.....useless wooden toys

NOTE FOR ALL AUCTION WINNERS

2007-06-03T18:55:00.000-05:00

Congrats! The clocks will be back in Montreal in one week, at that point yours will be shipped out if you've payed for it, if not please pay by June 11th so we can ship em all out together.

Cheers!

Mike

// THANKS !!!!

2007-05-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

Well my friends all good things must come to an end..... The Auction was a sucess and so was the closing party (pics to be posted soon) Thanks to everyone who took part and bid on the clocks, looks like we raised about $3,000 for the cause.....

If you liked this years concept...just wait till part deux!! We will be posting later in the year about the next show so be sure to add yourself to our "e-mailed updates" in the right column if you want to keep informed. If you want to get involved as a sponsor,venue or artist drop us a line....

Thanks All!
The useless team

// BIDS END IN JUST OVER AN HOUR!!!!

2007-05-26T22:42:00.000-05:00

I know I posted about bids ending on Sunday, and they technically do, just way earlier than I had planned......Now is your last chance to snag an awesome clock, go now!!!!(Auction Link on the Right!!)

/// IT AINT OVER TILL IT'S OVER

2007-05-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

YOU'VE GOT TILL SUNDAY!!! GET OVER TO THE AUCTION SITE!!!!!

// A COUPLE MORE ADDITIONS

2007-04-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

Adrift skateshop in Toronto has been nice enough to host our final show (May 10th to 27th), to celebrate, we've added two of Lindsay's (store owners) picks and they just finished up their clocks....check em out, the first one is by Justin Pape from www.wekillyou.net and the second is by Nathan Olokun - Adrift's Art Director. They will be added to the auction site in about 24hrs...

// ANTISOCIAL GALLERY

2007-03-12T15:53:00.000-05:00

The show's on the move! here's a couple pics of it at Antisocial in Vancouver, it was only up for a short time but we were stoked for them to accomodate. Make sure to stop by the shop and gallery if you are in the Van area the caliber of art on show there is top notch........Next Stop is Norml in Ottawa March 16th!

// TIM BARNARDS CLOCK

2007-02-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

This one requires a closer look.... (photo matderome 33mtl)

// LIAM'S CLOCK

2007-02-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

champion. (pic matderome 33mtl)

// DSTRBO'S CLOCK

2007-02-15T18:35:00.001-05:00

Sweet Stencil....(pic matderome 33mtl)

// BEN TOUR'S CLOCK

2007-02-15T18:33:00.000-05:00

Beautiful... (pic matderome 33mtl)

// JODY'S CLOCK

2007-02-15T18:24:00.000-05:00

Jody (aka gives) clock is sweet, it's got some real nice die-cut vinyl on it. (Piccie taken by Matderome of 33mtl)

// RICK KLOTZ CLOCK.

2007-02-15T18:20:00.000-05:00

The note that came in the shipping box said:

"Time Stood Still" - Mixed Medium (Mostly hammer and concrete)
This Piece symbolizes the frustration of having too many important things to do, but not enough time to do them.

Feel free to comment........

// OFF THE HOOK- GALLERY VIDEO

2007-02-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

/// BLOG IT UP!!!

2007-02-14T12:03:00.000-05:00

// PICS FROM "OFF THE HOOK" AUCTION LAUNCH PARTY!!!!

2007-02-14T11:38:00.000-05:00

The kids over at 33 mag were cool enough to take some nice pics of the launch show at off the hook, check all of them out HERE
(some of the clockfaces look a little crazy, that's just cause the camera sometimes picks them up half way through a cycle, rest assured they all work like champs!!!)

// SO FAR SO GOOD!!!!

2007-02-13T10:27:00.000-05:00

The show at "Off the Hook" was killer last night, the turnout was awesome and the feedback about the caliber of the artwork was top notch. We will get up some pics of the event in the upcoming days.....I will also be updating some "crisper/cleaner" images of the clocks on the auction site as well as soting out the links etc in the next few days....Stay Tuned and happy bidding!!!

/// WE ARE LIVE!!!!

2007-02-12T20:16:00.000-05:00

GO HERE FOR THE AUCTIONS!!!!

// MIKE CARTER'S CLOCK

2007-02-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

Mike Carters clock is sick. Not sick like vom sick, but sick like evel knievel jumping over 40 school buses on a 300 pound harley in a skin tight white leather suit sick.

// RESPECT TO NATAS

2007-02-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

My friend Garry sent me the link to this, enjoy. Anyone who sends me a link to the mp3 of the song that's playing gets a free beer from Gary.

// TODD BRATRUD'S CLOCK

2007-02-09T10:01:00.000-05:00

Tod comes through hard.
With a bit of complication, Tod, received his wooden canvas 2 days ago.
Here it is. Champion. Thanks Tod.

// JAMES KERR'S CLOCK

2007-02-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

Mr.Kerr is done. The clock is super sweet and that's that. Enjoy.....

/// NEIL DOSHI IS IN

2007-02-07T12:03:00.000-05:00

Here's some pictures of Mr Doshi's work, I posted his awesome clock earlier today...Enjoy!

more info: NEIL DOSHI

/// TAGGIN'IT UP

2007-02-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for the big night.................

/// NEIL DOSHI'S CLOCK

2007-02-07T09:59:00.000-05:00

If you ever feel like going on Safari with Grace Jones you should bid on this clock. Seriously, Neil is a killer artist and loves to make people dizzy.

/// GENE STARSHIP

2007-02-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

For anyone who doesn't know HVW8. I feel bad for you. go to their site hvw8.com.
Gene is one of my favorite artists and its always an honor to have him work us. He has worked with every event Rekognize has ever done. He never disappoints, this clock is amazing. Heavy bidding kid.

// JAMES KERR IS IN!!

2007-02-05T16:39:00.000-05:00

Lucky for us some artist work well under pressure, Mr.Kerr is an awesome artist who I grew up with Skateboarding as a kid......He really helped out on the new Furni catalogue so I'm more than happy he agreed to do a clock for us!! 1 week till bidding begins!!!

More info: JAMES KERR

// VERNISSAGE "LIVE BIDDING" REMINDER

2007-02-04T18:38:00.000-05:00

If you want to place a bid from opening night onwards, again, make sure to pre-register at inetbid.com ,joining requires "verification" so allow yourself a couple days for the processing. We're hoping to have a computer and projector onsite at the vernissage at "OFF THE HOOK" (1021A St-Catherines west, Montreal,Qc) on Feb 12th at 8pm onwards for "live" bids, but you won't be able to take part if you're not previously registered and verified! Cheers.....

/// CARL WHITE

2007-02-02T12:26:00.000-05:00

LOOK WHAT JUST ROLLED INTO THE REKOGNIZE OFFICES.
ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF CLOCK.
THIS CLOCK COULD EASILY FIT YOUR LIVING ROOM, WHICH IS TOO BAD CAUSE I'M GETTING KIND OF USED TO HAVING ALL THIS ART IN MY OFFICE.

THE TITLE IS 3:33 AND ITS OIL ON CNAVAS.
HERE IS HOW CARL DESCRIBES IT.

"the artwork itself is about mathmatical beauty the holy trinity and smith grinds - I think?"

more info: CARL WHITE

/// CODY HUDSON'S CLOCK

2007-02-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here's another to add to the lineup, nice work Mr.Hudson.

more info: CODY HUDSON

// AUCTION HOST FINALISED

2007-02-01T21:45:00.000-05:00

It's now confirmed, We've gone with inetbid.com for our auction host, they have minimal fees so that's sweet, the less we spend on listing fees the more we can give to the Charity! If you plan on bidding on any of the clocks go here and get yourself an account ASAP, you need to supply a credit card to confirm your account (it's free) this way all things will stay nice and legit.... Joining requires "verification" so allow yourself a couple days for the processing. As mentioned in an earlier post, paypal will be the payment method, it's also super legit www.paypal.com for more info. Thats all, bidding opens in under 2 weeks!!!!

/// JAMES BRAITHWAITE'S CLOCK

2007-02-01T16:09:00.000-05:00

Lucky for us we just go another clock hand delivered to us, I let Mr.Braithwaite hi-jack the keyboard for a moment when he was here:

"I dropped by Furni today (near Castle Donnington), and left my clock with our wounded friend, Mike "southpaw" Giles. I saw some of the other pieces that have rolled in and things are looking pretty awesome. James Kerr's piece is a bizarre comment on pedophilia and its relationship to daytime television. Truly revolutionary stuff. Minds will be blown.

Also: I just finished a film with rag-tag group of pirates. Go to I MET THE WALRUS to see the resulting mess." (You should seriously follow the link, the animated short is mindblowing)

more info: JAMES BRAITHWAITE

/// NORMLCLOTHING

2007-02-01T15:56:00.000-05:00

Our good friends at Norml Clothing, a boutique / gallery space in Ottawa will host the show from March 16 to the 30th.
Be sure to check it out if you are in the area. Brppp Brppp

www.normlclothing.ca

/// CLINT EAGLESON'S CLOCK

2007-02-01T14:18:00.000-05:00

This clock is on it's way to Furni homebase via Greyhound bus parcel mail, If that bus crashes I will cry one million tears. Take a moment to look at the attention to detail on this puppy.....serious skills!!!

more info: CLINT EAGLESON

/// JULIAN'S CLOCK

2007-02-01T11:06:00.000-05:00

We added Julian Garner to the show only a few weeks ago, Taking a look at the clock that he did makes me wonder why we didn't have him involved from the start! Another great piece to add to the auction!

more info: JULIAN GARNER

/// NATAS'S CLOCK

2007-01-31T17:00:00.000-05:00

It's not every day that you can contact someone who's name you've been around for almost 20 years (Natas was in every sk8 mag when I was a kid) and ask them to do you a favour. Well Natas ain't everyay people. I am seriously honored to have some of his art in our show/auction.

// DOROTA JONKAJTYS'S CLOCK

2007-01-31T13:21:00.000-05:00

I grew up hearing stories from my grandparents about their involvement in the polish revolution, This clock reminds me of all those stories.

more info: DOROTA JONKAJTYS

//FIGHTING'S CLOCK

2007-01-31T13:16:00.000-05:00

Look waht arrived in the mail kids.
Fresh off of finishing our Lifetime catalog cover, fighting drops another bomb.
this clock would look really nice in the Rekognize headquarters...
I have a feeling it could be a battle, but I may try to get this one too.

more info: FIGHTING

// LINK FROM MONSTER CHILDREN

2007-01-31T11:38:00.000-05:00

Here is an example of what a cool dude would do, the example shows our logo and link on his website (in this case Monster Children) , this in effect brings traffic from his cool site to our artshow site, simple and awesomely effective in raising both awareness and money for the cause, Do you also want to be cool? If so post the banner (click on the useless artshow banner below the monster children screenshot) on your site. You Rock.

// SUPERMUNDANE CLOCK

2007-01-29T13:39:00.000-05:00

When I managed to get Rob (Supermundane) to take part in the show my friend Evan who has a tatoo of some of his artwork almost broke down and weapt at the opportunity of bidding on some of his original work.... I'm not sure what he's gonna do when I outbid him on it!!!

more info: SUPERMUNDANE

/// CRAIG METZGER'S CLOCK

2007-01-26T13:57:00.000-05:00

"The clock itself is really cool. I didn’t want to take away from the design so I went simple. I’m calling the piece “In these mountains there are wolves”. I used cut paper, then painted the paper piece. I also used copper metallic ink for the dots. All around the edges are mountains done in paint pen." -CM

You are gonna have to outbid me on this one! -MG

More info: CRAIG METZGER

/// ERIK BRUNETTI CLOCK!!!!!!

2007-01-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

"here it is!...Vivienne Westwood would be proud!!!!
the fur is mounted to the clock with industrial strength adhesive,
with micro staples in the corners (for extra taught) The fur wraps
around all edges, but the back of the clock is as is, with my
signature in silver. I must pat myself on the back for this one" - text via e-mail from Erik himself. Snazzy!!!

more info: ERIK BRUNETTI (FUCT)

/// TJ MAKES NICE

2007-01-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

Wow, We knew TJ would create a nice piece of clock, but...wow.
Nice piece of clock TJ.

/// ROBIN'S CLOCK

2007-01-17T13:34:00.000-05:00

Wow. Robin's clock is in. Sorry kids can't start bidding until the 12th...

more info: ROBIN CAMERON

/// ROBIN CAMERON MAKES VERY PRETTY ART

2007-01-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

Robin Cameron born 1981 in the interior of British Columbia. Graduated with a BDes from ECIAD in 2004. Lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Shown work in Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, Chicago and Tokyo. Published works have appeared in Arkitip, Adbusters, Made, Good Magazine, The Walrus, Faesthetic, The New York Times and completed a zine with Nieves. Draws and draws and draws all the time. Has self-published several books including, "Notions of the Faux Naive", "Illustrators Union Almanac" & most recently "The Blown Mind". Made countless zines including; "A Series of Abstractions, Self Published", "A Series of Beautiful Incidences", "Short Stories about Contemporary Life" and most recently "The Theory of Everything". Works primarily in typography and illustration with an affinity for the hand touched.

/// AND NOW THERE ARE THREE

2007-01-14T17:26:00.000-05:00

Travis Millard just sent pics of his clock, it's freakin sweet....Get ready to bid up a storm.

more info: TRAVIS MILLARD

/// ERIK BRUNETTI IS IN

2007-01-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

FUCT™ is the brainchild of artist/graffiti writer Erik Brunetti (aka DEN ONE).
Created in 1991, out of Brunetti’s Venice Beach bedroom, FUCT™ has, since it’s humble beginnings, single-handedly laid the ground- work for an entire generation of street-wear labels and designers. Can't wait to see what he does to one of our clocks!

/// AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

2006-12-27T17:30:00.000-05:00

Russ Morland just sent me pics of his clock, Stellar work!!!!!

more info: RUSS MORLAND

/// LIAM THURSTON IS IN!!!

2006-12-22T11:53:00.000-05:00

Raised in Ottawa and schooled at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Liam Thurston now calls Montreal home. While managing a steady stream of editorial illustration and design clients, Thurston has also branched off into clothing design and screen printing with Mike Tessier and www.imaginaryfriends.ca.

/// USELESS HISTORY LESSON

2006-12-21T15:18:00.000-05:00

Ed Templeton's part from the New Deal movie (circa 1990) "Useless Wooden toys"

/// RICK KLOTZ IS IN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-21T09:33:00.000-05:00

Trying to write about Rick in a one paragraph blog entry and doing him any type of justice is like giving Elton John a Fisher Price piano made for 3 year olds and telling him to play Tiny Dancer................damned near impossible. Here's my lameo attempt at an introduction:

Just in case you weren't aware, Rick is the owner of Freshjive, a streetware brand that has been around 4 eva. I remember rocking a hand me down Freshjive T-shirt with an insane colorful "Tide" inspired logo in Grade 7 (I'm in like grade 22 now)....Amongst many other acheivements in the industry Rick has been credited with being the father of the "remix" basically the king of altering corporate logo's into his own, ...Pictured to the side is Rick in a "Stussy" inspired FreshJive tee.....Brilliant.

/// BEN TOUR IS IN

2006-12-18T21:12:00.000-05:00

I snagged this text from the Blk/Mrkt's Gallery info on Ben, I can't even try to do his art justice.....///Ben Tour’s paintings and drawings are primarily portraits, of characters real and imagined, forming a kind of visual diary of personalities that have impressed Tour, and inspired him, even in their absence, to attempt capturing the qualities of those impressions. The images are nearly always composed of a central figure occupying an indistinct ground, with passages of pristine white space offsetting densely detailed areas, keeping the eye curious. Subtle variations in color and the unexpected transitions between them give both the figures and their surroundings a haunting, indeterminate aura and rich painterly texture. Faces are modeled using dissonant pigmentation and jaunty, distorted contours; his portraiture is not realist, it is evocative. It has gravitas, wit and specificity without regard for accuracy.

/// JAMES BRAITHWAITE IS IN

2006-12-18T19:19:00.000-05:00

Aside from being a prince amongst theives and the wind beneath my wings James B is a champion artist and scholar. Apart from penning our killer logo for the show (based on the original Useless Wooden Toys Skateboard video circa 1990ish) he's in the latest issue of faesthetic mag......beat that.

/// WORD IS GETTING OUT

2006-12-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

Looks like the kids over at snowboardermag are helping to fuel the fire......Cheers!

// TIM BARNARD IS IN

2006-12-18T14:50:00.000-05:00

Anyone who has spent a few minutes with Tim knows one thing.... His imagination mixed with his knowledge of art and music history is comparable to none.
His use of the english language might lead one to think that Tim grew up in the pages of a Spiderman comics. His knowledge, his wit and his humour spills out in all his work.
If you look closely you will see that these black and white works of art are full of color.

/// CRAIG METZGER IS IN

2006-12-14T23:05:00.000-05:00

Craig Metzger is an artist living in Brooklyn NY. His work is described as 2-dimensional imagery that combines hand cut paper, drawings, photos and iconography. Metzger's influences range from early American folk art to Latin and European religious art. His work blurs the line between art and design by focusing an importance on composition and decoration as well as the imagery. Metzger's work has been featured in various art and design magazines, books and galleries....// I describe Craig's work as kick assed.

/// CLINT PETERSON IS IN!

2006-12-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Here's a little excerpt from an interview with Clint:

What are you going to do after skateboarding?

I’ve got tons of things going. I’ve been Chip and Dales dancing for sometime, that could pan out. Also Lawn gardening, I polish old furniture. Actually, I am going to move to Spain in the countryside, this is serious, and have some goats, calculate a new recipe for cheese and then have a clay studio on the side. I am totally serious about this. It is my dream. I’ll settle down when that happens, I’ll probably get into wine also.

Let's hope we can get the clock back and on the wall at the gallery before he takes off!!!

more info: CLINT PETERSON

/// TODD BRATRUD IS IN

2006-12-14T11:48:00.001-05:00

My Girlfriend came home about a week ago with probably the coolest book ever, "Disposable : A History of Skateboard Art" At first flip through I stopped on the page of Todd Bratrud for some reason and read his text, it was so rad to read some of the backstory of what goes into the idea process of the skateboard art and how some graphics become parodied or re-hashed......anyway he's in on the freakin show!!!!!!!!!!!

more info: TODD BRATRUD

/// RUSS MORLAND IS IN!

2006-12-12T23:06:00.000-05:00

Interesting things about Mr. Morland:

- Morland began sketching at a very young age, copying from a sketchbook that belonged to his mom.

- He got into graphics, painting and photography, drawing on African art, cubism and surrealism for inspiration.

- He also counts graffiti and comedy as influences on his work.

- He’s a full-time tattoo artist at Black and Blue Tattoos, as well as a full-time painter and designer for a local skateboard company.

- Russ's art kicks mega ass.

/// CHRIS PASTRAS IS IN!

2006-12-12T23:02:00.001-05:00

A native of New Jersey, Chris Pastras is known for a spontaneous creativity in everything he touches, primarily manifesting itself in art and skateboarding. Cofounder and longtime art director for Stereo Skateboards, he has had a huge influence on today’s skate and street art scene. His sketches bring together an imaginative, forward design and a whimsical touch that can only come from a true original. His works have shown in exhibitions worldwide, including Stockholm, Vancouver, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. Chris currently resides in Los Angeles. Any Questions???

more info: CHRIS PASTRAS (STEREO)

/// CODY HUDSON IS IN!

2006-12-11T20:41:00.000-05:00

Cody Hudson is the man Behind Struggle Inc, a chicago based commercial art studio and the magic that comes out of him/that place is gonna hit a furni clock like no ones business and I can't wait to see it....

/// DSTRBO IS IN!!!

2006-12-05T14:05:00.000-05:00

I'm rather crap at blog posting, Basically Dan's (Dstrbo) work is worldclass, I snagged this bio off his site, he introduces himself better than I can! needless to say we are stoked he's aboard!!!
// "I'm an independent graphic designer based in Montreal Quebec. I've been working freelance for more than 10 years. As a founding member of Heavyweight Art Installation I've had the good fortune to travel the world doing live painting with various musicians and artists, making a name for myself and building a pretty respectable body of collaborative work"

more info: DSTRBO (HEAVYWEIGHT)

/// FIGHTING

2006-12-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

a picture speaks a thousand words, so what does a drawing of a train, dog and horse say....... Answer "awesome"

/// TRAVIS MILLARD IS IN

2006-12-01T20:09:00.000-05:00

Yup Ladies and gentlemen that's another killer artist we've just confirmed to the lineup, here's some piccies to confirm Travis's awesomeness....

/// THE FIRST CLOCK IS IN!!!! VCJ

2006-12-01T15:04:00.000-05:00

Here's the first piece for the show, A killer wood etching by VCJ, if the rest are anything like this we're gonna be raising some serious $$$ for Skate 4 Cancer!!!!

/// VCJ (Vernon Courtlandt Johnson) IS IN!!!

2006-11-30T18:56:00.000-05:00

Images of skulls first appeared on skateboards thanks to the creative genius of Vernon Courtlandt Johnson at Powell Corporation, and he penned the ripper logo, nuff said......

/// SUPERMUNDANE IS IN!

2006-11-30T12:27:00.000-05:00

Holy crap, Another Killer artist is in, Our first international addition from England.....this is gonna rock!

/// NATAS IS IN!!!

2006-11-30T12:19:00.000-05:00

We've just confirmed another killer artist for the show, Sweet!!!

Natas Kaupas (born in 1969) is a semi-retired professional skateboarder of Lithuanian descent. He grew up in South Santa Monica, California in the area known as Dogtown. He is often referred to as one of the first true professional street skateboarders.

His career began in 1984 when he was discovered by Skip Engblom, who ran the skate company Santa Monica Airlines. SMA became his sponsor and soon thereafter, he appeared on the cover of Thrasher magazine doing a wall ride. In addition to creating the ollie wall ride, Natas got a lot of attention for taking the flatground, street ollie to new heights; he was the first to ollie a standing trash can on flat ground. [1] In 1985 Natas turned professional and he became one of the more popular figures in skateboarding. Natas was the first skateboarder to incorporate handrails into street skating. He attempted the first boardslide ever in a pro-am contest in Oceanside, California. He was unsuccessful; but the very attempt changed skateboarding forever. The federal building handrail was the first legitimate rail in skateboarding. In filming for Streets on Fire, Natas created a trick no one has been able to duplicate. He spun 540 degrees on a fire hydrant and pivoted out. It is now known as the "Natas Spin".

Such was Natas's popularity and impact on street skating that in 1990, he became the first skateboarder to have a professional model shoe with Etnies. In 1991 Natas left SMA to start 101 skateboards. At the time it was a popular company but after a few years Natas moved on and the company died.

In 2004, Natas started a new own board company, Designarium under the manufacturing and distribution of NHS. Natas' art background led him to focus Designarium on artists rather than pro skaters. He has commissioned artists to interpret his original Santa Monica Airlines Panther graphic (originally drawn by Kevin Ancell) into their own vision. Each board is produced in limited edition runs.

/// THE MULLEN

2006-11-29T14:54:00.000-05:00

Here's an image of the "Mullen" clock that furni's donating as the Canvases for the art show, At the vernissage there will be 27 showing in all, each one set to the local time of the artist who did it!!

yup

2006-11-28T10:31:00.000-05:00

it's now official boys!!! this clock show is gonna blow up. furnicreations, rekognize and off the hook is working on a project in conjunction with the infamous, now famous KNOW SHOW. the event will take place on the 3rd floor of 1021a ste-catherine w. that's mike and robert right there...

this rude boy right here is oli. he got dope ideas, and now that all our heads connected, wait till you see what we got for you. keep coming on this page, and you'll see our progress for shizzy!!!