Posts from — March 2008

Fiona Hewitt, who specialises in illustration inspired by decorative, retro Chinese designs, has a striking range of retro products such as a baking kit, a first aid tin, bags and mugs.

All are designed and illustrated with her distinctive style and available from her website to buy.

Chinese, Retro products on Dumpling Dynasty

Incidently, I came across her products in London’s Liberty store who are hosting a whole range of products and ideas to tie in with the China Design Now exhibition at the V&A.

Technorati Tags: design, Dumpling Dynasty, Fiona Hewitt, United Kingdom

Check out these funky Sea Urchin lights from the California-based company Lacor. They’re crafted by placing chopsticks in cast resin.

See more on LacorFurniture.com

Via RoadSideScholar

Technorati Tags: Sea Urchin lights, chopsticks, ideas, interiors

I previously posted about an excellent radio series exploring the early history of Chinese people in Britain, which was presented by writer and performer Anna Chen and produced by Mukti Jain Campion of Culture Wise.

Radio 4 are repeating the Chinese in Britain series as two hour long omnibus editions on Friday 16th and 23rd of May, 9pm to coincide with this year’s Reith Lectures which are about China.

“A fascinating story.” - Chris Campling, The Times

“Each episode sounded effortless only because it had been crafted with such supreme care.” - Gillian Reynolds, The Daily Telegraph

Visit the BBC Series Website for more information.

Visit the Culture Wise website

Technorati Tags: Anna Chen, Chinese in Britain, interview, Mukti Jane Campion, United Kingdom

Here’s an amazingly crafted paper model of Howl’s Moving Castle, from the anime movie of the same name, by Japanese director and artist Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli.

Its complex so would take a few days to say the least, to complete. If you’d like to make your own moving castle, follow the links for downloadable pdf files.

Howl’s Moving Castle Paper Craft

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: crafts, Japan, Miyazaki, papercraft, Studio Ghibli

Hello Kitty now also made onto an exclusive Globetrotter suitcase, designed by Japanese high end brand Undercover!

More on HighSnobiety.com

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: Hello Kitty, Globetrotter, Undercover

Swarovski will be opening a flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo. Named Crystal Forest, the exterior is covered in stainless-steel pieces reflecting fragmented views of the street.

The store will open on 29 March 2008.

More on DeZeen

Technorati Tags: Japan, Crystal Forest, Swarovski, Tokyo

Giant Robot Magazine’s Year of the Rat Art exhibition now has the artwork online for your perusal (and purchase).

Year of the Rat is a group art show celebrating year 4706 on the lunar calendar. Pieces will include oils, pencils, prints, sculpture, and other media - all dedicated to the first sign on the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Year of the Rat Art Show

Technorati Tags: art, Giant Robot, Year of the Rat

LA-based renaissance man David Choe draws from toy culture and comics as much as he does from Japanese painting and conceptual high art to produce his massive body of work, which includes sculptures, installations, murals, paintings, photographs, and graphic novels.

Legend has it that his first exhibition at an ice cream shop stayed up two years longer than originally planned because his pieces sold faster than the ice cream itself.

From Lost At E Minor

Technorati Tags: comics, David Choe, graphic novels, installations, Japanese painting, murals, photographs, sculpture, toys