We Are All Mad Hatters Here

Disney has, in their right minds entrusted their Alice in Wonderland project to the imaginative and capable Tim Burton. The film is actually to be a sequel to the Alice book we read when we were younger and will star some of Burton's usuals-like Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover.  Ooh I can't wait! The film is now in edit and we have to wait until March 2010 to see it.  

Lewis Carroll's tale has stretched the imagination of artists and designers everywhere.  In preparation for the film I am so anticipating, I am searching for those artists that use the book as a muse.  

In Tokyo, a gym has taken on the fantastical vision and created a climbing wall full of picture frames, deer antlers and flower pots. 

And this tea party-inspired lamp is available at Anthropologie ($195). 

As the film's release date creeps closer and the minds of the artists are stretched beyond, I am sure there will be more fabulous creations to ogle over. 

Williamsburg Hosts Sport of Warlocks

UPDATE ON QUIDDITCH IN MCCARREN PARK:

Some of you requested pictures of the Harry Potter Quidditch game in Williamsburg that took place in June. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but found some photos online. Sorry to say, there were no flying broomsticks.

--------------- ORIGINAL POST----------

It's the game popular with Wizards, and recently just as real. But the imaginary sport of Quidditch may be crossing into the world of mere mortals.

This weekend MTV is hosting (and of course, shooting) a tournament in McCarren Park in Brooklyn. If you, unlike me, have actually read any of the Harry Potter books, then you know that those blessed with magical powers play this game on broomsticks.

However not even with their bottomless trust funds, can the bearded trendy Brooklynites buy one of those flying house sweepers. So the question is, how can Billyburgers retain their eternal hipsterhood if forced to run around a field clumsily attempting to hold a broom between their legs? Will their general earthlingness be exposed?

The answer to these questions and the general spectacle of idiocy will be revealed between 12-6pm this Saturday June 20th. Take the Mystical L train west and don't forget your magic wand and Warlock hat.

Reclaiming the Mart

The economy  is sinking, shops are closing, houses are being foreclosed and unemployment tips dangerously close to 10%. Yet one force is strong enough to withstand this economic slump- Wal-Mart.  

Big box retail stores that sell substandard Chinese products at enticingly low prices for the unemployed are reporting sales are up, up, up! 

Some are taking advantage of the recession, and the rest of the country's impoverished new status to upgrade to even bigger cement structures- vacating their old ugly behometh premises and leaving them as eyesores spotted along the suburban-side.  So what can we do with those abandoned stores besides leave them to be infested with rats?   

Two abandoned Wal-Marts outside of Austin,Texas have been modified to better use - defining 'better' as anything other than a Wal-Mart . 

One was turned into an indoor Go-Kart raceway.

And another more aptly modified into a Spam Museum.

A great way to recycle the largest most grotesque form of landscape butchery. 

Your Own Personal Jesus Snack

God appears to us in many forms and many places.  People have spotted Jesus in tree bark, on sidewalks, in wood cabinets, shower mold  and anywhere else he sees fit to show his humanly form.

The most interesting of these apparitions is that of the Cheeto. Why would a Holy icon would choose to materialize in an edible snack?  Only Cheesus knows.