There's a scathing critique of Chrysler's proposed new logo (top) at Tom Spaeth's Identity Works, that we found on Design Observer. "The symbol is a picture of a thing, a metallic orifice of a vaguely threatening nature," Spaeth writes, thoroughly creeping me out.  Then he accuses Chrysler of aligning it's entire identity with the cutesy, retro car design that has become it's only hope: "The wordmark, in a graphic language unrelated to the symbol, feels lifted from a car model nameplate that itself seemed intended to evoke a retro personality, which it now imposes on this 'new' corporation." Let's hope Chrysler takes his review to heart.

--O. Karpinsky

Artist Charles Goldman—who once took all of his doors, interior and exterior, off their hinges and stacked them in a Chicago gallery—put a ready-to-fold replica of his plain white Toyota truck in Cabinet's recent Insect issue. The idea is that readers should build their own, decorate them (reminds me of Beck's latest DIY cd cover), and send it in for him to catalog on Cabinet's site.

It seems the basic white truck and an identical predecessor have taken on special meaning for him—criss crossing the country, surviving earthquakes, and the like. He also notes, "I had a group of friends that all had the same pickup, and it felt to us like some sort of northern California socialist standard-issue vehicle—a no-frills utility truck for proto-hippies, progressive suburban kids, and sculptors with left-wing leanings." Maybe someday it will be parked in a Marfa-like shrine to Goldman's work, much the way Donald Judd's Land Rover is. (Goldman's work is much less blocky). Anyways I'm all for it.

—O. Karpinsky

In a new show at the Gagosian Gallery, Beverly Hills, through August 10, artist Chris Burden examines the ancient concept of Yin Yang through the lens of his own longstanding obsession with machines, motor vehicles, and ready-mades. (All photos courtesy of the Gagosian Gallery, Beverly Hills.)

Read our just added web article on Burden here...

Lotus, 2006  Approx. 1,500 pound 1973 Lotus Europa and set of 6 original color Polaroid photographs, signed, dated and titled: "1973 Lotus Europa (1-6).
Lotus, 2006  Approx. 1,500 pound 1973 Lotus Europa and set of 6 original color Polaroid photographs, signed, dated and titled: "1973 Lotus Europa (1-6).
Yin Yang June 2 – August 3, 2007 (Main gallery installation view)
Bulldozer, 2007  Approx 5,000 pound 1954 International T6 crawler and set of 4 original Polaroid photographs, signed, dated and titled: 1954 International T6 crawler (1-4).
1954 International T6 crawler, Chris Burden, 2007.
1973 Lotus, Chris Burden, 2006.