Waste Landscape was a project conceived by artists Elise Morin and Clémence Eliard. It reminds me of something right out of Tron. What happens when part of what our generation leaves behind are immense piles of petroleum laced toxic waste? Elise and Clémence have decided to sew over 65,000 cds into a tapestry of undulating hills, turning the old into something beautiful. Maybe it’s time to lay to rest our Will Smith and Def Leppard disks for MP3′s if it’s going to result in something so lovely. (Already done.)

via Supersonic Electronic

Via Million Fishes

Million Fishes Art Collective, a community arts organization in SF that houses everything from artist in residency programs to a gallery and dance studio, just had an interactive event/party that should appeal to everyone’s inner child…a room filled with colorful balloons reminiscent of a ball pit at an amusement park (but with less germs). Each balloon was apparently filled with an LED making them respond with light to movement. I’ve searched for photos of the actual event but have so far found none so stay tuned for another post that follows up!

I did find this incredible and very similar balloon installation at the Nasher Sculpture Center by Martin Creed (2011). Filled with so many balloons, visitors could actually fully immerse themselves. Jump in!

Via Style Swoon

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Two Sunday’s ago marked the first annual fundraiser, Flourish, for the Oakland art non-profit, Art Murmur. LS had the chance to help plan and style the event, and let me tell you, it’s not one to miss the next time it comes around. What a great way to support the local arts. The highlight for me was the live artist drawings, art drawn at the event and sold right before your eyes. Danielle Fox, Executive Director of OAM & Director of Slate Contemporary, Dalya Sachs, Event Chair of Flourish, and 36 other volunteers, worked around the clock to make sure that MUA (Art Venue/Restaurant/Bar), in downtown Oakland, was set up beautifully for the event. The event goal was to raise awareness and funds for an organization that encourages art to Flourish in Oakland. They were able to raise–through ticket sales, live auctions, raffle prizes and donations and sponsorships a nice amount of money to continue the growth of Oakland Art Murmur.

I had the chance for a one on one with Danielle after the event. Read below to hear what she has to say.

After all of that hard work, how do you feel Flourish went?
Flourish was by all accounts a smashing success. It was, of course, the first time we had ever done anything like this, and I can think of a hundred ways to do it better next time. But everyone who came had a wonderful time and we raised not only money to help run the organization, but awareness about the organization and the arts programming we offer in Oakland.

Photo on bottom left // Danielle Fox with Hung Liu painting behind her
Photo on bottom right // Dalya Sachs

How do you plan to use the donations that you raised? What’s in store for Oakland Art Murmur?
We are planning to use the funds raised to help us get the word out about Oakland’s galleries so we can get more people to visit and enjoy them and all the wonderful art we have on offer. We would like to distribute our gallery guides via media partners and direct mail, advertise our events, revamp our web site, and make a video about Murmur.

How can people continue to help Art Murmur?
People can still make donations via our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas -the link is on the web site. But what we need most is for people to spread the word and get their friends to come down and visit the galleries, especially on Saturday afternoons, and of course First Fridays, the event for which we are best known.

Go see what Art Murmur is about for yourself.
Murmurama
Next one: Saturday, May 19th
Saturday Stroll
Next one: Saturday, May 12th
First Friday’s
Next one: June 1, 6-9pm

Photo on bottom right (l to r) // Roderick Kiracofe (OAM Board Member), Hung Liu (Artist whose “Winter Blossom” was the star live auction piece at Flourish), Mayor Jean Quan, Danielle Fox (Executive Director of OAM & Director, Slate Contemporary), Dalya Sachs (Event Chair, Flourish), Marshall Lamm (OAM Board Member)

Some of these photos generously donated by // Clayton Mitchell
look for him on facebook too.

Artists who participated in the event included:
SILENT AUCTION
Hung Liu
Magnolia Editions

ARTISTS-IN-ACTION
Alison Tharp
Alison OK Frost
Crystal Morey
Dave Higgins
Obi Kaufmann
Nathaniel Parsons
Marcos LaFarga
David Siler
Jon Carling
Michael McConnell

There is some surprisingly beautiful stuff to look at in airports these days. I was particularly taken by Janet Echelman’s piece, “Every Beating Second” while passing through SFO’s terminals recently. The floating piece invites you to pause and look up in a space usually reserved for quickly passing through.

Via SF Arts Commission

Via Stuck at the Airport

Oakland is never too small to house another gallery. It’s time to expand the artsy side of our brain and support each and every one. Faultline Artspace is a brand new 6000 sq ft art space on the edge of the Fruitvale Station neighborhood in Oakland, California. They have a drawing room, a gallery space, artist spaces, and a wood shop, not too mention they plan on hosting a range of social events. Beginning with the Grand Opening is this weekend, Saturday May 12th from 6-10pm. Music, Art and Beer (from Beer Revolution).

Faultline Artists
Thomas Christopher Haag
Ryan McJunkin
Clare Szydlowski
Ernest Doty
David Polka
Madeline Tonzi
Felicia Gabaldon

Pretty funny. I see this opportunity to make an even bigger statement with this idea from the Carmichael Collective.

I was driving past Mignonne in Berkeley a few weeks ago and these brightly decorated windows caught my eye. How fun. Mignonne is always coming up with inspiring fun ideas for the windows. All of these windows are done with tape and streamers (with the exception of the painted furniture) by Rebekah Carey McNal of A&B Creative. What a great way to attract attention to passers-by and encourage customers who love a fun, edgy vibe to pop on in. It reminds me of LA-based Megan Geckler‘s work who we’ve featured here before.

If Mignonne sounds familiar, we’ve mentioned this store before as a partner in crime with our Sunday Brunch and Tilt Wedding Fair.

I stumbled across the work of Charles Clary via Share Some Candy this past week. His colorful paper sculptures remind me of curving land formations. It’s almost as if I’m looking onto a 3D topographical map. The pieces are so fun and playful.

Flameobic Opulation detail, acrylic, hand-cut paper on panel

Radimafungle Gestation

Flambiotic Pandemic, acrylic, hand-cut paper on panel

His most recent exhibit is about to close at View Arts in Old Forge, New York (if you happen to be passing through). On exhibit from March 10 – May 6, 2012

Oakland Art Murmur’s first fundraising event, FLOURISH is just days away now. By attending and spreading the word, you help to raise funds for this valuable organization whose mission is right in line with ours…to see Oakland and its incredible art scene thrive.

Details can be found below and tickets can be purchased here.

Thank you for supporting!

Match sculptures are becoming all the rage. The artists featured below incorporate using different colored and burned matches to create texture and intrigue in their sculptures. Hot!

Pei-san Ng

Claire Fontaine

David Mach