LEGO Minifigs Stow Away on NASA's Juno Spacecraft Mission To Jupiter.

Okay, so they weren't really stowaways, but certainly not your expected passengers. The special cargo - three 1.5" tall aluminum LEGO® Minifigs- left earth on NASA's Juno deep-space probe on August 5th for a five-year mission to Jupiter as part of NASA and LEGO's Bricks In Space program, a joint partnership to inspire children and broaden awareness of the importance of planetary research.







above: the Lego Minifigures affixed to the Juno probe before take-off.





In Greek and Roman mythology, Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief. From Mount Olympus, Juno was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter's true nature. Juno holds a magnifying glass to signify her search for the truth, while her husband holds a lightning bolt:







The third LEGO crew member is Galileo Galilei, who made several important discoveries about Jupiter, including the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honor). Of course, the miniature Galileo has his telescope with him on the journey:







The LEGO Minifigures will help get attention for Juno’s mission to improve understanding of our solar system’s beginnings by revealing the origin and evolution of Jupiter.





above: click to enlarge and get a better look at the Juno Spacecraft



The inclusion of the three mini-statues, or figurines, is part of a joint outreach and educational program developed as part of the partnership between NASA and the LEGO Group to inspire children to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics.







Video of the August 5th launch (on which the minifigs were affixed to the space probe):





The spacecraft is expected to arrive at Jupiter in 2016. The mission will investigate the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. Juno's color camera will provide close-up images of Jupiter, including the first detailed glimpse of the planet's poles.



More information about Juno is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/juno and http://missionjuno.swri.edu. You can follow the mission on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nasajuno.



images courtesy of LegoSpace, NASA and Wired

Icon Bricks Are Sterling Silver And Gemstone Lego Like Jewelry & Cuff Links.

above: Icon Brick necklaces are an elegant version of the classic Lego toys

A lot of crafty people (and I mean skilled craftsmen not deceitful or underhanded people) have created jewelry inspired by or made from Lego® blocks. But many of them are either plastic or metal, giving them a novelty and juvenile look and feel.


above: sterling silver Icon cufflinks are the grown-up and upscale version of Legos for men.

The sterling silver Icon collection by jewelry designer Max Steiner is one of the more elegant and tasteful versions of the jewelry homage to the childhood favorite. Available with real gemstones, the sterling silver pieces are fine jewelry with a fun flair.



Available as thick or thin Icon Brick pendants /necklaces, cufflinks and earrings, the Legos aka blox aka bricks are cast in sterling silver and faithful to the classic toy's design in front and back:




The pieces are available in plain sterling silver or inset with emeralds, rubies or black diamonds:




In addition to the actual pieces, the packaging for the necklaces and earrings is a custom hand-crafted and laser engraved Mahogany box:





Shop for them here

The Lego-Inspired CEO Writing Desk from Staffan Holm Design.

A desk made to look as though it were created with LEGO® bricks by Staffan Holm & Johannes Tjernberg. The solid MDF beech wood desk is painted with Steinway Piano finish enamel paint. The idea was to remind an adult of a time in his or her life that was filled with playfulness and wonder. The lovely functional childhood-reminder is available to order (in Sweden).



The CEO, a Director's writing desk
Price: 100 000 SEK +VAT
Designer: Staffan Holm & Johannes Tjernberg
Photos by Kalle Sanner

STAFFAN HOLM DESIGN

Delivery address/Studio visiting address:
Karl Johansgatan 152 (by rear loading dock)
414 51 Gothenburg
Sweden

Meet The Man (and see his work) Behind Fergie's LEGO Dress.

If you've been on the internet or have seen the news this week, chances are you caught a glimpse of The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie and her fun LEGO dress worn during the 24th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nickelodeon held last Saturday.




The heavily blogged about LEGO dress is a hoot, but hardly impressive when compared to other work by the same designer. The dress was created by Michael Schmidt Studios of Los Angeles and New York. You may not now his name, but you certainly know his work. He's been designing for musical legends like Tina Turner, Cher, Deborah Harry, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler and Grace Jones since the late 1980's. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program, "Cher... At The Mirage" in 1991.


above: Michael's chain maille and crystal designs for Cher and Tina Turner in 1986 and 1989.

More in demand than ever, Michael continues to design for today's popular entertainers like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Dita Von Teese, Rihanna, Brittany Spears and the Chrome Hearts brand. Often working with lots of Swarovski crystals, snake-like imagery and scales, corsets and chain maille, Michael produces sexy, body conscious clothes for concert tours, award shows and other appearances.



above: Michael Schmidt's designs for Lady Gaga, photos by David LaChapelle

Michael has also made several forays into the world of interior design. Projects include the installation of a massive bamboo 'Wave' construction at the restaurant Simon At The Palms, Palms Casino, Las Vegas. Another creation is a knotted rope curtain for the lobby of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, CA, woven from more than a mile of white cotton rope. Past projects include designing the VIP rooms of the Palladium nightclub in NYC, featuring the installation of black leather floors upon which silver studs spelled out the lyrics to the classic Iggy Pop song 'Nightclubbing' in Braille.

His costume and accessory designs are nothing short of body sculpture and last year the PMCA (Pasadena Museum of California Arts) featured much of his work in their California Design Biennial: Action/Reaction exhibit.



above: Rihanna wears his denim-printed metal mesh shorts on the cover of last month's Rolling Stone


FERGIE
Working with stylists B. Ackerlund, Schmidt as also created other memorable outfits for Fergie. Hand-sewn snake scale and Swarovski studded body suits and boots for her 2010 appearance on American Idol Gives Back, chromed body armored catsuits, even a vacuum-formed and chromed corset:







MADONNA
Some of his pieces designed for Madonna's 2008-2009 world tour:





DITA VON TEESE
Designs for Dita Von Teese include Swarovski Crystals soldered onto aviator glasses and the Swarovski crystal-embellished outfit and accessories worn in her Opium Den show:






CHROME HEARTS
Michael has created sterling silver and diamond jewelry, accessories and mesh clothes for rock n' roll luxe brand Chrome Hearts:




Designer Michael Schmidt amongst a retrospective of his work at PMCA:

photos: Scott Nathan, Christopher Polk, Steve LaNasa, Steven Meisel, Laurie Stark, Mark Seliger and Shawn Smith
stylists: Arianne Phillips, B. Ackerlund


Michael Schmidt Studios