WHY DO PEOPLE THROW MONEY IN HOLES? COLOGNE 2010

Upon landing to Cologne, napping and getting settled in, Weetu Carly hit the Gloria Theater with friends Frau Schneider (of The Sustainable Love Corporation) and Irakli for the SMILE Party, featuring DJ's Marc Lansley, Denis Stockhausen, Okinawa 69 and Motor City Drum Ensemble.

Today we went on a walkabout to the Kolumba Museum.

The Kolumba is one of Helen's (Frau Schneider) favorites in her now hometown. The architecture is fantastic, but the exhibit has been the same for a while. We were happy to discover that installations have turned over... and they were so cool. The Kolumba – Archdiocese of Cologne was recently completed by Peter Zumthor. The new building was to conserve the existing pieces of two thousand years of architectural history, while uniting it into a single building: the archaeological excavation finds with the foundations of the earlier Romanesque church, the ruins of the late Gothic Kolumba Church, as well as the Chapel of the Madonna in the Ruins, which was consecrated in 1950.

This is definitely a place where you should take the stairs.

The new architecture is a stunning backdrop to the work and ruins. Simple, yet amazingly detailed. Weetu Carly lusted after the lighting alone. Dario Villalba's La Espera, 1974, was one of the favs. The shadows cast, as it spun in the room, changed with each angle, resembling a peapod to someone in the fetal position.

Another crazy room was an installation by the artist Krimhild Becker. The room allows nature and art to connect where different cultures meet. That ensures that serious & happy; found & thought up things and art & kitsch not be separated from one another. It's playful and astonishing all at the same time. A plastic dinosaur in an atrium with a skull beneath it? Monkey faces and creepy kewpie doll heads? Get some Halloween ideas peeps!

Though most everything is closed on Sunday's in Cologne, we stumbled upon a pretty entertaining flea market. Scales, Fur and Beads dominated the selection. Oddly enough, I could say the same thing after walking into the H & M in Chicago. Though severely tempted by some sunglasses, lace mask and green quilted house frock, no purchases were made. Sorry economy.

SMELL LIKE COLOGNE

Carly Cannell is headed to Cologne, Germany on October 21 for more exploration and collaboration (and gummy treats). In addition to hitting the Orgatec trade fair, she'll be working with The Sustainable Love Corporation on elements for the "Notes From The Cleveland Underground" exhibition. If you'll be attending the show and want to get on her calendar about your interior/architecture or identity/brand needs, send her an mail at carly@goweetu.com

For a virtual experience, be following her tweets and blogs. Or, and blogspot of TSLC.

THE POWER OF WEE

weetu and weetree are recognized as a dynamic collaborative in the Fall issue of CS Interiors, which you can read online (page 92-93) at media.modernluxury.com. Always demonstrating that multiple minds are better than one in striving for innovation, the versatile weetu + weetree studios continue to explore new ideas, especially in a sluggish market. Cannell, a Californian native, shares, "I have a hard time welcoming winter, but I do enjoy the idea of throwing on my leopard print snuggie* and getting my hands dirty in the workshop. We have a long list of internal projects to create."

*Cannell does not currently own a snuggie, and it cannot be confirmed if it's on her wishlist this coming holiday season.

TRESPASS

Tres makes press in the August 2010 issue of Hospitality Design as well as in the fall/winter 2010 NEWH Magazine, the Hospitality Industry Network. Trespass stole #3 (so much cooler than #1) in this year's Radical Innovation Competition held at HD in Las Vegas. As quoted in the article by judge James Woods of Keen Partners – "Trespass was the best proposal I've seen to address a major and increasing blight on the suburban landscape," say Woods.

Judge Simon Turner, President of Global Development at Starwood Hotels and Resorts adds – "These concepts are very timely as we, at Starwood, continue to see increasing non-traditional development opportunities in urban environments and, an increased focus on incorporating green practices into existing and new build hotels as a clear trend. The current challenging economic times have placed more of a premium on striking a balance between innovation and practicality than in past years". For more, check out the article here.

USING HER GIANT NOGGIN FOR GOOD

On August 20th, Weetu Carly was invited to participate in the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) DESIGN FUTURES: THE INTERIORS ENTITY REGIONAL THINK TANKS, hosted at Harrington College of Design.

IFI’s Design Futures: The Interiors Entity initiative seeks to clearly understand the core need for the Interiors discipline and to better understand its value, relevance, identity and responsibility. This global IFI initiative intends to explore Interior Design as currently positioned and understood, within the fullest parameters of the discipline (including research, education and practice). This is a collaborative and consensus focused effort which will involve members, experts and generalists from around the world. The Harrington College of Design’s Think Tank is one of nearly two dozen being held in North, South, Central and Latin America representing the Americas. Additional Think Tanks occur in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The all day forum included professionals from both large and small firms, educators, researchers, and associated trades people from the midwest region. This diversity in both profession and experience provided multiple perspectives around Interior Design and what it may hold in the future. Needless to say, Carly's brain was sore for a few days following, but it was worth the effort to be a part of such a thoughtful and enjoyable group.

RECESSION = INNOVATION?

IIDA Perspectives Publication Summer 2010, “THE POWER TO INNOVATE” Thank you to IIDA’s Perspective Magazine and Steve Hendershoot for including weetu president Carly Cannell in the Summer publication about The Power To Innovate. Carly, joined by James Ludwig - VP of Design at Steelcase, Rick Perkins- ideation lead at Haworth and Jan Johnson, FIIDA and VP of Design and Workplace Resources for Allsteel, speak to innovation amidst a recession.

GUERILLAS IN THE MIST, TAKE 2

Yep, it just wouldn't be a Guerrilla Truck show without everyone soaking in the rain. This year was an even bigger turnout than last year, despite the weather.

Our very own Tyler Mallory generously donated his mad photo skillz for DIFFA's truck. His photo exhibition was all about portraits of the people who make a difference at the many Chicago organizations working to provide services for those living with HIV and AIDS. Many of them are HIV positive themselves. For them, the path to finding their right place has taken many different routes. Through initial feelings of anger, resignation, confusion and fear, they have all found in themselves a way to stand taller than their diagnosis and continue living.

Each image starts as a blank square to let the personality dominate, to remember that the human spirit is unbowed and that even after a positive diagnosis, there is much to discover about life and personal strength.

WEETREE WALL™ IS BETTER THAN A DEAD WALL

Sister company, weetree, has released it's new living wall system, Weetree Wall™. This custom vertical garden system is designed to wrap the ugliness of Chicagoan's backyard garages, sheds, bomb shelters and outhouses. Well at least the garages.

Utilizing modified commercial irrigation and water capture systems, Weetree Wall™ becomes a sustainable and cost effective solution to expanding unused space into living and thriving gardens. Whether for sun, shade or herb gardens, your garage walls now can be come the envy of neighbors and a centerpiece to the garden.

Future iterations of Weetree Wall™ will include commercial installation; soil less mediums and modular click-and-grow indoor/outdoor systems. Stay tuned for more to come.

TRESPASS GO, COLLECT $10,000

Weetu has been selected as a finalist in the Radical Innovation in Hospitality contest for Trespass – a wanderer's hotel! Carly is headed to Vegas next week to compete for the grand prize on May 19th at the Hospitality Design Expo & Conference. If you're in the neighborhood, wee invite you to register for this free seminar (+ free lunch!) and support weetu. Ala American Idol style - the audience decides the winner. No worries, Carly won't sing. As they say in Chicago– vote early, vote often -and we'll throw in a free Red Bull/Vodka.

Trivia: Weetu is the only applicant to enter this competition and become a finalist twice! Thanks to the team of Carly, Carmen, Daniel, Jorge, Kevin and Maron. Goweetu!

SATURDAY = BANDAIDS + ASHES

Last day we're Saloning it. Today we hit the Brazilian Design Show, Interni's Think Tank, PAC (Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea) and Trienalle. We'll keep it short, as it's the weekend for you all, but it was another amazing day. We're calling it museum day, as that was the vibe. Think tank was enjoyable, especially in the contrasting setting of the university. The color story was bothersome, but the ideas were playful. And, for the most part, interactive. PAC was not exactly part of Salone, but we were told by a friend that the Armando Testa exhibit was a must see... and it was! Google him now.

Trienalle is a must visit if you've never been to Milan, but it didn't knock our socks off today. Maybe blame it on the rain? The exhibit of up-and-coming Polish designers was the most mentionable... we want that felt topo-rug!

Ah, yes, some may have noticed that there is no weeTV today. No, the Icelandic ash cloud has not blocked the signal. It's more that Museums frown on video recording, so you'll have to make do with some stealthily shot stills. Shhh...don't tell anyone till we leave the country.

We haven't exactly referenced that the sky is falling (ash cloud), but this travel glitch is certainly very present to all Salon goers. Let's hope that miss magma cools her jets so we can hit the air before our dogs run out of kibble. In the meantime, we hope you've enjoyed our little journey and thanks for tuning in. Ciao everybody, the show is over for Weetu this week, but stay tuned for future weeTV broadcasts.

Arrivederci a Salone!

IMAGES FROM POLISH DESIGNERS EXHIBIT IN TRIENALLE

IMAGES FROM THINK TANK

DAY 3- SPARKLY + SMELLS LIKE ART

Today we hit the ground running – covering Designer's Block, Droog, Ventura Lambrate and the remainder of Zona Tortona. Let's skip to the highlights (as our feet and livers need soaking). Ventura Lambrate was excellent – so much to see and certainly the most variety with an experiment of art, furniture and design. Lambrate is considered the most up-and-coming zones of quality design. To us it felt the most intimate, as if we stumbled along a great little secret area – yet everybody knows about it. Zona Tortona is more like the designers version of Mardi Gras. The streets are packed with aggressive show goers who only slow down to consume a beverage or two between showrooms and shops. The clear gem was Swarovski's Crystal Palace. We've never seen such a demonstration of sparkle (and if you know weetu, that's saying a lot). It was something to awe and, oddly enough, we were a little wobbly coming out of there as if we fell down the rabbit's hole. It was also a nice palette cleanser from playing a human instrument at the Royal College of Art a few moments earlier. What seemed like neutral vinyl upholstered pads, to our dismay, turned out to be naked boy backs. You'll have to see the video to get the visual.

DAY 3- SPARKLY + SMELLS LIKE ART from weeTV.

Today we hit the ground running – covering Designer's Block, Droog, Ventura Lambrate and the remainder of Zona Tortona. Let's skip to the highlights (as our feet and livers need soaking). Ventura Lambrate was excellent – so much to see and certainly the most variety with an experiment of art, furniture and design. Lambrate is considered the most up-and-coming zones of quality design. To us it felt the most intimate, as if we stumbled along a great little secret area – yet everybody knows about it.

Zona Tortona is more like the designers version of Mardi Gras. The streets are packed with aggressive show goers who only slow down to consume a beverage or two between showrooms and shops. The clear gem was Swarovski's Crystal Palace. We've never seen such a demonstration of sparkle (and if you know weetu, that's saying a lot). It was something to awe and, oddly enough, we were a little wobbly coming out of there as if we fell down the rabbit's hole. It was also a nice palette cleanser from playing a human instrument at the Royal College of Art a few moments earlier. What seemed like neutral vinyl upholstered pads, to our dismay, turned out to be naked boy backs. You'll have to see the video to get the visual.

 

DAY 2= TRANSFORMERS + NEW BLOOD

The train ride into Rho today conjured reminiscent appreciation for the "denim kit". Yes, head to toe denim is often a no-no, but when rocked in Italy it really is something to admire. And we did. Today weetu saw a lot more along the lines of yesterday, but a walk around "Salone Satellite" (a juried hall of innovative, young designers from around the world) left us convinced that in the very near future your newspaper will be able to quickly convert into a cappuccino machine, or at the very least a comfortable chair. Satellite's showcase of new thinking was a reminder that you don't have to carry a big name to make an impact. Cut-away materials and transforming furniture ruled the day as tomorrow's innovators showed how a strong imagination and solid prototypes go a long way even if their creations haven't yet been picked up by a big line. It's only a matter of time for some. For the others, surely they were as inspired by their peers as we were. As with any organized show, especially at this scale, there does seem to be a bit of restraint. The buzz is that Salone, or even Fuori Salone, is lacking the radical that, perhaps, has been more present in shows past. Is this reflective of current economic times or simply a wave of needing to play it more safe? These are questions circulating among a diverse range of Salone attendees (press, architects, artists, etc.). Weetu are not seasoned pros at this particular show, but do identify that an element of mind blowing in actual new products are fewer than imagined. Yet, the energy and vibe this city possesses does not reflect anything lacking. In fact, it's exciting how alive it is. Weetu's out again to see what Fuori Salone has to offer tonight. Stay tuned.

weetu thursday from weeTV.

The train ride into Rho today conjured reminiscent appreciation for the "denim kit". Yes, head to toe denim is often a no-no, but when rocked in Italy it really is something to admire. And we did.

Today weetu saw a lot more along the lines of yesterday, but a walk around "Salone Satellite" (a juried hall of innovative, young designers from around the world) left us convinced that in the very near future your newspaper will be able to quickly convert into a cappuccino machine, or at the very least a comfortable chair.

Satellite's showcase of new thinking was a reminder that you don't have to carry a big name to make an impact. Cut-away materials and transforming furniture ruled the day as tomorrow's innovators showed how a strong imagination and solid prototypes go a long way even if their creations haven't yet been picked up by a big line. It's only a matter of time for some. For the others, surely they were as inspired by their peers as we were.

As with any organized show, especially at this scale, there does seem to be a bit of restraint. The buzz is that Salone, or even Fuori Salone, is lacking the radical that, perhaps, has been more present in shows past. Is this reflective of current economic times or simply a wave of needing to play it more safe? These are questions circulating among a diverse range of Salone attendees (press, architects, artists, etc.). Weetu are not seasoned pros at this particular show, but do identify that an element of mind blowing in actual new products are fewer than imagined. Yet, the energy and vibe this city possesses does not reflect anything lacking. In fact, it's exciting how alive it is.

Weetu's out again to see what Fuori Salone has to offer tonight. Stay tuned.

DAY 1= NUBBY + SHINY

weetu in Milan TuesWed from weeTV.

Weetu siamo arrivati Milano for Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2010 last night. We quickly headed over to Zona Tortona to soak up the energy. People packed the streets in celebration, design gawking and... well, drinking. With a later start, we missed the climax of the pre-events, but got our first taste of what's to come this week – which was something of Campari combined with "the world really does revolve around design". Tasty, tasty uptopia.

Today, however, Weetu was fresh to conquer 4 halls (5-7-8-12) of the show. It is clear that color and textures are in the lead for impact. There was a consistency in cross-hatch exaggerated woven textures– be it in wools, rubber, resin or polyurethane. Color combinations were bold and delicious, Milano style– combined with plastics and rubber and shiny.

Though the terrain of independent and up-and-coming is still to be covered this week, the show stopper, thus far, was Moroso. This was clearly the exhibit where our heart rates elevated in pure joy and excitement. Aside from Moroso's alluring tangibles, their exhibit space was defined by styrofoam forms– "helix twist again" designed by Karmelina Martina. Was it die-cut or molded styrofoam? How do you even do that?!?

images from the Moroso showroom

WEETU MEET TASCHEN, TASCHEN MEET WEETU

You have to give credit to art book giant, Taschen, for recognizing good brand when they see it! Check out page 374 in Taschen's latest and greatest brand identity installment, "Brand Identity Now!" (Leaf Through Pages Here)

It never really surprises us when weetuZOO graphic superstar, Tnop, receives his international accolades. (Bottom line - he is brilliant and his "identity" work is truly amazing). But it hits especially close to home, when the recognition is for weetu's own brand.

So be the first on your block to get your copy of the book. And, maybe if you are very, very, very, lucky, we can get Tnop to autograph it for you.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

Weetu jumped left to LA for The National Council of La Raza's ALMA Awards, a tribute awards ceremony celebrating pioneering Latinos in music, television and sports. The event aired September 18th on ABC. Weetu was backstage to film a public service announcement around voting initiatives and the upcoming census. This year some of the biggest names in entertainment were in attendance, including co-hosts Eva Longoria Parker and George Lopez.

If you happened to watch the show, you may also have caught the last PSA weetu created for NCLR... unless you have Tivo or had to use the facilities. (Clearly we spent a little too much time behind the video cam or in traffic and not enough time taking cool pictures).