The storm of blogs and websites offering approachable recipes for home cooks has sparked a more mindful approach to eating. And while these informal digital sources are often on par with those found on the newsstand, there’s still something to be said for the satisfaction of poring through the “pages” of a magazine, whether it be on paper or on an iPad. Hence, a mounting army of new food titles are preserving the spirit of the periodical while celebrating the DIY spirit of the Web.
Kinfolk: Kinfolk is proof that one need not display the homemaking swagger of, say, Martha Stewart in order to be the kind of entertainer from whom friends covet an invitation. The quarterly pub, available in both digital and print formats, revels in the elegance of simple, intimate gatherings rather than fussy banquets only achievable by a catering company. Kinfolk is more than just a piece of reading material, however. It’s also a community of artists dedicated to promoting casual, yet still creative, assemblies of friends over a thoughtful meal. The Kinfolk dinner series is bringing artisan feasts to different cities, including Brooklyn, Austin and San Francisco, every month.
As the winter months march on, technophiles are seeking warm environs in which to cozy up to their screens. Akin to recent advances in rain repellents, cold weather-minded innovations are turning up the heat. With access to design this smart, people might actually roll out the welcome mat for Old Man Winter.
Modern Campfire: Though radiators generally aren’t the focal points of upscale dwellings, times are changing. New York-based designer Rochus Jacob has created a modern sculptural campfire which, conveniently, can be placed anywhere near an outlet. Designed with energy conservation in mind, the mostly wood-and-plastic device contains a copper-based heat exchanger that’s similar to the mechanism used to keep laptops from burning up users’ thighs. A slider button controls warmth output, and a built-in boiler requires significantly less H20 than its antiquated predecessors. The portable campfire is not yet for sale, but it could become just the thing for when a camp blanket doesn’t offer enough insulation to prevent goose bumps.
Smartphones and tablets can be found in the hands of most people these days, a phenomenon that is likely to become increasingly widespread as more affordable mobile devices like the Kindle Fire enter the marketplace. Accompanying this shift in technology consumption is an ever growing demand for free Wi-Fi, which several new services are seeking to meet in unexpected ways.
Wi-Fi Vending Machine: In recent years, vending machines have expanded their offerings from basic candy and chips to products as luxurious as gold and caviar. Japan, which is well ahead of the curve when it comes to automated retail, has pushed the boundaries even further, as drink manufacturer Asahi Beverages has introduced soda machines that offer free Wi-Fi to anyone within a 50 meter radius. In addition to providing web browsing capabilities, the hosted home page will show geo-specific dining, shopping and tourist information. Users can connect for up to 30 minutes before having to reconnect—which should be just enough time for them to get thirsty.
Sponsored events at last week’s 10th annual Art Basel Miami Beach gave attendees a chance to discover new art outside the confines of the Convention Center. Rather than aggressively pushing their own products, this new style of event marketing delivered brand messaging to today’s media savvy consumers by simply, subtly, underwriting the arts. Here are three who did it right:
Smart: The rapid recent expansion of Art Basel Miami has been complemented by a bevy of satellite art fairs all over the city. One, the Gen Art Detour lounge at the Scope Art Fair, provided a relaxing environment in which visitors could escape the exhaustive elbow rubbing of the Basel crowds. In true Gen Art form, the work of emerging artists was featured in an innovative branding collaboration with Smart. The artists created custom wraps for a fleet of Smart cars that were on display, and guests had the opportunity to embellish the automotive canvases, too. Could this idea of original car coverings inspire new looks for the Toyota Fun Vii?
Ever since MOCA exhibited Art in the Streets, the formerly frowned upon genre of street art has acquired more highbrow status. In fact, the creation of street works as performance has become a considerable attraction for party-crawling young Angelenos. Here’s a look at the galleries and artists driving the scene at hot Hollywood events.
CYRCLE.brand: In stark contrast to the GIRLS billboards that are evident all around Los Angeles, CYRCLE.brand lives by the motto of its first solo show: “WE NEVER DIE!” Although the collective was formed just one year ago, the trio of artists known as CYRCLE.brand has forged a dynamic niche within the LA art scene. We first encountered their work when we watched them fashion multiple pieces poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel’s Nightswim party. Fans are anticipating more of their live work at Art Basel Miami Beach next month. With stickers, wheat pastes and murals all over the city, all signs suggest that they could become the next Shepard Fairey.
