Happiness IS contagious so smile with me at THINGS!

I look in the Things box the way Professor Brian Cox looks at the stars — smiling like the cow that got the grass. And let’s be honest, when it comes to Things, you’re like a fiendish cat frothing at the mouth lusting after the mouse dangling before your nose. We sense your pent up exhiliration people, and never wanting to disappoint here’s your fix of Things that dropped like they were hot through our letterbox.

Robert Montgomery: Echoes of Voices in the High Towers

And my oh my, the first Thing we have for you is scalding. Robert Montgomery’s Echoes of Voices in the High Towers is an artist book published by mono.kultur. A2 in size, divided into three different parts, this publication is full of Robert’s works displaying his striking words that appear as statements from the collective unconsciousness, emphasising his subtle ideas and poetic allusions. The three-part book chronicles those moments of profound magic found throughout Robert’s work; those moments can spring on you at any time, anywhere — “In the middle of the street, we might come across his words and realise that someone is speaking with us — through an anonymous poem between advertising billboards or as an unidentified page in a magazine, or a light installation illuminating the night”. His poems, like this publication, will always have a tendency to linger in our memory.

www.mono-kultur.com

Etre: Touchy gloves

Now this is something everyone will be asking that overweight, eccentric, fun-loving deliverer of christmas cheer for. In fact, this product is so useful, I make predictions that it will increase productivity in the world tenfold — dragging us out of the economic doldrums to a brighter future where I can eat a pack of mince pies without feeling extravagantly guilty (although this depends how you use the modern tech world). May I present for you touchy-feely pleasure the Etre Touchy Wool Gloves. So, you’re probably just thinking these are any old gloves capable only of keeping your fleshly little digits warm in arctic conditions. WRONG! These gloves are something straight off the Inspector Gadget dream sheet, allowing every wearer to remain comfortably warm and interact with their touchscreen devices. Their missing thumb and index fingertips give you the freedom to text, tweet and touch so you’ll never again miss that moment when a video of veggie thrusting goes viral while you’re walking home through the wintry snow (so much for increasing useful productivity!) No matter, these gloves are such a touch and I want them.

www.etreshop.com

Perdiz: Happiness is contagious

The next thing that delighted us with a boost of happiness is the first issue of Perdiz. This magazine encapsulates a sense of joy, promoting things that make them happy. Inside you’ll find stories on pigeons flying in unexpected places, quests for utopias and the Japanese smile, all accompanied with stunning visuals on a paper stock that in itself prods me towards the ecstatic. Mainly, what this publication represents is a positive message in the realm of social activism which describes itself as “a virus that, like yawning in the Tube and laughter between friends, is catching”. We can put an It’s Nice That seal of approval on this publication, it quite literally does what it sets out to. Happiness really IS contagious.

www.perdizmagazine.com

Mother: Volume one

To the Mother we go, not for a plaster on our cut knee, but for a beautiful exploration in new visual dialogues. The independent magazine is an Anglo-Japanese platform which explores stunning fashion editorial, photography, movement, art and architecture with each volume having a theme. One of the things that I love about Mother is their willingness to embrace new, innovative and emerging artists alongside the more established names on the block to both present and interpret one concept. This gives the whole project a feeling of integrity and explosive creativity. Mother states in the front that they “blend the body of imagery into a unique conversation between its creators.” It’s a conversation the reader feels involved in and engaged by. It truly is at the sharp end of a sharp thing setting a very high bench mark.

www.mother-magazine.com

Victory Journal

I know your type people, you’re all set for the weekend, just gagging for the football results and the latest tactical chats down the pub. Perhaps not. Well then you’re definitely readying yourself for a spot of roller-blading fully equipped with crash hats and protective knee pads. Still not your bag? Well then maybe just sit down with some creative, aesthetic goodness instead. Sounds ideal to me, and Victory journal is the perfect accompaniment to your strenuous creative engagement. Victory describes itself as the “refuge for the true sportsman”. And who could argue with them when in their latest offering they present us with incredible, personal pictures of Muhammed Ali. The journal, like those of you turned off by my tactical description, is unmoved by statistical analysis and provincial opinion, offering instead an artful insight into the glories and ignominies of players and pursuits.

www.victoryjournal.com