“A Recent History of Writing and Drawing is an exhibition that explores the evolving relationship between technologies of communication and their users. It is a project by the programmer / designer Jürg Lehni and the graphic designer Alex Rich, curated by design historian Emily King, and involves a variety of interactive and non-interactive devices for writing and drawing.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is Viktor, a large wall-drawing machine that is controlled by an adapted version of ordinary design software and powered by small industrial motors. On Thursday evenings the gallery will host a variety of speakers – including designers, artists and musicians – who are themselves known for using technologies in more or less orthodox ways. During these events Viktor will trace accompanying material on the gallery wall, the image remaining in place for the following week.

Other exhibits include a machine for creating hole-punched posters, and a specially-adapted handheld printer, and all of the works will allow visitors to explore the relationship between technology and expression. Moving away from the blunt duality of man vs. machine, it is now possible to appreciate the particular qualities of various forms of mechanical and digital mark-making. Technologies can be enjoyed for their poetry and exploited for their spare capacity – their ability to undertake tasks not foreseen by their makers.

Lehni, the creator of Viktor, is interested in the nature of tools, and reworks technologies to suit his own needs, often defying the apparent closure of proprietary software. After seeing one of Lehni’s drawing machines at work, Rich – a deft observer of accidental meaning – opened a discussion with the designer about the machine’s historical and cultural context. Since this time the pair have had an ongoing exchange about the tools of communication and the potential of customised and corralled technology.”

On view at the ICA, London, until months end.

The first US exhibition in 20 years to rethink abstract expressionism and its surrounding movements, Action/Abstraction: Pollock, de Kooning, and American Art, 1940-1976 is up at the Jewish Museum in New York until September 21. The works of 32 artists are presented and viewed from the perspective of rival art critics, the artists and popular culture. This attempt to fuse a variety of thought points is an excellent review of the material and a nuanced approach to understanding the full impact of artmovements. 

International art stars, performers, photographers, Gilbert & George have challenged the art world since the 1970s, creating in their words "Art For All." They engage directly with pertinent contemporary issues, finding inspiration almost always directly outside their East London door. The pair met at Central St.Martins and established their reputation with a performance piece The Singing Sculptures. Milwaukee Art Museum is one of three US venues to host the Gilbert & George retrospective organized by the Tate Modern. In addition, the museums website features a very well put together online version of the material and a great introduction to the duo for those who are unfamiliar with their work. Check it out here. The live version stays in Milwaukee until September 1.

A rather impressive book has been released in conjunction with the exhibition as well.

Usually we would not report about Italian designer Roberto Cavalli. His mens collections are not really our style. Nevertheless we have to give it to him for designing some pretty sexy Coca-Cola Light bottles for the Italian market.

"For Fall 2008, the chic’est bevvy on the block will undoubtedly be Coke Light in bottles designed by Cavalli. The limited run of 300,000 bottles will be distributed exclusively in Italy from September through December. "I had a lot of fun creating three different "dresses" for the legendary silhouette of the Coca Cola Light Contour. They are seductive and feminine, in typical Cavalli style. They’re designed for the world of young people, which has always been a great inspiration to me," notes the designer." Via Fashiontribes.

Something for Cavalli fans and collectors. Keep your eyes open on your next Italy trip.

See the full bottle set after the jump.

There is an exhibit currently running at the Truman Brewery is London featuring a slewof artists’ work inspired by the sponsor, Havana Club Especial’s, bottle. ‘100 Pieces of Havana’ is a one-off exhibition showcasing some of today’s finest artistic talent. The inspiration for this project is the Havana Club Especial bottle, and the artists have interpreted the bottle in any way they like.

There are some notable names participating including, Kai and Sunny (pictured above), of the apparel label Call of the Wild,  Dave White, Gasius, Jun Watanabe, I Have Pop?, She One, INSA, and Aesthetic Apparatus.

Dray Walk Gallery, Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL, London, United Kingdom. Runs from now until July 28th, 2008 at 6:00 pm. Via NewDandyism.

Dover Street Market is receiving all their Autumn/Winter 2008 collections this week. For the occasion they have also commissioned artist Jamie Reid to give their windows a new look. 

It is well worth passing by the store, not only for the goodies inside, but also for the art outside.

Personal communication in increasingly public venue is the topic explored through the Maine College of Art Institute of Contemporary Art’s new show, SEND. Five artists, working in different media, explore how method changes what communication can mean. Visitors are encouraged to interact as well, and are given a chance to text inthoughts and ideas. 

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.

Colette might be shut for renovation, but that doesn’t stop the Parisian store from displaying interesting and thought provoking art pieces. While the interior is being redone, the exterior provides a space for British designer Anthony Burrill to play on the notion of closer. Thanks to It’s Nice That for the heads up. 

Growing up on a small pig farm in rural Western Kentucky has given Neil Powell a singular perspective on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, the shadow of loneliness, and the underappreciated ability to castrate a hog. Much of his childhood was spent in isolation, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the countryside and the inescapable ugliness of poverty and addiction. Neils work searches for meaning and understanding of these experiences and how they have led him down his life path. By obsessively documenting the personalities of small town life, their often-conflicting attitudes and his emotional struggle to leave for something better, the resulting images take the form of maps, diagrams and schematics that have been described as modern day hieroglyphics.

Powell’s Down by the Side of the Road opens tonight at 222 Gallery, located at 451 N. Fairfax, LA, California. The show runs until August 1.