The N. Period

Dallas and New York based artist Tony Bones has made about as many enemies as he had fans with his years of prominent graffiti. Many have entered the debate as to whether his work actually qualifies as art. Tony’s luck has caught up with him in his home town, though and now he is forced to face the ugly consequences of his illegal activities. Fortunately for the artist, enough of an audience exists that a transition to galleries has become his main focus.

Sneakerheads in the know will remember all the fuss caused by the Pigeon Dunks a few years back, whose worldwide run of 150 pairs nearly caused a riot in NYC when they were released on February 22, 2005. This naturally led to a number of fakes as people everywhere paid up to $3,000 for the chance to sport that sick grey and orange (pink?) colorway. Well now that same fresh aura, designed by original Pigeon craftsman Jeff Staple, has been transplanted onto the New Balance 575 and the results are admittedly head-turning.

Dallas and New York City-based artist Tony Bones will have a solo show beginning August 9, 2008 at Dallas’ The Public Trust gallery. Artists’ reception will begin that evening at 7 PM and the show will be running until September 6. Full details within.

Those of us in the good ole U.S. of A., especially in Dallas, have been lucky enough to see former MVP Dirk Nowitzki polish his exceptional hoops talent on our home turf. Now we all have a chance to show our gratitude for the big German. Looks like a guy named Tobias Gerhards has started a petition to get Dirk the job as the official flag bearer for Germany in this summer’s Olympics in Beijing.

Announced last week, these fresh monsters are a collabo between Nike and the Roots, famed drummer ?uestlove. This KOTW selection is ?uest’s take on the iconinc Air Force 1 shoe. In a nightmare move for driving search engine traffic, the shoe will be called the the (h)Air ?uesto 1, according to his blog.

When I first saw this picture, which dates from 1983, I figured that it must’ve been an Orioles game, with many of the fans in the stands wearing orange shirts. But upon closer inspection it became clear that the majority of the supporters in Fenway Park’s outfield were topless. Speaking with a co-worker who was going to ballgames in the early 1980s, this was apparently not such an out-of-the-ordinary sight.

Johnny Cupcakes is officially moving to the West Coast soon, opening a new store on Melrose Ave. in LA on August 2 (big party, we hear). Here Johnny gives us an update on the construction of the Los Angeles shoppe. Really like the cool vintage feel going on here. Check it out and let me know what you think.

This entry comes from graphic designer Jeff Hamada and is part of the Converse 1 HUND(RED) collaboration, an effort by the company designed to help fight the war against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Great photographer.

In what is quite a refreshing acceptance of pop culture as art, the prominent auction house Christie’s recently featured many modern toys by such artists as Tilt, Mist, Kozik, Joe Ledbetter, Tristan, Sucklord and Kidrobot founder Paul Budnitz.