There’s no better price than free with the current economic climate, especially when it comes with a laugh. Two recent animated spots for the video chat service TokBox feature relationship phone follies that could use some visual interaction (including one that starts with flowers and ends up being lost in translation.) Produced by Mekanism and written by Drew Hoolhorst, the brief videos are obviously ads trying to convince you to sign up for the free chat and video mail service — but at least they’re funny. Your personalized TokBox link can be added to your blog or social network profile, making it easy (and cost effective) to share your own romantic faux paux.

Custom skateboard masters Mekanism have added German artist Peter Zimmerman to their ongoing procession of artist collaborations (which have included runs by John Maeda, Invader, and Katharina Grosse, among others), and this latest series of limited edition decks are about as unique as humanly possible. Zimmerman created his striking boards by digitally deconstructing paintings from his own archives and modifying parts that he liked, then re-painting the image onto the boards using an epoxy resin, a fluid medium which transforms itself during the application process. The 50 boards (and 10 artist proofs) resulting from Zimmermans’s efforts are all different and, perhaps more importantly, all aesthetically amazing. Each deck is signed, dated, numbered, and will be available on the Mekanism website starting June 1st (this Friday). No word on pricing yet, but the artist decks typically run from 80 to 400 Euros, so I’d expect the tag to sit somewhere in that (wide) spectrum.

Mekanism’s last collaboration with Invader (covered here) was such a huge success that Invader decided to create a fourth and last piece to complete the set. Sk8 or Die, shown here, is a deck covered with black and white micro mosaic-tiles. As usual, it’s signed, titled and dated by the artist. These decks are one of a kind and duplicates will never be produced, period.

Our pals over at Mekanism Skateboards finally launched an online store. Decks are on sale from 80 to 300 Euros and t-shirts start at 40. These guys are really at the top of the totem pole when it comes to customized skate decks. Who else gets the likes of John Maeda, Kathrina Grosse, Warren Du Preez and Nick Thorton Jones to do custom decks for them? My guess, these sell out quickly. Holiday gifts anyone?

When it comes to customized and limited-edition skateboards, Mekanism runs the block. We’ve seen some amazing deck-collaborations with the likes of Katharina Grosse, Zevs, John Maeda, and others. In their latest effort, Mekanism joined forces with the elusive Invader. This time Invader created three original decks, each covered by a mosaic made of real tiles, signed, titled and dated. The Matrix Deck (left) is classic, reminiscent of the space invader mosaics plastered by the artist around dozens of cities worldwide. The second deck, Above the city (middle) is made up of black and white micro-tiles. Finally, last but not least, my favorite deck in the series is the Rubik Deck (right), is composed of tiles taken from rubik’s cubes (details on far right). Check out more detailed shots and info on Mekanism’s website. Also, check out a great ‘making of’ shot after the jump– look at all those poor rubik’s cubes!
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Lately, we've really been enjoying the work of German-born, Düsseldorf-based artist Katherina Grosse, who you saw here at JoshSpear.com in her collaboration with Mekanism Skateboards. Her work is of amazing proportions and immerses the viewer “in the paint”. Utilizing a spray gun, Katherina explores and expands spaces with her vibrant color palette rather than defining and objectifying. Her canvases include aluminum, canvas, and paper and range from museums to airport terminals – Pearson International Airport, Toronto shown above, making that layover tolerable. Katherina's site specific installations can be found around the globe from Paris to Houston so keep a lookout and don't miss your chance to experience her ever-expanding collection of work!

French graffiti legend Zevs has been everywhere lately including here at JoshSpear.com, with his installation / performance in Paris to his collaboration with Mekanism skateboards. But now, using the streets of Paris as his canvas, Zevs is sending his message in a slightly different way – using large corporation's presence in our daily environment against them. “Public space is becoming more and more privatized by companies that have only one goal: to make the most money possible no matter what are the consequences.” Our friend The Columnist, met with Zevs somewhere on the streets of Paris to conduct an intervention between customers and the company which pumps them full of nitrates, McDonalds. Using road paint (which is pretty much impossible to remove) Zevs brandishes the Golden arches with yellow paint giving them the impression of dripping and leakage, a visual metaphor of what fast food can do to our bodies. While we don't promote vandalism, we must applaud Zevs in his attempt to confront large corporations using art. Thanks Fred!

As you've probably noticed over the past few months with Mekanism's collaborations with artist Katharina Grosse and Zevs, as well as Logo Skateboards SOFA line, skateboard decks have become quite a popular medium for artists to express themselves. For your enjoyment, the guys over at mph (myplasticheart) will be distributing a new line of designer decks from their new design and production division mphlabs. The decks will be limited edition, only 75 pieces per design, making them ultra rare and extremely coveted, but with a price tag of about $60, they're definitely within reach. The first series will feature designs by MAD, Sket, and UPSO (Dustin Amery Hostetler) and are each unique in theme and color selection. These decks are good enough to bolt a pair of trucks on, but instead, mount them on your wall for all to enjoy and envy!

Depending on your involvement in the skateboard scene, you may or may not be aware that skate scene in France is coming up in a very big way. Leading that movement is a highly innovative company called Mekanism Skateboards, which has been covered a few times here at JoshSpear.com for its successful collaborations with various artists such as John Maeda and Zevs . This time Mekanism approached internationally acclaimed German artist Katharina Grosse, who is also a professor at Berlin art/design school Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee. Mekanism gave Katherina carte blanche on 100 numbered decks, which she painted in her trademark style using a spray gun. The result is 100 truly unique decks that are literally pieces of art. They can be bought at www.jrqjd.com. Check out the photo of her in the studio after the jump– she is working on what looks like all the decks at once.

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We recently posted about the limited edition skateboard decks Mekanism produced in their collaboration with French artist, Zevs. The art work on the deck was awesome but left us wanting to know more about Zev’s inspiration and work. Well, right now on Mekanism’s site, you can watch a video of Zevs performance in Paris. It’s really amazing to see the lights interact with the music, making you feel almost as if the sound were eminating from them. I also really enjoyed the flashes of illustration in the background. Everything is black and white–except for Zevs yellow rain suit which pops out at you with every strobe flash! Check it out. If you still want to see more, there are some great photos on Flickr.

Remember those Mekanism Skateboards designs we saw a few weeks ago? Turns out there is actually a video from Wanted Films by London-based design duo Warren Du Preez and Nick Thorton Jones with many of the same design elements called Fashioning The Future. They also have half a dozen other Warren and Nick films worth checking out– but the disruptive pattern “mutation” video is my favorite.

The Glade just introduced a few new skateboards by Mekanism, the brand responsible for some fairly impressive skateboard to artist collaborations. This deck is designed by London-based design duo Warren Du Preez and Nick Thorton Jones. They describe this is as “a black and white mutating disruptive pattern creating an optical illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.” They also have an older design I love by John Madea, a digital animator and professor at MIT’s Media Lab.