A Halloween Treat: Villafane Studio's Phenomenal Pumpkins





Ray Villafane is visionary and patriarch of Phoenix, Arizona's Villafane Studios, one of whose specialties is carving incredibly impressive pumpkins. They also create jaw-dropping sand sculptures, props and toys.






From carving for the President at the White House, carving for Heidi Klum’s Annual Halloween Party and along side Martha Stewart, Ray’s pumpkins have made their way across the world. Ray partnered with the awe inspiring Andy Bergholtz, and together they built a “Dream Team” of amazing sculptors and have been carving away ever since. Other talented team members include Trevor Grove, Chris Vierra, Alfred Parades, Patrick Burke and Sue Beatrice. The beautiful pumpkins I'm sharing with you in this post have been carved by all of the aforementioned sculptors.















The exposure of Ray’s style, talent and creativity amassed an all-new appreciation for pumpkin carving, and his artistic take on the traditional jack-o-lantern has granted him invitations from across the globe for VIP Galleries (Very Impressive Pumpkins). From the President’s quarters in the White House to Bermuda’s Sousa’s Gardens, Ray’s pumpkins have gathered a cult-like following.


above: Ray and some of his team of expert carvers at Villafane Studios

above: Ray Villafane poses in front of the studio built for him and his team in Hong Kong.

The Mirror House, Transformed Into A "Fun"ctional Pavilion In Copenhagen by MLRP




MLRP of Denmark transformed a somewhat sad existing structure into an inviting reflective pavilion to engage interaction and play. The structure, which is in a public playground in Copenhagen, is now used by kindergarten classes and includes restrooms.




Funhouse mirrors are mounted on the gabled ends of this playground pavilion as well as behind the doors. This engages a play with perspective, reflection and transformation.




Instead of a typical closed gable facade, the mirrored gables creates a sympathetic transition between built and landscape and reflects the surrounding park, playground and activity. Windows and doors are integrated in the wood-clad facade behind facade shutters with varied bent mirror panel effects. At night the shutters are closed making the building anonymous. During the day the building opens up, attracting the children who enjoy seeing themselves transformed in all directions.





With simple means it has succeeded to transform an existing, sad and anonymous building to a unique and respectful installation in the newly renovated park. The roof and facade is clad with heat-modified sustainable wood and the gables and shutters are clad with mirror polished stainless steel. The Mirror House is a flexible space and restrooms, used by kindergarden classes.







INFO:
Project type: Playground Pavilion
Year: Completed Nov 2011
Site: Fælledparken

, Copenhagen
Client: City of Copenhagen – CAU and the fund of Mærsk McKinney Møller & wife Chastine McKinney Møller
Engineer: Grontmij A/S
Landscape: GHB Landskab A/S
Contractor: A.F.Hansen
Area: 140 m2
Building Sum: 1.700.000 Dkr

TEAM:
Robert W. Paulsen, Mads H. Lund, Joana Pimenta, Sara Marie Malmros



MLRP / Architecture, Research & Development info@mlrp.dk / +45 2971 4515 / Ryesgade 19a / 2200 København N / Denmark

Zombies, Motorcycles and Poker: Zombie Riders Playing Cards By Gavin Rooney.






Perfect for this time of year, with Halloween around the corner and all, are Gavin Rooney's Illustrated Zombie Riders Playing Cards.






The Zombie Riders Playing Cards are a project by Home Run Game's artist Gavin Rooney. Gavin, whose day job is working in an automobile graveyard, was approached by Cobey Pile and Michael Scott with several ideas for a deck of playing cards. The idea of a Zombie Biker gang was just too enticing and won out. Clearly the public agrees having funded these cards successfully through Kickstarter in May of this year.


above: illustrator Gavin Rooney holds up his illustration for the Ace of Hearts card

Inspired by historical biker clubs and incorporating two of his favorite things: zombies and motorcycles, Gavin's illustrated playing cards will be available as a black or white deck with ornately decorated face cards from original his hand-inked illustrations.







Tuck box design:


Not yet available through their online store, the deck will be printed by the United States Playing Card Company as a deck of Bicycle© branded playing cards. They will have a magic finish. Art work will continue throughout the campaign and will be presented through updates for those following the project on kickstarter. Add-ons include pocker chips and various tuck cases.




Visit here for more games and card decks from Home Run Games.