Kin Euphorics Expands With a Mood-Boosting Ros, and Other News – Surface Magazine

DESIGN DISPATCH Our daily look at the world through the lens of design. BY THE EDITORS May 20, 2022

Kin Bloom by Kin Euphorics

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Jen Batchelor founded Kin, a non-alcoholic drink best described as euphoric, as a natural concoction that helps you reach the state of happiness were born with and entitled to. Kin doesnt use cannabis either, instead mixing adaptogens, herbs, roots, and nootropics to create an all bliss and no booze experience. The brand, which welcomed supermodel Bella Hadid as a co-founder last year, produces functional formulas made with euphoric actives to conjure cosmic energy and welcome inner peace. It might seem esoteric, but Batchelors background in psychology and herbology means everything she does has scientific support, some coming from Ayurveda, a healing system that spans millennia.

The brand now expands its lineup with Kin Bloom, a mood-boosting and aphrodisiac-infused flavor that fuses summer strawberry, barrel oak, and rosemary citrus. Each ingredient in the sugar- and caffeine-free beverage is intentional: schisandra to conjure clarity, damiana to serve as a playful aphrodisiac, L-Theanine for centeredness, and organic Ashwagandha to elevate mood, ease inflammation, and reduce stress. Kin Bloom doesnt amp you up, just as it doesnt wind you down, per se, Batchelor says, further describing it as the ultimate energy enhancer and a restorative take on an all-day ros. How does she recommend it? Chilled to perfection and in the longest-stem glass I can find. The color is dazzlingit really makes me feel like Im in St. Tropez basking away. Ryan Waddoups

The Athenum cultural district at University of Texas at Dallas. Image courtesy Morphosis

Architecture studio Morphosis has designed a performance hall and two art museums for a new cultural district called Athenum at a Dallas university. The districtofficially called the Edith and Peter ODonnell Jr Athenumwill encompass 12 acres on the main campus of the University of Texas at Dallas. Positioned on the southeastern edge of campus, the district will allow both students and the surrounding community to experience the convergence of art and architecture in ways not previously possible at the university, said Arne Emerson, a partner at Morphosis who is serving as design lead. [H/T Dezeen]

Attendees of a gala May 17 at the Whitney Museum of American Artthe New York institutions principal fundraising event of the yearcould not steer to the entrance without bypassing a clamorous crowd of about 80 protesters, who broke the events veneer of civility and imbued the barren West Chelsea corridor with the aura of a sporting match. Workers at the museum rang bells, chanted, and cheered when taxi drivers and chauffeurs who just dropped off their employers honked in support of them, holding signs that read Honk for a Fair Contract and Union Strong. Artificial grass hedges lined the glass exterior of the lobbypresumably shielding the evenings exclusive guests from the agitation outside. [H/T Hyperallergic]

A statue of Margaret Thatcher in Grantham, Lincolnshire, that was egged on Sunday. Photography by Joe Giddens/Getty Images

A statue of Margaret Thatcher, installed in her hometown of Grantham, was egged just two hours after it was erected on Sunday. When the monument to the divisive British conservative, who was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990, was announced, local opinion split on whether it would be a welcome addition to the cultural landscape of the town. A Facebook group for an egg throwing contest was started when the statue was announced in 2020 and gained more than 13,000 members. Jeremy Webster, the deputy director of the University of Leicesters Attenborough Arts Center landed the first egg on Sunday, an action that has been criticized by the University. [H/T Artnet News]

Artists can already promote merch and tickets on their Spotify profiles. Now the streaming service is testing a feature that will let them also promote their NFTs. Steve Aoki and The Wombats appear to be two of the artists taking part in the test, both of whom have been among the early adopters of NFTs. The test is currently running for select users of Spotifys Android app in the US, who will be able to preview NFTs on the artists profile pages. They will then be able to tap through to view and buy them from external marketplaces. [H/T Musically]

Uber announced its latest slate of updates Monday ahead of whats expected to be a busy travel and events season. The features, announced during its Go/Get virtual event, include:a new option that lets you book a bus or passenger van; a trip itinerary feature to help book rides throughout an extended trip, like a vacation, from one place to another; voice ordering; and an electric vehicle hub for drivers. Uber has been working toward becoming a super app as a way to diversify its offerings, which could potentially help drive long-term profitability. For example, the company is adding trains, buses, planes and car rentals to its U.K. app this summer. [H/T CNBC]

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Kin Euphorics Expands With a Mood-Boosting Ros, and Other News - Surface Magazine