Organized by London’s RS&A, the “Art of Chess” is an ongoing touring exhibition. Leading contemporary artists (for example, Damien Hirst and Paul McCarthy take the chess board as basis for their own creative interpretation of the game. McCarthy incorporates the contents of a pantry, Hirst focuses more on the games interactions within the mind. The latest incarnation of the exhibition is currently on view in Dublin at the Sebastian Guinness Gallery. Included is a newly created short film by Gavin Turk, a still of which you can see above. The exhibition will be on view in Dublin until October 9.

Via: ArtInfo

View the chess sets devised for “The Art of Chess” by Hirst and McCarthy after the jump.

To mark this years start of the Frieze Art Fair, UK label Mulberry has teamed  up with Fred Gallery and some of their artists to create limited edition versions of some of their bags.

"Philip Jones, Peter Jones, Kate Davis, Simon English and Paul Hosking are the artists taking part, having been commissioned by Mulberry to create unique prints for its Calder tote. The latest of a raft of artist/ bag collaborations we’ve seen over the past few years from the big accessory houses, limited-edition versions of these bags will be available from the flagship space. It’s not the first time Mulberry has teamed up with an artist – they collaborated with fashion illustrator Julie Verhoeven for A/W 07 – but this time work will be exhibited alongside the products on sale." Via D&C.

The collaboration will begin in September and carry on through October to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park.

Nike worked together with Bob Haro on recreating his original BMX number plate as an artist canvas. The number plate was then given to several artists, including Michael Lau, Tet from WTAPS, Greg Higgins, Lee Basford and others to create their version of the plate. The final BMX number plates were exhibited at the Nike Beijing BMX event a couple of weeks ago.
The Shadow Conspiracy crew also participated and now put a nice feature on the exhibition online. Check out the feature here.
Check out our Michael Lau Interview feature at the same event here.
And have a look at some of our favorite number plates after the jump.

Thanks to Lil’ Wayne a lot of buzz around styrofoam has been flitting through the popular press. But, there is much more to the material than what narcotics are held inside a cup. From insulation to modeling building to packaging, styrofoam is a widely adaptable material. Styrofoam at Rhode Island School of Design investigates how artists have reacted to, employed and explored the potential of stryofoam in their work. The work of artists featured, like Sol LeWitt, adapts the use of styrofoam and pushes the boundaries of art and sculpture. The show is up until July. 

Arkitip has become one of our favorite art magazines in recent years, not only because of content, but also because the overall package was always interesting and worth collecting. Now their latest issue 46 has been released and once again they put some very special together.
Issue 46 comes with 3 covers, created by Kevin Lyons, Michael Leon and ben Drury. You can get one or collect them all. The issue includes editorials from Studio von Birken/Ben Pogue, Tony Arcabascio, Nieves, C.R. Stecyk III, Frank Novak and Joshua Gregory. Each issue comes with a blank Beams T x Arkitip t-shirt and each issue comes with a heat transfer sheet designed by the cover artist, that you can then apply to the t-shirt.
A great idea. As usual the issue comes hand packaged and limited to 1500 sets.
Get yours now here.

First Magazine was started in Kingston, Jamaica in December 2004 by a group of partners from various areas of expertise who were interested in creating a new Jamaican publication that was of a high standard.
Thanks to the the vision and assistance of Lithographic Printers in Kingston, First published four issues and 40,000 copies of the 7×7 inch magazine. The magazine was critically acclaimed and impossible to duplicate since it was structure-less; dependent on the unique and unpredictable nature of daily life as opposed to themes or subjects aimed at target groups.
After publishing the fourth issue in late 2005, First went on hiatus and the partners returned to their respective careers, until late 2007 when it was decided that First should make a return.
With a shift towards a web-driven model accompanied by an annual print issue, the new First remains true to its original intent while providing a powerful new platform for new contributors drawn from around the world–but all leading back to the foundation in Kingston.
As before, the magazine will reflect upon modern life in Jamaica, and like Jamaicans themselves, it will continually look outward – observing, absorbing and reinventing the world surrounding it.
One of the founding people behind First Magazine is Peter Dean Rickards (aka The Affflicted Yard – Interview with him here).
Make sure to have a look at the new online version of the magazine, it’s well worth it!

We announced the Nike “Being True – 22 years of American Youth” exhibition in Los Angeles a couple of days ago. Thanks to Eddie Cruz, we can give you a look at the works on display.
Curated by Aaron Rose, the exhibition showcases photography by Tim Barber, Angela Boatwright, Kenneth Cappello, Poppy De Villeneuve, Cheryl Dunn, Naomi Harris, Alex Hoerner, Drew Jarrett, Alain Levitt, Jeaneen Lund, Ari Marcopoulos, Dan Murphy, Jason Nocito, Patrick O’Dell, Mike Piscitelli, David Ransone, Terry Richardson, Jamel Shabazz, David Perez (Shadi), Brent Stewart, Ray Potes, Tobin Yelland.
As you can see, a very strong line-up and definitely worth passing by. More pictures after the jump.

While the art and design worlds are trying to reconcile their differences and work together, Cary Lietzes of ARTCO is working to bring artists and major corporations closer, by creating branding that is visually stimulating and unique. Design has a long history of struggle with the mass market but Lietzes has pioneered a fresh approach to the subject and carved out an intricate niche for herself and the artists and brands with which she works.
Using her knowledge of fashion, marketing and publishing, Lietzes recognized the need for new blood in the marketing world and identified current artists whose forward thinking and creativity suited these needs. Hence, ARTCO’s current project with Pepsi is not surprising, but is refreshing.
ARTCO has assembled 10 artists to design the Pepsi cans for the company’s 4 biggest markets. The 10 different designs will be sold worldwide, with the new designs rolling out in select countries before expanding to more locations throughout the year.
Participating artists included DZINE, Jon Burgerman and many others. Via Vista Art & Design.

Zozo has launched the Artist iGoogle Museum, which is in fact a virtual museum where various artists provided background designs for the iGoogle desktop. You can download the backgrounds for free at Zozo. Participating artists included Bape, Tado, Yurika, Airside, Hysteric Glamour and many others.

For Issue 45, Arkitip got for the second time together with artist Evan Hecox. The artist also chose to include the works of Cody Hudson and Todd St. John. The issue is more of a catalogue than a periodical and is printed in a limited numbered edition of overall 200.
Each issue includes one signed 9 x 12 In. 2 color silk screen print on 120 lbs. cover stock. All packaged neatly in a hand stamped, string and button envelope.
Available here.