A rescued car wreck from his cousin’s lawn was the raw material from which artist and MIT grad, Matthew Day Jackson, created a work of art.  The reconstituted vehicle seems to hover and float on a spectrum of sequenced fluorescent lights powered by roof-mounted solar panels.  The work entitled, “Chariot II-I Iike America and America likes me,” is part of Jackson’s one man show, “The Immeasurable Distance,” at MIT’s List Visual Arts Center.  The solar array was designed by members of MIT’s Systems Engineering Group.

photo credit / MIT List Visual Arts Center

A green stimulus package for your eyes, ears and mind…

• Tonight at 7p (EST) — live Web cast from U of VA.  John Podesta, Jim Woolsey, Governor Whitman and Karen Alterman Harbert debate whether the U.S. must end its reliance on carbon-based fuels to secure our energy policy.
• check out Car and Driver’s new Hybrid Car Buying Guide
• Spring clean that wardrobe and have some fun – EcoSalon.com’s 10 Tips for a Successful Clothing Swap
• GreenFestival Chicago May 16 & 17 – be sure to visit Jute and Jackfruit and say Hi to (founder) Shana for me.
• May-June Organic Spa shows us how to Bring The Spa Home
• Volunteer to save the planet (now thru 7/22/09) @ AudubonTogetherGreen and win some cool eco prizes
• cnet tv highlights green technology (some of which has already been featured on altCon), on the green show (video)
• Rooftop Films 2009 Summer Series kick off Friday, May 15th; tix $16/each for screening of 11 short films. Weather-permitting; check rooftopfilms.com or call 718.417.7362
• May 19-20 GreenerByDesign in San Francisco; speakers to include: Peter Arnell and David de Rothschild, William McDonough and Tom Szaky
• Sustainable Brands ’09 Conference, May 31-June 4; Monterey
• Sample Sale @ ROMP Sat & Sun, May 17 & 18; 7928 West Third St, LA (323 944 0832) Complimentary cocktails, organic canapes and up to 80% off on Rock n Roll Clothing & Luggage

Italian architect, Piero Ceratti has some great design ideas.  His h_18 home is a stellar example of compact, stylish, modern habitation.

The question: Why aren’t home designs like this more popular?  Is it the fact that, in America success is defined by excess and every family member including Fluffy the Shitsu needs 1,500 square feet of living space to feel fully self-realized?  In the U.S. we’re surrounded by mile after mile of bloated subdivisions stuffed full of giant, cookie-cutter McMansions.  Someday, “smaller” will indeed be deemed “better.”

more green building posts on altcon

• But what about the stuff in the bottle?  Coke to Launch Bottle Partly Derived From Plants – reuters
• The issue – he wants to protect the environment.  Republicans Block Interior Appointee, For Now – npr
• What’s the fine for ‘space’ littering?  Space Junk Raises Risks for Hubble Repairs – myway
• Call Scotland Yard!  Penguin Kidnaps Baby of Mortal Enemy – bbc
• I always enjoy a coool glass of milk…Cow Dives in Pool for a Dip – ananova
• I love science…6 Ways They’re Turning Random Crap into Alternative Energy – cracked.com

Insulated window shades and curtains are an effective way to save on your home energy bill.  Blinds Chalet has introduced a new line of cellular window shades (honeycomb) that help eliminate the heat and energy loss associated with windows and traditional blind and shade systems.  ComforTrack Plus Energy Saving shades are designed for maximum insulation.  The shades’ energy saving Sidetrack System provides a thermal performance rating up to five times greater than a standard single pane window.  Sidetracks on each side of the shade seal the edges of the shades while a foam seal between the headrail and the top of the window frame minimize heat loss and drafts.

The ComforTrack line is certified for federal tax credit for energy efficiency, so you can save money coming and going.

It’s tough finding eco friendly swimwear.  Here’s a different take on eco minded beach wear — rather than focus on the fabric, consider the manufacturing process itself.  The structural and performance challenges inherent in the creation of swimwear — fit, style, stretchability and the all-important transparency issue make the use of many eco-friendly materials impractical.  To look good in the surf some compromises must sometimes be made in the materials used, thus Miss Peaches reversible swimwear is constructed of 80% polyester and 20% spandex.

On the greener side of things…traditional textile manufacturing and printing is a messy, toxic, water and energy-intensive endeavor.  In order to tremendously reduce the environmental impact in the production of their perky fashions, Miss Peaches uses the water-free AirDye process to print all their swimwear and cover-ups — saving energy, water and the environment from toxic waste water.  Pictured above is the Tie Dye and Stripe Reversible top and bottom.

Related: previously on altCon
(4.24.09) emobi – eco friendly swimwear from down under
(7.20.08) eco bikini from niksters
(5.28.08) eco swimsuits – green is sexy
(5.7.07) ashley paige eco chic swimsuits
(1.10.07) hemp on the beach

Beasty Boys’ NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN kept spinning round my brain as we road tripped to Bklyn Designs last Saturday.  You could lose a checkered cab in one of those pot holes; it’s no wonder everyone bikes around there.

Making our way around St Ann’s warehouse we saw some pretty cool Brooklyn-based designs, not all was eco-based, but there was plenty to love. Here are a few (of the many) stand-outs. (more…)

California electronics junkies and outdoor enthusiasts will soon be able to combine passions.  Sometime in the next month, you’ll be able to shop for both a new iPod and an electric bike at some California Best Buys. Big box Best Buy plans to carry several models of Currie Tech’s Izip, and Utra Motors A2B e-bikes.

Above: Izip Urban Cruiser Enlightened   Source: bicycleretailer.com

• Are these just random words, a bizarre code or something I should be vaccinated for?  Joaquin Phoenix’s Vegan Sis Has a Green Store in Florida – ecorazzi
• That much coal can fall off the truck…U.S. to Burn 2.3% Less Coal for Power in ’09′ – reuters
• What comes over people at the Barney’s Annual Sale…Swarm Mentality – bbc
• Is Apple becoming ‘the man’?  Request Denied: Is Apple Setting a Dangerous Precedent? – cs monitor
• Is everything just a little cooler in New Mexico?  New Mexico Get Unique Solar Factory – msnbc