For this multifaceted, ambitious work, Maya Lin approaches her favorite subjects: science, nature and art with a high-tech, high-touch sensibility. Several plans are in the works for “What is Missing?” Lin has committed to the evolution of this work over time and place – sites will include: San Francisco, New York City, Beijing, Washington D.C. and cyberspace – until 2020. Media and installation projects incorporate: a recently completed sound cone sculpture in San Francisco, a billboard for Times Square, an expanded website, a traveling exhibit starting in Beijing, both a virtual and physical book, a sound sculpture, a projected light sculpture, limited edition glass castings of animals and a virtual online map – the greenprint. If only there could be more public art projects such as this.

The process and research for this memorial has taken place over several years. Working with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Geographic Society, ARKive among others, data, images and sounds of species, habitats and locations have been compiled to create this accessible yet complex public art project.

What are some of the themes explored? Certainly a sense of what is occurring and a true perspective on the resulting impact. As Dr. Gregory Farring, Director of the California Academy of Sciences states, these themes “… they encourage people to think about the world and their responsibility to it.” The Academy’s mission is to ask two basic questions: “Life – How did we get here?” and as part of the “challenge of sustainability – How are we going to find a way to stay?” Maya Lin explores biodiversity, habitat destruction, fragile and exploited ecosystems. Effective and current, ephemeral and timeless, ask yourself what is missing?

Ethos Paris is an eco fashion house founded in 2002 that only uses materials that are both fair trade certified and organic. The collections are mostly made from cotton, raffia and alpaca. While alpaca is an animal-based product, it is sourced and produced by an Indigenous collective in Bolivia. Zippers are free of nickel. Coconut, wood or seashell are used for buttons. The preference is to design garments that minimize fastening devices to keep clothing wear simple.

In 2007 the company launched the Botanical Impressions collection made from 100% herbal dyes that are ayurvedic or natural. Founders Ann and Leslie Leroux abide by regulatory organizations such as Eko, Ecocert and Bioport. Company goals include “Put an end to the clothing industry’s exploitative sweat shops by establishing genuine partnerships with producers and uniting forces to bring about positive economic and social change.” and “Respect for the consumer through business transparency and product quality.” Look for more Ethos Paris at the Paris Ethical Fashion Show and Portland Fashion Week coming this October. In the meantime, enjoy this short video with music by the Japanese pop group, Yaneka.

“The Landfill Designers” is an audio production of the BBC. Please click here to listen.

Attracting Native Bees To Your Garden

QUEST on KQED Public Media.

Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild Bee

QUEST on KQED Public Media.

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Wish I could have several pieces from this collection, don’t you? Well, wouldn’t you like to see Stella’s new resort line for 2010? Okay. Go here. Since I can’t get enough fashion how about two more slide shows both from treehugger – Stewart & Brown Fall 2009 and 20 Under-the-Radar Green Designers.

source: blip.tv by Melodiesinmarketing.com by Mario Vellandi

Impressive! Right? This expert has passed the difficult NCIDQ exam and is a member of both the U.S. Green Building Council and Build It Green. As the Principal and Founder of Path Design, Hulan believes that rather than being a fad that green design is “a fundamental change in the way interior design and architecture are approached. The aim is to create dwellings, and other man-made environments, which reduce or eliminate the use of unhealthy materials, minimize ecological impact, and relate people with the natural world around them.” Perhaps you will want to request some of these items or adapt some ideas for your own use?

Materials used include soybeans, Japanese paper, bamboo and a new threadlike material developed from cornstarch. Here is a video from a fairly recent show in Mexico for the Spring/Summer 2009 season.

now that you’ve gain several pounds or have a sugar rush from all of that cake. it’s time for some salad: