If you appreciate a bit of computer-based art as much as you do a good distraction from work, then you should check out Layer Tennis. The project of Chicago based design firm Coudal Partners, Layer Tennis involves pitting two talented (and usually mild-mannered) graphic designers/ artists/ illustrators against one another for 10 volleys of PDF madness. The game begins when one artist, who has been given a week to prepare his piece, “serves” his file to a competitor who then has 15 minutes to upload it, tinker with it in Photoshop and "volley" it back. A third artist commentates as the match plays out and, after ten volleys have been thrown, posters on the site’s online forum decide a winner.
You can catch Layer Tennis live every Saturday at 5am (when it’s 2pm Friday in Chicago) otherwise; all matches remain online afterwards for your design-geek pleasure.

France is of course well known for it’s sartorial muses. With beauty that is often preserved by a sense of mystery or cloaked in quirk, Gallic actress/models such as Anna Mouglalis and Jane Birkin continue to prove an untiring source of inspiration for designers. And now, the Parisian fashion scene has a new icon in actress Clemence Poesy. Most recognised as the snobbish Fleur Delacoure in 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Poesy’s eclectic and oh-so-Parisian sense of style will now see her playing a different role; along with fellow “it” girl Chloe Sevigny and model Anja Rubik, the twenty-five year old has been chosen as the face of the new fragrance from revered fashion house Chloe.

As if it wasn’t a work of art in itself, the popular cliff-top walk between Bondi and Tamarama will soon play host to some of the world’s most beautiful sculpture- with Sydney’s annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition returning there this November.
Celebrating its 11th year, the exhibition will see the shoreline dotted with over 100 works by artists from across the world, including famed Australian sculptors such as Anne Ferguson and Michael Le Grand. Sculpture by the Sea is free to the general public and will be running from 1-18 of November. I advise that you pack a picnic, head down to Bondi and enjoy a bit of sun, exercise and culture all at the same time.

This December, hip-hop luminary Nas is set to release his ninth studio album; which, after much rumour and record company issued denials, is set to be called “Nigger”. Unsurprisingly the use of the “N word” (a term originally employed by the lynch mobs of America’s south and now commonly used as a term of endearment amongst the rap community) as an album title has invited all sorts of controversy, with famed civil rights activist Reverand Jesse Jackson slamming the hip-hop heavyweight for glamourising the “morally offensive and socially distasteful" term. Nas however sticks by his decision, claiming he wants to “Make the word easy on mutha----as' ears" and that using it as the title of a relatively mainstream album will take the negative power out of the N-bomb. His peers are also weighing in on the debate and while most are supportive (Wu-Tang legend Method Man topically pointed out that he “Knows a word worse than 'nigger': Darfur”), others, such as rapper 50 cent, claim Nas has only chosen the word for shock value. Nas’ record label Def Jam haven’t officially approved the title so debate is still open. Either way hopefully fans will get to hear tracks from the already scandalous new album when Nas tours Australia in November.

Amongst- you know, fairly easy- tasks such as running an ever expanding fashion empire, contributing stories to various publications and awaiting the arrival of her first child, fashion powerhouse Karen Walker is set to open her first retail outlet in New York. Coinciding with New York Fashion Week, the store will open in February 2008 as part of The Den; an uber hip concept store that re-invents itself every two to three months an whose previous in habitants have included Cheap Monday and Rag and Bone. “We’re thrilled to be having a KAREN WALKER pop-up store in New York’ enthuses Walker, who enjoys a strong stateside following and shows annually at NY Fashion Week, “This is such an exciting way to bring the brand to another level there. “

I’m as partial to a bit of political satire as the next person and luckily for me Australia’s recently called federal election looks set to become fertile ground for such pursuits. One of the best I’ve seen so far is this little beauty from Sydney comedy trio Axis Of Awesome.

I think Mr Rudd is displaying some pretty good flow there, wouldn’t you agree?

In other retail news. Art, skate, music and all round pop culture authority RVCA have opened their first store in San Francisco’s iconic Haight Street. Christened VASF, the 4,312sq foot space includes both a shop and gallery- allowing for the perfect representation of brand’s varying interests and collaborations. Within the retail store, RVCA aims to support like-minded labels such as Seventh letter Jewellery, Caleb Siemon glassware and Family books. Meanwhile, the gallery will continue to fly the flag for new artistic talent, with four key shows a year and a new exhibition every three months.
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in San Fran soon then check it out, otherwise you can always just wait in anticipation- RVCA plan on opening stores in NYC, Tokyo and Australia very soon.