Interview: HempWood Founder Greg Wilson

A new sustainable design material enters the market with innumerable benefits

NASA + Nokia Will Launch LTE on The Moon

By late 2022, astronauts visiting the moon will be able to make cellular calls, stream videos and more, thanks to NASA and Nokia’s joint venture to put a 4G phone network on our lunar neighbor. The Finnish phone company will use already existing tech to provide scientists with “ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened, end-to-end LTE.” This is just one step in NASA’s huge Artemis Plan which intends …

Chinatown Tote Bag

$25

Designed by 4 Good Measure (a Brooklyn-based, Asian American-owned studio), this Chinatown tote features a simple but vibrant design and comes in two bold colorways. All proceeds from the sale of each bag will go back to NYC’s Chinatown—with 10% of that to charitable initiatives that are working within the community there. The design studio’s Chinatown Collection (all available at Pearl Market) includes apparel and …

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Link About It

Stories from around the web that we think you should read

NYC’s Vote Your Future Campaign

With contributions from artists and designers including Laci Jordan, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, Gillian Dreher and Carolyn Suzuki, NYC’s Vote Your Future campaign—curated by Amplifier—comprises posters that encourage the public to flex their democratic privilege. The non-partisan initiative will place these prints (with messaging in English, Spanish and Mandarin) all over the city, specifically in neighborhoods that have historically lower voter turnout. Every poster incorporates a QR …

Light Cognitive’s Oculus Artificial Skylight Mimics The Real Thing

Designed by Light Cognitive for a retail client in Barcelona, the Oculus artificial skylight reproduces the colors, contrast and clarity of the skies above—even though it doesn’t offer a true view of the outside. Throughout the course of a 24-hour cycle, Oculus conveys the rich warm hues of a sunrise, clear blue sky by midday and the dimming of the evening sun. Not only does …

20 Disabled Creatives Named as the First-Ever Disability Futures Fellows

Together, the Ford Foundation and The Andrew W Mellon Foundation aim to advance the careers of 20 disabled artists and creative practitioners through the Disability Futures Fellows program, the first-ever national, multidisciplinary award of its kind. All of the recipients were named today—and each shall receive a $50,000 grant to put toward work that advances the cultural landscape. The list includes diverse talent selected from across the entire …

New Studies Find Many Genes Influence Left- or Right-Handedness

Scientists have long-posited that one single gene may determine whether a person is left- or right-handed (the latter, of course, being dominant, with 90% of people favoring their right). This theory does take into account the fact that environment factors (including geography and culture) likely play a critical role, too. Now, however, several studies involving millions of participants reveal that dozens of genetic variations may …

Aerial App Provides Resources to Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Scientific articles, lessons and tips to help reduce your impact on the environment

Several organizations monitor the carbon footprint of larger corporations and offer them sizable proposals to offset it—see Climate Neutral, for example. And while the onus for drastic change must remain on the huge industries doing the majority of damage, many individuals want to track their own impact on the environment too. With that in mind, a team of developers and climate change advocates created Aerial, …

Buy Guide

The latest additions to our shoppable directory

Solidarity Hoodie

$129

Championing unity and solidarity with Indigenous Australians, the Take Pride Movement releases apparel and accessories emblazoned with messages of pride and togetherness. The brand’s pullover Solidarity Hoodie does more than utilize language of equality, it also incorporates the colors of the Aboriginal Flag. From small to 5XL, the garment incorporates raglan sleeves, a kangaroo pocket and a lined hood. Price is in AUD.

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Haas Brothers VOTE T-shirt

$55

A collaboration between Downtown 4 Democracy (D4D) and the Haas Brothers (aka siblings Simon and Nikolai Haas), this T-shirt features the artistic duo’s kooky flair along with a serious message: “THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS. VOTE.” Proceeds from the sales of the garment help to fund Downtown 4 Democracy, a 17-year-old creative-founded political action committee. The organization raises awareness concerning the importance of voting and …

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UNTITLED (Rise)

$25

The second LP of 2020 from enigmatic collective SAULT—believed to be Cleo Sol, Melissa Young and Dean “Inflo” Wynton Josiah—UNTITLED (Rise) exists as a perfect counterpart to UNTITLED (Black Is) with a more upbeat, exuberant sound while still exploring poignant topics including identity, race, resilience and rebellion. The rich 15-track album incorporates elements from hip-hop, R&B, disco, gospel, jazz, funk and house, sprinkled with spoken-word interludes. …

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To Survive on This Shore (Signed Copy)

$55

To Survive on This Shore: Photographs and Interviews with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Older Adults by photographer Jess T Dugan and social worker Vanessa Fabbre comprises 65 tender portraits and accompanying interviews conducted over five years. A roving exhibition (Vision 2020: Jess T Dugan is currently showing at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the artist’s first solo exhibition in a major museum) in addition to …

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Benny Sings feat. Mac DeMarco: Rolled Up

Benny Sings and Mac DeMarco’s duet “Rolled Up” rides along a piano-led instrumental. The two vocalists begin the track by wondering “why my life turned south.” Strings fall into place with falsetto provided by Benny Sings (aka Tim van Berkestijn) and the duo soon trades optimistic verses. “Finally see the sun through all of those clouds / holed up, locked out, shut in, held down,” …

Solomun: Home

From Hamburg-based DJ and producer Solomun (aka Mladen Solomun), sweeping house track “Home” exists as an ode to the “sacred rooms” that were built for music. For those yearning for a sweaty, dark dance floor, this nostalgic and atmospheric banger offers some satisfaction—albeit in your own home. “The desire for it has never been greater. The desire to feel it, experience it, hear it, to …

Inside New Canaan, Connecticut’s Enveloping “At The Noyes House” Exhibition

80 works of art and design within an iconic mid-century modernist home

Elise Birnbaum’s OATMEAL Offers Nature-Inspired Sculptural Vessels

The studio practice began in Japan and has grown substantially in Pittsburgh

Listen Up

Incandescent indie, reflective hip-hop, jangly post-punk and more genre-bending tunes from the week

Prismatics: Outside Looking

Missouri-based four-piece Prismatics returns with “Outside Looking,” a jangly post-punk track that’s turbo-charged by the otherworldly vocals of Brooke Austen. The single is the first from of their forthcoming sophomore release, Endlessly (out 15 January), which was recorded remotely in parts, due to COVID-19. A spooky black-and-white music video, which nods to horror classic Night of the Living Dead, aligns perfectly with the song’s energy.

Ólafur Arnalds feat. Bonobo: Loom

For “Loom,” Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and composer Ólafur Arnalds collaborated with British musician and producer Bonobo (aka Simon Green). An electronic orchestral soundscape, it will be the opening track of Arnalds’ forthcoming album, some kind of peace (out 6 November). It’s the fourth release from the LP and another preview of how personal the complete work will be. The accompanying video, directed by Neels Castillon, features …

Link About It: This Week’s Picks

The first-ever Disability Futures Fellows program, clever interior ideas, sound design in EVs and more

Recycled Cashmere Scarf

$99

Composed of 95% pre-consumer recycled cashmere and 5% virgin wool, Patagonia’s more environmentally friendly take on the classic scarf offers comfort and warmth. Stretching 62 inches, with a generous width of 8.5 inches, the accessory is on the larger side. It’s available in two colorways, with our preference being navy.

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Designing The 2021 Jeep Wagoneer Concept

Chris Benjamin and Tim Aness on reimagining a classic, inside and out