CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

What Will Be 2009's "Keep Calm and Carry On"?

casasugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:46 -0800

Last year, Keep Calm and Carry On was all over the design world, from posters to rugs. I'm predicting that the phrase has reached saturation level, though, and it's time to move on to another motto to live by. May I suggest Now Panic and Freak Out ($35)? If this isn't to your taste, check out the slideshow for eight other pithily worded art posters for 2009.

Do You Have Silhouettes in Your House?

casasugar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 08:30:26 -0800

The word silhouette comes from Etienne de Silhouette, an 18th French finance minister who was known for his tightfisted economic standards. It was used with the art form because before photography, silhouette profiles cut from black card were the cheapest way to record a person's appearance. Today, silhouettes are a trend in interior design, not used out of financial necessity, and often painted rather than cut. Do you have any?

Do You Have Silhouettes in Your House?

Yes — I have one or several silhouettes.

No, but I want one!

No, not my style.

Other — I'll tell you in the comments.

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

casasugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:15:26 -0800

. . . would you put this lime linen upholstered White Lacquer Chippendale Sofa ($3,800) in your living room?

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

Absolutely — Chippendale is SO my style!

Maybe — if it were upholstered in a different fabric or painted.

No way — that whole '50s Palm Beach look is just not me.

DIY: Photosynthesized Botanical Calendar

casasugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:31 -0800

Have a nature-loving pal who still needs a gift this season? Then try making her a cool botanical calendar. It's also an easy project that you can share with precocious youngsters, so everyone can get in on the fun!

What You'll Need

Sunprint kit
Foraged garden leaves, stalks, flowers, etc.
Rimmed baking sheet
White, ultrafine paint pen
2009 calendar for reference

To find out how to make it,

Art Basel Miami Beach Kicks Off Today

casasugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:30:40 -0800

Generally acknowledged as the most important art show in the US, Art Basel Miami Beach, the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, kicks off today in Miami's hip Art Deco District, and will run through Dec. 7. Art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, and plain old art lovers alike come to this special mass exhibit to enjoy artwork from over 250 leading international art galleries, parties galore, and events featuring music (Yelle performed last night), film, and architecture. For those who've got the dough, Art Basel isn't simply a trip to the museum: it's a shopping event. At Switzerland's Art Basel in June, Brad Pitt picked up a cool $500,000 worth of artwork. And for others, it's a chance to be recognized in front of their peers; this week, the Campana Brothers will be honored with the prestigious Designer of the Year award. The event will also be a debut for less seasoned artists. If you happen to be in South Florida, I beg of you to check it out. If not, we'll just have to wait for the first photos to arrive! Until then, you can see some spectacular images from June's Art Basel event in Switzerland when you

Todd Oldham Introduces Charley Harper to Old Navy

casasugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:30:55 -0800

It's no secret that Todd Oldham is a big fan of the work of wildlife illustrator Charley Harper, considering that he co-authored a book with Harper. It's also no secret Todd Oldham is the creative director of Old Navy. Thus, welcome Charley Harper to Old Navy! A collection of Charley Harper books, games, and tees for children under $15 is now available at Old Navy and is part of the retailer's effort to target young moms on a budget. I'd call that budget beautiful! Although most of these trix are for kids, there's a great Charley Harper Coloring Book ($9.50) and a Memory Game ($14.50) that would both make easy, affordable artwork for your home. Stocking stuffers?

Guess What This Giant Skull Is Made Of?

casasugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:00:07 -0800

"Mind Shut Down," a giant skull made by Indian artist Subodh Gupta, is pictured here at the Frieze art fair in London in mid-October. The materials used to make the skull are all from one room in the house. Can you name the room?

Guess What This Painting Is Made From?

casasugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:58:25 -0800

This painting by Chinese artist Ju Duoqi recreates Austrain painter Klimt's famous painting "The Kiss." Can you tell me what medium he used? (Take a close look — it's definitely not paint.)

"Flying" LED-Lit Books Light Up San Francisco's North Beach

geeksugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:30:22 -0800

On Sunday night, I witnessed the unveiling of a new art piece consisting of LED-lit books, hung high above a square in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Called "Language of the Birds," artists Dorka Keehn and Brian Goggin participated in the literal unveiling — at first, each book was shrouded and unlit, and one by one, a string was pulled to reveal each book, which were then lit up as the night darkened.

If you find yourself in the city, go by Columbus and Broadway at night, for it's not everyday you can see a flock of illuminated books in flight.

To see more beautiful photos,

Manabot and Robotee Print: Perfect For the Art/Animal Geek

geeksugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:15:00 -0800

Art, manatees, and robots? If just the image of this Manabot and Robotee Print ($25) doesn't charm you, wait till you read the artist's whimsical description: "Manabot lived in the wreckage of an undersea robot factory. He made Robotee out of spare parts to keep him company."

I can't resist a robot or a cute print, so my defenses are useless. Race you to the checkout!