More Contemporary Artists Interpret The Iconic Playboy Bunny in Playboy Redux II.

above: detail from Vincent Cacciotti's reinterpretation of the Playboy Bunny

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the world famous Playboy Club and the Playboy Bunny, artists reinterpreted the sexy icon in Playboy Redux II, an exhibit featuring the work of over 20 of today's contemporary artists.


above: Hugh with his Playboy Bunnies at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1960.

Known at that time for her satin bunny suit, cotton tail and rabbit ears, the Playboy Bunny served cocktails and glamour in equal doses. Many luminaries once worked as Bunnies, including Deborah Harry, Gloria Steinem and Lauren Hutton.


above: the original Playboy Bunnies

For Playboy Redux: Contemporary Artists Interpret the Iconic Playboy Bunny, artists were asked to create a new look for the Bunny, a veritable makeover to create the Bunny of the future. The selected artists presented a number of new takes on this iconic image, and works in different mediums including photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and video.



The group show, The "Playboy Redux" exhibition was originally shown at The Warhol Museum in March-June, 2010. Copro Gallery is now exhibiting many of these works along with new ones in "Playboy Redux ll". This project is part of Playboy's year-long 50th Anniversary celebration of the Playboy Club and Playboy Bunny. The exhibit is curated by Aaron Baker, Ned West and Copro Gallery.


above: Frank Kozik's reinterpretation of the Playboy Bunny

Graffiti artists, lowbrow artists, cartoonists, photographers, illustrators and sculptors participated including Frank Kozik, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Tara McPherson and Shag to name only a few.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Tara McPherson:

TIN:

Tim Biskup:

Shag:

Another interpretation by Shag:


Gary Baseman:

Brian Viveros:

Jennybird Alacantra:

Vincent Cacciotti:

Hiroki Otsuka:

William Wray:

Jeremy Fish:

Erik Alos:

Travis Lampe:

Dave Nestler:

Bob Doucette:

Jeremiah Ketner:

Luke Chueh:

Juan Muniz:

Mark "atmos" Pilon:


You can see some more here and still more here.

PLAYBOY, BUNNY and Rabbit Head Design are all marks of Playboy, ©2010 Playboy

The Seventh Artist Edition Yo-Yo Is Illustrated By Travis Lampe

The seventh in an on-going series of Artist Edition Yo-Yos, this latest hardwood yo-yo features original artwork by Chicago artist, Travis Lampe.

The unadorned yo-yos themselves are a work of art. Made in the United States and turned from a single piece of Hard Rock Maple, they are made in the traditional fashion of yo-yos from the 1920s. While most modern yo-yos are made of high-impact plastic or aircraft-grade aluminum, these wooden yo-yos are meant to evoke a simpler time in American history. The yo-yo is the second-oldest toy in the world and still one of the most popular; it’s with this heritage in mind that these wooden yo-yos were chosen.

Other Yo-yos in the series featured the work of, amongst others, Brian Morris:

and Jeremiah Ketner:


This Artist Edition Yo-Yo will be $15 each, limited to 30 pieces worldwide, and will never be manufactured again. One side is laser-engraved with original art by the selected artist, while the other side is engraved with the artist’s signature and the Steve Brown Gallery logo.



The goal of this series, as expressed by Steve Brown Gallery, is to provide people with a work of art that is meant to be part of their everyday life. It is their hope that this yo-yo provides you with simple pleasure for years to come.



Yo-yos manufactured and engraved by Arizona-based YoYo Factory.


You can find other Travis Lampe originals for sale here.

Benjamin Lacombe's Beautifully Illustrated Pop-Up Book, Once Upon A Time.

above: spread from Little Red Riding Hood, illustration by Benjamin Lacombe

Il Était Une Fois (Once Upon A Time), is a beautiful pop-up book which features eight classic fairy tales; Alice In Wonderland, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, Bluebeard, Peter Pan, Little Red Riding Hood, Madame Butterfly and Thumbelina rendered in splendid 3D illustrations/paintings by the handsome and talented french illustrator Benjamin Lacombe with paper pop-up construction design by Jose Pons.


above: detail from Madame Butterfly illustration by Benjamin Lacombe

The book was first published November 2009 in France by Seuil Jeunesse, then recently published in Spain by Edelvives and soon to be published in Italy. The book is not available in English- at least not yet.

Below is a spectacularly produced promotional video (truly as beautful as the book itself) for the book by Romain Berthou and Laurent Covet from B&C Wall , a Paris collective of directors, character designers and CG animators.



The cover and some images from the book:









Here are some of his background illustrations or the book before the mechanics and 3D pop up parts were added.

Sleeping Beauty:

Alice in Wonderland:


About the artist (from his site):

Benjamin was born in Paris in 1982.
In 2001, he attended the ƒcole Nationale SupŽrieure des Arts DŽcoratifs of Paris (ENSAD) where he pursued his artistic education. In addition to his studies, he worked as an advertising and animated movie artist before completing his first comic series at the age of 19, along with a few other illustrated books.

His final project "Cherry and Olive", which he has both written and illustrated, became his first children’s book and was published by Les ƒditions du Seuil in March 2006. The following year, it was released by Walker Books (USA) and nominated one of the top 10 children’s books for the year 2007 in the U.S.A. by the prestigious weekly news magazine Time.

Since then, Benjamin has written and illustrated numerous books. He has notably worked with Albin Michel, Barefoot Books (USA), Edelvives (Spain), Hemingway Korea (Korea), Milan, MaxMilo, Sarbacane, Soleil, Walker Books (USA) and of course Le Seuil Jeunesse, the publishing house which has issued most of his books.

Benjamin exhibits his work on a regular basis. Among others, it has been displayed in the following art galleries: Ad Hoc Art (New York),L’art de rien (Paris), Dorothy Circus (Rome), Maruzen (Tokyo), etc...

Benjamin lives and works in Paris with his dog Virgile, often found hiding among the pages of his books.

Benjamin Lacombe

A Sneak Peek At The 2010 Vader Project & Auction Catalog

If you've never heard of The Vader Project, the idea began in 2005 and the first exhibit took place in 2007. Since then, it has continued annually. Each year, various artists are asked to customize a 1:1 scale authentic prop replica of the actual Darth Vader helmet featured in the STAR WARS™ films.


above helmet for 2010 Vader Project by Plasticgod

This summer, 2010, the following 100 talented artists are participating in the project:
Josh Agle (Shag), Troy Alders, Kii Arens, Attaboy, Anthony Ausgang, Axis, Aye Jay, Gary Baseman, Andrew Bell, Tim Biskup, Mark Bodnar, BXH HIKARU, Andrew Brandou, Buff Monster, Mister Cartoon, Chino, Mr. Clement, Robbie Conal, CRASH, Steven Daily, Dalek, Dehara, DGPH, Cam de Leon, Devilrobots, Yoko d'Holbachie, Bob Dob, Tristan Eaton & Azk One - Thunderdog Studios, Marc Ecko, Eelus, Ron English, FERG, David Flores, Brian Flynn - Hybrid Design, Paul Frank, Gargamel, Huck Gee, Fawn Gehweiler, Mike Giant, Girls Drawin Girls, Dan Goodsell, Gris Grimly, Joe Hahn, Haze XXL, Jesse Hernandez, Derek Hess, Itokin Park, Jeremyville, kaNO, Mori Katsura - RealxHead, Sun-MinKim & David Horvath, Jim Koch, Frank Kozik, David S. Krys - DSK Designs, Peter Kuper, Wade Lageose - Lageose Design, Joe Ledbetter, Simone Legno - Tokidoki, MAD, Mad Barbarians, Madtwiinz, Marka27, Mars-1, Bill McMullen, Melvins, Mori Chack, Brian Morris, Nanospore, Niagara, Mitch O'Connell, olive47, Martin Ontiveros, Estevan Oriol, Alex Pardee, The Pizz, Plasticgod, PlaysKewl, Dave Pressler, Ragnar, Jermaine Rogers, Erick Scarecrow, Secret Base, J. Otto Seibold, Sket-One, Shawn Smith, Winston Smith, Jeff Soto, Damon Soule, Bwana Spoons, Jophen Stein, Suckadelic, T9G, Gary Taxali, Cameron Tiede, Touma, UrbanMedium, Usugrow, Michelle Valigura, VanBeater, Amanda Visell.

And I have an early look at some of the amazing designs that will be included in the exhibit and auction for you:







press release:
This summer, The Vader Project launches the final chapter of its four-year art odyssey. The iconic collection features 100 Darth Vader Helmets re-imagined by today’s most notable artists. Completing its epic world tour, The Vader Project returns to Los Angeles in June for a special ten-day exhibition in Hollywood as a preview to the upcoming Freeman’s Auction in Philadelphia.

The Los Angeles Preview Exhibition is free to the public with an opening reception on June 11 from 6-10pm. On June 12, the space will present a catalog signing event with over 20 participating artists in attendance beginning at 2pm on June 12. The Los Angeles Preview Exhibition will be open June 12-20 daily from Noon to 6pm.

In July, The Vader Project travels to Freeman’s Auctioneers and Appraisers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the final opportunity to view the helmets in person before they are sold at auction. “The result is astounding” said Simeon Lipman, Pop Culture Specialist at Freeman’s. “The sale will give members of the public the chance to purchase unique artworks made from these iconic symbols of the movie industry by a number of well known artists including Shag, Marc Ecko, Tim Biskup, Frank Kozik and many more.”

The Freeman’s Auction will take place July 10, 2010 at Freeman’s Auction House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania preceded by a 5-day exhibition there July 5-9.



The Auction catalog is a large 200 page comprehensive book that features highly detailed photos of all the helmets from every angle. You can pre-order a catalog of The Vader Project here.

Here's a peek at a few of the pages from the Freeman's Auction catalog:









Collectors and art connoisseurs worldwide will have the opportunity to bid online at Freeman’s website. Most bidding will begin at $1,500. For more information about how to participate in the auction, please visit “How to Buy at Auction” at www.freemansauction.com/buying.asp.

Curated and produced by Dov Kelemer and Sarah Jo Marks of DKE Toys, The Vader Project features 100 of the best underground artists and designers working today. “From a simple idea in 2005 to a record-setting exhibition in 2009, it’s time for our child to venture forth into the world,” Kelemer and Marks said. “We are pleased to have partnered with Freeman’s to make these fine pieces of art available to the public for the first time.”

This auction is not sponsored or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd., and has no relationship with Lucasfilm. Star Wars and all related intellectual property is © or ® 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved.

All images and info courtesy of The Vader Project and Charm School Marketing