Jeff Jones, Dario Pegoretti, J. Peter Weigle, Sacha White (who co-curated the exhibit with entrepreneur and avid collector Michael Maharam), Mike Flanigan and Richard Sachs, with styles spanning road racing, fixed-gear, mountain, commuter, cyclocross (a type of racing bike), and even a pared-down bike built for a randonnée (a friendly, long-distance competition).
While much of the art of frame building remains unchanged, experts constantly—if not obsessively—refine their approach with new processes and tools. Richard Sachs, who has been designing and crafting bikes for three decades, claims that of the thousands of bikes he has built, less than ten come close to perfection. He drafted his signature frame in ’78, only after factoring out construction time and cost as limitations.
In a fascinatingly candid and in-depth interview with Rapha, Sachs jokes that authentic frame-building is like Latin, nobody likes it except scholars. He also tips his hat to Sacha White, one of the only custom bike builders of a younger generation that Sachs believes will be around for good.
A former bike messenger, Portland-based White has become well-known in the bike community for the racing, touring and commuter bicycles he produces under the name Vanilla. Recognized for their flawless construction, innovative concepts and painstakingly filed silver lugs for ultra-smooth connections, Sacha uses his extensive historical knowledge of frame-building to forge a new path for the future of customized bicycles.
As seductive as they are strong, Vanilla’s pitch-perfect color combos dress up exceptionally lightweight steel alloy tubes that boast twice the durability of the those used on the standard racing cycle.
Of White’s bikes in the show, the two he completed this year see the craftsman experimenting with new models, a children’s utility bike and a track-racing bike dubbed Speedvagen, built with the help of Dario Pegoretti. Both incorporate some ingenuity in their design. The roadster-style tricycle’s large wheels and adjustable frame keep it looking proportional through the years, while the Speedvagen Track Machine has a built-in top tube reinforcement and hollow “tubular truss” dropouts—features that lend superior strength thanks to tricky engineering feats.
Also a three-decade-strong master, Pegoretti (pictured above) was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007, breaking the news with an online apology letter to his customers and friends for the slowdown in production. (He’s now back to around 300 frames a year.) In addition to collaborating with White, Pegoretti worked with fellow bespoke builder Sachs for 16 months to come up with their esteemed PegoRichie tubeset.
See images of the bicycles from Weigle, Flanigan, Jones and others in the gallery below. “Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle” runs through 15 August 2010.
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