Yoffy’s artwork is clean, smooth, and even dynamic– he uses simple shapes and color to evoke emotion, memories, and creates a ‘visual’ language with his work. His a Tetris painting is just great, paying homage to Tetris, one of the most classic and timeless video games, as well as my all around favorite video game ever. Some of his other pieces capture funky-sexy 70’s style trendy afros, and political statements about peace. It’s clear his inspiration in the vibrant colors comes from folks like Andy Warhol and Patrick Caulfield. He also says he’s inspired by the austere design work in a clockwork orange, 2001: a space odyssey, and even as he puts it ‘the smooth organic forms’ from architect Frank Gerhy.

THECAST meticulously discolors, massages, and distresses each of there shirts over a 3 day process to really give their clothing line a true worn in feel– or as they once put it “a soul”. New clothes have no ’soul’, everyone knows that! THECAST’s fall/winter ‘05 collection is entitled “Young America”, and should be available for sale on their website soon (shown is a preview of a featured t-shirt from the line). Although a bit pricey, the shirts are literally works of art. This season they’ve chosen a series of American outlaws, Victorian pin-ups, and various other novelties, to be hand screened onto their signature ‘hand worked’ t-shirts. If you can’t wait, check out what’s left in the Summer ‘05 and Winter ‘04 collections– they’re really great.

Traveling to Vietnam anytime soon? Interested in traditional Vietnamese food? There are two new food blogs online covering the foodie scene in both Hanoi and Saigon. Sticky Rice, and Noodlepie cover everything from fruits to vegetables, oysters to noodles, as well as restaurant recommendations and loads of extremely graphic ‘food’ pictures–some are more appetizing than others. I checked the stats, and apparently I’ve got a handful of readers from Vietnam… this post is for you!