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Despite the playfulness of his current Small Skyscraper architecture/art installation, make no mistake: it's a burden to be Chris Burden. 

He's been shot in the arm, nailed to a VW beetle, electrocuted and crucified. He's even taken out prime time ads in Los Angles and New York. He's done it all throughout the 70s and 80s in the name of performance art.

More recently, Burden has focused on sculptural installations. His Urban Light  installation (pictured above) features 202 found street lights, and is a permanent fixture (pun definitely intended) at LACMA (DIY tip: you can shop Euro Style Lighting's selection of post lights if you'd like to build your own Urban Light replica).

However, it's Burden's current work, Small Skyscraper (pictured at the top of this post and below), that finally compelled me to write about the artist. 

On view at Pasadena's One Colorado, Small Skyscraper is a playful adaption to a Los Angeles County building code loophole (since closed) that allows buildings to be built up to 400 sq. ft. and 35 feet high without permits. This fun, if a bit impractical, four story piece actually combines for an impressive 1600 sq. ft. of floor space. Small Skyscraper was inspired by a loophole Burden first discovered in 1991 when building his studio on rugged terrain in an unincorporated section of Los Angeles County. The installation itself may be up to code; his documentation of it below, however, is probably less than sufficient for the permit process:

Work like Burden's is hard to commodify, and yet in an age when museum attendees are asked to exit through the gift shop, I feel like I should leave you with something to purchase. So in that spirit, the following are a few floor lamps that, unlike Small Skyscraper, are nearly certain to conform to building codes for the foreseeable future.

Possini Euro Three Tier Wood Slat Frosted Glass Floor Lamp (left), Rattan Rectangular Column 40" High Floor Lamp (right)

See Small Skyscraper between now and November 11, 2012, at One Colorado in Pasadena. The exhibition is presented by the Armory Center for the Arts.

Images: Architect's Newspaper, Telegraph, Grupa O.K.

Hipster neighborhoods are those trendy communities boasting the most lauded food trucks and farmers markets, a multicultural blend of residents with eclectic professions, and a booming arts scene.

Hey, California residents, don't you want to know if you live in one? Or, maybe you're planning a move? Don't worry if you don't live in California, the whole country is full of them! 

North Park, San Diego (top image) is home to Craftsman cottages,cafes and diners. The North Park Theater and the Ray Street Arts District are hubs of creativity for the community.

Uptown, Oakland (above) made the cut due to its rapid growth in the "cool" category. New restaurants, bars and coffee shops have been opening weekly, with the best farmers markets in the country.

The Mission District in San Francisco (above) is populated with amazing diversity and has the largest concentration of street art and building murals in the city.

The Silver Lake community in Los Angeles (above) is made up of a wide range of creatives including graphic designers, actors, artists, etc. But, Silver Lake is also home to some of the most cutting-edge Modernist architecture in North America.

If you're wondering about other parts of the country, you can read the full article on Forbes.

Images: Forbes

The end of summer doesn't mean the end of bold vibrant colors, especially when used in modern artwork! The stunning geometric artworks by Francesco Lo Castro can hold their own in any space.  

For over a decade, Francesco Lo Castro has been South Florida’s gateway  to the national New Contemporary art scene, as both a respected artist and as a curator of exceptional art exhibitions. And it's pretty obvious why!

This piece titled Eulenspiege, 2012 is created with oil, acrylic, silkscreen, spray paint, layered epoxy resin and gold leaf on wood. It's these layers that have you staring for hours!

Choosing just one piece of LoCastro's work would be a challenge! I'm imagining these prints not just as artwork, but on modern decorative pillows, throws, and even bold geometric rugs. Keep your home bright and alive this winter by incorporating bold modern decor. And if you get your hands on a piece of LoCastro's work...I salute you!

Images: Francesco LoCastro

How many of you have had the incredible opportunity to experience Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock desert? Each year the photos prove that it's something everyone should experience just once. Burning Man Festival is a pop-up city so incredible that tens of thousands of people return to the desert each year to be part of this and cut themselves off from civilization.

This year marked the 26th anniversary which was a huge success, per usual. The Temple (above) is one of the most picture-perfect modern art installations of the entire festival.

Artists, techies, hippies, dreamers, corporate professionals and children attend Burning Man. Many are involved not just during this week long adventure, but year round. Whether building, creating, or investing the community invests many hours throughout the year to make their vision come to life.

This art installation titled La Llorona rests on the Playa as if it's been shipwrecked here for years. Nautical themed accessories are great not only for the home, but apparently for the desert as well.

There are many simple words that when seen standing alone in the desert have a whole new meaning. Love and community are at the core of this festival and you can't walk away from it without being impacted.

As the darkness falls, the fire lights up the skies over this pop-up city. Not nearly the same effect, using cool outdoor lighting will help you see without burning down the neighborhood.

This installation called Burn Wall Street is a political piece with a neutral point of view. A piece like this takes about 50 people, three months, and $100,000 to build.  Talk about dedication.  

Of course, Burning Man wouldn't be complete without its infamous "burning of the Man" ceremony, an interactive spectacle that involves dancers, music, fire and the destruction of a giant statue of a man and a corresponding temple.

Is Burning Man on your bucket list...because it's definitely on mine!  If you want a little taste of Burning Man check out Decompression in your city or stay updated with this year round calendar.

Images: Lolita Abraham, Guardian, Architizer

Infused veneer is an amazing new collection of art wood panels from companies like B+ N Industries. There are hundreds of innovative and unique graphics that are infused on a variety of wood species, such as maple, cherry, and walnut. Each panel is 48" x 96" and is great for creating dramatic walls in restaurant or retail design, but can also be an amazing accent in your own home.

The "Shanghai" wood art above look amazing when mixed with bold red chairs and accessories. Try mixing this panel with a red chandelier and add drama into any space!

ASTI RED GLASS 31 3/4-INCH-W CHANDELIER LIGHT

A classic "American flag" panels would work so well in many applications. Can't you just see these cladding the wall of  your nearby Levi's store. Mix these panels with industrial lighting and you've got the feel of an old General Store.  

INDUSTRIAL CAGE EDISON BULB RUST METAL TABLE LAMP

We know that graffiti artist in you has always wanted to write on the walls, but we also know most of us don't have the skills that these artists do. If you want to add that modern urban edge into your space these graphic graffiti panels are the perfect way to do so. Mix the panels with modern black pendant lighting and the space is sure to be a show stopper.

POSSINI EURO PLANET CHROME AND BLACK PENDANT CHANDELIER

The Antique Silhouette Collection in Old Frames is set off with a classic mid-century modern chaise and leather travel duffel in the image above. If you want to add a bit more glitz and glam into the space incorporate an elegant pendant light. The mixture of vintage and glam is a timeless look that could be perfect in a new intimate lounge.  

ARTCRAFT CLAREMONT BLACK 23" WIDE OVAL NICKEL CHANDELIER

I'm really looking forward to seeing more and more applications of the wood art panels. Do you want to really get your creative adrenaline flowing? Check out the entire collection of architectural panels right here!

Images: B + N Industries