credits: LVHRD

Colorbomb on the downstroke

Ada of Tiny Masters of Today

Last night in DUMBO at the cavernous Powerhouse Books Arena LVHRD and Veer finished the 2007 tour of events with BIFOLD: YOUTH, an evening of music and interactive inquiry into the ability a youthful mindset has to positively impact the world.

Waiting for the show to start, guests browsed a massive selection of photography and art books while DJ Woodman from Turntable Lab laid out some atmosphere music from his perch high up on the Arena wall.

A throwback to the days when we were front-yard entrepreneurs, our very own Lemonade Stand passed out a special brand of pink juice and made sure everyone felt nice and jovial by the time the lights went down and the presentations began.

credits: Kristine/LVHRD

Kristine Angell (left) with mentee Casandra

Kristine hosted BIFOLD YOUTH.

Host, Kristine Angell, welcomed the crowd and introduced a VDO recap of last month’s event, BIFOLD SPORT, before authors/illustrators Ted & Betsy Lewin took the stage to share scenes from two long and illustrious careers via a vintage carousel.

Ted talked at length about his artistic process: in order to create photo-realistic watercolor illustrations he painstakingly photographs the people and locations in his books for reference before he begins to draw. All of his stories are based in fact: for the book At Gleason’s Gym, Ted spent weeks sitting inside the Brooklyn boxing and wrestling institution, absorbing the sounds and movements of the athletes. If Ted can’t find something in the real world, he invites actors to his Brooklyn studio to become the characters he needs while he meticulously documents their mannerisms.

credits: LVHRD

Brooklyn Drawing

Betsy & Ted Lewin

Though she is Ted’s wife, Betsy Lewin is from an entirely different galaxy of illustration. Her drawings are much more rooted in fantasy and an interpretation, rather than recreation, of reality. She spoke on the origins of some of her characters, the unexpected success of books such as Click Clack Moo, and how the path to realizing your dreams is often curvy:

“I used to tell my students at Pratt that you don’t always travel a straight line to your dreams. Often you end up in places you never expected, but as long as you’re doing what you love, that can be a blessing.”

Both Ted and Betsy emphasized how important it is to keep the passion for what you love alive as you transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood.

“Nourish that burning desire to achieve your dreams,” said Ted. “It’s how you know you’re on the right track.”

credits: LVHRD

Tiny Masters of Today

Too bad they don't look anything alike.

After a short intermission, the Tiny Masters of Today, picked up their guitars and turned the amps up to 11 for an intimate rock and roll set.

As brother and sister, Ivan and Ada have been playing music since well before they were teenagers. Music is what they live and breath. When asked what he was excited to learn next, Ivan replied without hesitation, “Guitar Hero 3.”

As musicians, Tiny Masters of Today rock. Backed by a an animal-house drummer, Ivan and Ada launched into a set with poppy melodies, political lyrics, and driving guitar riffs.

After a cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around” the crowd would not let them leave the stage. Even though it was a school night, they obliged us with an encore that had fans dancing in the aisles for what was probably the loudest half hour Powerhouse Books has ever seen.

credits: LVHRD

Holiday Cards for One and All

Glitter was a cinematic masterpiece.

When the sustain finally died down, it was time to whip up some glue and glitter creations at the Holiday Card design table for the folks back home. How can the greeting card companies compete with LVHRD originals?

BIFOLD YOUTH was a perfect perfect marriage of didacticism and on-your-feet celebration to close out LVHRD 2007, kind of like a BIFOLD meets Master-Disaster.

A big thanks to LVHRD partner Veer for supplying the media that makes great design possible. Thanks also to Fred Water, Zipcar and Turntable Lab for helping us make 2007 the most memorable year for LVHRD creative collaboration yet.

credits: LVHRD

Nature Bold in Tooth and Claw

The battle for architectural supremacy begins Jan 29th, 2008.

We will return with new tricks up our sleeve in 2008, beginning with ARCH DL IV on January 29th. Have a vacation: wrap yourself in butter and rum and we’ll see you when the calendar flips.