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Map Magazine has a readership of over 110,000 Australians providing “the latest in fashion, design, arts, entertainment, green, habitat, pop culture with a conscience and global thinking.”
This month they put out an “Eat” issue. As our tagline says “You are what you eat off” and Ink Dish was happy to included. They have a great shot of Irezumi, our Japanese Dinnerware, or better still Japanese tattoo inspired dinnerware.
You can read the entire April issue using a really cool digital reader here: http://digital.mapmagazine.com.au
TATTOOED
tableware
With designs that are so delicate and appealing you could have them tattooed on your skin, Ink Dish has created a signature collection of plates and mugs too good to eat off. The patterns on the dishware resemble intricate Japanese tattoos and have been created by developing a decal (print transfer) photographically from the original art. This gives the tableware the most accurate reproduction. Imagine eating a bowl of soupy udon noodles out of an ink dish bowl at your coffee table – you just might feel as if you were really in Japan.
The more cities I visit the more unique stores I come across. I.D. Chicago is the fusion of contemporary furniture, dinnerware and eyewear. Steven has a great eye for design, and his partner Greg is licensed to make sure our eyes are seeing straight.
According to Design Sponge”"ID Chicago is a great design shop that carries really unique home accessories, furniture and even eyewear if you’re in the market for some new specs.”
In addition to great design, the reason we knew the that Ink Dish’s contemporary dinnerware was a great fit was I.D.’s emphasis on the stories behind the products they carry. Paul Timman is one the of the top tattoo artists in the world and I.D. understands the value in that. We aren’t the only one’s to see that: “In my experience the very best.. I mean to say whatever they carry, they make sure it’s interesting and beautiful. I would challenge anyone to find a piece that doesn’t have a story in this upscale boutique.” – Yelper
If you are looking for contemporary dinnerware or eyeglasses in Chicago check out I.D. In their own words, “In a conscious departure from the traditional and trendy design, I.D. brings a modern point of view to Chicago’s Northside. I.D. features modern furnishings for the person who creates their own personal style… Everyone at I.D. Chicago believes that your style should reflect WHO YOU ARE. For designs that allow you to LIVE WHO YOU ARE…visit I.D.”
We have been available in L.A. for a while now, but I am happy to announce that we have just added a great retailer in Silver Lake, an area that is a great fit for Urban Dinnerware like Ink Dish. Silver Lake is bohemian neighborhood just east of Hollywood “inhabited by a wide variety of ethnicities and socioeconomic groups, but it is best known as an eclectic gathering of hipsters, the creative class and a noticeable presence of LGBT people.: (Wikipedia)
Of course Yolk would be a perfect for us no matter where it was. A little about Maria in her own words: “One: I am obsessed wth color, in every bright shade and clashing combo. Two: All of the Scandinavian design stuff that I grew up with (being a Swede) is still some of the most beautiful stuff out there (think big Marimekko prints, simple oak furniture and crazy wooden toys). Three: A store should be somewhere that makes you feel warm and fuzzy, especially when it’s in such a cool neighborhood like Silverlake.”
To quote a Los Angeleno on Yelp: “This place IS INTERIOR HEAVEN”.
Wacko (Soap Plant) in 1974
I don’t know whether to start with the man, the store, the gallery, or the history. The story of Wacko on Hollywood Blvd. in L.A. is a long one. Paul Timman introduced me to this store. Paul needed some reference materials for Irezumi tattoo designs and said that wacko was the mecca for tattoo art books in L.A. The shop is great resource for anything tattoo related, but it is a lot more. “It’s the down and dirty underbelly of art. You know all the really cool stuff that most places aren’t hip to yet…and probably never will be.” – Los Angeles Black Book
Wacko / Soap Plant has been around for more than 30 years in L.A. from Melrose to Sunset to its home sine 2000 on Hollywood Blvd. The store and attached art gallery was founded and is run to this day by Billy Shire.
“La Luz de Jesus Gallery was established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California as the brainchild of entrepreneur and art collector Billy Shire. Shire is considered largely responsible for fostering a new school of art in Los Angeles prompting JUXTAPOZ Magazine to dub him “the Peggy Guggenheim of Lowbrow.”
La Luz de Jesus showcases mainly figurative, narrative paintings, and unusual sculpture. The exhibitions are considered post-pop; the art content ranges from folk to outsider to religious to sexually deviant. The gallery’s main objective is to bring underground artists and counter culture to the masses.
The gallery opens a new exhibit every month, with an opening reception that Details Magazine calls “the biggest and best party in Los Angeles.”
Wacko is a must see if you are in L.A., even if you don’t need a book on Irezumi Tattoo Art just walk in and look around. Ink Dish is very happy to have been picked to live there. As one Yelper said of Wacko “A needle in the LA haystack.” If you are stuck in the house there are some great old photos, business cards, and store calenders on their website. http://www.soapplant.com
Wacko in 2000 on Hollywood Blvd
