Guy Bourdin Video Eye Candy

Hollwich Kushner for Change

While too early to tell the impact Barack Obama will have on our country we were impressed to see him off on the right foot prior to the inauguration. In honor of our National Day of Service, Martin Luther King Day, the now president helped revamp the Sasha Bruce Youthwork House, a youth homeless shelter. The project was the creative vision of genius architecture firm HollwichKushner. Within three hours time volunteers transformed the raw space both increasing privacy and a sense of community among inhabitants. Improvements to the house included brightening the interior and adding both “curtain walls” and a collective study / play area.

Art in Everyday Places

Next time you're in the new South Ferry subway station, don't expect to dash through unaware of your surroundings. With its new site-specific glass panel installation See It Split, See It Change, artists Doug and Mike Starn depict the city's dynamic circulatory system through intricate mosaics of maps and trees. Delicate and tactile yet bold and graphic, the Sterns luminously capture Battery Park's local history as the entryway of New York City.

Marketing Genius: Marc Jacobs

We DO love Sprouse, thanks to Marc Jacobs and the new line of Sprouse-inspired goodies available at your local Louis Vuitton. But if you believe the magic is soley due to neon-coated treasures, then look closer y'all: the marketing of the Sprouse Collection is just as exciting as the line itself. The man in the cotton skort (a.k.a. Jacobs) can officially add "marketing master" to his resume since his efforts at promoting the collection have been just short of genius. The above image is one such example. Topping NYC's finest mode of transportation are delicious ads directing us to the tribute website for Sprouse, which happens to be an absolute ride. After the website, the store windows, the Harper's Bazaar shoot, the launch party, the gallery show, and now the cabs, who wouldn't want to own a piece of the action? Good work, Marc.

Ines van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin for YSL

In anticipation of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week February 13th until the 20th, we still can't help but love Ines van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin's video for Stefano Pilati's YSL Manifesto S/S '08 featuring Kate Moss. Here's hoping this year's vision will be just as inspiring!

Inspiring Little Minds With Big Art

Images by leading international contemporary artists Damien Hirst, Gary Hume and Julian Opie to name a few have come together for a new children’s book titled Art for Baby. Yana Peel, the founder of OUTSET Contemporary Art Fund, conceived of the project when she noticed how her little one would stare at the Julian Opie hanging in her home. Now little eyes everywhere can enjoy black and white images by today’s art superstars.

Jeff Koons Razzle Dazzles

Razzle Dazzle, also known as Dazzle camouflage, refers to the abstract geometric painting technique used extensively to decorate naval ships during World War I. After failed attempts to develop an effective all weather camouflage the varied patterns made it difficult for enemies to gauge the size and speed at which the ships traveled. The same Razzle Dazzle served as the inspiration for Jeff Koons' Guilty yacht. While the only enemies Dakis Joannou, who commissioned the boat, has to watch out for are jealous onlookers we're certain he feels right at home on his floating work of art.

2009 Greetings from Maurizio Cattelan

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Tierney Gearon Explosure

Artist Tierney Gearon’s first solo show titled Explosure opened January 6th at Phillips de Pury & Company in London. The exhibition marks Gearon’s first showcase in Europe since her inclusion in Charles Saatchi’s 2001 I Am Camera. The body of work is composed of 40 large-scale double exposure photographs, a technique new to the artist. Simon de Pury celebrated the arresting and impactful imagery with a dinner at Marc Quinn’s studio following the opening reception on January 14th. To view the catalogue or for more details on the show, which runs through January 28th, visit Phillips de Pury & Company’s website.

Happy 2009 from Sylvie Fleury

With today's inauguration the new year will no doubt hold many changes for us all. Best wishes from Sylvie Fleury that 2009 is filled with all things happy.

Manifest Hope: DC Gallery

Apparently Shephard Fairey isn't the only artist with Obama fever. Festivities leading up to the inauguration included Manifest Hope: DC Gallery, a temporary art exhibition to celebrate artists' grass roots efforts to support Barack Obama's campaign. Robert Indiana, pictured above with his Hope, was among the artists to participate in the show.

Shepard Fairey Loves Obama

Famous for his Obey and now iconic Obama images we love artist Shepard Fairey's new "Be the Change" poster created in honor of tomorrow's presidential inauguration. A limited edition number of prints will be available on the Inaugural Collectibles website. Signed and numbered posters sell for $500, but the recession collector can snag an unsigned print for $100. While you're on the site be sure to check out Runway to Change. Tory Burch, Zac Posen, Alex Wang and DvF among others have designed T-shirts, scarves, and totes to commemorate the historic event. All products are union made in the US and proceeds will help cover the cost of Obama's inauguration.

Seasons Greetings from Gary Hume and Georgie Hopton

“Satzuma-scented kisses and snow – capped love” sent from Gary Hume and Georgie Hopton made the cold weather and holiday craze a little bit sweeter this season. Hoping your New Years is fragrant!

Not Your Average Balloon Animals

Balloon animals have always held a special, hopefully happy place in the dusty corners of our childhood memories and, thanks to Durex, we can all enjoy the squeaky playthings in our adulthood, too. Don't let this candy-colored trio fool you: they are not the innocent creatures from bygone birthday parties. These balloon animals are the stars of Durex's new and highly creative ad campaign. The commercial may be to squeaky--er steamy--for US television but the ad, produced by design company Superfad, will undoubtedly attract an enormous online audience. After all, what could be more fun than discovering a childhood entertainment gone naughty? Balloon animal naughty pics courtesy: superfad.com

Stephen Sprouse at Deitch Projects & Louis Vuitton

Transforming Deitch Project’s Wooster Street gallery and Louis Vuitton’s Soho store the day-glo graffiti style of visionary Stephen Sprouse is taking over downtown New York. In celebration of Rock on Mars, a retrospective of the fashion designer turned artist’s career, Marc Jacobs has revisited Louis Vuitton’s 2001 collaboration with Sprouse to launch a new capsule collection. ARTCO’s Cary Leitzes was on hand January 8th for the Rock on Mars preview at Deitch Projects followed by an after party at the Bowery Ballroom where Debbie Harry performed. Rock on Mars is on exhibition at Deitch from January 9th until February 28th. As read on Deitch.com and WSJ.com.

Marilyn Minter Wishes You A GREEN Holiday

Hoping everyone had a delicious holiday. In case you missed it photographer Marilyn Minter’s Christmas card for 2008… Best wishes for the new year!

Alber Elbaz for Acne

Following in the footsteps of our favorite designer collaborations like Comme des Garcons for H&M, Thakoon for Target, and Alex Wang for Uniqlo Lavin’s Alber Elbaz has designed a line of men’s and women’s apparel for Acne. Wondering where you can get your hands on the collection? Denim went on sale December 18th at Barney’s New York or you can shop the line in its entirety at Acne or Acne online http://www.acnestudios.com/lanvin/. As read in MensRag.com. Image provided by Refinery29.com.

Carsten Höller's Double Club

For six months only Fondazione Prada has paired with Belgian artist Carsten Höller to deliver a unique dinning and clubbing experience to London’s trendsetters. Divided into two separate areas, one western and the other Congolese, the décor includes paintings by Cheri Samba. Alexander McQueen and Miuccia Prada were among the fashionable guests in attendance opening night November 21st, 2008. For more information on how to get behind the velvet rope visit http://www.thedoubleclub.co.uk/. As read in The Moment. Image provided by NYTimes.com.