Like something out of a Wes Anderson film, this Blue Bottle Coffee cafe in Nagoya, Japan, is a too-perfect, polished, … More
Category: Urban Life
PARKS AND REC: A QUICK VISIT TO TOKYO’S POPULAR “ROBOT PARK”!
Tucked away on a hillside between two leafy residential blocks of central Tokyo sits Sakurazaka Park. Better known colloquially as … More
DEUS EX MACHINA: THIS TOKYO VENDING MACHINE SOLVES OUR THIRD-WAVE COFFEE LUST!
A cluster of vending machines stands on a Roppongi street corner next to a small public parking lot a few … More
VISUAL TRASH: STREET ART, GRAFFITI, ADVERTISING, OH MY!
On the shiny, new gentrified south end of Downtown Los Angeles there are remnants still, old and recent, of the … More
POST-MODERNISM IN THE PARK : CONTEMPORARY ARTWORK AS PLAYGROUND
Dubbed the “post-modern playground slide” in the park across the street from my in-laws’ home near Roppongi in Tokyo. The … More
“KONNICHIWA!” : BACK IN TOKYO AND IT FEELS LIKE HOME!
We got to Tokyo early in the morning just after sunrise. It was a bright, hot morning with the humidity … More
TRUE GRIT: SURFER-MUSICIAN’S VINTAGE, STICKER-FIED STATION WAGON
Would you drive this stickerfied vintage station wagon? We spotted this car parked along a remote stretch of Pacific Coast … More
CRYPTIC: HIPSTER-BEVERAGE GUERRILLA MARKETING AS STREET ART!
We saw this wheat-pasted poster on an electricity utility box on Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood on Monday. And we thought … More
WORLDS COLLIDE: FILMMAKER WERNER HERZOG INTERVIEWED BY SKATEBOARDING MAGAZINE!
Skateboarding magazine Jenkem interviewed Werner Herzog. Yes, THAT Werner Herzog, the auteur German film director and actor whose directorial credits … More
SKATE BRAZIL: MESMERIZING VIDEO SHOWS OFF SKILLS OF BRAZILIAN SKATEBOARDING CREW!
A short skate film called “The Girls of Guanabara” is a mesmerizing clip that showcases the dance-like skateboarding moves of … More
ARCHI-TORTURE: SOMEBODY’S BUILDING A MEMORIAL TO THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC
An architecture firm in Montevideo, Uruguay is building the worlds first memorial to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The firm is … More
CAFFEINATED MINIMALISM: ON THE SCENE AT SUR COFFEE
We made a stop at Sur Coffee over the past weekend. It’s a cafe with a roastery in San Clemente, … More
BREAKING, LITERALLY: A GIANT WAVE IN A BIG CITY
This clip shows a high-resolution digital billboard in South Korea displaying an anamorphic-illusion video of a wave breaking in tank … More
IN TOKYO: SIGN ON BUILDING LEAVES LITTLE DOUBT AS TO CONTENTS WITHIN
As you approach Little Darling Coffee Roasters for the first time, you’re not sure you’re in the right place. It’s … More
THIS WAS LUNCH AND IT WAS FREAKIN’ DELICIOUS
Sage-and-cheddar croissant with a sprinkle of black sesame seeds and paired with an almond-milk cappuccino at The Boy and The … More
FOOD AS DECOR: THE “WALL OF DONUTS” MAKES US “HANGRY”
Do you ever see something really yummy when you’re hungry and get “hangry”? “Yes,” you say? Yes, you do? We … More
D.I.Y. A.F.: WHEN GRAFFITI SERVES THE PUBLIC GOOD
This dumpster at a popular beach in Southern California is covered with graffiti and stickers. The meaning of the graffiti … More
“OH, GREEN WORLD!”: THE TOWER OF PLANTS SHOCKS CITY DWELLERS WITH VISION OF VERDANT PARADISE
The plant-covered structure pictured here take the term “green building” to another level. The tower is one among several buildings … More
AMONG THE STELLAS, VOL. 3
We recently went to see a small but formidable collection of mostly paintings and some sculptural artwork by the iconic … More
AMONG THE STELLAS, VOL. 2
And here’s another one, this one one of Frank Stella’s iconic minimal masterpieces.
AMONG THE STELLAS, VOL. 1
And here are some more Frank Stella paintings at LACMA in Los Angeles.
GRAFFITI ART IN YARN
GUILTY PLEASURE: TERRACE HOUSE
We’ve stumbled upon a new obsession the past few months. This in addition to those our other obsessions regular readers … More
MESMERIZING: SHORT-VIDEO “MULTIVERSE” CAPTURES THE SCOOTER-JAMMED TAIPEI
The short film “Multiverse” by Hiroshi Kondo is a mesmerizing visual document of the overwhelming scooter traffic in Taipei. The … More
DIGITALISM: LACMA LAUNCHES A NEW WEBSITE AND IT’S ABOUT F***ING TIME
Seriously, it took a while, but here it is, the new website of the esteemed Los Angeles County Museum of … More
SICK: RED PATENT-LEATHER ADIDAS
ART ON THE BEACH
“TWO GUNS” AND THE LONG OBSCURITY OF T.C. CANNON
ASTRONAUT IN SAMO
THAT MYSTERIOUS RED SCULPTURE
STREET ART HIJACK OF TRAFFIC-SIGN
WHY “FRESH GASOLINE” IS A BLOWN-UP AND EVIL MICROSCOPIC MONSTER
THE DESIGN RADNESS OF ARTIST DAVE DANZARA
REALLY? THE “GREATEST DRAWING OF ALL TIME”?
OUR NEW ALOHA DEATH TUNE! “BEACH CONDO” AVAILABLE TO LISTEN NOW
Our band Aloha Death has released a fresh new tune! It’s titled “Beach Condo.” You can stream it or download it now on Apple Music / iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and almost everywhere! Or give it … More
OUR RE-MASTERED “SEA OF FOG” RELEASED WITH NEW ARTWORK! AVAILABLE NOW!
As part of Global Graphica’s ongoing electronic music project Aloha Death, we’ve released a re-mastered version of our first tune, … More
A MADMAN RETIRES: THE MAN BEHIND APPLE’S ICONIC COMMERCIALS CALLS IT QUITS!
Lee Clow announced his retirement last week. Who? What? Who again? Ok, so you might not know his name — … More
MINIMALISM FOR $95,000.00!
This small smoked-glass cube by artist Larry Bell is a classic of minimalism. And now it can be yours for … More
GO GET ‘EM TIGER! FEROCIOUS FELINE STALKS URBAN JUNGLE!
This street art mural of a tiger in Los Angeles is cleverly placed behind two dumpsters. The effect is of … More
“TOKYO”
RESPECT THE HUSTLE
Mr. D. At the agency office in Los Angeles with another one of his awesome typographic tee shirt. This one … More
STYLE ICON & DESIGNER KARL LAGERFELD DIES
We woke this Tuesday morning to the news of the passing of a fashion legend. Karl Lagerfeld died after being … More
UNVEILED! A NEWER MoMA TO RE-OPEN IN FALL 2019!
The Museum of Modern Art in New York is set to close for four months starting in June for the … More
MYSTERY MEAT: WHEN YOUR BASIC BURGER COMES TO LIFE!
DYING TO KNOW: IS THE “THE BLUE WHALE” THE POSTER CHILD OF LATE MODERNISM?
Is this building the poster child for late-modernism? No, it isn’t. But maybe it should be. It’s certainly one of … More
DUDE, LET’S GET “ANTI-HIGH” WITH RI RI!
A colleague recently rocked this rad pullover hoodie with the words “Anti-High” on the front. On the back are black-and-white … More
CLASSIC, VINTAGE, CREEPY AF VAN
We saw this van parked in the far corner of the sprawling parking lot at our gym in Los Angeles … More
EPIC! MARK BRADFORD’S “160 PORTRAIT TONE”
This epic painting is by Los Angeles-based artist Mark Bradford. Its title is “160 Portrait Tone.” LACMA is showing the … More
FASHION FORWARD: DOPEY DENIM JACKET
Spotted in the wild at a cafe in Los Angele, this denim jacket with cartoon images from the classic Disney … More
YOU HAD US AT “HELLO…”
The artist Roy Lichtenstein is a giant of post-modern art, and, more precisely, the pop-art era of the 1960s. His … More
ESSENTIAL LIGHT BEDTIME READING
The latest issues of the magazines Monocle, the Surfer’s Journal, and — most exciting — Juxtapoz with photo of recent … More
“NOH”
“Noh” is a poster designed by Los Angeles-based Japanese designer Takenobu Igarashi. Using a mix of Roman and Japanese characters, … More
“MIDNIGHT RUSH” IS HERE!
We’ve just released an tune as part of our electronic music project called Aloha Death. The new song is called … More
GRAVEYARD OF WORDS
Did you know that words can die? It’s true. This stencil street art on the pavement in Venice Beach, in … More
FRESH BUCKLEY MURAL
ARTIST GUSTAVO ZERMENO‘S AWESOME “NEED $ FOR RENT” STREET ARTWORK
Don’t we all? Don’t we all need money for rent, in some way, at some time? At least, don’t most … More
“LOW EXPECTATIONS, HIGH HOPES” TYPOGRAPHIC TEE
PINK PHALLIC POST-MODERN AWESOMENESS FROM FRANZ WEST
The oft-repeated quote “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar” comes to mind here. The quote is attributed to Sigmund … More
VENICE BEACH ULTRA-MINIMALISM
MATH BASS MURAL
“CHA CHA CHA …”
On Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, Los Angeles.
BEYOND THE STREETS
CLOUDY: SKYWRITING “#AMERICA”
Look up in the sky! It’s … it’s a … it’s a hashtag! Yes, right there, in the air, under … More
EXPLOSIVE: CELEBRATING AMERICA’S B-DAY IN LA
DRINKING: PATRIOTIC BEVVY ON AMERICA’S B-DAY
PRIDE: IN THE NAME OF LOVE AND VENICE BEACH
It’s Pride Month and some of Venice Beach’s iconic lifeguards towers are getting a rainbow pride-flag makeover.
TIME AND TOO MANY SUNSETS
FISHY: AQUATIC GRAFFITI ART
Some quick-and-dirty spray-painted graffiti art of a fish on the side of a dumpster in a Venice Beach alley.
FASHION: BOXING PANDA T-SHIRT’S GOT GAME
Our colleague L. showing off a graphic t-shirt with the image of a boxing panda bear. How can you not … More
BEACHY: THE HIPSTER SURFERS OF ABBOT KINNEY
WHAT HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE: THE MINIMALIST ESPRESSO BAR
This is probably the most minimalist coffee-making/-serving set-up we’ve seen. It’s in the courtyard of the Hammer Museum of art … More
SHEPARD FAIREY IS EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE
We were in Silver Lake, in Los Angeles, stopping by a popular espresso bar for a quick coffee, driving around … More
FROM OUR BOOKSHELF: “RACKGAKI” DOCUMENTS AN ERA OF JAPANESE GRAFFITI ART
It’s time again to randomly browse our bookshelves at HQ and re-discover a forgotten coffee-table tome. Today we’ve pulled out … More
ACCIDENTAL STYLE TRENDS: MATCHING NATURE WITH FASHION
There this. And also this. And then there’s this too.
APPROPRIATION: CLOTHING STORE MINES ‘80s L.A. SURF CULTURE TO HELP SELL DENIM
Junk Food Clothing and Levi’s, the iconic purveyor of denim jeans, had collaborated on a pop-up concept store in Venice, … More
STREETSY: MORE STREET ART FROM DEEP VENICE
NEWS FLASH: “SPANTO IS A ‘KOOK’” AND OTHER MYSTERIES OF DEEP VENICE
Sooooooo … Spanto is a Kook. “Who is Spanto? Why is he a kook?” you ask, savvy reader. These are … More
ANIMALISTIC: IS THERE NO GIANT STAINLESS STEEL BALLOON ANIMAL JEFF KOONS WON’T MAKE?
ROCKSTAR PAVEMENT STENCIL
BLACK AND WHITE: ABSTRACT ZIG ZAG PATTERN ON ROLLER SHUTTER “TRIPPY AF”
HAIRY: WHEN YOUR PERSONAL MODE OF TRANSPORT NEEDS A HAIRCUT
You are looking at this photo and you’re thinking “WTF?” Maybe you’re even mouthing the letters as you think them, … More
PRETTY IN PINK: ON THE SCENE AT THE PAUL SMITH “PINK WALL”
Swamped by a preening horde posing for carefully-crafted, eye-catching seflies, the parking lot at the Los Angeles store of U.K. … More
SIZE MATTERS: FRENCH STREET ARTIST GOES BIG, AVOIDS GOING HOME
BAD INFLUENCE: WHEN RESTAURANT’S AWESOME ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN MAKES FOOD TASTE BETTER
KARMA: WHEN YOUR STORE GETTING ROBBED RESULTS IN CLEVER SLOGAN FOR YOUR BRAND
CONTEMPORARY ART: GIANT FURNITURE FORCES MUSEUM VISITORS TO QUESTION SANITY
ACCIDENTAL MINIMALISM AT ACNE STUDIOS
The exterior of the Los Angeles concept store of Swedish clothing brand Acne is a peach hue of painted and … More
SCARY MONSTERS: COMIC MURAL AT VARDAGEN SUGGESTS DARK UNDERLYING ISSUES
RETAIL DESIGN: WHEN YOUR “SHOPPING EXPERIENCE” IS A WORKING GARAGE FOR MOTORBIKE REPAIR
The idea is genius, if maybe accidental and gimmicky to the extreme. HWY is a shop on Sunset Blvd. in … More
SHORT VIDEO: “THE ETERNALITY OF GRAFFITI”
The Atlantic magazine produced a cool little video about Studio B and efforts to preserve and exhibit graffiti art from … More
EPIC : MURAL ATTEMPTS CHEERY POSITIVITY AMID GRIM DEPRESSING VIBE OF WINTRY DOWNTOWN NYC
The current mural at the “Bowery Wall” (a.k.a., the “Deitch Wall”) in downtown New York City is an epic, colorful … More
SUFFER FOR FASHION: VINTAGE MOTO HEADWEAR DESIGN FOR YOUR RETRO LIFESTYLE
TYPOGRAPHICALLY YOURS: THE FRIGHTENING OMNIPRESENCE OF KOOK STREET
HEAVY CRITICAL: MORE POWERFUL LATIN AMERICAN ART FOR YOUR PLEASURE
POLITICAL BORDERS: THE AESTHETICS OF GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
The New York Times has just published a fascinating article titled “Eight Ways to Build a Border Wall” that looks … More
CONFUSION: “ART-NOT-ART” STREET ART
A funny thing about “art.” Sometimes the happiest of aesthetic accidents happen as a consequence of totally non-artistic impulses. Take … More
STYLE: THIS FORMER EURO-AMBULANCE COULD BE YOUR NEW CALIFORNIA CRUISER
Style. It’s important. You know it. We know it. When it comes to personal transport, the mode of transit you … More
TECHNOLOGY: STREET ARTWORK LITERALLY “PHONY”
An electric utility box along Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake, in Los Angeles, has been painted as an old-school public … More
TRASHY: CLUSTER OF TATTERED AND FADED STREET ART “ADDS CHARM” AND CRED TO NEW STREET ART
STRANGER THING: ARTIST TURNS MUNDANE ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL INTO THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTWORK
Clever, fun and intriguing installation artwork by artist Monica Sosnowska at Hauser and Wirth gallery in Los Angeles.