iXi: Biking without the greasy chain

After more than a century of modern technology, the bicycle is still the most efficient means of transport ever invented, and now the iXi heralds a new era of compact cycling promising to revolutionize short term transport. The iXi bike offers a revolutionary new approach to overcome some of the negatives long associated with cycling. Gone are the greasy chain, awkward handling, complicated gearing and difficult storage found with most bikes. Instead, the ultra-chic iXi features a maintenance-free clean belt drive and a collapsible, compact frame with many easy handling features adaptable to any lifestyle. Aside from the obvious environmental and health benefits of riding an iXi instead of driving, it puts and immediate end to your worries about rising fuel costs.

Rugmark

There is a big problem in the rug and carpet industry that most people don't realize. Child labor is commonly employed to make woven, hand-knotted, and hand-tufted rugs. So when green retailer Re:modern set about to offer high quality, yet sustainable rugs, the first thing they thought of was Rugmark.

Rugmark is a global nonprofit organization working to end illegal child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Rugmark label is your best assurance that no illegal child labor was employed in the manufacture of a carpet or rug. A number of rug manufacturers have adopted this certification process to ensure that their rugs are responsibly made.

This Mammy Rug by Angela Adams is one of our favorites.

ZeroOne: Seven Days of Art and Interactivity

Today marks the start of ZeroOne, a global festival of Art and Interactivity. Held in conjunction with the 2006 ISEA Symposium, ZeroOne promises to transform downtown San Jose with interactive installations and temporary art from over 100 inernational artists. This biennial festival showcases art on the cutting edge along with performances, workshops and other events. ISEA stands for Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts, which self-proclaims itself "an international nonprofit organization fostering interdisciplinary academic discourse and exchange among culturally diverse organizations and individuals working with art, science and emerging technologies."

ZeroOne, a.k.a. Seven Days of Art and Interactivity runs from August 8-13th and is free to the public throughout downtown San Jose, California.

Shown above is Germaine Goh and Gordon Hicks project entitled Call, and Luther Thie and Eyal Fried's project entitled Acclair.