Snow Pallet: An installation in Sapporo Art Park in Japan by Toshihiko Shibuya, relies on the neutral landscape created by snow, something we don’t get to experiment with much in the Bay Area. The art piece scatters mushroom-like disks, painted bright colors on the underside, through the snow. The color then reflects onto the snow below creating beautiful pools of soft neon light.

You could apply this simple process of adding color to neutral spaces and objects in many ways to garner a huge effect. We plan to experiment!

Images from Designboom
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Have a bunch of leftover zip ties in your garage (or is it just me?) and no idea what to do with them? Look to artist Brian Jones for some inspiration. His work explores bringing new life to everyday objects like balconies and watering cans by adorning them with colorful zip ties. The result is quite beautiful. All images below are directly from the artist’s website.

Tuft v. Turf (2009)

Tuft v. Turf & A+B (2009)

Turfside Passage at Knoxville Museum of Art (2011)

We’ve done a post on yarn bombing before (knitted cozies designed to adorn public objects). In fact, we’ve dedicated a lot of posts to yarn art in general illustrating our love for the delicate and versatile material. Well here’s another one for you by artist, Streetcolor, at our very own Oakland Museum in their front plaza. The yarn installation adds another playful layer to Jensen Architect’s chalkboard and furniture installation, “Chairs of the Board.” The area is open to the public to enjoy so go check it out before the rain finally starts.

Via Oakland Museum blog

Via Berkeley Today

Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, uses an iconic ready-made object – the bicycle – and the power of repetition to manipulate space in his 2011 installation titled Forever Bicycle in Taiwan. This work seems particularly relevant for the bike-centric bay area. Imagine a public bike storage system throughout the city that created art out of our preferred method of transport.

(from Selectism)

(from Arrested Motion)

Pipilotti Rist, a bold Swiss artist, is known for her technicolor installations that transform space with light, imagery & sound. You may have experienced her work if you were lucky enough to visit the NY MOMA a few years back (see below) – unfortunately I missed it!

Pour Your Body Out, MOMA NY (2009)

Interior installation throughout Cinema Manzoni, Milan (2011)

Staring at the blank wall in front of me, I am inspired to fill the space with something new and unexpected…which reminds me of the wall mural along the bridge to the sculpture garden at SFMOMA by Rosana Castrillo-Diaz. The piece is so subtle it almost disappears but its intensity changes depending on the light and as you walk alongside it. See it below (or go experience it in person!) along with a few other professional and diy projects that might inspire you to create your own masterpiece.

Images from SFMOMA blog

This next installation by William Kentridge at MOMA’s PS1 strongly contrasts Diaz’s ethereal piece with its gritty context and haunting figures in silhouette. The commonality is that the stairwell, much like the bridge, is transformed into an interactive experience rather than a mundane passage way.

Images from AmieOliver blog

Merimekko stencil with sharpy pen; Image from Curbly

Image from Apartment Therapy – reminds me of an ee cummings illustration
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On a cold, gray day like today, these playful oversized knitted objects bring a little cheer and a feeling of warmth. I want to surround myself with them and take a nap.

Urchin Pouf by Christien Meindertsma

Aran Rug also by Christien Meindertsma

Knitted stools by Claire-Anne O’Brien

Knitted poufs and giant blanket/tapestry from hardblogcafe

Following our post earlier this week on the Oakland Train Station – currently in a beautiful state of decay and awaiting a revitalization – we found two intriguing and creative projects (both coincidentally in Spain) that have successfully reappropriated abandoned train stations across the world.

Attocha Train Station transformed into a lush garden oasis (Madrid, Spain)

Via Nedbeaumontjr

Train Station revitalized as a youth art center (Spain)

Via Inhabitat

I stumbled upon the artist, Sipho Mabona, while researching origami after I spied this wonderful installation by Meva made of countless folded windmills (note the beautiful shadows cast on the ground below).

Above images are by collaborative, Meva, via designboom

Mabona’s work makes me smile as it encompasses some of my favorite elements – minimalism and whimsy – along with a touch of the unexpected. His installations run the gamut from conventional paper constructed birds and fish to less typical subject matter like full scale interiors and life sized figures made entirely of paper. Continue on for a few examples of Mabona’s work all referenced from his website.

*Origami is a very effective technique to use for an event or an unadorned wall in your home as it is fairly simple & affordable to create and packs a big punch! Click here and here to get started.

Japanese designers and installation artists, Nendo, are a constant source of inspiration for me. Usually dressed in a monochromatic and minimalist palette, their prolific and ethereal work always has a hint of whimsy and play. The following exhibitions show Nendo’s breadth of work and very clear style. I’m always amazed with how much they can do with so little.

Installation for Kenzoki

Light installation for Tokyo Fiber Senseware

Climbing Wall

My London for Established & Sons

Thin Black Lines

Cabbage Chairs