MIXEDMATERIAL

Go: Walead Beshty at Wallspace

I first saw a couple of Walead Beshty photograms at the Miami Art Museum in January and was struck by their use of colour and their combination of scientific and artistic processes to create works that were both jarring and evocative. Now showing at Wallspace, the Beshty exhibition combines six of these transcendent works - which are created by exposing colour sensitive paper to light filters - with a selection of static black and white portraits of people who contributed to the creation of the kaleidoscopic works. While the smaller portraits work to make the larger pieces 'pop', the relationship between the two isn't convincing and the black and white pictures have little value beyond serving as a list of acknowledgments for the really bright stars of the show. Go for the headline act.

Walead Beshty at Wallspace, 619 W27 Street, NYC, NY 10001. Until 4th April.   

The Topman on Broadway

 

Finally, the New York Topman (and New York Topshop) open on Broadway this Thursday. I'll write about the store and the clothes in due course but wanted to share the (unfortunately iphone quality) pictures I took today of their first window and with Sir Philip Green, the Topman maestro, who was super relaxed and looking forward to the store opening. Aren't we all?

Coming Up: Let There Be 'Tress' Light

Mixing a hi-tech finish with traditional technique, Marc Sadler inspires with this craft-meets-spacecraft lamp that plays with light and shadow.

'Tress' light by Marc Sadler for Foscarini. 

Buy It Now: Alexander McQueen Pilgrim Shopper

For those of you into collecting sets of things, why not treat yourself to this Alexander McQueen Pilgrim Shopper? Aside from a near-$1000 difference in price and the fact it's black, this bag is pretty similar to the Alexander McQueen Biker Shopper which was recommended here as a previous Buy It Now. If you're a completist with a capsule wardrobe, the similarity should be all the justification you need to sneak the black version into your collection. $1595 from Alexander McQueen.

French Connection: Dead Brand Walking

French Connection has announced a £17.4m loss, inevitably blaming the slumping demand for retail. There's no doubt that the appetite for high street clothing is not quite what it was but there's also no doubt that even in a booming market, French Connection would likely still be losing money and customers.

Go: Xylor Jane at Canada New York

As bankers and politicians pluck numbers from thin air to fix their dodgy maths, and the rest of us wonder what these equations of thousands and trillions mean, leave it to the artists to go back to the roots of numeracy and show us that there is beauty in mathematics.

Xylor Jane works with mathematical codes and systems from the worlds of geometry and colour to create works that are both highly ordered and also totally human. Showing at Canada until March 29, this exhibition will provide solace for those seeking order and beauty. 

Xylor Jane at Canada, 55 Chrystie St (between Hester & Canal), NYC NY 10002 

Buy it Now: This Works Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel

 

If you are anything like me, you are just now starting work on getting in shape for the summer. Of course, we've left it too late again to get fully Adonisised but that's no excuse not to keep on trying and to work up a sweat every so often. For a pre or post workout motivator, there is nothing better than this This Works Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel, which is packed with energy enhancing essential oils to get you on your way. The heady aroma puts weak and synthetic cheaper fragrances to shame and, as expected from a company called This Works, it does, indeed, do exactly what is says on the bottle and restock your energy bank. Available for £19 from This Works.

Six of the Best: New hoodies

The hoody is about as basic as menswear gets. A wardrobe staple that works, the best are those that are fussed around with just enough to keep them looking modern but not so much that they scream for attention. The most important thing to bear in mind when choosing your hoody is the fit: we're not talking going for 90's Joe Bloggs baggy here. Slimmer fitting hoodies work better and there's nothing wrong with a bit of detail or colour or a touch of cashmere to luxe it up. Here's a selection of six of the best fresh hoodies for 2009.

Grey and yellow hoody by Newyorkese, €170 from Luisaviaroma 

Go: Armory Art Week, New York

Between the 5th and 8th of March, New York will become the international centre for modern and contemporary art with the arrival of Armory Art Week. Spanning the city and taking in The Armory Show along with multiple satellite events including the Bridge Art Fair, Pulse New York and Scope New York, the week will provide a massive showcase of modern and contemporary artists, galleries and dealers, with a particular focus on emerging American art. The Armory Show is also launching a new event this year -  The Armory Show: Modern - that will host international dealers specialising in historically significant modern art, so you can track the progress of art from the emergence of modernity to cutting edge work.

Picture above: 'I love america and america loves me, part 3' by Marc Seguin

Buy it Now: Harry Allen Piggy Bank

I need somewhere new to put the little spare money that I have. The banks just aren't getting any better and under the mattress was a good option until I went Tempur Pedic; my mattress is now so heavy (and comfortable) that I'd never be able to lift it up and get my hands on my cash. A piggy bank is the only way to go for now and there's no better one than this example by Harry Allen. Cast from a real life dead pig, this is a piggy bank for grown ups. It's available in white (shown here) and pink for £83.19 and in gold and chrome from £150. I like the white option best, which leaves me with a bit of cash to fill the little oinker. Available from Opus Interiors.