toy box

Second Nature

We have been looking forward to visiting this exhibit Second Nature while in Tokyo at 21_21 Design Sight.

The main exhibit was chairs and artworks made of synthetic crystals. Some of them are still in making inside of the special aquarium in which plays Beethoven in order to let the crystal form naturally based on the music note.

The crystal chair inside of the aquarium felt like it was an organic creature breathing like a living mermaid. It was like a baby inside of the mother’s womb who are growing slowly listening to the his mom singing Beethoven.

And because of the surreal cloud like installation inside of the exhibit space, it makes visitors feel as if they are inside of this aquarium of nothingness just like how the crystal chair is…being reborn.

I wish I could have taken better pictures. They had pretty strict rule of “no photography”. This was the one I was able to score using my iPhone.

LA to TJ Mobile Conference: Connecting Goods, People, Idea

We had an opportunity to attend LA to TJ Mobile Conference organized by Colors of Green Committee and Latino Urban Forum. The conference was hosted in a very unique style. We took a train from Union Station in Downtown LA to Santa Fe Depot in San Diego. Along the way, train passed multiple spots that are either controversial and/or influential to LA region's economy and wellness including LA River, 710 Freeway and Irvine great Park Site. Each speaker spoke briefly about key topics such as air quality, health, housing, open space, transportation while train passed by the area relevant to those topics. Our organizer James Rojas put it in the perfect sentence. "Our slide show is the view from the train".

Listening to the speaker on the train

Few interesting points we learned from the conference.

Two concurrent exhibitions connecting Fixed Gear community in L.A. & Berlin, February 1-17, 2008

We wish we were here to make it to the opening reception... Looks very cool, though!

Two concurrent exhibitions connecting Fixed Gear community in L.A. & Berlin, February 1-17, 2008
This event will showcase global Fixed Gear culture and explore the common creative spirit that connects Los Angeles and Berlin.

Opening party in Berlin > February 1st @ 7PM
VISUAL RESEARCH Gallery
Kastanienallee 44, Berlin Mitte

Opening reception in L.A. > February 2nd @ 2PM
ROGUE STATUS Flagship Store
1720 Main St., Venice, CA 90291

On display:
20 customized Fixed Gear bikes from L.A. & Berlin covering a wide spectrum of different styles
2 bikes featuring a L.A. & Berlin-based artist will be exchanged and auctioned off
Photo & video projections and a comprehensive event catalog illustrating the impact of growing Fixed-Gear scene on material and color perception
Professional photographer will document visiting riders and their contraptions
Multiple DJs
Drinks & food

Invited are Fixed Gear riders and creative community in L.A. & Berlin
Both events & exhibitions are free.