HANDMADE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA #65 // H.S. Chocolate Co. Goes for Decadence and Nostalgia

Like we'd mentioned earlier, the Handmade Holiday Craft Fair is around the corner, and there's no shortage of unique, must-buy-or-else gifts. Here's one we predict will go fast...

We caught up with chocolatier MaryAnne Hoekstra Shekar of H.S. Chocolate Co. By way of introduction, let us say that we know it's hackneyed to drivel on about how decadent and sinful chocolate is, but some of her concoctions (the Figgy Blue candy bar, made with Bailey Hazen Blue cheese and fig Ganache, the Chinese Five Spice Chocomels) actually made us gasp. Pearls were clutched and monocles were shattered. These are some fancy chocolates. 

So yes, H.S. chocolates, candy bars, and Chocomels (chocolate covered caramels) sound lovely and indulgent. But would you believe they look nice too? Because of course they do. Gold foil, playful paper wrappers, and a retro logo bring a sense of fun and nostalgia to the whole endeavor. For Hoekstra Shekar, that feeling of reminscence is an important piece of the puzzle. "Our chocolates and confections make the best gift because they invoke nostalgia by putting a unique, modern twist on classic treats like candy bars, filled chocolates and chocolate-covered caramels," she says. "We use fresh, local ingredients to create exciting flavor profiles." 

--Layla Schlack

HANDMADE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA #44 // For The Absolute Worst Days, Bummer Baskets to the Rescue

One of Bummer Baskets' dutifully bummed-out gifts.

We're making our lists, and Siri's checking them twice--because the 5th annual 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair is happening on December 10. In anticipation of this awesome event, we're giving you a sneak preview of who will be selling what.

The folks at Bummer Baskets know that what you really want on a bad day (a lost-your-job-and-got-dumped kind of day, or just a cowlick-and-shouty-boss day) is not a Hallmark card. You want a stiff drink, something sugary and a few tokens of the laughter and comfort of days gone by, before everything went to hell. That's why they've brilliantly put together care packages with things like "Here's to Happy Endings" wine glasses, fresh-baked brownies, temporary tattoos, and flower-planting kits.

Better still, the kindly basketmakers source their products as locally as possible. "Final selections for baskets are based on team input as well as asking friends and loved ones what they would want to receive in a bummer situation," cofounder Kerry Kirk says. "We are tirelessly baking new things in pursuit of the perfect recipes for bummer times-which is really at the core of our baskets."

While we certainly don't wish you or your loved ones to have bummer holidays, it may be helpful to have one of these adorable kits on hand--if only for yourself in case your drunk uncle decides to talk bad politics, and your grandmother starts hounding you about wanting to live to meet her great-grandchildren.

--Layla Schlack

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Top Designers Compete In The Annual World Graphic Design Foosball Championship This Friday

This friday night some of the biggest names in graphic design will go head to head in fierce competition at the Art Directors Club, vying for the title of World Champion. No, this isn't a live design tournament—it's the 8th Annual World Graphic Design Foosball Championship. (For those wondering, yes, the logo is meant to be backwards.)

Presented by leading NYC design studios karlssonwilker inc. and the Office of Paul Sahre, the double elimination tournament will feature teams representing more than 50 different professional design organizations, including creative agencies like McGarryBowen and Big Spaceship, studios like Hoefler & Frere-Jones and AHL&CO, publishing companies such as HarperCollins and Penguin, and the design departments at Fortune Magazine and the Metropolitan Opera.

As you'd expect, the championship has a cool interactive website (click on any of the background images to unlock those features, but watch out—a couple parts are semi-NSFW).

Spectators are welcome at the tournament, which kicks off at 7pm this Friday, November 18, and there will be beer from Brooklyn Brewery. The winning team will pedal away with some awesome bikes from Puma.

For a taste of what to expect, hit the jump for a clip from the 2008 championship.

-- John Ruscher

MEMBER SHOW PROFILE // Science Class with Painter Joana Ricou

"Our Self Portrait"

"I'm kind of a biology geek," Joana Ricou tells us. The Portuguese-born painter spent high school on a heavily science-oriented track, eventually to become biology major at Carnegie Mellon--until she discovered there could be a happy co-existence between science and art.

Now, Ricou works mostly in oil painting, doing BioArt and figure painting (in addition to line sketches and a bit pf photography)--her work for the upcoming 3rd Ward Member Show on November 18th is a bit of both. "I read this neurology book with a Walt Whitman quote 'I contain multitudes,'" she says. "The pieces I proposed for the member show are kind of a representation of that." 

Her particular brand of BioArt is gaining quite a following--she's part of an online exhibit at the Arte Institute, and she's showing in the Eclectic Chaos series in New Jersey this month. Ricou's had her work selected as the cover for Journal of Neuroscience and has given talks about art as education.

While Ricou says she still loves to read biology journals and stay up on the research ("the really exciting stuff"), she doesn't see herself returning to the lab anytime soon. "I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing," she tells us. Amen. ...Now hit the jump to catch a couple more glimpses of Ricou's work.

"Hum Hum Together""Other Self"

-- Layla Schlack

PROFILE + WORKSHOP // Friday Night: Learn To Make Mistakes With Laurie Rosenwald

"The only way to cure my hiccups is to offer me 20 bucks to hiccup again," says Laurie Rosenwald in a Communication Arts article about her How to Make Mistakes on Purpose workshop, which comes to 3rd Ward tomorrow night. (Reservation required as space is limited, so get on it.)

One of the main premises of Rosenwald's creative approach is that once you start trying, things can actually get a lot harder. "Instead of focusing on a problem to solve it, do something careless, pointless, opposite, random," she says. "Something that has nothing to do with what you're doing or wanting." 

Mistakes are good. That's another key Rosenwald-ism. "It can be a dot, a blog, an object, a word," she says. "The important thing is that the 'mistake' is not carefully chosen. It must be found, and not created with the intention to use it in any particular way."

Rosenwald's got some serious credentials under her belt, so hit the jump for more on why you won't want to miss this.

We can't tell you much about what goes on during a Mistakes on Purpose session, as Rosenwald asks participants to swear "omertà," the mafia code of silence. But, based on the places where she's taught the workshop (SVA, Google, Stockholm Design Lab and many more), it's clearly something of a big deal. Check our previous write-up to hear about the IKEA sheets too.

On her website Rosenwald describes herself as "the world's most commercial artist," and while there's some humorous hyperbole in that statement, she certainly has been commercially successful. Her illustrations have appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times and New York and many other publications, and she's received lots of awards. Her animation work has nominated for an Emmy, and she designed the awesome typeface Loupot. She's even appeared in an episode of The Sopranos.

Rosenwald's not in it just for the money and fame, though. It's more about doing things that haven't been done before, and making things that haven't already been made. Some of those "things" include the award-winning children's book And to Name But Just a Few: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, the illustrated guidebook/sketchbook New York Notebook and All the Wrong People Have Self-Esteem, an "inappropriate book for young ladies." 

She also recently collaborated with David Sedaris on David's Diary, an app featuring diary entries read by Sedaris and animated by Rosenwald herself. 

-- John Ruscher

TEACHER SHOW // Iviva Olenick Embroiders a Love Letter to Our Borough

Coney IslandFor those of us with any textile experience, embroidery seems like the most detail oriented art for only the most patient people. Iviva Olenick is one of those people. In addition to teaching 3rd Ward's Extraordinary Embroidery class, Olenick is a pioneer in narrative embroidery, much of which is featured on her blog, Were I So Besotted. We love Olenick's textile storytelling, and we think you should see it in-person.

So heed our words:

"The Brooklyn Love Exchange: A Portrait of Brooklyn Romance," featuring Olenick's work is on view at the Muriel Guepin Gallery in Cobble Hill until November 13.

Olenick says the exhibit is a sort of "love map" of Brooklyn inspired by her own ex-boyfriends and love stories collected from interviews with other Brooklynites. Also on view is "FiberGraf," a collaboration with graffiti artist Jon Baker. Baker tags, Olenick stitches; work that seems like a BK love story in its own rite. So if you have a new guy or gal you want to impress, swing by this weekend and fall in love with Olenick's totally unique vision of New York.

Here's one more while we're at it:

Beschert Taxi--Layla Schlack

GET ON BOARD // The Rainbow Parade Happening This Friday in DUMBO Wants YOU

 

The weather may be getting gradually colder and the city's hues may be looking a bit more drab, but this Friday, November 11, you can help make the streets a lot more colorful. All you have to do is dress monochromatically in the color of your choosing, head down to the Galapagos Art Space (16 Main Street) in DUMBO at 9:45am, and take part in "a short, action-packed Rainbow Parade."

The parade is happening in conjunction with the CreativeMornings breakfast lecture earlier in the morning at Galapagos, which is hosting Brooklyn's color-loving designer Jessi Arrington. You don't have to attend the lecture to be part of the parade, though. Just show up decked out in your favorite color! (If you are interested in the lecture, you'll have to get on the waitlist.)

For some inspiration and an idea of just how much Arrington lovers colors, here are a few fun facts:

• She spent an entire year studying the color pink.
• Her favorite color is rainbow.
• She's worked with the "Godfather of Graphic Design" (and I ♥ NY creator) Milton Glazer.
• After that she founded her own studio, WORKSHOP, which is based in DUMBO.
• She's given a TED Talk about wearing nothing new.

And for a little taste of the rainbow parade experience, hit the jump to check out a video of one that followed Arrington's talk at TEDxOrlando this past weekend.

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // TEDxBrooklyn Speakers Announced, Tickets On Sale Thursday

This one's still a few weeks away, but tickets go on sale this Thursday and as avid fans of all things TED, we want to make sure you don't miss out.

On Friday, December 2nd, Brooklyn Bowl will host the second TEDxBrooklyn conference. The "x" means that it's an independently organized event granted a license by TED (short for Technology, Entertainment & Design), the world-renowned series of conferences centered around the slogan "ideas worth spreading."

The first TEDxBrooklyn took place last November at the Pratt Institute and featured speakers such as novelist and WNYC host Kurt Andersen, Fabien Cousteau (grandson of Jacques), NYC artist Swoon, and even Richard Saul Wurman, the architect and designer who founded TED back in 1984.

Organizers just announced this year's initial lineup, and we're excited to see that it's got something for everyone, from rooftop farming and aerial acrobats to some of NYC's coolest tech companies and cultural game-changers.

Check out the lineup after the jump, along with a couple video highlights from last year's conference. And remember: tickets go on sale this Thursday, November 10 at 1pm.

TEDxBrooklyn's initial 2011 lineup:

Susannah Drake :: Principal at dlandstudio pllc :: The future of landscape architecture

Blake Whitman :: VP, Creative Development at Vimeo :: Online video community builder extraordinaire

Viraj Puri :: Founder of Gotham Greens :: A rooftop farm in the heart of Brooklyn

Sean Meenan :: Founder of Habana Outpost :: Sustainable hacienda

Lisa Jamhoury and Dana Abrassart :: Independent Aerial Acrobats :: Creatively adorning Brooklyn's airspace, with original musical accompaniment by Philip Joseph Restine III

Jack Walsh :: Executive Producer at Celebrate Brooklyn! :: Legendary performance festival at the Prospect Park Bandshell, produced by BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn

Chad Dickerson :: CEO of Etsy :: The net’s most prosperous online flea market

Jonny Wilson :: Founder of Eclectic Method :: Audiovisual remix producer/DJ

Jullien Gordon :: Purpose Finder :: Innerview.me + 30 Day Do It

Jen Lyon :: Founder of Mean Red Productions :: Brooklyn’s risk-taking event production

Farai Chideya :: Author/Public Radio Host :: Award winning writer & media personality

Laurie Cumbo :: Founder and Executive Director of MoCADA :: Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art

Ruth Ozeki :: Author/Filmmaker :: Ordained Zen minister to kick off the event

Paul Steely White :: Executive Director at Transportation Alternatives :: Reclaiming NYC streets

Eugene Mirman :: Comedian :: Smartest funny man in Brooklyn

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT + PROFILE // Freelancers Union's Althea Erickson Discusses The Growing Freelance Movement

A Freelancers Union subway ad

This Thursday, November 10th we're celebrating the Grand Opening of our new coworking space--and you're invited. Here's why you'll want to be in attendance:

In addition to presentations by member associates and teachers, we'll be welcoming two amazing speakers: Jessica Lawrence, Managing Director of NY Tech Meetup, and Althea Erickson, Advocacy and Policy Director for the Freelancers Union. We spoke with Erickson about the Freelancers Union and what it means to be a freelance worker in today's economy. Anyone even remotely involved with a freelance vocation should hit the jump for some vital insights.

The beginning of the Freelancers Union dates back to the 1995, when labor lawyer Sara Horowitz formed the nonprofit Working Today, which started to bring together freelance workers and establish a network of organizations to promote policies and offer benefits for independent workers in New York City. As the network and vision expanded, the Freelancers Union was born, with the aim of providing benefits, advocacy and resources to independent workers nationwide.

Today the independent workforce is larger and more important than ever. "The economy is moving in this direction," Erickson says. "In the global economy, businesses are demanding more flexible workforces, and freelancers allow them to hire specialty expertise when they need it." Erickson pointed us to a 2007 study by the NYC Comptroller that found that, since 1975, the city's self-employed have accounted for nearly two-thirds of job growth.

There's no doubt that freelancers are crucial to the economy, but without a collective voice their needs can go unheard and unaddressed. That's where the Freelancer's Union comes in. The union is probably most well-known for its benefits and insurance, which allow individual workers to get the coverage they need at group rates lower than what they could find on their own. Though that's not their only accomplishment. In 2009 they successfully lobbied to repeal of NYC's Unincorporated Business Tax, which unfairly taxed freelancers double. They've also been lobbying for the Freelancer Payment Protection Act, which would allow freelancers to submit claims for lost or unpaid wages to the Labor Board just like other workers.

The union has clearly taken substantial steps forward, but in many ways it's just the beginning. "Our work is never done, but policy-makers and business leaders are starting to understand that we are an organized constituency," Erickson says. The Freelancers Union Political Action Committee, for example, helps bring together freelancers' resources to promote issues and keep legislators accountable. The union also has some exciting ideas for the future, such as developing a medical home model, which could provide less expensive primary health care, and a credit union, which could offer products specifically tailored to freelancers.

While it may be a while before such plans can be realized, the union has also developed some valuable resources to help freelancers right now. Their Client Scorecard allows members to share their positive and negative experiences with clients. Tax resources can help sort out the piles of paperwork that comes with working independently. And their new Contract Creator helps create solid contracts between freelancers and their clients.

Erickson admits that being an independent worker isn't easy. "As a freelancer you don't just have to be an expert in the service or skill that you're providing," she says. "You also have to have expertise in marketing, tax law, incorporation. You have to be a one-man band and learn all of those skills and succeed at every one of them." But its perks are nothing to sneeze at: "The freedom, the flexibility, and being your own boss and managing your own destiny."

Come see Althea Erickson this Thursday to find out more about the Freelancers Union and the growing freelance movement. And as a little extra bonus, we've thrown in a few more of the Freelancers Union's excellent subway ad designs:

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Our Picks For This Month's Performa 11 Performance Biennial

This week marks the start of Performa 11, the fourth edition of New York's internationally renowned visual performance art biennial. Running now through November 21, Performa will feature work by more than 100 contemporary artists at more than 50 arts institutions across the city.

We've rounded up our 10 Performa picks for the coming weeks (and provided all the info you'll need for each one.) Hit the jump to check out our recommendations, which run the gamut from beer brewing and skateboarding to Fluxus and James Franco.

Print Showing - Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama recreates his 1971 performance, in which he photocopies his work and assembles staple-bound photobooks based on viewers' input into the selection and sequence. Friday, November 4, 2-4pm & 6-9pm, Saturday November 5, 12-3pm & 5-8pm. $75.

Free Ride - Raphaël Zarka, a Paris-based artist, will present a project incorporating his research on the "geometry of skateboarding" and how it relates to modern sculpture. He'll also attempt to create the first ever cycloid skateboard ramp, inspired by Galileo. Saturday, November 5, 3-5pm at Performa Institute at the Performa Hub. Free. $10.

Fluxus Weekend - Fifty-two hours of Downtown creativity and goodness stemming from the influential Fluxus movement that emerged in the 1960s, ranging from actions and ideas to music, films and objects. Participants will include renowned Fluxus artists such as Alison Knowles, Jonas Mekas, Milan Knížák and Ben Vautier. Friday, November 11 through Sunday, November 13 at various venues.

Creative Networking Workshop - A workshop that will explore networks and networking as a creative medium. Focusing on the design of large scale networks, participants will collaborate and build their own intricate compositions. Saturday, November 12, 1-4pm at Performa Hub. $10.

Brew Day - Colorado artist Eric Steen brings together NYC home brew enthusiasts to brew beer, swap tips and sample each others' creations, highlighting and fostering the knowledge and creativity that goes into the hops-filled hobby. Saturday, November 12, 12-4pm at Performa Hub. Free.

Fluxus Cabaret - Renowned filmmaker Jonas Mekas presents a new film featuring Fluxus performances, anecdotes and more, including Nam June Paik in Times Square, Joseph Beuys singing and John Lennon, Yoko Ono and George Maciunas taking a trip up the Hudson River. Saturday, November 12, 6-7:30pm at Anthology Film Archives. $9.

Three Performances in Search of Tennessee - James Franco is everywhere! Franco and Laurel Nakadate will present a three-part project inspired by Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagarie, including a séance in which they'll attempt to communicate with Williams, auditions for the part of Laura by female actresses interacting with a life-size video projection of Franco, and auditions for the part of Tom by male actors. Sunday, November 13, 12-2pm at Abrons Art Center. $30.

Crazy English - Shanghai-based artist Zhou Xiaohu has invited Li Yang, a Chinese celebrity educator, to give English as performance. Yang runs Crazy English, a company that teaches English to huge groups of Chinese students in stadiums and other large spaces. Through the performance Xiaohu presents both a unique theatrical teaching method as well as the distorted effects of cultural imperialism. Saturday, November 19, 1-2pm & 4:30-5:30pm at Judson Memorial Church. Free with registration.

Otomo Yoshihide and Christian Marclay Turntable Duo - The two influential sound artists and turntablism pioneers come together for a rare and exciting live concert. Saturday, November 19, 8:30-9:30pm at Japan Society. $25.

That Morning Thing - This is only the fourth performance of composer Robert Ashley's legendary 1967 experimental opera That Morning Thing. Ashley himself has promised that this will be the definitive version. Saturday, November 19, 8-9pm, Sunday, November 20, 3-4:30pm & 8-9:30pm, Monday, November 21, 8-9:30pm at The Kitchen. $30.

-- John Ruscher