I especially liked the Adidas ads in that they really understand their audience. The imagery of the people, the nation behind their athletes, lifting them up saying they are all apart of the same team. I think that really speaks to the heart of the people.

Which do you like best?

: D E N Y

Erik was recently featured in this Melbourne, Australia based online mag. All artwork you may have seen from his recent show, but we wanted to inform all of you of this great site.

Something I have been wanting to do for a while now. Last weekend some friends and I took a trip north east of SF to take on some rapids. Steering a raft down a rocky river was a lot harder than I thought, but one of the best times I have had in a while.

-erikotto

I will be displaying a few “duck” inspired pieces in this upcoming event. Showcasing along side numerous well diverse working artists in the illustration community, the show opens Friday, SEP 5 (8-11pm) @ D-Structure in San Francisco.

-erikotto

I posted about this before, but it’s finally going down this weekend with a line up artists too long to even ramble off. Be sure to show your support if you are in the LA area. More info here. Check out my board here.

-erikotto

Hey everyone…we have officially move the website to this blog that we plan to update more often. Please be patient as we work out all the tweaks to give you an even better experience. Lots of new stuff in the works – fall/winter collection, release parties, and we plan to finally release some new limited edition goodies. We hope you can continue to support as our goal is to continue to inspire. For now, go on a road trip!

-erikotto

Nike 100 located in Beijing is an exhibition that highlight’s 100 Nike innovations. The innovations are pretty darn cool but I was more attracted to the space and the install of the exhibit.

About every 20 seconds, the panels on the entrance flip to reveal a different image.

Upon entering, you’re greeted by large imagery, big type and a glowing window filled with…

…iPod Touches that give you an audio tour.

a long hall way that feels somewhat like a locker room highlights the various innovations. the ceiling graphic changes every 30 seconds, similar to the outside entrance.

Down that corridor are smaller rooms. I really liked the large, black and white, informational graphics that adorned this room.

This is the nikeID room where you can design your own shoe.

Upstairs hung life size replicas of Chinese athletes in every Olympic sport.

In case you didn’t recognize the sport, a diagram on the floor keeps visitors informed.

A showcase of Nike’s shoes for every Olympic event!

The exhibit ends here showcasing Nike’s latest shoe innovation. As you can see it culminates in florescent lights, led ticker, backlit tables, white plastic, clear threads – all encircled by a wall of wood. Lots of materials but they manage to make it all work!

I’m pretty fired up now to get going on another New Leaf installation! We’ll see what we can whip up for our fall release party.

: D E N Y

XDC Space (Xin Dong Cheng Space) is a gallery that exhibits contemporary Chinese art. I caught the current exhibition Red, Smooth and Luminescent.

The above piece really caught my eye. I think it is a depiction how the west (coke, mcDonalds) has become a part of Chinese life. I want to say this is not good but one of my friends here gave me another perspective. She says the Chinese people are happy that they can afford these more expensive American goods ($5US for a meal is a lot of money here). To them, it shows that they are doing well, that their country is prospering and growing. What do you think?

: D E N Y

I’m in Beijing for the next two weeks so I’ll be posting on the various art and happenings here…so here goes. I got to check out Beijing’s art district known as the 798 Art Zone and its pretty awesome. Wikipedia says:

798 Art Zone is a part of Dashanzi in the Chaoyang District of Beijing that houses a thriving artist community, among 50-year old decommissioned military factory buildings of unique architectural style. It is often compared with New York’s Greenwich Village or SoHo, but faces impending destruction from the forces driving Beijing’s urban sprawl.

There are a ton of galleries (seriously at least 50), but many were closed. Still, I spent a good half day there looking at paintings, sculptures, and installations. Here are some of the goodies:

This is 798 Space, one gallery in the art zone. Its cool how they decided to leave the green machinery from the original factory.

Sleeping quarters for resident artists.

This is to be converted into a cafe!

A bit of graffiti. The only graffiti that I’ve seen in all of Beijing is in this district

enjoy life.

: D E N Y