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So you say you like “bricks,” eh!?
Well I’m feeling them too lately. Here are some of my favorites . . .
Cheers,
D.
Kirsten wrote in and tipped me off on a cool brick tote. Check it out and if anyone else has a favorite “brick” thang . . . send it in!
Xo
D.
I’ve been kind of obsessed with Marni’s 2009 Spring collection and the windows of the store in Miami are like beautiful abstract paintings to me. I love that the colors are anything but matchy matchy and that the accessories are surprising and loopy. In my head, the collection is the fashion equivalent of what we do with our events. If the work of David Stark Design wore clothing, it would definitely wear Marni! (wink)
Xo
D.
There is a very clever bunch over here at David Stark Design -- so clever that I am constantly surprised and delighted to go to work every day and hang out with such creative forces. My recent “make your own clock” challenge had already been revealing some wonderful responses and last week, if you didn’t tune in, I posted a bunch of them individually. But not only is the group talented, they are also very COMPETITIVE, so when I revealed that the “winner” would receive two very GOOD seats to my girl, Beyonce’s, upcoming concert, the gang kicked into high gear. The clocks have poured in FAST and the results are posted below.
Now I call upon YOU to help us determine the winner. Please leave comments on this post below and tell us which clock is your favorite. You can tell us by name or by number, and tell your friends to write in too! And your mom!
Tallying your comments will determine who wins and gets those prime seats. We’ll make that determination by noon on Friday, so don’t sit on your vote! Thanks for giving us your thoughts! I know that a lucky two people will really appreciate it.
Xoxo
D.
PS - The clocks are listed in alphabetical order by first name so as not to insinuate preferential treatment. ; )
1. Alfonso Nieto, Untitled
2. Alyson Walder, "Kim the Talking Wall Clock's Evil Twin"
3. Charo Figueroa, "Lunch Time"
4. Christopher Clark, "Double Time"
5. Christina Dimitriadis, "Time to Make the Donuts"
6. David Stark, "Infinity Toast"
7. Heather Lee, "A Memory In Time"
8. Jason Neufeld, "Ahead of Time"
9. Lauren Merkin, "Tick-Tock, Tater-Tot"
10. Changzhi Lee, "Open the Green Door for a Good Time"
11. Marco Mendez, Untitled
12. Liz Holden, Supermarket Sweep
13. Mary Martinez, "Happy Hours"
14. Melissa Gamwell, Untitled
15. Nati Gutierez, "Time to Shine"
16. Oneca Hitchman, "Step In Time"
17. Rakesh Malik, "T Time"
18. Sascha, "Fetch"
19. Scott Sanders, Untitled
20. Shari Wagner, "Hammer Time"
21. Spencer Merolla, "Thyme Clock"
22. Susie Montagna
"Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Chance of Showers, Rain"
"Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Chance of Showers, Rain"
"Partly Cloudy, Cloudy, Chance of Showers, Rain"
Can somebody write music to these lyrics?
I have been looking a lot at the work of the Chinese artist, designer, architect, and activist Ai Weiwei who creates magical installations that fuse east and west, old and new and very serious AND loopy into fantastical dreamscapes that are also stinging social commentary. Calling for the Chinese government to ease control over the individual, Weiwei’s outspoken and critical views of totalitarian states have gotten him into some hot water with Chinese officials over the years, but the rest of the world has fallen in love with him. I’m late to the table, but enjoying the meal thoroughly!
"Bamboo and Porcelain", 2008
The most popular brand of bicycle in China is called “Forever.” The symbolic form of infinity, created from a symbolic “thing” of the people, beautifully interwoven like magic, is really stunning to me.
The three images above are of the public sculpture “Template,” constructed from the wooden doors and window frames of Ming and Qing dynasty homes that were destroyed by the Chinese government during the vast building boom that was characterized as being part of China’s second Cultural Revolution. The piece was originally a tower standing tall, but the tower was thrown down by a violent windstorm. Weiwei both accepted and embraced this “new” installation as highly preferred to the original conception. Very “go with the flow,” huh?
The carved marble piece (above) is entitled, “Monumental Junkyard,” and it honors and immortalizes the heaps of trash that are commonplace in Beijing suburbs.
The Tate Liverpool in Liverpool, England commissioned the above fantastic work for the opening of their exhibition, “The Real Thing: Contemporary Art from China” in 2007.
It would be really cool to have the above chandelier in a very tiny New York City walk-up tenement apartment.
I adore this series of images as well. Not a symbolic “fuck you,” but an actual one, these are samples from a larger body of work in which the artist gives the finger to the representation of state power – from the White House to the Eifel Tower.
I am very pleased to pass the microphone over to Chris, my right and left hands in EVERYTHING over here at David Stark Design. Chris and I share an obsession with sneakers . . .
ENJOY his clock, er . . . kicks!
xo
D.
I love, love, love sneakers, koi fish, and koi fish artwork so when Charo got me koi fish Vans for my last birthday, I really couldn’t believe how “me” they were! Fearing they were limited, I immediately ordered another pair online just to look at. I envisioned displaying them in my home but being part Asian, shoes on the wall or a shelf isn’t so … um … Asian. When David started giving out clock kits, that creative light bulb went off and now they seem more appropriate and super FUN to display. Hopefully Mom will approve and with a best friend in Geneva, Switzerland, I can track two time zones!
Love,
Chris
Next up to bat is our fabulous Senior Project Manager, Christina, flexing her clock-making muscle and the crowd goes WILD!
And how fitting that we post this entry on National Doughnut Day. Who knew? National Doughnut Day was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers.
You go, girl!!
xoxo
D.
Did anyone know that the character in those iconic “time to make the donuts” commercials was named “Fred the Baker”? Yes, I admit it, I like and reference Wikipedia. The commercials aired from ’82 to ’97 and showed Fred in a state of half-consciousness similar to the one I was in when I came up with the idea for my clock. It was a middle of the night epiphany that alleviated a lot of the anxiety I was feeling about having to compete in a creative competition with my colleagues – a group of the most inspired, artistic and inventive people imaginable. Anyhow, I am pretty proud of myself (as everyone around here is sufficiently sick of hearing) and look forward to seeing all the other cool designs!
Please note no doughnuts were eaten in the making of this clock.
Love,
Christina
Today I give the reins to our buddy Jason, one of our design geniuses at David Stark Design. Jason immediately accepted Aly’s clock challenge from last Friday, and I am jealous of what he came up with! Hmmmm . . . now what am I going to do for my clock?!?
D.
P.S. The clocks are now pouring in, and I will keep posting them. Hey . . . if you want to make a clock and send us in the pics, we would love to see them!
I love summer straw hats. This is the classic Pork Pie shape. The high, flat top keeps you feeling (and looking) cool - and I thought it would make a great clock! Plus it will keep our coat rack from being lonely this summer.
Love,
Jason
I really LOVE these retail projects. We had an absolute ball with the graphic look and feel of the space. It’s as if this bustling marketplace was buzzing on the adrenaline of a big fruity cocktail (or two or three)! Within all of this cartoon zaniness, though, there is a distinction that we find very interesting. Unlike a permanent store that needs to be neutral and flexible for an ever changing array of merchandise from season to season and from year to year, the pop-up store is more like theater with a very specific stage set. Because we know exactly what product we are getting when we are in the planning stages, and we are only open for a short time, we can create an absolute experience that is immersive for the guests, that envelops the guests. We turn shopping into theater, into a party.
The centerpiece of the market was a grand vegetable stand where fruits and veggies were each equated to one of the designer brands that the Target Bazaar featured, each fruit marked with a tiny bullseye
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In the business and fashion press, there has been an awful lot of discussion lately about what it will take for stores to lure guests back in during these competitive times. Price slashing is one thing, but it is not enough. “The experience” is really the focus, I think. In the same way that restaurants can be theater, stores can be too. Thank you Target for championing the zaniness. We adore and have so much fun with you!
Xoxo
D.
P.S. A big shout out to Juliana Jaramillo, our fearless Design Director, and our entire creative team. We actually had a very short time to conceive and build this one, and you guys totally ROCKED it!
