Gearfuse

Have you ever dreamed that you too could be a mysterious super-awesome political street artist like Banksy? Here is your chance, no matter how lame it might be. The iBanksyMachine is basically a vending machine which doles out instant Banksy stenciling kits.

Included in the kits are stencils of some of Banksy’s most popular street pieces, along with spray paint and instructions on how to rip the guy off. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but this is ridiculous. There are an assortment of iBanksyMachines strewn across London. Let us know if you encounter one. And please, feel free to smash the fucking thing if you do. More Banksy-fakery after the jump.

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Benedict Radcliffe is an artist with a unique situation. He’s been creating beautiful fixed gear bikes over in London and the results are candy-like. Neon pink, orange, green and yellow adorn every angle of the bike, creating a look that even Naughty by Nature could appreciate. Too bad Benedict’s phone is ringing off the hook. The 1990s keep calling him; it wants the bike back.

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Across the pond, PS Lab designed this light sculpture for DOS Architects. It uses recycled car headlights and regular incandescent bulbs. I bet it looks great when the sun goes down, giving the room a glow that’s reminiscent of Bioshock. Know what I mean?

Regardless, it’s a nice use of old headlights. Maybe a night light made from an old headlight would work out nicely?

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You best be a full-blooded Englishman if I catch you buying this lamp. Yes, this is a lamp, not a phone booth as artist Finn Stone would like you to believe. For $6500, this gorgeous lamp can be yours. Of course at that price, you could afford a first class, week-long trip to London. I’ll let you decide which is the better deal.

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The light bulb. It’s a great invention and it really hasn’t been changed all that much over the years. London-based electronics company Hulger is trying to mix things up a bit with the Plumen, a bendable light bulb that you can twist into different shapes. While it’s not available for purchase yet, a working prototype can be seen at MoMA in NYC. I might have to check it out next week. Free admission on Fridays, bitches!

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For a long time, scientists have suspected that humans have an ancient history of drug use. Without any proof, such speculations become nothing more than the rantings of a scientist doped out on hallucinogens. Now, valid proof that humans from the Stone Age dabbled in the arts of “getting fucked up” have appeared on the Caribbean island of Carriacou.

Quetta Kaye of UCL and Scott Fitzpatrick, an archeologist from North Carolina State University, have discovered equipment used to prepare hallucinogenic drugs for sniffing. Additionally, the ceramic bowls they found date back to prehistoric South American tribes, which proves that humans have been taking drugs for longer than one might believe. Listen, just because one wipes their ass with a leaf doesn’t mean they’re less likely to do drugs. Who said druggies have to be civilized?

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Insa Heels is a new high end women’s shoes line made by London graffiti artist Insa and shoe designer Ruth Shaw. Their first style is called “The Cigarette and it will come in three different colorways. Read more to see the other Insa looks.

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You’re in London and Mom wants a birthday present. As a gardener, she’s bound to love butterflies. And she cooks a lot too! So I can bet she’s always checking the clock to make sure her famous mocha-chip cookies aren’t burnt. Why not order this lovely butterfly clock from the Design Shop? It’s a bit expensive at $211, but would you put a price tag on your own mother? Didn’t think so. Are you paying cash or credit?

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‘Cloud’ is an amazing kinetic scultpure that was designed for Bristish Airways’ new Terminal Five at Heathrow Airport by the art and design collective Troika. ‘Cloud’ uses 4,638 flip dots that are individually controlled by a computer to create amazing animations on the surface of the sculpture.

Flip dots were originally used back in the ’70s and ’80s to make moving signage. Since they’re often used in airports and train stations schedule boards, Troika felt they’d be a great medium to use for ‘Cloud’ because “sound they generate is also instantly reminiscent of travel.” After the jump, check out an incredible video of this beautiful sculpture in action.

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Bruno Taylor wants to make London a little more fun. As an artist and a provocateur, Bruno is aiming to add a little more cheer to the adult living in London. Currently, he’s hung a few playful swings on bus stops around London. This way, you can have a little fun before getting on that bus that drives you 45 minutes to work. Of course, what would it all this be without the project involving a social experiment of some sort:

“71% of adults used to play on the streets when they were young. 21% of children do so now. Are we designing children and play out of the public realm?

This project is a study into different ways of bringing play back into public space. It focuses on ways of incorporating incidental play in the public realm by not so much as having separate play equipment that dictates the users but by using existing furniture and architectural elements that indicate playful behaviour for all.

It asks us to question the current framework for public space and whether it is sufficient while also giving permission for young people to play in public.

Play as you go…” Bruno Taylor.

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