it Caught my eye

kristoffer myskja: smoking machine ‘smoking machine’ by kristoffer myskja, 2007 the mechanical sculptures of norweigan artist kristoffer myskja are all somewhat strange, but the strangest of all is the ‘smoking machine’, which literally smokes cigarettes. the artwork features a small device made from brass that most prominently features a ramp of cigarettes. each cigarette is gravity fed onto a holder, where it is lit and slowly smoked by an air valve that is electrically driven. as the gears turn, the cigarette slowly disappears until only the filter is left. the machine then ejects the cigarette and ashes onto the floor below, loading the next one into the holder.

The Wave Desk by Robert Brou The ‘Wave’ desk is the first of hopefully many works which utilize this ‘Slice’ technique. This desk was built for valued clients residing in Dallas, GA. Their requirements were for the desk towers to each have file folder storage with a drawer above. One tower has a smaller drawer with a pullout work surface above. This was designed so their young daughter could have a work area next to Mom and Dad’s. What I created exceeded all of their expectations. The two towers are clad in 2 ½” thick Poplar lumber that is carved into a random ‘Wave’ pattern. Between each layer there is a ¾” tall reveal, just large enough to fit adult sized fingers. This eliminates any need for drawer pulls as you simply grab an individual section and pull. Poplar is naturally light in color with prominent green streaks so I stained the wood a Van Dyke Brown color to match the rest of their décor. I then came back with a spindle mounted wire brush to abrade the exposed vertical edge while keeping the top work surface perfectly sanded. The wire brush exposes the grain in a very interesting way that creates a wonderful tactile quality. To my way of thinking this also mimics bark that is present on live edge slabs. This ‘Slice’ technique is perfect for any cabinetry that uses drawers or pull out units. The innovation of having a way to create cabinetry that lies outside the ‘box’ as it were, is a very liberating feeling. I cannot wait to get back into the shop and explore these ideas more.

american designer karim rashid presented 'smart-ologic Corian® living' an interior design project he created in collaboration with DuPont™ Corian® during milan design week 2010. the sustainable housing concept, takes advantage of the versatility and sensory quality of the DuPont ™ Corian® material. in all the areas of the home – kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, garden. features 'futuristic types' of DuPont™ Corian® which have been made with environmentally sustainable bio-sourced components and recycled materials, displaying the company's efforts to decrease its environmental footprint. the project also marked the first presentation of DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surfaces, which rashid has used in designing some of the furniture.

Italian company Micron has come up with these unique lighting fixtures for home which are its top product to date! The Queen crystal collection is the mother of elegant, elaborate illumination, boasting a chrome structure with crystal rings in a range of hot hues like clear, red, amber, black and purple – how dramatic! These pendants and chandeliers are configured with a single cluster of crystal rings forming a stunning centerpiece, or with multiple crystal configurations to bring some bling into your modern foyer, living room, dining room or bedroom. The Queen lighting fixtures come in coordinating wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, table and floor lamp designs, and will undoubtedly become the crystal crowning glory of your decor. Check out this unique lighting collection at Micron.

the canadian centre for architecture (CCA) recently opened their latest show other space odysseys featuring the work of architects greg lynn, michael maltzan and alessandro poli. the exhibit explores each architect’s approach to space exploration and how they have used it to test new ideas for life on earth. working with the theme of space exploration, each architect has expressed their ideas using a wide variety of media including models, collages, animations, objects and even film. rather than an exhibition about space architecture CCA curator mirko zardini believes, ‘this exhibition proposes a letting go of architecture understood as the production of material goods in favour of architecture as the production of ideas’. ‘other space odysseys,’ a publication edited by giovanna borasi and mirko zardini accompanies the exhibition in both an english and french editions.

Iron Design Company

Based Upon has developed a series of multi-layered textured surfaces in metals, resins, and lacquers that are available to be specified as surface finishes within architectural and interiors projects. Taking inspiration from elements as diverse as stingray skin, laburnum leaves, or the fine lines within a human hand, Based Upon has conjured a rich and varied collection of surface features using construction-ready materials. Based Upon Surfaces may be hung like wall paintings, although they are often used to create detailed feature walls or monolithic furniture pieces. The surfaces also make visually-stimulating ceilings or hardwearing metal floors that subtly evolve over time