Prepare to be amazed. Presenting the Robotergestÿtzter Graffitikurs.

If being a Grup means being 36, and having a job, and using a messenger bag instead of a briefcase, and staying out too late too often, and owning more pairs of sneakers (fifteen) than suits (one), and downloading the latest Codec & Flexor song from iTunes, and generally being uneasy and slightly confused about just what it means to be an adult in these modern times—in short, if it means living your life in fundamentally the same way that you did when you were, say, 22—then, let’s face it, I’m a Grup.

Phaidon has just released Phaidon Design Classics. A 3 volume set containing the ultimate selection of design classics, chosen by a panel of designers, architects, auctioneers, critics and curators. Each object is beautifully illustrated and accompanied by text written by a design expert. The set is presented in a unique carrying unit.

Calling all LA Robots! Be sure to head over to The Stone Bar (5221 Hollywood Blvd) this Wednesday for the minimal house and electro stylings of M.A.N.D.Y., one of Berlin's hottest live acts. They've made quite a name for themselves as performers, recently opening for the likes of Royksopp and Mylo, and now's your chance to catch them live in this exclusive Los Angeles performance. More information at Droid Behavior.

It is a splendid experience to watch someone say what needs to be said. In this case, it's James Spader on the show Boston Legal. He may be talking to a fictional jury, but he's really talking to every American. Never was the case for democracy so articulately and compellingly -- and entertainingly -- distilled into an argument that lasts just a few minutes.

Video here (Mac users will need Flip4Mac to play Windows Media Format)

Morrissey fan and celebrated author Douglas Coupland flies halfway around the world to meet the singer in Rome and records his impressions after 105 minutes spent with him.

... He's 46 and makes no attempt to 'young himself up'. Admirable.

... He doesn't mind being recognised in public but doesn't like the notion that he has to look 'good' or a certain way.

... His head (this is really weird, and I hope it doesn't go outside the boundaries of taste) is enormous. It's like a huge Charlie Brown parade float head. I walked into the bar to meet him and I saw this guy across the room with this massive head and I thought to myself, 'Man, that's one massive head', and it was Morrissey.

This and many more insightful observations in Coupland's exclusive interview for the Guardian UK.

Via burnlab

For your Friday listenting pleasure, LA's very own Matt (a.k.a. "Mount") Sims and his Jewel Hinged Jaw mix. Enjoy!

Sony's New ICFM-1000, aka "The Radio" is an elegant table radio that is far more striking than any fun new products released out of Cupertino. Designed by Hemant Jha at Sony's Santa Monica Design Center with input from yours truly, the ICFM-1000 was a study in adherence to function and simple form, and inspired by the work of Dieter Rams, Henry Kloss and other design pioneers. Surely destined to become a classic.

Finally, the world of Katamari is going portable. Me & My Katamari ($40 Amazon; March 22) brings all the excitement and adventure of Katamari Damarcy to the PSP with a new storyline and several new features including wireless multi-player for up to four people.

Santino was robbed! I'm so angry I could spit. Ugh! On the upside, over 2,700 people have voted on Santino's blog and feel his next venture should be a sitcom with Andre. Andre? Where's Andre?

Friday night started off with a bang thanks to the talented and humorous London electro-pop quintet otherwise known as Hot Chip. In spite of the jet lag, they performed an excellent set at The Echo including several songs from their as-yet-unnamed new album coming out later this year. If you missed the show, you can check out some Real streams of their live sessions at the BBC.

Also, living in LA affords one plenty of opportunities to bump into so-called celebrities, but typically I'm just not interested. Sure, there are some insteresting folks we run into all the time, but this weekend I bumped into a couple who I really admire and consider a creative tour-de-force, not once, but twice both in Santa Monica and in Silverlake. I have to admit, I was a little verklempt! Ladies, gentlemen and autonomous beings I give you Mike and Miranda.

Weekly Pick: The Presets

From Modular People, the same Aussie label that brought you last year's brilliant Bright Like Neon Love from Cut Copy come the electro punk sounds of The Presets. Their new single from their album Beams, Are You The One? has been described as “English Soccer Hoodlum meets Brazilian house music.” A must listen for anyone wanting a ruckus on the dancefloor. In fact, rumor has it that Soulwax have also invited them to play with them in April.

Check out the video for Are You The One? (Quicktime)
Read an interview
Buy from Amazon
See them live in LA on 3/21 at Cinespace

And while you're marking your calendar, don't forget to mark of 5/2 when Ladytron will be performing at the El Rey.

They Love Me Not

Thanks to Jupiter for setting me straight on the aforementioned Lexus Flower. As I had previously posted, Lexus did in fact lease the flower for its PR event at the Chicago Auto Show, however the flower’s origins had nothing to do with Lush Camp’s beautiful but relatively simple bloom. In fact the fully mobile Giant Flower was created by Los Angeles-based Burning Man artists at The Do Lab (a collaboration with Patrick Shearn and Abundant Sugar) and is a remarkable feat of engineering featuring color changing LED's, full robotic articulation capabilities and the ability to mist overheated admirers with a welcoming blast of cool water. There are plenty of gorgeous shots worth checking out at the Burning Man website.