Simon Singh
I was given a book as a youngster called ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem‘ and ever since have kept an eye (or two) on the writing of Simon Singh. He loves all things mathematical and has a canny way of making it understandable and relative to his readers. For instance, did you know that if you take any river on the planet, measure the distance from the spring to the sea ‘as the crow flies’, and measure the distance from the spring to the sea following it’s various turns and meanders, the ratio between the two distances is always 3.14 to 1 – or ‘pie’. It gives me something to talk about in the pub.
Also by SIMPLE KID
British Film Institute live appearances
When I first moved to London and didn’t know a soul, I joined up with the British Film Institute [BFI] and started going to the talks they put on. When I went to see Gene Wilder speak, all the know-alls in the audience kept asking questions, not to find out anything, but just to show off to the room how much they knew about film making. He got annoyed. Genius boy genius.
Back in 2006 I had the dubious fortune to search for about three hours in the London rain, trying to find the tiny venue in which I had heard an amazing Theremin orchestra was supposed to be playing. Well, it was a ‘Matryomin orchestra’ actually [a Matryomin is a Theremin, shaped like a Russian doll] and it was so worth the wait. When I see stuff like this I feel deeply ashamed to still be plucking the ubiquitous six string instrument called the ‘guitar’, like some sort of Cro-Magnon man. Next album, I resolve to dump it and get more like these crazy cats!
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Although not new on the scene by any means, I still think Lightning Bolt is way ahead of the game. They’ve reduced music to its basics and invented a mathematical metal which makes everyone else look wimpy. Although you won’t be hearing them on the radio, go see them live and you’ll be queuing round the block with the kids to get in.
See a song from the Lightning Bolt live set and listen to their song, Saint Jacques.
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How could you not like Tilly and The Wall? Any band with a tap dancing drummer and a name that refers to the most bland of inanimate objects is alright by us. We spoke with Kianna from the group to get the lowdown. Read more
In my teenage years, I was a fanatical collector of Archie Comics, living my life vicariously through the mischevious misadventures of Archie, Betty, Veronica and the gang. Eventually I sold my collection to a high school friend, who bought several garbage bags worth of digests along with my prized Ozi skate deck. This vibrant artwork by Singapore-based designer Hanyi Lee takes me back to that time and I kinda wish that I’d kept the damn things, if only for a few more moments of saccharine sweet escapism within their apple pie, primary colour world.
Artist David Shrigley’s animated music video for Blur is so simple, so sweet, so perfect. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it, yet it still makes me cry every time.
I almost had a heart attack the first time I entered Published Art. And I’m not even an architecture and design nut. This place is the shiz. As the name of the store suggests, Published Art is art published in book form. Their spectacular array of art, design and architecture books will bring a tear to the eye of any admirer of beauty. For Published Art, less is more. They make sure that they only keep the latest titles in stock so that every single one of their gorgeous hardcover books can be viewed from any part of the store. Read more
So I can’t understand a word on this Japanese blog, and neither do I really want to. No, there’s something intrinsically calming about staring at cute photos of cute cats, even more so when they’re balancing things precariously on their heads. Read more
The sound New Zealand band The Brunettes make is Hallmark card pop — naïve sincerity mixed with low-fi, casual kitsch. Says chief songwriter, Jonathan Bree: ‘You’ll find us somewhere between US punk and just before classic 60s romps’. And so we will.
Joy Kampia is the creator of the Hamburger dress, made from assorted fibers and nylon, and crocheted and sewn. The American artist is also the creative force behind the Sundae dress, and the Donuts necklace, among other foodie crochet projects. Read more
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Christoph Niemann illustrates a nightmare flight
New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann has created a brilliant visual diary outlining the peril and pitfalls that beset the everyday passenger based on his recent experience flying from New York to his home town of Berlin. Read more
Michelle Blade’s psychedelic artwork
Michelle Blade’s washed out paintings are deceptively simple, her washy acrylics creating psychedelic textures and conjuring ghostly figures from the past. Read more
Cookie Boy’s creative cookie designs
I don’t eat cookies, so good thing Cookie Boy’s cookies are little pieces of art too pretty and cute to eat. Read more
It’s refreshing to see artists like Joe Kievitt who are contented to explore the beauty in simple forms and asymmetrical patterns. Read more
A little infectious lollipop rock anyone? Feel free to embarrass yourself singing along at the stoplight. If the other drivers give you that look, roll down the windows and spread the love.
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On this Virgin Mary HaloTech watch, the dial is a modern version of the nineteenth century art form of lithophanes, carved porcelain sheets that, when lit, deliver astoundingly detailed images. When the pusher is activated, the dial springs to life in 3D. The watch features a light-up dial, LED light, and afterglo effect. Read more
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deb said | 24 September, 2007
Please tell me you are kidding about this river thing. No, I know you aren’t kidding but now I am going to have to dig up the back yard and build my own river to measure and prove it.
Does he say if it has to be a natural source of water? Off to find the book…….