KAWS Light Bulb Set for The Standard Hotel

Over the last little while, New York artist KAWS has diversified his collaboration portfolio. Long known for toys and more fashion based collaborations, we’ve seen a greater lifestyle angle ranging from beer bottles to now light bulbs. Created in association with The Standard Hotel, the bulbs featured in a pack of 3 highlight an iconic element of KAWS thanks to a “XX” filament. The KAWS Light Bulb Set for The Standard Hotel is available now through The Standard Hotel.

Photography: Brad Bridgers

via Hypebeast

Pato Pooh ft. Adam Tensta "Follow Me"

Just wanted to show some love for Swedish hip-hop; it's a shame more people in the States don't go out of their way to listen to stuff from other countries.

NIGO: NOW HERE in China

Here we have an interview featuring NIGO, brought to us all by Hypebeast.com.

Late last month, A Bathing Ape took another big step into China as NIGO was on hand to open his latest store in Beijing. Created in conjunction with I.T, the BAPE STORE Beijing location joins two previous retail locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong. With the disposable income of the China market growing at an alarming rate, the brand who has long been a commonplace within the regional scene will surely see a greater presence with each grown season.

While the fledging Mainland China market wasn’t conducive to BAPE’s expansion until recently, NIGO mentioned that the understanding of both design and subculture are now something the Mainland Chinese are able to connect with. We took the chance to discuss several different topics with the ambitious founder ranging from the beginnings of A Bathing Ape, its recent outwards expansion into diffusion labels, collaborations and the brand’s similarity to Ralph Lauren.

Interview: Edward Chiu
Text: Eugene Kan
Photography: Louis Lau & Edward Chiu

via Hypebeast

Vandalog: The Death of Banksy

At the onset, Banksy's political commentary in street art form started from the efforts of one solo figure. His art movement has since garnered mass appeal and attention as he slowly seeps his way into mainstream popular culture. The man who represents Banksy will undoubtedly meet his demise some time down the line in the most literal sense, however in an editorial by Vandalog, they argue that we could see the work of Banksy continue onwards for generations. This is based on various arguments including how the authenticity of his work, a team commissioned to do his work and the simplicity of his work all ensure his ongoing legacy. Arguably, Bansky’s drawing power is less about his artwork and more about his social commentary. Perhaps his particular stenciled style interjected with societal opinion done by others will come to represent him in future generations.

I’m inclined to think that Banksy, the man, is a hard working guy who does involve himself in the making of the artwork that he signs. But given all the possibilities for others to be involved in the Banksy brand without the public knowing a thing, it is clear that the Banksy brand can continue to create artwork indefinitely with or without the original man behind the name. Like the many boys who took on the role Batman’s sidekick Robin (oh, haha okay I came up with this metaphor days ago and only now as I write it down do I realize the irony given Banksy’s supposed identity. I’m an idiot), an anonymous artist’s name and image can be taken up by any number of people. If the man behind Banksy ever leaves the Banksy organization, or when he dies, will the public ever know? It’s possible that my grandchildren will be able to see “original” Banksy artwork completed a century from now. Banksy seems to have reached the absurd hyperbole of conceptual art: the original artist may not even need to conceive the artwork for it to bear his name. Banksy has finally achieved what Warhol and others set out to: the artist is truly a brand without a human identity.
This isn’t to say that Banksy’s death is impossible. It may happen one day. It seems only right that Banksy the brand dies with Banksy the man and it may very well end there, but it would definitely be possible for his team to continue the brand without the man. Then, the questions become would we notice, would we care and how would Banksy the brand change itself from the original intent of Banksy the man?

via Hypebeast

MONSTER Official Video

Video leaked a couple of days ago and it seems that UMG has been blocking every source of the leak, but I managed to pull this one off YouTube. If the link goes dead, I'll try and refresh it as I can.

'Ye ft. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver: