all sewn up

I've really been into stitched and sewn art lately, so when I discovered Lauren DiCioccio's series sewnnews and National Geographics, I was enthralled. Each piece is hand stitched with needle and thread to resemble newspaper and magazine articles, or other items/public figures of poignancy in today's society:

"My work investigates the physical/tangible beauty of commonplace mass-produced media-objects, most recently: the newspaper, magazines, office papers and writing pads, plastic bags, 35 mm slides. These media are becoming obsolete, replaced by the invisible efficiency of various technologies. In some cases, this transition is a good thing- faster transmission and distribution of information, streamlined systems, openness to user input, less waste. But a hole is left behind by the disappearance of these everyday objects. What will happen when we no longer touch information? When newsprint does not rub off onto our fingertips? When we no longer write longhand?"

via Colossal

cover art

While compiling my New Year's reading list, I came across these beautifully designed book covers. Interestingly enough, the covers are embossed prints of original embroidered covers stitched by Canadian artist (now based out of Brooklyn, New York) Jillian Tamaki as a commission from the publishing house Penguin. Each one is an incredible work of art, and I hope to own one of the books soon. Purchase them from Amazon.

She is also married to Sam Weber, who I posted about a few weeks ago. Quite a talented couple.

iconic

Meshing Renaissance-era scenes and styles with modern-day iconography, Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli challenges viewer's ideas of materialism and secular obssession, blurring the lines between the two in his most recent series aptly entited Sacrilegio. Painting scenes first in oil, Vezzoli then goes back with needle and thread, jewelry and other more dimensional pieces, creating visual depth to his work. The collection is now on display at the Gagosian Gallery on West 21st in New York City, and will be up through March 12.

The artist, photographed by Jason Schmidt