The Matisse of Subway-Ad Mash-Ups

To my despair, I just read that the "Poster Boy" sabotaged the MoMA advertising campaign in the Brooklyn Atlantic-Pacific subway station. The Poster Boy built his reputation for turning subway ads into political art. According to NY Mag, he's been called the "Matisse of subway-ad mash-ups." Conceived on the spot, the 25 year old has manipulated around 200 underground posters over his career in vandalism. While I'm intrigued by his audacity to make statements, I am appalled by the fact that he made Andy Warhol's Marilyn look as though she had a nose job. Andy Warhol did say, "Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." I guess th Poster Boy got his 15 minutes of fame (or more)!

Marilyn with a nose job

Cut out a race car made to look as though it's diving into Monet's Water Lilies








Below: more works by the Poster Boy

The Swedes know Toys

So, my cousin just had a baby, my nephew turned four, and my co-worker's wife is due any day now...boy-oh-boy have babies been on my mind this month!

As a designer, I'm expected to give cool gifts. Maybe I put that pressure on myself, but I'd rather pretend it comes from an outside source. The gifts can be hand-made like an original painting (oh how people love those), some sort of photo montage (seems a little generic but I do love a good photo!), a stylish outfit (keyword stylish), or some sort of designerly toy (aka European).

SO, in my search for two family baby gifts and a gift for a fellow designer's newborn, I came across some interesting sites. First of all, there was a cool blog called Droolicious | modern design for modern parents from the magazine Babble. And also a great ecofriendly site called Happy Green Baby (because we are all so green these days). Some really cool ideas, clothes, and other products on both sites which I am definitely letting my friends and family know about, however, I didn't find my answer for a cool gift here.

Most of what I found (that I actually liked) was from Swedish designers. I mean, look at this...I can't remember where I pulled this but whatev.....how could you not love this bear.



Or how about this set for a little boy?
Playasm has such sleek, modern, beautiful designs! I really want to buy some things from them but BOY aren't they pricey?! If only we weren't in a recession! I'm gonna be in trouble once I start having my own kids...until then I guess I am going to montage or paint a pretty nursery picture for those I love.

Shobbs this one is for you my dear...
This is a BRIO design.

I wish I were Swedish :)

I Found Andy in the Atlantic Ave. Subway Station

I recently made a visit to the Atlantic Ave. subway stop in Brooklyn. Having read this article in the NY Times, I was on a mission to experience the prestigious MoMA--underground. It was fascinating for me to see the masterpieces (well, reproductions) of Warhol, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Monet, etc. completely "out of their element." I also enjoyed seeing the interaction between the artwork and those merely making their weekend commute. Some people stopped to reflect, and others rushed by in a hurry. Regardless, I think this exhibition is a powerful testimony to what lies behind the walls of MoMA.