In Las Vegas, January is dedicated to electronics as hundreds of thousands of techies descend upon the city from far and wide for the largest convention of its kind, CES (Consumer Electronics Show).

While all Las Vegas natives are well versed in negotiating the convention from the outside – dodging masses of men in suits and badges by avoiding the Strip at all costs – this was my first experience with the show from this inside as a proper member of the Press.  And I must say, as far as conventions go, CES is quite incredible.

There were more large TVs, 3D TVs, and mini TVs than anyone ever needs to see in one place.  Computers, mobile devices, photographic technology, audio, home security and enviro-green-everything abounded.  There were tasers, robots, flying spaceships, droids and driverless cars.

By far, the most amazing invention I saw were holograms that have countless applications and, though they are in the fledgling state today, I expect will change the way gamers game and everyone interacts with their technology.  There were accessories and applications for every type of device ever invented and thousands of options for each.  I left the show thankful that I’m not a buyer who must make any major purchasing decisions and I can simply take in all the brilliance and recommend some of the things that caught my eye.

Since the cool little products that we use every day tend to seem underwhelming next to the flashy larger ticket items, I wanted to focus on those.  I always root for the underdog.  Also, I figured these are a few things that can actually improve your life and add a little Dahlight to your day.

De-Clutter with the POWERMAT cordless charging device
Designed to eliminate the hassle of plugging and unplugging your chargeable devices, Powermat delivers freedom and convenience by allowing you to “Drop and Charge” your phone/iPod/etc.  Simply place your device on the mat and it will automatically charge.  No cords.  No clutter.

Get personal with YURBUDS individually fitted ear bud enhancers
Yurbuds are custom-sized ear bud enhancers developed by world-renowned audiologists that are guaranteed not to fall out, are comfortable for hours and provide exceptional sound quality at lower volumes.  Coming soon, they will launch their application that allows customers to take a photo of their ear for immediate sizing.  Best of all, they fit on most existing ear buds.

Accessorize with DEOS earphone covers
For all you electronically-hip fashionistas with discerning taste should check out Deos earphone covers.  Exclusively designed and patented to fit the iPhone and iPod ear buds, You can express your personal style with the style that best fits your personality.  My favorites, the diamond encrusted covers (but I’ll settle for the Swarovski crystal option too).

Prettify your office with IN WN computer and component covers
If you’re like me, you hate the look of all things tech.  Especially external drives and PC towers.  That just means that you need to look into In Win artistic storage devices.  Made of beautiful Japanese porcelain, the external drive dishes are clean and pretty.

Spiffy up with the CYBER CLEAN cleaning compound
I love extracting gunk from everything, so when I discovered the Flubber-like gooey substance of Cyber Clean, I fell in love.  Shmush the goo over your keyboard, on your telephone, in the cracks of your car vents (you get the idea) and all unwanted dirt and grime will be picked up without harming the surface.

SINGGOD BKV Karaoke Machines
Because every party girl needs a mobile karaoke machine.

WALKMAN MP3 Player
I still have my original yellow Sport Walkman so how could I resist at least playing with the 2010 version.  I’m sticking with my iPod for music on the go, but this is a good option for those of you who are suckers for nostalgia.

SCANSONIC Sound & Style
How can you not love the sleek, retro look of these radios/mp3/cd players?  And they’re more than just a “pretty face”, they sound good too.

Candella Artificial Flames

Every night at sunset, you can find me flitting around the house dimming sconces, switching one lamp on and others off, and – of course – lighting candles in all corners of the room.  My evening can only begin after the appropriate lighting has been created to suit my mood.

As a designer, and someone who is visually inspired by my surroundings, I’ve always respected lighting and its power to set a tone and create a specific energy.  Perhaps this appreciation for lighting was born in me as a small child during our family’s annual visit to Disneyland, and especially to the Haunted Mansion, where whimsical ghosts dressed in ball gowns and tails are found dancing around a haunted ballroom, chandeliers are covered in wax drippings a hundred years old, and dark and eerie rooms are lit only by quivering candlelight.

Disney's Haunted Mansion

So, it could hardly be more exciting for me to discover the new company, Candella, a visionary start-up that owns the exclusive worldwide rights to the artificial flame technology originally developed for Disney’s Haunted Mansion.  Based in the UK and the US, Candella has successfully commercialized Disney’s inimitable battery-powered flame technology for business and personal use by designing the first realistic faux flame.

Normally, I make it a rule to steer clear of anything artificial (flavors, boobs, plants, people), but Candella’s flame flickers and oscillates as if it were alive, thereby creating the charming and enchanting ambiance that, until now, could only be produced by a real flame.

Beyond being brilliant and elegant, Candella’s artificial flames are low-maintenance (powered by rechargeable batteries), clean (don’t put out dirty smoke) and safe (no open flames to catch on fire).  The applications are plentiful and I expect that interior designers will soon be “burning the midnight oil” decorating all types of spaces with this innovative product.  Think: bars, restaurants, outdoors, hotels, spas, yoga studios, and anywhere else an open flame is too dangerous.

One thing is for sure, you’ll find Candella votives by the dozen in my home as soon as I can get my little hands on them.

I wish I had the guts (and talent) to paint my home in abstract streaks and swirls with vivid color on a larger-than-life scale like the work of artist Katharina Grosse.  There’s something personal, enveloping, inspiring, free, fearless and utterly fun about her work.  All the adjectives that help to make a house a home.

Armed with a spray gun, any object, material or structure becomes her canvass.  The result employs the whole room and energizes the space with the sensation of the physical movement that was gracefully exercised in order to complete the work.

Katharina Grosse was born in Freiburg, im Breisgau, Germany in 1961, she now lives and works in Berlin.  Her resume is celebrated and lengthy, but mostly, I just think she’s a cool woman with an enviable and limitless vision.  Fair warning to my family, a bold burst of color might find its way into our home in the near future.

various works by Katharina Grosse

Left, me (age 12); Right, my brother (age 7); Center, with our mom

As a kid, my family would visit Mickey Mouse at his home in Disneyland a lot.  One of our favorite things to do while we were there was to have our silhouette cut out by the bearded old man on Main Street.

Since my childhood I’ve developed a less innocent and more twisted sense of humor that, albeit ironic, allows me to appreciate the classic Victorian pastime of silhouette art with even more vim and vigor.

So, when I became acquainted with the bizarre work of Mr. Wilhelm Staehle I practically lost my mind.  By the artist’s own account, he’s a “horribly disfigured gentleman who frightens small children and has an obsession with taxidermy”.  I did some research and found that this wasn’t the case at all.  Mr. Staehle is in fact a young’ish man with an eccentric talent and a wistfully weird wit.

Though obscure, I hope that you too will find his pieces to be appealing, interesting and enjoyable.

Psst:  Check back for an article on how to make your very own silhouette art.  Though I’ve never done it myself before, I couldn’t write about this inspiring work without at least trying my (hopefully very steady) hand at it.

New York City is an extraordinary place.  To quote Jay-Z, it’s the “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do in New York.  The streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you.”

I have yet to find a City that compares.  Manhattan is an island of contradiction, a city of diversity, a place where ambition is the driving force.  Where creativity and commerce intersect and art and business team up.

It was New York that encouraged me to open my mind.  To embrace challenges that, to most, seemed impossible and to take on life with fearless enthusiasm.

In New York, you work hard and play hard, and on those special occasions when, amid your eight million neighbors, you find a solitude that allows your mind to quiet and prompts your body to breathe in the City’s dynamic inspiration, there’s no better place to be.

Perhaps the best thing about New York is its staggeringly eclectic mosaic of cultures and realities that allows each person to design their own personal town within the chaos of the colorful metropolis.

This is the first of a series of posts where I gush about the places that make up my New York and turn the concrete jungle into a warm and friendly home.  With a growling tummy and overactive taste buds I’ll begin the series with my favorite scrumptious eateries.  Bon Appetit!

EATERIES

‘Ino – True to it’s name, this is an itty bitty wine bar that serves delicious antipasti and panini.

Westville – The smallest spot with the biggest organic veggie menu.  Their hotdogs are good too.

Da Andrea – Good home-cooked Italian food.  Though it sounds like a terrible contradiction, my favorite server, Atilla, makes every dinner warm and friendly.

Aki on West 4th – If you like bold, creative sushi and you’re lucky enough to score one of their 14 seats, you must dine with Chef Nakanishi.  To all you sea urchin fans, the Uni Coco will change your life.

Le Singe Vert – For an authentic and casual French dining experience (without the French attitude), it’s all about The Green Monkey.

August – The wood burning oven, cork ceiling, and indoor atrium make this spot as cozy as any can be.  Dinner is great, but starting your weekend with their baked pancake in a cast iron pot is a must do.

The Spotted Pig – I can go on and on about my favorite West Village gastropub, but I can already taste my favorite dishes and it’s making me hungry so I’ll just say this.  Go there, order the Roquefort Burger or Ricotta Gnudi or Cuban Sandwich or Pork Belly and be sure not to skip on the fresh veg.  Don’t be afraid of their crispy pig ears and special awful concoctions they’re definitely worth a try.

Grey Dog’s – Tasty sandwiches on the most amazing freshly baked bread.

Freemans – Hidden at the end of an ally, decorated with taxidermy, and bustling with happy diners.  This unusual restaurant serves up traditional home-style food.  Start with the Grilled Cheddar Toast and your taste buds will thank you.

9 Chatham Square – Dim Sum baby.  In the heart of Chinatown, this is an unusual Chinese restaurant in that it’s more like a diner than a ballroom.  Everything is yummy, but be sure to end your meal with a coconut pastry fresh from the oven.

Joseph Leonard – A new restaurant in one of my favorite spaces now serving up seasonal dishes and giving American fare an unusual twist.

Café Habana – For some high energy Latin flavor this place can’t be beat.  Start with the grilled corn and work your way through their well edited Latin cocktail list.

La Bonbonniere – When you leave this historic greasy-spoon you’ll probably take the scent of the smoky grill with you, but it’s well worth it.  A traditional family run NYC diner serving cheap, simple, food.  I suggest ordering a stack of blueberry pancakes for the table and designing your own omelet.

Cafe Edison – For me, this is the best matzo ball soup in NYC.  It doesn’t hurt that the restaurant is located in the historic art deco Hotel Edison and the ceiling is like a dreamy cloud of ornate moldings.

Mary’s Fish Camp – For fresh, no fuss, fantastic fish, Mary serves up the best.

The Standard Grill – At the base of the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District, nestled under the High Line Park is this cool restaurant and beer garden.  The place is large enough to feature three areas with different ambiances so even the fussiest group will be satisfied.

Flying Fish, by Aaron Morse, commissioned by Laura Dahl

I’ve been getting enthusiastic feedback on dahlight’s featured artist who is responsible for the current site banner.  To all you fans out there, here is a brief look at the inspired work of my friend, Aaron Morse.

Cochella by Aaron Morse

AARON MORSE
Aaron is a good friend of mine who’s work I love, obviously. Several of his pieces hang in my home and I even commissioned him to do a large ocean piece with a cool pirate boat and huge golden flying fish. He painted it on a metal screen which gives it an interestingly shear effect that can be manipulated by different colored walls and back lighting. A very cool piece if I do say so myself.

Aaron Morse Cards available at MOMA

A few places you can find his work

MoMA Museum of Modern Art
MoMAstore
ACME gallery, Los Angeles
Guild & Greyshkul gallery, NYC
artnet online gallery
Facebook

Aaron Morse was born in 1974 in Tucson, Arizona. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, Tucson in 1996 and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1998. Selected solo exhibitions include ACME, Los Angeles (2009, 2007, 2005 and 2003) and Guild and Greyshkul, New York (2008, 2006), and the Hammer Museum of Art, Los Angeles (2008). Selected group exhibitions include MATRIX 213: Some Forgotten Place, Berkeley Art Museum (2004); Women Beware Women, Deitch Projects, New York (2004); and The Old, Weird America, Contemporary Art Museum, Houston (2008). He lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

Laura Dahl and Aaron Morse

]]> http://www.dahlight.com/aaron-morse-featured-artist/feed/ 6 http://www.dahlight.com/life-lessons-from-an-unlikely-source/ http://www.dahlight.com/life-lessons-from-an-unlikely-source/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:40:34 +0000 Laura http://www.dahlight.com/?p=1268

Like so many others, I grew up a fan of Michael Jackson.  I was awed by his dancing, moved by his melodies, inspired by his flair, and I coveted his sensational performing skills.

As I grew older, I began appreciating his apparent love of the world and his compassion for all those that inhabit it.  I was proud to hang his poster on my wall and I have fond memories of choreographing dances to his Thriller album on roller skates in my driveway.

I was also among those that moved away from the superstar as he began to make super-sized and bizarre choices.  My judgment went so far that I thought it a strange choice to make his memorial so extravagant and public.  I was wrong.

The memorial was produced with captivating and palpable love.  It was gentle and human.  And, best of all this special celebration shared with us some valuable life lessons.

Smile.
Smile though your heart is aching, even if it’s breaking.  Smile through your fears and sorrow and you’ll find the sun will shine on you.  If you smile.

Start with the mirror.
Make the change in yourself that you want to see in the world.

Embrace and encourage your inner child.
Take time to play and be silly.  Climb a tree, dance freely, dress up in colorful costumes, complete a puzzle and keep exploring.

Be the best.
Success is not a measure of fame or accolades but rather our choice to be the very best at what we do – whatever that is.  True success comes by being the best street sweeper, barrista, doctor, teacher, plumber, artist, dog groomer, or ditch digger we can be with peaceful contentedness.

Live forever.
Our positive energies and actions live a full life of their own.  They have the power to inspire, encourage and dahlight.  Through these reverberations we live forever.

Thanks for all the good times Michael, we’re still listening.

As a kid I remember getting eczema behind my knees fairly regularly.  Gross, I know, but actually quite common.  It’s been over a decade now since I bid farewell to that annoying rash, but it must have missed me as it recently came back to visit.

A lot has changed since I last hosted my itchy friend.  Today, instead of reaching for the hydro-cortisone cream I opted to do some research for a natural treatment, how very trendy of me, and what I found totally bowled me over.

It turns out that what cured my eczema can also treat a number of ailments.  What is this secret elixir you ask?  No other than apple cider vinegar (ACV).  The very stuff that’s sitting in your kitchen cupboard and dressing your salads.

I apologize if this is old news to you and I seem dumb.  Apparently the power of ACV has been well known since 5000B.C. when the Babylonians, and then the Egyptians, used it fervently…

At any rate, in case I can help my Dahlight-ers to avoid the same embarrassment I felt when finding myself ACV clueless, I’ve pulled together some of the many ailments that can be treated with ACV.  I say “some” because I know this list can’t be complete (people have been using the stuff for over 7000 years for hell’s sake).

I’ve tried to include the most common uses, but if I’ve left anything important off, please let me know.  I just can’t bare the thought of living another 30 years under a rock.

Drink It Up to treat the following:

• Joint Pain and Stiffness
• Muscle Cramps
• Muscle Soreness
• Menstrual Cramps
• Bloating and Fluid Retention
• Acid Reflux, Indigestion, and Heartburn
• Improved Weight Loss
• Bad Breath

The Recipe:  2 teaspoons ACV in 8 ounces purified water.  Add raw honey or agave nectar to taste.

The Dosage:  Drink once or twice a day as needed.

Apply it Topically to treat the following:

• Feminine Itch
• Eczema
• Sunburn Pain
• Acne
• Sore Throat – “topically” for this translates to gargling

The Recipe:  Add 2 cups of ACV to a bath and soak.  And/Or mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and apply with a cotton ball directly to affected area.

Just to top it off, ACV has some other known benefits when ingested.  It can help alkalize your body and balance the PH levels and it may help to prevent viruses and lower blood pressure.

At $3 a bottle, I will always have some of the miraculous liquid on hand.  If only it could cure my chocolate cravings…

Going to Milan Design week ‘09?  Then, be sure to check out the work of dutch artist Bart Hess who will be exhibiting as part of the Dutch Intervals exhibition.

For a small taste of Hess’ work, here’s a sample of his collaboration with Lucy McRae.  Their project entitled Grow on You has been described as an “instinctual stalking of fashion, architecture, performance and the body”.

Quite simply, I love it because of their seemingly effortless manipulation of fashion and beauty. While I don’t advocate accessorizing with glued on cotton balls or soap bubbles, I always encourage people to leave the stigma of what we’re “supposed to wear” behind and express our unique style through clothing.

I personally would choose a bizarre balloon dress over another boring maxi-dress any day.  That is, as long as it’s perfectly tailored for my body and doesn’t overshadow my personality.

Emphatically, India is the most colorful country I’ve ever visited.  In fact, based on the culture’s historic respect for vibrancy, delicate detail, and rich aesthetics, I chose to manufacture my hand-beaded clothing line in India.

As an inately visual and empathetic person, I’ve always compained that India is also the most difficult place to describe in words.  I chalk that up to the fact that everything in India is experienced with heightened sensations be it sight, smell, sound, or simple shock.

Poras Chaudhary a professional cricketer turned photographer has taken India’s colors to an elevated level.  I hope that, besides finding his work beautiful and creative, it will help inspire you to make the treck to this country that will forever change your life’s perspective.

On a shopping note, be sure to bring home plenty of hand-dyed, hand-embroidered fabrics.  They’re ridiculousely inexpensive and ever useful…more on that later…