This document is the first issue of a publication called Brainfood published by The Brooklyn Brothers in February 2012. It introduces six cultural themes that will be prominent in 2012: #01 World of Colour, featuring bright colors inspiring art, fashion and design. #02 Twisted Tales, where childhood stories are taking on darker, more sinister tones. #03 Hero Takeover, about the rise of superheroes in movies, toys and fashion. #04 China Cool, the growing influence of Chinese culture. #05 Think Small, focusing on intimate experiences over mass social media. #06 Shine a Light, how light is being portrayed in new ways in art, architecture and design.

1. ISSUE ONE
BRAINFOOD
ISSUE ONE FEATURING: WORLD OF COLOUR#01 TWISTED TALES#02
HERO TAKEOVER#03 CHINA COOL#04 THINK SMALL#05 SHINE A LIGHT#06
published by The Brooklyn Brothers
FEBRUARY 2012

2. WE'RE THE BROOKLYN BROTHERS. BRAINFOOD
A PICK-N-MIX OF CREATIVE AND PASSIONATE DOERS
WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH DOING THINGS IN A NEW WAY.
CULTURE, YEAH
WE LOVE A GOOD CHALLENGE AND WE SPRING OUT OF BED EVERY DAY
TO TACKLE THEM UNLIKE ANYONE’S DONE BEFORE.
WE DIG IT
WE THINK A GREAT IDEA CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE,
AS LONG AS IT’S TRULY SMART, EFFICIENT, INNOVATIVE AND ENGAGING.
BUT THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. AHHH, THAT WOULD BE TOO EASY.
WE BELIEVE OUR IDEAS MUST MOVE PEOPLE TOO.
WE WON’T REST UNTIL WE GET PEOPLE LAUGHING, CRYING, SINGING,
DANCING, PLAYING, WOWING AND WOOHOO-ING.
BECAUSE THIS IS WHEN AN IDEA CUTS THROUGH.
THIS IS WHEN IT GETS TALKED ABOUT.
AND THEN, THAT’S RIGHT, MAKES YOU MONEY AND WINS YOU FANS.
AND TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WE’LL DON ANY HAT NECESSARY:
#2012
WE’LLBEWRITERS,PRODUCERS,PHOTOGRAPHERS,CHOCOLATEMAKERS,
DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, COMEDIANS, MUSICIANS AND MAGICIANS.
BECAUSE IF WE’RE NOT CONSTANTLY CHANGING TO FIND THESE IDEAS,
THEN WE’RE NOT DOING OUR JOB.

3. CULTURE, YEAH WE DIG IT HELLO NEW YEAR
Hello there you creative soul you. 2012 is shaping up to be a super-duper year. Yes it is.
Welcome to the first ever Brooklyn Brothers Brainfood; a Teenagers across the world will be adjusting to life after Twi-
review of interesting stuff that we’ve spotted in contemporary light and Harry Potter, wiping off their talced faces and discard-
culture. Exciting isn’t it? ing their glasses. But in the UK we’ll have plenty to celebrate
As members, groupies and dare we say it, slaves to the with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The Olympics and Euro 2012.
creative industry we think it’s important to be able to flex your We’re kind of a big deal.
knowledge of the following: film, music, art, fashion, architec- Picasso and Damien Hirst will draw huge crowds at The
ture, dance, theatre, design and television. We reckon that if Tate Modern whilst David Hockney is showing at The Royal
you’ve got a good understanding of what’s going on in culture, Academy. It’s Charles Dickens’ 200th Anniversary and Shake-
you can understand the mood of our times and that’s important speare’s verse and prose will shine in all its glory in three big
in everything we do. Plus it makes you look good. budget BBC plays this summer and in Coriolanus, the directorial
We’re living in a remarkable age and culture is responding debut of Ralph Fiennes. Matthew Bourne will celebrate 25 years
by creating fascinating new expressions from which we can all as the nation’s favourite choreographer, The Muppets return to
learn something. Or at least have a great time trying. the big screen and Anish Kapoor’s bright red orbit (London’s
Our approach to Brainfood is simple; we want to identify 21st century answer to the Eiffel Tower) will be unveiled. Yup,
patterns in culture, make interesting connections and bring them just your average year here in the United Kingdom.
to life for your pleasure. Because we’re nice like that. For our As we look towards the next 12 months we’ve identified six
launch issue we’ve identified the most exciting cultural themes cultural themes that we believe will make people think and feel
that we think will be big news in the coming year. in new ways. Are you ready? Ok then...
2011 was an extraordinary year for culture and 2012 looks
set to be another unforgettable vintage. We would love you to p. 4 − 5
take a few minutes out of your day to immerse yourself in the
exciting world of tomorrow. #01 #02 #03
We hope you draw as much inspiration from reading our paper
of news as we have in putting it together.
So what are you waiting for?
Get stuck in and enjoy.
The Brooklyn Brothers London
#04 #05 #06
Contents
Fig.01 World of Colour p. 8—9
Fig.02 Twisted Tales p. 12—13
Fig.03 Hero Takeover p. 16—17
Fig.04 China Cool p. 20—21
Fig.05 Think Small p. 24—25
Fig.06 Shine a Light p. 28—29

4. BRAINFOOD
WORLD OF
COLOUR
#01

5. WORLD OF COLOUR #01
2012 will bring us a Skittle bag of colour to inspire our daily
lives with bright lights, online projects, art installations on city
streets across the world and pastel shades and retro dyes for
hair, clothes and bathrooms.
Colour has taken a new stand in the world of fashion and
design, it has become more sophisticated and civilised (as
nothing is black and white anymore). But most importantly
seeing things in colour makes us feel happy and uplifted and
inspires us to want to join in and have fun with things. Even if
that means silly string, purple eye shadow and neon. Ah, neon.
As the seemingly never-ending cloud of gloomy news about
recession and spending cuts continue to hang over us, colour
is creating a natural antidote to the mainstream shades of our
everyday greys and thankfully it looks like it’ll inspire us the
whole year through. Woohoo.
p. 8 − 9
Fig.01 Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s piece ‘The Obliteration
Room” reconstructed a room painted entirely in white. For a
few weeks, children who visited were given coloured dot stickers
and encouraged to transform the space into an explosion of
colour. Fig.02 Meredith Ostrom, featured in Hunger Maga-
zine, is a recently acclaimed actress also known for creating
art with her body using multiple colours. Fig.03 “Stacking
Vessels” is a colourful series of functional sculptures for
the home by German industrial designer Pia Wustenberg.
Fig.04 Unicef’s latest campaign lets people buy and
name their own colour, or give the chosen colour to some-
body as a gift, with all the proceeds donated to charity.
Fig.05 Colour has become a popular addition to interior
design and architecture. Here is the National Technical
Library in Prague. Fig.06 California-based artist Michael
Ifland used digital photgraphy for the Pantone Street Project,
street art found around town which inspired painting ideas.

6. BRAINFOOD
TWISTED
TALES
#02

7. TWISTED TALES #02
The need to escape is nothing new for 2012, but it’s playing an
even more important role in our lives. But what has changed is
the way escapism is being packaged. Instead of creating sugar
coated fairyland stories there is a darker and more sinister tone
to fantasy worlds. Muhahahaha.
“Edgy escapism” could summarise the fairytale frenzy that
will come into force in 2012 and childhood classics have taken
a darker twist, so has the world of fashion, turning to the dark
side and portraying evil queens, Alice in Wonderland girls and
ugly sisters with big feet. Eww.
p. 12 − 13
Fig.01 Designer duo Viktor & Rolf have written and illustrated
an original fairytale book, which contains 12 original sto-
ries. Fig.02 Mulberry has also focused on tales projecting
an Alice in Wonderland feel to their winter/spring collection
2011/2012. Fig.03 Fairytale films will reach their peak
during 2012 with several films being released including
Snow White and the Huntsman starring Twilight super star
Kirsten Stewart and Charlize Theron as the Evil stepmother.
Fig.04 Bill Nighy and Ewan McGregor star in 2012’s ver-
sion of Jack And The Beanstalk, “Jack The Giant Killer”
Fig.05 Prada have created a lookbook for Autumn/Winter
2011 called Tilted Real Fantasies that has inspired weird,
psychedelic visions. Fig.06 The magazine Noi.se dedicat-
ed their 27th copy to Fairytales including a snow queen/evil
stepmother like spread.

8. BRAINFOOD
HERO
TAKEOVER
#03

9. HERO TAKEOVER #03
Superheroes are back to save the day. Batman, Spiderman and
even the anti-heroes have returned to promote a world of peace,
safety and freedom. They’re good like that.
Traditionally children were the ones who looked up to Super-
heroes as they encouraged them to be “brave” during times
of despair. Today, comic books, Superheroes and science fiction
have gained their cool amongst adults as well, proudly pro-
claiming to be part of the rising mainstream geek culture.
We’ve seen the rise in real life Superheroes carrying out
anonymous and unselfish acts to help make a difference in the
world around them. Despite their dubious penchant for lycra.
Expect an explosion of Superhero movies launching in 2012
and everything from the design of upscale superhero costumes,
to creating your own “Superhero-workshops”. LEGO Super-
hero figures will be a hot new kids toy and a slew of hero
inspired products and activities will encourage people to stay
strong and brave no matter how tough life gets. *Air punch*.
p. 16 − 17
Fig.01 LEGO will be launching their new Superhero collec-
tion. FIg.02 Phoenix Jones, 23, from Seattle, Washington
is one of America's most famous real-life 'superheroes'.
Fig.03 Fashion is hot for superheroes in 2012 and will let
you represent your favourite superhero character in a variety
of ways. FIg.04 Several films featuring super-heroes re-
turn in 2012. The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-
Man and The Avengers. Fig.05 Victoria’s secret fashion show
featured a superhero theme. Fig.06 Frugaldad.com recently
designed an infographic called "Redefining Action Hero: Bill
Gates Is Better Than Batman." The Bill And Melinda Gates
Foundation have donated 48% of their net worth to charity
which is helping to save millions of lives.

10. BRAINFOOD
CHINA
COOL
#04

11. CHINA COOL #04
China’s new culture of cool is inspiring the Western world with
their restless ambitions.
Visionaries from the new generation of China are being em-
braced by the West and are thriving within art, fashion, design
and architecture.
The country is now one of the world’s largest luxury mar-
kets and is seeing a big cultural shift, realising that it’s more
important to show off good taste than showing off wealth. This
new attitude is being reflected in the cultural creations they are
inventing. Though we say there’s nothing wrong with a little
bling. And maybe the odd sovereign ring.
Their eagerness to adapt to the Western world while still
maintaining their own traditions has resulted in astonishing
projects ranging form Zaha Hadid’s opening of the Guangzhou
Opera House to artist Ai Weiwei’s most recent work, “Forever
Bicycles”, to pop up fashion shows and theatres.
There is a new, open-minded and experimental gene-
ration that are contributing to the economic and cultural growth
not only of China but of the Western world as well. They are
a generation of early adopters, embracing new business and
technology with optimism and a newfound confidence. p. 20 − 21
It’s exciting times for China and 2012 will bring us even more
interesting cultural highlights. Ooo.
Fig.01 The first large scale solo exhibition of Ai Weiwei’s
most recent work “Forever Bicycles” installs 1,200 bicycles.
Fig.02 As part of Shanghai’s campaign to become culturally
relevant across the world, they are aiming to launch 100 mu-
seums in a decade. One of them is the shiny new Museum of
Glass that opened in late 2011. Fig.03 The Guangzhou Opera
House, designed by architect Zaha Hadid has been acclaimed as
one of the world’s most spectacular opera houses on the planet.
Fig.04 Burberry created a digital experience for the launch
of their first store in Beijing. Fig.05 Nike is set to release
a collection centered around the Chinese Zodiac for the 11th
year in a row, a tradition that’s highlighted this time around
with the auspicious Year of the Dragon. Fig.06 Accidental
Chinese Hipsters, is a blog casting a loving gaze upon Chinese
fashion. Fig.07 Ma Yansong, one of the youngest and most
successful architects from Beijing. His futuristic designs rep-
resent the new wave of Chinese experimental architecture
and have become renowned around the world.

12. BRAINFOOD
THINK
SMALL
#05

13. THINK SMALL #05
It's no longer about a quick fix or reaching out to as many people
as possible through social media, instead the focus in 2012 lies
in reaching out to the right people and offering them an intimate
experience they’ll never forget. Like me and you.
We’re in the midst of a growing “small culture” where there
are rewards for regulars and an immaculate attention to detail
within design and user experience. Small can be beautiful
and when we focus our attention on the small things in life
they change our perspective of the world and bring us a sense
of joy. Ahh.
Small experiences can make a big difference when presented
in a way that makes us feel special and unique. The world has
seen the arrival of personalised gadgets, miniature books,
microphotography and Adele, the singer who won her title as this
century’s best selling artist simply through thinking small.
She has famously declined performing at Glastonbury and the
O2 Arena and has refused to let her name be associated with a
perfume or a TV show. She has continuously fought for her fans not
to be exploited by money driven record labels and her approach
means she is now one of the world’s most successful pop stars.
2012 is the year which proves more than ever, that it’s the little p. 24 − 25
things in life that make us happy.
Fig.01 A tiny 1938 children’s book by Gertrude
Stein. Fig.02 Little Printer is a new product from
BERG which aims to reinvent personalised publish-
ing, with printed news from Foursquare, Facebook,
and The Guardian. Fig.03 We will be seeing an in-
crease in credit card payments with Square as you
can pay anywhere with your iPhone, iPad or Android
phone. Fig.04 Little Bets by Peter Sims, on how think-
ing small can make us great. Fig.05 Mogees (Mosa-
icing Gestural Surface) is a tiny mic that turns any sur-
face into a touch interface, created by Bruno Zamborlin.
Fig.06 Mini hipster caps made to be worn over your
ears, this is the hippest pair of earmuffs you’ll ever own.
designed by Beckman students Tove Greitz and Minna
Magnusson, Sweden. Fig.07 Adele.

14. BRAINFOOD
SHINE A
LIGHT
#06

15. SHINE A LIGHT #06
As we gingerly step out of the January darkness, 2012 looks like
it will continue to shed rays of light on our day-to-day life and
inspire us to see things in new ways. Soberly at least.
Light has always played a central part in spreading hope and
positivity and it has become more prominent in art, design and
architecture during the past year and has been featured in ev-
erything from interactive music videos, interior design and fes-
tivals, to bouncing off walls and inspiring fashion shows.
Portraying light in contemporary ways will flourish during
2012, driven by new technologies that will allow light to open up
a brilliant world of optimism and opportunity for us all to enjoy.
p. 28 − 29
Fig.01 MOMA, New York has commissioned a new multime-
dia work by Antony Hegarty, including a performance of
Antony And The Johnsons; the production will be mounted
at Radio City Music Hall on 26th January 2012. Fig.02 Brit-
ish designer Samuel Wilkinson and product design company
Hulger won the Brit Insurance Design Of The Year 2011 for
their redesign of the low energy light bulb The Plummen 001.
Fig.03 Ellie Goulding recently launched her new single
“Lights” together with an interactive music video where the
viewer can steer the light beam in different directions, deter-
mining the speed of it. You are also encouraged to tweet your
name and it will appear as you fly past colourful shapes
and forms. Fig.04 The living Disco ball Bella Berlin is
an avant-garde dance performance artist who was disco-
vered in an underground club by graphic designer Bruno
Kolberg. Fig.05 Reykjavik’s new concert hall designed by
artist Olafur Eliasson featured in MARK magazine. Fig.06
A litre of light is a sustainable lighting project that aims to
bring the eco-friendly Solar Bottle Bulb to underprivileged
communities nationwide. Using recycled plastic bottles,
bleach and water, the bottles illuminate the room with
the help of sunlight. Fig.07 Speed of Light is a tremen-
dous fusion of sport and innovative culture. It is one of
Scotland’s official artistic contributions to the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games.

16. WE'RE THE BROOKLYN BROTHERS.
THE BROOKLYN BROTHERS
We're The Brooklyn Brothers.
A PICK-N-MIX OFnew way.
A pick-n-mix of creative and passionate doers
who are obsessed with doing things in a
CREATIVE AND PASSIONATE DOERS
WHO ARE OBSESSED WITH DOING THINGS IN A NEW WAY.
We love a good challenge and we spring out of bed every day
to tackle them unlike anyone’s done before.
We think a great idea can come from anywhere,
WE isLOVE Ahhh,GOOD too easy.
A that would be CHALLENGE AND WE SPRING OUT OF BED EVERY DAY
as long as it’s truly smart, efficient, innovative and engaging.
But this not enough.
TO TACKLE people laughing,UNLIKE ANYONE’S DONE BEFORE.
THEM crying, singing,
We believe our ideas must move people too.
We won’t rest until we get
WE THINK A GREAT IDEA CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE,
dancing, playing, wowing and woohoo-ing.
Because this is when an idea cuts through.
This is when it gets talked about.
AS make this happen, we’ll don any hat necessary: SMART, EFFICIENT, INNOVATIVE AND ENGAGING.
LONG AS IT’S TRULY
And then, that’s right, makes you money and wins you fans.
And to
BUTdesigners, comedians, musicians and magicians. AHHH, THAT WOULD BE TOO EASY.
directors, THIS IS NOT ENOUGH.
We’ll be writers, producers, photographers, chocolate makers,
Because if we’re not constantly changing to find these ideas,
then we’re not doing our job. OUR IDEAS MUST MOVE PEOPLE TOO.
WE BELIEVE
WE WON’T REST UNTIL WE GET PEOPLE LAUGHING, CRYING, SINGING, End.
DANCING, PLAYING, WOWING AND WOOHOO-ING.
BECAUSE THIS IS WHEN AN IDEA CUTS THROUGH.
THIS IS WHEN IT GETS TALKED ABOUT.
AND THEN, THAT’S RIGHT, MAKES YOU MONEY AND WINS YOU FANS.
AND TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WE’LL DON ANY HAT NECESSARY:
WE’LLBEWRITERS,PRODUCERS,PHOTOGRAPHERS,CHOCOLATEMAKERS,
DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, COMEDIANS, MUSICIANS AND MAGICIANS.
If you would like to know more about The Brooklyn Brothers,
please contact Jackie Stevenson.
BECAUSE IF WE’RE NOT CONSTANTLY CHANGING TO FIND THESE IDEAS,
Email jackie@thebrooklynbrothers.com
Address 11—29 Smiths Court, Soho, London, W1D 7DP
THEN WE’RE NOT DOING OUR JOB.
Phone +44 (0)20 7292 6200
thebrooklynbrothers.com