OK GO DID IT AGAIN

I have written about the band OK GO's amazing music videos before (see here and here), but this one may be my favorite. I love the intricate interplay of color and perspective and, of course, the occasional introduction of stripes and polka dots!

You can watch more of their videos here; which one is your favorite?


(thanks to swissmiss for the tip)

IKEA UPGRADES

I have an Ikea couch. I am fairly certain many of you reading this right now also own Ikea furniture. Here's the thing: I love my Ikea couch but, after five years of hard use, it is starting to look a little dingy. So last night in a fit of productive procrastination from writing my dissertation, I decided to research slipcovers sold by external companies for Ikea sofas. And viola! Enter Bemz! It's a company that works with top tier fabric designers to create cool high-quality big personality slipcovers for standard Ikea furniture. Pretty cool right?

They have a ton of fabrics to choose from so you can pick the pattern and color that perfectly suits your space and style. The standard slipcover for my model of sofa costs about $190. Not bad for an easy overhaul that could potentially turn the piece from drab to fab in a matter of minutes!

After some additional web browsing I also discovered the company Pretty Pegs, which sells screw-on legs for Ikea couches, chairs and now tables and desks!

These pretty little legs also come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes allowing you to customize your couch to your heart's content. 

So, which set of legs and cushion covers should I go for? Any thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

DOUG WHEELER AT DAVID ZWIRNER

About a month ago I went to see a gorgeous exhibition by Doug Wheeler at David Zwirner gallery with a couple of friends. Wheeler did a similar installation in 2012 (read about here) and, though I didn't see that show, I can attest that this one is visually stunning. I don't want to give too much away, but basically you step into a circular room with a rounded floor and are instantly immersed in pure, light color. The space looks cerulean blue in photographs but is actually more moody in person—a pale blue-grey watery color that seems to morph and change as you move and become acclimatized to the space.

In case you couldn't tell, I highly recommend you go see it! Just be sure to go soon; the show closes on April 5 but requires a reservation to visit (info here), which will likely be harder and harder to get as the closing date draws near.

More information on Wheeler's work here; read more about Zwirner gallery here.

ELLSWORTH KELLY: READYMADE COLOR

Yesterday I re-found the Ellsworth Kelly postcards I bought at the MoMA Color Chart exhibition this spring.  Gorgeous!  If you didn't get to see the show, do yourself a favor and go check out the online exhibition (it makes me feel bad for those 7 to 10% of men with color blindness, or as my friends joke "people who can't see shapes").  Then today, while researching my paper on Robert Rauschenberg, Kelly came up again!  This time for his use of "ready-made" colors - colors inspired by a gum-paper notebook bought in a Parisian stationery store.  They're like caffeine for the eyes!

the goods, all by Kelly, from top to bottom: 

"Spectrum of Colors Arranged By Chance 2" 

"Study of 64 Panels for "Colors for Large Wall"

"Spectrum of Colors Arranged By Chance"

MUST! FOCUS!

I am in the throes of madly writing about Robert Rauschenberg's series of White Paintings (as seen above) and all I want is the sweet release of writing about a straight forward painting!  This guy may look lifeless, but for an art historian, its like a freakin' encyclopedia of references.  I have got 3 outlines and about 2.5 inches of bindered material to bring together into something coherent. . . 

Gah!  Give me a chocolate chip cookie and a nap, stat!  It's going to be a long one . . . . 

(I will post something more colorful once I finish this presentation . . . aka tomorrow.)

NAEEM KHAN

Um, wow.   I was first introduced to Naeem Khan's work here and here (and what a beautiful bounty of color that dress is!), and now am officially head over heels in love.  If only I had a) the 6'0" frame to pull these dresses off and b) the bank account to back it up.  I love his subtle palette and lively patterns.  Even better?  The intro on his website is an elegant flickering - a mix between flash bulbs and sequins.  Terribly drool-worthy.

MOMA: ASAP

This Saturday I placated my color-loving soul with a visit to MOMA's "Color Chart" exhibition open through May 12.  Not surprisingly, the powers-that-be moved this glorious sculpture, Donald Judd's "Untitled", to the entrance of the exhibition and a huge visual lasso.  There were about 1,000 works both in the show and in the permanent collection that I HAVE TO SHARE, but, alas, they will have to wait until tomorrow.  Sickness takes precedent and I have to get some rest . . . until tomorrow, enjoy Mr. Judd and check out the Color Chart exhibition online here (the website adheres wonderfully to the color purity theme).