Thats all about money

Designboom has compiled a lengthy post all about currency design and artists who use monetary imagery in their work. They showcase money from around the world and explore artists who play with these powerful symbols of wealth. It’s an interesting look at the complex relationship we have with these little pieces of paper and metal.

Designboom explains:

it is said that recession provokes artists, designers and alike to create some of their best work but for some people money is the constant source of question regardless of the economic climate.

money is many different things at the same time. it’s a work of art, a medium of exchange, a representation of value, one, which most people take for granted. everybody has their own answers when it comes to money yet we think that it is more generative and engaging to think about values and doubt. it is a balancing force.

money creates a mood of euphoria. money is one of the major constituents in determining what our lives feel like, what our typical day feels like. money also represents our society. it’s everywhere but money is just an idea - an abstract measurement.

Source PSFK

Creative Process by Hooper Galton

Click here to see more

Cannes Lions: Hooper Galton, 2008

Source Cannes Lions

The Economic Crisis in Song

What does a failing economy sound like? Johannes Kreidler offers his rendition with these computer-generated tunes created with Microsoft’s Songsmith program, Muzak-y compositions that follow the downward tumble of American financial institutions, as well as the unemployment rate and Iraq war statistics. Watch the video below to see how the melodies match the depressing stats they were built off of:

Source kottke

Eyebrow Dancing

The ad is by Fallon in London. I think I’m adding this to PSFK for personal reasons more than anything.

The parody is already placed in the UK.

Talks Success Through Failure

Honda is premiering three new short documentaries online as part of their relaunched “Power of Dreams” website. Director Derek Cianfrance filmed unscripted conversations with Honda associates talking about their approach to solving problems and finding solutions. The debut includes three films with more to follow every few months. The series can be viewed at the “Power of Dreams” website or on the company’s YouTube channel.

Worth a view is “Failure: The Secret to Success” which depicts Honda’s belief in the importance of never being afraid to try something new. The film feature Honda designers, engineers, and members of the race team talking about failures and risks taken that helped lead to new innovations.

More on "Dreaming impossible" from The Cat Empire band:

Discover The Cat Empire!

Source PSFK

Make Your Own Xmas

Each year, the Tate Britain selects an artist to create a Christmas tree for the gallery. Multimedia artists Bob and Roberta Smithcreated this years tree called ‘Make Your Own Xmas’. The tree is a spirited, thought-provoking response to the season of contemplation, celebration, and consumerism. Its overt humor and ramshackle aesthetic promote a variety of interpretations, evoking memories of hand-made Christmas decorations, as well as highlighting global concerns over energy production and waste. The artist aims to introduce an energetic, hands-on approach to art by getting the public actively involved in his work.

The wooden structure of the tree is made of recycled and reclaimed materials including sandwich board and an oil drum. Eight different bicycles are fixed in stands around the base, each holding a generator that is connected to a set of lights on the tree. Visitors are encouraged to help bring the tree to life by providing the pedal-power to illuminate the tree.

Measuring 36 feet, this year’s tree is the tallest in the program’s twenty-one year history. It will be on display in the Rotunda through January 4th.

Source PSFK

YouTube to Create Global Orchestra Online

YouTube’s latest venture is a good example of new approaches to collaboration: an endeavor to engage musicians from all over the world and create the first global symphony orchestra in the process.  Although grand in scope, the concept’s success relies on individual participation. To that end, musicians of all types are asked to record themselves playing any classical selection of their choosing, along with a piece written specifically for this project by composer Tan Dun entitled “The Internet Symphony”.  All videos of the original composition will then be rolled into one collective performance to generate the global event. Contributors are given the opportunity to download sheet music and rehearse with a conductor online. As an added incentive, the best entrants (as voted on by the larger community) will be invited to a 3-day summit that culminates in a live concert held at Carnegie Hall. Submissions are being accepted through January 28.  Details and tutorials are available on YouTube’s microsite.

Source ReadWriteWeb

Barack Obama & new approach for PR. French style

Source La Chanson du Dimanche

From Cave Paintings to the Interneе

Kottke points us to an eye-opening interactive timeline of developments in information and media through the years. “From Cave Paintings to the Internet” is an on-going project that recounts the major advances in areas ranging from computing to book publishing to imaging, from 70,000 BCE to today. The tool was borne from the creator’s 2005 book, From Gutenberg to the Internet, a run-through the history of computing, networking and telecommunications.

From Cave Paintings to the Internet

Source historyofscience.com, PSFK 

Art of OR's

Street artist Invader has covered a large portion of the planet with his iconic video game inspired pixel art characters. He’s installed his tile based artworks in at least 40 cities and 30 countries. These missions aren’t just quick bombing runs either. Invader spends 2-3 weeks in each location placing little invaders in strategic locations. He’s recently branched out into creating large QR Code murals. The juxtaposition of black and white tiles echo his classic invader characters and combine hi-tech digital codes with the very low-tech ceramic tiles. When scanned, the pieces give out hidden messages like “This is an invasion”.

Video interview with the masked Invader below.

More info about this artist here

Source PSFK