Toroflux

A kinetic sculptural toy that turns plastic and metal into a study of beauty and science

Gallery and design store Moss recently reminded us of the exciting and beguiling art toy Toroflux. Created in 2000 by German brothers Jochen and Conrad Valett of Valett Design, the simple tools and construction for the kinetic sculpture consists of a large plastic ring with a slinky-like metal coil wrapped around it. The result though is a surprising example of physics and artistic invention. When …

Lift Hold Roll: Call for Submissions

The Future Perfect solicits work for an upcoming design week show

Conceived around three readymade objects—a pulley, clamp or caster—design shop The Future Perfect is curating a show to take place during ICFF called “Lift Hold Roll.” They’re currently taking submissions of ideas that incorporate one (or multiples of one) of the useful devices in a piece. The boutique will provide one of the objects of your choosing with the initial concept due 31 March 2010, …

Climate-Based Art

A sculptor and a painter take to the ice for site-specific works addressing global warming

Two artists separated by a continent—Ap Verheggen and Nasser Azam—recently completed independent climate-based projects, each using weather to indicate the outcome. Verheggen, who calls Holland his home, installed the first in a series of four sculptures, which will all be placed in geographic areas undergoing severe climate changes (pictured above). Concerned that “climate change brings about cultural change,” the pure iron sculpture represents a dogsled …