At JS.com we’re usually on the lookout for the latest and greatest, but sometimes we come across something that is too amazing to pass up. This beauty was hand-built by Henry Studley in the late 1800’s using mahogany, rosewood, walnut, ebony and mother of pearl — among other scraps — that he found working as a piano and organ builder. His tool-chest is packed with just about every tool (over 300) an 19th century piano maker would need. The craftsmanship is simply amazing and he didn’t waste an inch of space. I can’t even imagine how long it took to build. It is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

Via Boingboing

Spending the night at the museum may sound like a childish endeavor that would include sleeping bags and stories about the murderous ghost of the wax statue of Hernán Cortés. Fortunately, there is no wax statue of Hernán Cortés at the Guggenheim, but there is a bed. The museum’s Revolving Hotel Room art installation by artist Carsten Höller features an array of furnishings “resting atop three outfitted, superimposed turning glass discs mounted onto a fourth disc” that rotate in concert at a snail’s pace. Not only is this piece part of the museum’s anyspacewhatever exhibit running from October 24th to January 7th, but come closing time it morphs into an actual hotel room available for an overnight stay. Don’t expect to be able to hold a big party on the premises though, as at most only two people are allowed to stay in the exhibit each night. While the room comes complete with luxury amenities there’s no word on whether that includes room service.

The Japanese have a penchant for creating unique characters. They’ve more or less made brand mascots into an art form — just ask anyone who has become addicted to Pokemon or Hello Kitty. When MoMA announced that they’d be releasing their Destination Japan product collection, it seemed only natural that it have its own brand identity creature. Thanks to toy designer and retailer Kidrobot (along with Japanese design studio Devilrobots) they now have Mochi. Not only is Mochi a welcomed addition to the kawaii (cute) mascots menagerie, but eager collectors are already lusting after him (her? it?). The limited edition Mochi toy can be purchased at the MoMA store along with tons of other Eastern-inspired products. Get yours now!

Many museums serve to cover the evolution of a particular subject over a prolonged period of time. The TAG Heuer 360 Museum is unique in that it is a museum of time. The new institution, located on the ground floor of the TAG Heuer company headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, houses a rare collection of precision timepieces created by the world renowned watchmakers over the brand's 150 year history. The design of the exhibition was itself modeled to reflect “the intriguingly inaccessible space between the dial and crystal glass, where the hands of time are turned by an inexplicable force from within. This spatial layer, steeped in both mystery and science, is architecturally articulated by the 3 major elements that together define the museum.” The museum's design, produced courtesy of “ducks Sceno”, and with the help of CARBONDALE and TAG Heur, presents visitors with an ultra-artistic panoramic view that certainly makes for jaw dropping scenery.

You may remember the post I made about BetterWall last Fall– to refresh your memory, they’re a Colorado company that sells those savory limited-quantity banners you see at museum exhibits. They recently made two noteworthy additions to their roster– a Gustav Klimt banner and an Egon Schiele banner. You may be thinking “I’m not going to hang a banner in my living room– that’s tacky,” but as you can kind of see with these photos, these banners are gorgeous. From a decor standpoint, they add something unique and dramatic– sure to be a conversation starter. The Klimt will run you $979, but hurry, these have sold like hot cakes and there’s only one left; the Schiele is $885 and there appear to be 10 in stock.

As part of the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art group show called Side by Side, Mark Moskovitz is showing the first piece in his Future Perfect Series. It’s entitled Future Perfect 01, and the inspiration and story behind the piece is really what drew me to it. Mark’s idea was to juxtapose antiquated and primarily obsolete technique with modern materials and technology in order to enhance how we think about objects both proactively and retroactively, hopefully creating a dialogue that can be at first hypersensitive and later blind to the linear history that created them. In theory, putting together conditions of different eras magically imagines other entire sets of questions, solutions, and aesthetics, perhaps one day helping to positively reinvent the wheel. The construction of Future Perfect 01 is all hand cut (no power-tools at all), and utilizes custom-designed joinery, which means that it’s held together by itself, and not by fasteners like nails, screws, or glue. The frame is 100% HDPE plastic, and the webbing is polyester cord. It will be at the Cleveland MOCA until May 13th, and I urge any of you who will be in the Cleveland area to go have a look at Future Perfect 01 and the other ‘up close and personal’ art in the Side by Side Exhibit.

I spent a few hours checking out the National Palace Museum– one way to get out of the sweltering 87° heat here. I’ve always loved Eastern art, especially sculpture (the Buddha collection was mind blowing) and the scriptures and paintings were also great, all older than I can even fathom. There was a section of ancient stamps I also really enjoyed. It was nice to see one of the most well-known museums in the world which holds some of Taiwan and China’s most precious treasures. Unfortunately it looks like I just missed the Old is New ‘Modern T-Shirt Design Competition‘ that was held at the musuem just a few days ago. The t-shirt competition website is in Chinese, which I’m not so hot at reading– so looks like I’m out of luck on that one.

Located in Museumplein Square, the Rijks Museum houses the largest collection, almost 1,000,000 objects, of art in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, due to a 6 year renovation effort that began in 2003, only a small portion of the museum was open, but if this is a preview of things to come I can't wait to get back and see the rest. Not only is the art intricate and beautifully arranged, the space in which it’s housed deserves some credit as well. The walls are adorned with fleur de lis-esque patterns in a two tone color scheme, giving them the appearance of satin as you move from room to room, and the transparent, cylindrical central elevator is surrounded by a large, wooden spiral staircase. Concrete floors, amazingly high ceilings, and thousands of lighting fixtures create an environment perfect for taking in some of the most respected art in the world. Don't miss the Really Rembrandt Collection, it runs through May 24, 2006