A Worthwhile Cause

To Vegas, or Not?

It would be great to go to the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas. But in light of the recent swine flu outbreaks, is it worth risking your life?

Is the swine flu alarm for real? It has been days since this viral infection has caused panic in many parts of the world. How deadly is it? How real is the threat?  The world has been advised to avoid any unnecessary travel but if you really think about it, any travel is both unnecessary and necessary depending on who defines it. In any case, here is an article which our readers may find interesting enough to explore Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction? 
Maybe we have been watching too much Foxcrime channel. Or maybe not.

We’re all aware of how art can be moving, but this time, be prepared to take it literally. The Light Railway System Authority (LRTA) together with the Printmakers Association of the Philippines (PAP) has launched a joint project, a national painting competition designed to promote art and train riding as a way of life in the city.

The competition will focus on the theme, “LRT at ang Buhay Pinoy”, and artists are encouraged to explore the theme in the most creative manner. Winners get the chance of winning as much as P200,000.

Now isn’t it high time that art truly moves you?
For more information, download the flyer and entry form here. entry-form-flyer

Stickies for your PC

 As designers, Post-Its are part of your work desk. Sticking these little notes can now be done electronically ( a good way of saving trees for paper, we must say). Well, while this post may not exactly qualify as a DIY nor a craft, but finding this freeware, Stickies, is something we think you will like. We found this through a newsletter from IdealBite.

We haven’t tinkered with the application. Let us know what you think.

Show Me the Light

Light, and how it is presented in an interior, is always part of the visual drama. In so many ways, space may be altered through light manipulation.

PIID invites designers to this event, to be held on March 21 at the PTTC. Sponsored by 3Form, a leading supplier of translucent materials, the event aims to present the many ways their materials may be used to produce topnotch designs. Entitled “Endless Possibilities 2009–Creating Fantastic Interiors Through 3Form”, the event promises to impart to its audience new design solutions.

So, refresh your design IQ and be enlightened!

Remembrance of Things Past

We were at an event earlier this evening attended by the glitterati and other media personalities. The event that we’re talking about is the launching of Flow magazine’s third issue.

Flow, one of the fastest growing design publications have changed the magazine landscape with its unique style and layout, bold images and articles that chronicle the creative process that every designer, artist and architect goes through.

As each issue is bound by a visual language that is similar to an art exhibition, it is also fitting that each issue is curated by the top minds in the design world. For Flow 03, design gurus Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre, dynamic owners of concept stores such as Firma, AC+632 and Felicity take the roles as guest curators enjoining the readers to go on an exploration of the vanishing art of paper cutwork through an array of artworks.

The magazine launch was helped by another exhibition and sale of works by the contributors and artists featured in the magazine such as Bea Valdez, Wynn Wynn Ong, Robert Langenegger, Patricia Eustaquio, Juan Caguicla and Ronald Ventura.

Check out Flow 03 and be blown away by the magic of a lost art. See for yourself the very same artworks that graced the walls of Silverlens Gallery tonight, and feel as if you were there in attendance yourself.

Earth friends

Terra Furnishing's new spa collection

In this day and age, when commercialism is the name of the game and money is king, it’s sometimes way too easy to forget about the things that matter. The design world is not exempt from this. Although, heaven bless those kind-hearted souls that actually still care about things beyond the glitz and glamour that is entices everyone to the profession.

No, we’re not preaching. Just commending those who make a real effort to try to change the way people live and for the better of course. One such group is Terra Furnishing, a Michigan-based furniture E-retailer, who has recently joined the eco-friendly bandwagon by launching a website geared to eco-friendly handmade furniture and accessories. In a PR, released by the company, Terra Furnishings, has also incorporated in this website “an active blog where customers can find environmental news, links and quarterly product giveaways.”

Terra Furnishing offer products that are all 100% natural and made from organic resources, particularly sustainable woods such as monkey pod (acacia), farmed and/or reclaimed teak and mango are used for the hand-carved products.

Apart from a full range of products—from furniture, accessories, to pottery, glass and even jewelry items—the company has also linked up with 1% For the Planet as a member company in its recognition for the importance of environmental stewardship.
The company will soon be launching its new collection of teak spa items and that is certainly something worth looking forward. At least now you can go all out green and definitely be as stylish as you want to be.

For more information on Terra Furnishing, visit their website at www.terrafurnishings.com

Twist stools by Terra Furnishings

Manila Then and Now

MANILA TRANSITIO 1945

March 7, 2009

In February of 1945, history tells us that the City of Manila was completely destroyed in a battle between the United States Armed Forces and the Japanese Imperial Army. An estimated 120,000 people were lost and our beloved City of Manila was never the same again.

Manila Transitio is a multi-media event organized by the Intramuros Administration with Carlos Celdran and multi media artists Tad Ermitano, Donna Miranda, Mabi David, Kawayan de Guia, Malek Lopez, Caliph8, Ringo Bunoan, and several other artists that will celebrate Manila – the city that was and the Manila that will be.

An evening of performances, music, vintage photographs and films, video art, installations, open mic, food, drink, poetry and dance within different sections of The Fort Santiago, this will be a lovely alternative to spend your night.  Guest readings will be performed by Shamaine Buencamino, Roslyn Perez, Peter Serrano, Jake Macapagal, Jamie Wilson, and Aida Santos while  flamenco music wille be provided by Yerbaguena.

The symbolic release of 120 illuminated spirit lanterns into the night sky by the gates of Fort Santiago will cap the evening.

And the best part is, this multi-media event is FREE!

*Reasonably priced buffet and beer will be sold in Fort Santiago before the event. Or you can bring your own bottle of wine/picnic.

It’s that time of the year once again…

Nope, we’re not talking about the Chinese New Year, but something that’s maybe equally exciting. We’re talking about the imm cologne fair. Every year, people from across the globe trot to Cologne, Germany to attend one design world’s biggest furniture show. The show, which ran through 19 January to 25 January, was attended by some 100,000 design professionals! Imagine that!

The show is segmented into seven exhibitions–imm pure, basic, comfort, sleep, solid, smart and prime.The imm pure exhibition puts out select pieces by renowned designers, while others range from an all upholstered collection (comfort), to an all-wood collection in imm pure. We snagged a few photos of the event, and we’re sharing it right here.

Ligne Roset's quirky sofa that doubles as a conversation piece

one-of-a-kind wall hangings: winter trees by artisan house

(photos by sofa-blog@flickr.com)

The future’s definitely bright…

if we were to judge it by the first ever volume of Design+Discourse, a compilation of theses by the graduating batch of UP College of Architecture. Edited by architect and professor Gerard Lico, this volume presents the works of some of the brightest and promising architecture students from the university. Each thesis proposal is coupled with description and comes fully illustrated for good measure.

Some of the works by students David Ty and his proposed design for a Martial Law Memorial brings politics and design to an entirely different level and makes it truly personal, or Francis Lanuza’s proposal for a modern health facility that offers traditional massage (hilot) and alternative methods of healing is a clever integration of innovation and culture. And if this is the prospect of what our architectural landscape will be in the next few years, then we’re definitely up for it.

Design+Discourse is available at all National Bookstore Outlets.