The Drawings of Winnie Truong

I love that Winnie Truong's "About" section of her website declares only: "b. 1988 Toronto, Canada." So with that introduction, we know that Winnie is, in 2010, a mere 22 years old and might pronounce "about," "aboot." Oh, and she's an intensely talented artist whose massive line drawing portraits (4'x6', pencil and chalk) delve head first into discomforted notions of beauty via the exploration of hair and teeth. With names like "Lady Gymkata" (the skill of gymnastics, the kill of karate?) and "Virility and Grace," musings on Samson-like strength seem fortified. And yet my mind drifts to thoughts of teratomas, and vagina dentata. Truong is currently being shown at Katherine Mulherin in Toronto. [via Design Porn]

132 5. Issey Miyake: Origami Fashion

Japanese fashion innovator Issey Miyake and his R&D design group, the Reality Lab, have created a line of eco-conscious "origami clothing" made from recycled PET fabric. Each garment is made from a single piece of fabric, which is folded flat into one of ten basic collapsible patterns. The sharp creases in the fabric are made flexible but permanent, so that as you open the garment a multifaceted 3D form emerges. This shape is made customizable by the wearer with strategically placed snaps and darts, and the addition of tubes used to create sleeves or pant legs.

The title [132 5.] explains the notion: one piece of fabric, a three-dimensional shape reduced to two, and the fifth dimension, which Miyake describes as the moment the garment is worn and comes to life “through the communication among people.” (In physics, the fifth dimension is a hypothetical extra dimension after the three spatial ones and the fourth, which is time. Some astrophysicists argue that the fifth dimension may be the universe that we live in.) ...

“These clothes are very light, like air, and are season-less,” Miyake says. “I hope people will keep them a long time, and not replace them every two months. That, for me, is the essence of sustainability.”

This construction is made possible by a 3D computer modeling program (presumably ORIPA — an editor for designing crease patterns in Origami works — available free, here) designed by artist and computer scientist Jun Mitani. I highly recommend checking out Mitani's work in spherical origami. [via Dezeen, more at the Design Observer]

Design*Sponge's Wallpaper Resource List!

Maybe when I own my own home (dreaming!) I'll finally get to wallpaper a wall. Until then, I sooth myself by collecting images of other people's amazing spaces, all decked out in sensational patterns. But it's good to dream. And when I make that first purchase in yardage, I'll know where to turn thanks to Grace and her Top 50 Wallpaper Sources. (See also Wallpaper Under $100)

Ktichen Thoughts

It's a beautiful Saturday morning in San Francisco, sunny and warm with the arrival of our elusive Indian summer — a curious term with a curious etymology, but a time that nonetheless makes us natives break out the shorts and sandals for their twice-yearly airing. Sitting here in the loft after a wonderful breakfast of huevos rancheros, putting the plates back on the shelf and finishing my french press, I was reminded of a post I put up on CRAFT back in the spring (the other nostalgic season) on kitchen thoughts ... I hope you'll investigate, and share some of your favorite kitchen items.

Wilson A. Bentley: Snowflakes

You might admonish me at the mention of winter, but with snow-thirsty friends wishing fall would hurry up already, I've already got one eye to the mountains. In any case, Pacha Design has this great post on "The Snowflake Man," Wilson A. Bentley, and the photos were too tasty to pass up.

"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind." —Bentley

Boats Recycled into Sheds

The fishing community on the English tidal island of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, has found a wonderful channel of employment for their once seaworthy vessels. By simply turning them upside down and adding doors they are upcycled into sheds — too cool! [via Recyclart]

See You in October!

Dear TT readers, September is a wash!

Between putting two magazines to bed, helping with and attending two close-friend weddings, and Maker Faire New York, I'm out of commission. In the meantime, please check in with CRAFT for my postings there — most recently on Plumen's designer fluorescent bulbs, and embroidery artist Ayako Otsuka (respectively, above). See you in October! Or New York. Whichever comes first!

Georgia Russell

Scottish paper artist Georgia Russell falls within the notable ranks of Brian Dettmer and Su Blackwell — both artists who remodel the book into 3-dimensional narratives. Whereas Detter excavates his subjects like an archeological dig, and Blackwell erects select images into diorama-like scenes, Russell abandons depiction to focus on form. Her books shred out in sculpted waves that seem to at once defile and release the text, as if blown out from the spine in a sudden organic bloom. [via Silent Storyteller]

Baths: Lovely Bloodflow

Lovely Bloodflow from BATHS on Vimeo.

Yelena Bryksenkova: Sketchbook

St. Petersburg-born, Midwest-raised Yelena Bryksenkova creates storybook-style illustrations full of a certain folklore nostalgia. Her sketchbooks reveal a lush inner landscape brimming with musings, portraits, meals, notable fashion, historic figures, and the view out the window. They remind me of Maira Kalman's illustrations, both in aesthetic and theme, as they remodel everyday subjects into curious delights. Thank you for letting us be a part of your world, Yelena.