Last night kazillions of us watched together as Barack Obama became the soon to be 44th President of the United States of America. I know that the outcome is one that many of the people close to me and I were hoping for, and while some of you may have voted otherwise, I think it is fair to say that yesterday evening, we all saw how far America has come.
It is indeed a new day.
How could I write an entry and not mention Halloween? So, to begin, Happy Halloween! I'm not
usually a huge Halloween gal, but it's hard to avoid the festivities in New York, thus, every Halloween I've spent in New York I usually spend dressed as a farm animal (the sheep costume of 2004 made entirely of cotton balls that looked quite similar to the costume on the small boy to your right) or random movie character whose clothes happen to already be in my closet (think Flashdance). This year will be no exception, though I still haven't a clue what I will transform into post dVider work day.
Some of the best ideas I've heard this year include . . .
1. A Swede going as a Swedish Meatball
The best part about going as a food item is that when you're hungry, you just take a bite of yourself.
2. A girl from Montreal going as a guy from France
3. The Karate Kid at the Halloween Dance
To be honest, this was a costume I saw a few years back on a friend of a friend. But it was so genius I had to share it with you all. I mean, he was dressed as the Karate Kid dressed as a shower. 
5. The Obama Family
Who doesn't love a little East Village family of four dressed as the Democratic candidate, proud wife, and adorable children? I imagine there will be more than a few Obama families out tonight.
Have a super Happy, super safe Halloween!
p.s. I didn't forget the Morocco pics, they're coming soon!
I am one lucky girl.
For my birthday, one of my closest friends, Sharon Kim (who happens to be one of the most crazily talented and creative people I've ever met) gave me a gift that ranks up there as one of the best gifts I have ever received. That's right - move over My Super Sweet Sixteen. Meet my new ribbon sweater vest.
This ribbon sweater vest is extraordinary for a number of reasons. First, it's designed by Complex Geometries - a Montreal-based label notorious for creating ingeniously subtle, goosebump-arousing, multi-purpose designs of wearable art (read more about them here). They are one of my favorite labels of all time, but how did Sharon know?!! My guess is because she's pretty dang amazing. Second, the sweater came with an incredibly thoughtful, handwritten note from Adam, one of the geniuses behind the label (the other being Clayton, the creative genius and actual designer behind the line). It's been so long since I've received a handwritten note in the mail that I'm actually thinking about having it framed and hung in my room (thanks Adam).
And as if that wasn't enough to make my day, I realized that the vest is like the Optimus Prime of all sweater vests. Oh yes - a Transformatronic masterpiece. You can wear it in not one, not two, but three - yes, THREE - different ways.
Don't believe me? See for yourself below (clockwise from top: draped with sleeve, belted, scarfed):
I know, I know - all this greatness is a lot to swallow in a single garment. If you want to see more, check out complex geometries' online store or, if you're in the city, swing by OAK.
All this talk about smart, multi-purpose design has me thinking...about our stickers, of course (shameless plug time)! Like complex geometries, dVider creates pieces that can be interpreted and used in many different ways. For instance, our removable vinyl stickers can be safely applied to virtually any smooth, flat surface - from painted walls and wooden drawers to glass windows and more. Even better, they can be sliced, arranged, and oriented however you wish. See below for some easy ways to display nature 09 (one of my favorite designs from our nature sticker collection - it's also available as a super-sized MAX sticker):
Inspired? I am. More complex geometries! More stickers by dVider! Thank goodness for my new stash of birthday cash...
In DUMBO. The Wild Things are definitely in DUMBO.
The Monster Project first caught our attention while walking and riding to work. If we hung out by the watercooler, it would've been what we talked about while hanging around the water cooler, but instead, we talked about in while drinking coffee in the middle of the studio.
We quickly realized that there were a few of these monsters meandering this neighborhood of ours, where you'd least, yet most, expect them to be. In took almost no time at all for Max to determine that we should make the public aware of these monsters taking over DUMBO!
A child's life and our own personal childhood memories are such an insanely wonderful source of inspiration. This little bit from themonsterproject.net caught my attention and made me love it a little more,
"These creatures are elements of children's imaginations and reflections of what they find both powerful and frightening. As neighborhood murals, they are transformed into local guardians."
I see this big blue guy to my left everyday on my way into work, and, yes, I do feel a bit like he's watching over me.
Hey kids. Pat here. I'm new to the dVider blog, but otherwise a true dVeteran at heart. In case you're wondering, I handle most of the dVider website. But today, we're going to talk about some good old-fashioned art.
This Friday, I got the chance to visit some pretty crazy exhibits around the city. The first one was by the legendary Banksy (got the tip and tour from photographer/day-time boss, JPK). Location? Why, the side of a building on the corner of Howard and Broadway, of course. Check it out here (while it's still mostly pre-tagged):
The second stop was "The Outsiders" temporary NY Exhibition - brought to us by the The Lazarides folks from London. I have no idea how long this show will be around - I've heard anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 month. Point is, just stop being lazy and check them out sooner rather than later. But in case you've already missed them, here's a peak of one of my favorite pieces by the master of seamlessly-wheatpasted, oversized photography, J.R.:
My final and favorite stop was the opening for Damon Johnson's exhibit "Thanks for Asking," which is showing for one month at the Half Gallery. This event came with a whole host of fun facts. #1: The exhibit is curated by James Frey, best-selling author of A Million Little Pieces.
#2: Although nearly impossible to gauge from Damon's humble demeanor, the opening boasted a star-studded guest-list, with visitors (and new Damon Johnson collectors) spanning from Michael Ovitz and Cynthia Rowley to Carlo McCormick and Half Gallery owners, Bill Powers and James Frey - just to name a few.
And, finally, #3: Damon is good friends with our very own featured Guest Artist, Alexander Dawson. And here they are together - in some stealth-black ninja attire. Hmmm...why are we not surprised?
Fun facts aside, the work itself was pretty dang impressive. Damon has quite a lot to say. And he'll say it right to your face. But hey - don't listen to me, check it out for yourself.
Oh, and one last thing - all these photos were taken with nothing more than my new, 2.4x4.5" bundle of iPhone goodness. Shazaaam. Where the heck did I find this peculiar expression? It must've been from Kerry...
Since the concept of a dVider blog was born, I've been waiting for the moment to share my favorite sticker installation. For some reason, all week I planned today to be the day. The installation of my tiny little spider sticker on the hardwood floor near the end of my bed would be on display for the world to see! Unfortunately for all of you, I did not e-mail
this photo to myself or even take the photo. I was distracted last night by a little band known as Sigur Ros (see album cover left).
I've been a fan of them for years, but never knew much about them. Upon being offered a ticket to the sold out show, I jumped on it, abandoning my Thursday night yoga. The concert was way uptown and absolutely amazing. If you aren't familiar, here are three fun facts about Sigur Ros that might give you a feel for them. Rather, here are three two in one fun facts (two facts per number, get it?): 1. They're Icelandic and they sing in Icelandic. 2. They play a guitar with a bow and from our seats, it looked like there was a bass guitar being played with a notched drumstick! 3. They made a movie about their homeland called 'Heima' that I've yet to see. Definitely at least listen to a song or two on their myspace page which you can link to here.
Moral of the story: Sometimes Kerry's outright inability to wake up early so she can capture some photos for the blog results in you learning about amazing music from distant lands.
Alright dVider heads. It's time to get involved.
Use our limited edition VOTE sticker, by guest artist Alexander Dawson, to inspire participation around your home, office, and neighborhood.
new york international gift fair.
This week, the dVider team is packing up our stickers and heading over to the big beautiful island of manhattan to be a part of the NYIGF! August 16th-20th, the crew will be hanging out at booth 34008, in the studio division at pier 92, so please stop by and say hi. And somewhere in between talking about boys and drinking coffee, we'll also be debuting our NEW holiday collection! So, in the words of the great bob barker, "come on down!".
nyc family justice center.
The dVider team was honored when we were asked to donate our stickers for an installation at the nyc family justice center, an AMAZING organization which works to reduce the barriers faced by victims of domestic violence who are seeking help. The room we designed, sponsored by the joe torre safe at home foundation, was lovingly named 'margaret's place' after joe's mother margaret, herself a victim of abuse. So, last week, kerry and I packed up some stickers, hopped on the good ol' 'F' train, and headed up to queens!
We combined zany zebras, soaring airplanes, high flying kites and lush jungle vines to create an environment we hope the kids will really enjoy.
Fun fact: that's us in the reflection, being happy.
Thank you, nyc family justice center, for a day we'll never forget. Keep up the good work!
art in motion.
Our studio, located in the DUMBO section of brooklyn, just so happens to overlook the east river, offering us an amazing view of both the manhattan bridge and the brooklyn bridge. We had noticed some scaffolding action unfolding under the brooklyn bridge for awhile now, and then we realized: we were witnessing the building of one of the waterfalls! A prime view out our very own window! Artist olafur eliasson has created four waterfalls in new york city's east river for the summer. Think liquid summertime christo and jeanne-claude gates style. The 90 to 120 foot waterfalls will flow until late summer, and the soothing and rythmic swells are sure to keep me, and the rest of new york, mesmerized. Please come visit our lovely city and see for yourself.
And if you're in need of some tranquility of your own....
welcome.
The answer: definitely blog! We are so psyched to be able to share some of our favorite things - whether it's something new we've got in the works, something groovy that's inspiring us, or stuff happening in our beloved Brooklyn - this is where it's at.
