José Parlá and Hong Kong’s Ooi Botos Gallery will present the works of popular American artist next month. The “Reading Through Seeing” exhibition is based on some of Parlá’s most colorful works in his trademark multi-texture and layer aesthetic. In recent trips to Japan and his exposure to pottery have worked their way into the exhibit as well via traditional Japanese techniques. The exhibit begins May 14th and runs until July 11th at the Ooi Botos Gallery. →

Null Stern Hotel is an invention by the Swiss twin brothers and concept artists Frank and Patrik Riklin from the Atelier für Sonderaufgaben (studio for special works) in St.-Gallen. World’s first Null Stern Hotel develops in cooperation with the commune of Teufen (canton Appenzell Outer Rhodes, Switzerland) as a full of relish amplification in the common Hotel bargain in form of an art installation. →

Celebrated Cult Japanese Designer JUN TAKAHASHI will be in Hong Kong for the opening of the GRACE photo exhibition at Joyce Boutique in Central. Takahashi, the man behind UNDERCOVER, collaborated with photographer Katsuhide Morimoto on showcasing UNDERCOVER’s Spring Summer’09 collection in an fresh, unconventional way.  →

Korean artist and creative director Young Kim started his identity as Suitman simply enough while relocating with only a single black suit to wear.  Over time he realized that the black suit and the yellow shades externalized his feeling of cultural alienation both as an Asian living in America, and also an American living in Asia.  Suitman is the manifestation, in a physical, plastic form, of this lifelong alienation. The legend of Suitman has grown through photographs taken during Young’s travels. His work is insightful, personal, relevant, highly engaging and always surprising. →

CONSEQUENCES is a brand new group exhibition featuring five cutting-edge female artists and designers; Danielle Huthart (of WHITESPACE), Emily Eldridge, Kate Barnett, Sum-Sum Tse and Kim van Gennip. CONSEQUENCE  is an exhibition exploring the often random and distorted events of a raucous girls’ night out. →

Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 80 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City. They’re the brains behind the “No Pants Subway Ride”, which took place on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 when nearly 2,500 people took off their pants on subways in 22 cities around the world. →

Mad Money’s Jim Cramer went on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last Thursday and the gloves were off. Cramer is a former hedge-fund manager and host of CNBC’s Mad Money, a finance show that gives commentary and advice on the finance market. →

Michael Phelps: 14 career Olympic gold medals (most ever), 7 current world records in swimming, and 1 giant bong rip heard around the world!

Earlier this year, someone snapped a photo of Phelps, 23, smoking weed from a bong at a house party in South Carolina. After a British Tabloid published the photo, USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months, Kellogs dropped his sponsorship, and supposedly the police might be involved in further investigation. →

Peter Bjorn and John’s new video for their single, “Nothing to Worry About” is a prime example of the Japanese adopting another culture and making it that much more interesting. Directed by Andreas and Filip Nilsson, the video showcases the booming Greaser and Rockabilly culture in Japan through a gang of rockabilly break dancers. Seriously? →

In a bold attempt at restoring the old guard and to remind us who wears the spiritual pants in the relationship, the Catholic church has decided to reopen the doors to absolution through indulgences!

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