inspired by nature
08252010
Zimoun 25 woodworms: vimeo
Tree trunk bench by Jurgen Bey via droog
fish scale ring via notcouture
POSTED IN Blog, art + photography, fashion | TAGS : nature
all geared up
08222010
Sacha White, Vanilla Bicycles
I’ve fallen in love…and what better target for my affection?
A friend rolled her eyes at me, saying that I had become ‘one of those people,’ when she came upon my computer browser window filled with sites all dedicated towards bicycles. But why must it be that I have now fallen into a camp of bicyclists versus someone who has just found a fun way of getting around? Here in New York especially, we are a people who not only like to buy things, but also to buy into things, and I fully admit that my bike has been subject to a few upgrades that it could have done very well without. And it was this very attitude towards buying into a lifestyle in order to bike in the city that motivated my teammates and I for the YOXI competition to try to abate. Looking around at certain ’stylish’ commuters wearing rakish boating hats and sundresses or the groomed, business suit-clad man on a positively royal dutch cruiser, was appealing to me for a brief moment until rudely awakened by the angry traffic looming behind me and knowing the safety that came with wearing a bicycle helmet rather than a thin layer of straw wrapped with a bow.
Practical biking? NYT exploring the new IT trend
To Americans, this seems like the perfect fashion plate, but to Europeans this is simply a way of life in which a leisurely ride towards the coffee shop is slow and safe enough that riding without a helmet is actually OK. On the other hand, stateside, I have found myself on vigilant duty to try to navigate the streets without getting run over, which in all honesty for me, is half the reason why urban biking is so fun.
I was glad to find on The Sartorialist, despite his many beguiling photos of people riding stylishly on bikes without helmets, to read:
Instead of trying to copy the very chic Europeans bikers I think we (Americans) should do what we are good at - and that is Sporty/Tech.
I would love to see a sleek young lady in a little black jersey dressed tied-up on one leg, on an equally sleek black mountain bike wearing some kinda of silver reflective sash or form fitted vest (but really well-designed) and reflective wristbands, Raybans, and some sleek, form-fit mountain climbing shoes (those really tiny ones with the nubby soles) or even heels (like that lady I shot in Paris) and a cool racing helmet.
Imagine mixing Polo Sport with Comme Des Garçons - now that would look cool with really techy bike gear.
In defense of the fashion world encroaching onto bicycling territory, I would say that they have done much to get a lot more people onto bikes in the first place, which is no small feat. But if you must look good while riding your bike, surely there are other ways that don’t involve putting your brain trust at risk. Admittedly in the past, I have let vanity get in the way of safety, but does it really take a few near-fatal accidents to be convinced? I would much rather live to bike another day. In other words, wear what you want, find ways to adapt what you have, but know that you don’t need a lot to get on a bike and out on the road than a helmet, some lights and a good bell.
POSTED IN Blog, projects, writing | TAGS : bicycles
the campaign for better biking | proposal
08032010
Background:
GOAL: Create an initiative to increase the number of cyclists on the streets of urban areas.
Selected to take part in the kick-off for Yoxi, a creative experiment framing social innovation around friendly competition, my team and I crafted our solution as two different advertising campaigns.
In this story, conversion is not the issue, but a change in attitude.
The Campaign: Chapter 1
“Chapter 1: Mutual Respect” is the first of a series of videos that introduce viewers to issues related to biking in the city. By creating a better informed public, !ola intends to foster safer, more enjoyable biking conditions and get biking on everyone’s mind.”
The pitch:
The simplest way to get people on bikes isn’t through legislation, more bike lanes, or technology but a change in attitude. Team !ola proposes a multi-platform, character-driven campaign that highlights biking-related issues in unexpected ways. Standing in a bike lane? A glance at the nearby pink arrow poster will remind you to step out of the way. By shifting perspectives, we intend to foster safer, more enjoyable biking conditions and encourage you to hit the road on a regular basis.
Exploration:
“!ola’s take on the urban commute, bike hype, and freedom machines. Nodding in agreement? Feeling inspired? Want to see more footage of Ozge freaking out? Keep following our adventures…”
Sponsored by Good Magazine, the competition and our pitch attracted the attention of both bicycle and environmental-related media:
http://www.good.is/post/play-a-social-change-game-over-at-yoxi/
http://www.good.is/post/help-get-more-people-on-bikes/
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/forget-better-bike-lanes-team-ola-pink-arrow-better-biking.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/07/creative-challenge-calls-on-contestants-to-change-the-way-urban-dwellers-ride.php
http://www.psfk.com/2010/07/yoxi-social-biking-innovation.html
