Sparked » Design

The WTC 9/11 Memorial

Geoffry — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:02:21 +0000

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

Visitng the 9/11 Memorial Preview site in NYC’s busy financial district becomes a rare moment of tranquility remembering a tragic day in modern American history. The loss of life from the September 11, 2001 attacks are felt all around the memorial echoing the names of the victims and heroes.

Designed by Israeli-American architect, Michael Arad, the park’s north and south side reflective pools take the place where the twin towers once stood. Etched in bronze panels framing the waterfalls are the names of individuals, squads and battalions that stretch the entire metallic surface.

The 9/11 Memorial, still in preview, is free and open to the public by pre-ordering tickets from the 9/11 Memorial website.

Family and friends gather to remember a loved one that was lost to the 9/11 attacks. Photo: Sparked

Visitors gather to learn about the history of the 9/11 Memorial now open to the public. Photo: Sparked

International visitors take a moment to reflect at the memorial's commemorative pools. Photo: Sparked

Names of the 9/11 heroes are etched into the north and south pool memorials. Photo: Sparked

The 9/11 Memorial designed by Isreali-American architect Michael Arad in front of the 9/11 Memorial Atrium Museum. Photo: Sparked

The nearly completed World Trade Center in the center of NYC financial district. Photo: Sparked

A New York City Tornado

Geoffry — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:02:35 +0000

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Tornado by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer may not have been what Central Park landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted had in mind, but the striking kinetic sculpture dramatically stands tall among the 30 ft tall trees.

The industrial form made from inflated truck tire inner tubes will be on view until February 2012 made possible by the Public Art Fund. The tubes, twisted and interlaced almost producing a knitted effect zig zags down its shaft creating a gestural line. Contrasting the French Renaissance style Plaza Hotel across Grand Army Plaza, Sailstorfer’s bold cloud-like form brings a little whimsy to the tony neighborhood.

NYC public art "Tornado" by Berlin based artist Michael Sailstorfer made from inflated truck tire inner tubes exhibited at the entrance of Central Park.

Goodbye Autumn

Geoffry — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:51:49 +0000

Prospect Park, November 27, 2011, Photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Before we say goodbye to fall, I wanted to share the autumnal colors that seemed even more vivid from the unseasonal warmer temperatures in NYC. As New Yorkers and Brooklynites took to their public parks, this photo essay captures how even urbanites commune with nature.

Prospect Park, November 27, 2011, Photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

High Line Park, November 26, 2011, Photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Bright Lights Big City! High Line Park

Geoffry — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:29:16 +0000

High Line Park evening stroll, Nov, 25, 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

November’s temperate weather in NYC continues for the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Escaping the gregarious crowds, the High Line Park provided some refuge.

The bright lights of the big city beautifully illuminated the wheat lined pathways with the shining dotted cityscape. It’s hard to imagine just below the peaceful elevated rails, the masses on the streets carting their prized bargains.

The High Line’s enthusiasm is inspiring another city space but underground. Recently The Times reported a new project to restore a former trolley terminal under Delancey. Using fiber-optic technology to transmit natural light, cavernous tunnels would be transformed into a subterranean park! You can read the full article here.

High Line Park evening stroll, Nov, 25, 2011, photo: Geoffry Gertz/Sparked.biz

Think Different! Thank you Steve Jobs

Geoffry — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:32:14 +0000

Apple founder Steve Jobs, February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

With the self empowerment movement of the 70s, creating the tech democratisation of the 80s and re-building Apple into the world’s dominant technology company, Steve Jobs pioneering spirit has transcended our culture. Thank you Steve Jobs!

The Snap iPhone 4 Case

Geoffry — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:27:18 +0000

The Snap iPhone 4 case by drop it Modern.

Isn’t the iPhone 4 really an excellent camera but also a phone? You may or may not agree depending on your wireless service, but the iPhone without fail is my go to digital impromptu shooter!

Drop it Modern feels the same way introducing their vintage style camera design for the iPhone 4. My sister and photographer of Dog Patch Pix, Susan, gifted me with the wonderful sleek cover and living in a city where eye contact is avoided, my new case made a lot of new friends.

Oh, and drop it Modern customer service is terrific!

I'm workin' my Snap iPhone 4 case. Photo: Christopher Musci/Sparked.biz

KANAVAL Fashion Installation at NYFW

Geoffry — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:49:37 +0000

KANAVAL a fashion installation inspired by the rich tradition of Haitian Carnival.

NYC Tribeca loft spaces are often the place for a ‘happening’ and Thursday night offered KARNAVAL, an evening mashing mysticism, art, fashion and charity.

The fashion benefit exhibition for Haiti featured menswear designer Hvrminn’s latest project. Curated by Haitian photographer Marc Baptiste, the KANAVAL collection was auctioned off, in addition to limited edition photographic prints, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Baby Joseph. Baby Joseph is 10-year-old girl living in Cité Soleil, an impoverished commune in Port-au-Prince.

Especially engaging were the lace hooded muscle tops along with the performance art including maidens wrapped in virginal cloth perhaps preparing for their Haitian inspired Voodoo ceremony closing the piece and New York Fashion Week.

KANAVAL a fashion installation inspired by the rich tradition of Haitian Carnival.

M•A•C VIVA GLAM Next Movement

Geoffry — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:09:16 +0000

Creative Director Nicola Formichetti crafting the look for the upcoming Lady Gaga M•A•C VIVA GLAM Movement.

M•A•C and Lady Gaga’s newest VIVA GLAM Movement will debut this month collaborating with Thierry Mugler Creative Director Nicola Formichetti. The campaign invited M•A•C lovers to join by lending their face to be a part of a wearable art piece created by Formichetti, worn by Gaga and recruited recent Parsons fashion design grad, Ryan Jordan, to work on the project.

Discovered from the Parsons 560 Lookbook, Jordan’s SS 2012 “Sexual Sensory” collection led to Gaga wearing his designs for a prestigious photo shoot. Jordan, a former student of our Digital Design Therapy co-therapist, Maura Jurgrau was approached by Formichetti to collaborate with the campaign and enlisted Jurgrau’s help to develop the surface designs as one of their concepts.

Jurgrau working on several studies and final designs with Ryan, quickly channeling Nicola’s vision and all of Ryan’s creative energy and ideas, color inspiration and palette were derived from the vivaglam.com website representing a global community of beautiful tones.

Profile photos of faces submitted by thousands of contributors, as part of the project, were the design elements for the prints. These were then colored, layered, morphed, and collaged to create various expressive compositions. The finished work was digitally printed onto yardage for Nicola to drape and create the Gaga masterpiece.

Stay tuned for the Gaga Finale Dress to be seen next week and watch the preview vid below!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=byr1Om34UWE

ABSOLUT Fringe VIS10NS 2011

Geoffry — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:31:21 +0000

Preparation for the ABSOLUT VIS10NS exhibition running from September 12th to 17th in the Laundry Room of South Studios, Dublin 8. Photo: Nerosunero

Absolut Fringe 2011 makes its way to Dublin kicking off the 16 day festival of theatre and arts celebration September 10th-25th, 2011. For a special exhibition, the iconic bottle is being transformed by 10 Irish and international graphic artists through an open workshop in collaboration with The Small Print.

The installation opens September 8th and these process pics give a preview of the whimsical 8ft tall canvases.

Source: Nerosunero

Preparation for the ABSOLUT VIS10NS exhibition running from September 12th to 17th in the Laundry Room of South Studios, Dublin 8. Photo: Nerosunero

Hurricane Irene’s Window Dressing

Geoffry — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:37:54 +0000

NYC Meatpacking District boutiques react to Hurricane Irene. Photo Credit: Eric's Posterous

Fortunately NYC escaped the potential damage that had been broadcasted since Thursday, especially compared to our eastern neighbors. And everyone really got into ‘battening down the hatches’ even mirroring the look of their brand such as Apple’s clean tarp and minimal gray-green sand bags.

Eric’s Posterous posted these pics that have made the Twitter rounds. Poking a little fun at businesses survival skills, taping windows may feel productive, it doesn’t prevent breaking, nonetheless create intriguing patterns.

NYC Meatpacking District boutiques react to Hurricane Irene. Photo Credit: Eric's Posterous