I love the severity and beauty of these dancers.
6.30.2008
watch the shadows
I have a new obsession with owlyshadowpuppets. I found them in Small magazine (chock full of treasures, that one) and now would like one each of their paper creations. I think next fall, when the nights get long, it would be lovely to have friends over for dinner parties and shadow puppet theater.
imaginary outfit: dressing like an edward gorey illustration
Maybe it's because I watched Mystery last night, or maybe it is just the interminable rain, but today I am thinking about Edward Gorey, specifically the Gashleycrumb Tinies. When I was little, I would stare at his drawings, mesmerized by the moon faces and tiny lines and vanishingly small details.
I would cut quite a figure if I went out to walk the dog so attired.
brelli
Brelli - the world's first biodegradable umbrella. I am wishing I had one of these this rainy day.
where is the knowledge we have lost in information? (my personal fear)
Poster by Anthony Burrill. Post title from T.S. Eliot.
ideas are abundant (my personal creed)
6.29.2008
banner day
Sunday, we spiffed ourselves up for a day of glory - see below.
Sean:
me:
First item of the day's itinerary: fortification of stomachs with delicious brunch. We went to fire, one of our favorite spots for things to eat. We lucked into an outdoor table, which was quite nice. When I looked up, I saw this:
Looking down, another lovely sight:
Our caloric intake requirements pleasantly met, we set off to accomplish item two on our agenda, the main event - visiting the art museum.
People have many reasons for living in Cleveland. Some stay for work, some for family. Me, I stay for the art museum. I can't imagine living somewhere without something at least comparable, and those places are exceedingly rare. I love it like a living thing. When I lived in University Circle, I would visit several times a week, sometimes just to sit in front of one favorite thing and get lost for a little while. When I felt the smallness of the Cleve bite into my soul, the museum was my way to escape, a conduit to the bigger world. It has been difficult to have it closed during the expansion - many of the paintings and objects in it are my old friends now, and I have missed their consolations and inspirations.
This is why the museum's partial opening has been a red letter day on my calendar for months. It was exhilarating to step into the galleries again, and have fresh eyes to see familiar things in new places (you know there are an embarrassment of riches when Turner gets hung in a corner). And people! Many, many people. All kinds of people. People sketching sculpture, with chalky fingers and rapt concentration. People admiring the ghost-white moth flitting above Cupid and Psyche. People flagging down the yellow-badged volunteers to say how great everything looked, and how glad they were to have the museum back. It was wonderful and hardly enough.
You will probably see me there again this week. I miss it already.
sunday tune #17: grizzly bear - he hit me (and it felt like a kiss)
When people start to grow misty with fake nostalgia for the 1950s and 60s, I think of this song. It was written in 1962 by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, after they had discovered that Little Eva was being beaten by her boyfriend. She had explained to them that he did it because he loved her. I don't know what sorcery they used, but their lyrics (and the spooky arrangement by Phil Spector) capture the disturbing, warped rationality in the situation.
It's thought-provoking to think of these people, living in a time that we now so often flatten and distort with selective memory, having the need, the audacity and the sincerity to treat a two minute pop song as such a loaded vessel for art, complexity and outrage.
When it was originally recorded by the Crystals, it was protested as an endorsement of spousal abuse, and didn't get much play as a result. Only a fool would think it's pro-abuse - the ominous chords, the detached voice - the whole song is a warning. I was glad when I found out that Grizzly Bear had made it a sort of signature cover at their shows. It deserves to be heard (you can hear the original here.)
Lyrics:
He hit me
And it felt like a kiss.
He hit me
But it didn't hurt me.
He couldn't stand to hear me say
That I'd been with someone new,
And when I told him I had been untrue
He hit me
And it felt like a kiss.
He hit me
And I knew he loved me.
If he didn't care for me
I could have never made him mad
But he hit me,
And I was glad.
Yes, he hit me
And it felt like a kiss.
He hit me
And I knew I loved him.
And then he took me in his arms
With all the tenderness there is,
And when he kissed me,
He made me his.
sunday tune #16: the ronettes - be my baby/shout
I love Ronnie Spector. So cute in that pantsuit and my-o-my can she sing.
I got this out of the library, and have been living in the wall of sound.
6.28.2008
lotte reiniger: hansel and gretel
Beautiful. This was made in 1955. You can read a bit about Lotte Reiniger here. I wish her films were available as a nice DVD collection, but no luck.
6.27.2008
love in many languages (my new treasure)
Just ordered this on Etsy. I discovered the seller (Ragtrader) through one of my favorite blogs, No Signposts in the Sea. Lots of lovely trinkets for very little cash.
to start your day
When we are headed to points east on a weekend morning (as you may be if you go to this or this), we always manage to stop at Fairmount and Taylor in Cleveland Heights. We park the car and before I get a chance to unbuckle my seat belt, Sean is making a beeline for the door ...
What is this place? On the Rise, the best bakery in the Cleve.
There's almost always a crowd, and Sean is in quest of one thing ... the sticky bun cart. Before we learned that you could call ahead and have sticky buns placed aside for you, getting out there early enough in the morning was an adrenaline rush. Several times, we got there too late and saw the heartbreaking sight of an empty cart, with only a few sad crumbs left to hint at the glories previously contained. These little buns are swirls of croissant dough, dipped in thick syrupy honey. Some have nuts. All are delicious. When friends visit from out of town, invariably the one demand they make is that we take them back to the sticky bun place.
As you can see, they are popular little fellows. Once we are sure of sticky bun procurement, we are free to let our attention wander to the other carbohydrate goodness at hand. The baugettes are divine (easily the best in town) and we like the Pullman loaf for sandwiches, the cinnamon-raisen bread for french toast, and the savory foccaccias for eating anytime. And the cookies/brownies/delightful tarts? No need to ask. Delicious.
This is the star of the show, though. Nothing warms the heart like peering into a brown paper bag and seeing delectable sticky buns nestling there, just for you.
The best way to start the day. Call ahead to have some set aside if you are getting there after 10. Otherwise, you risk heartbreak.
this weekend
Snapped this from the car because it is a little pitiful. It makes me feel like Tinkerbell lives here.
If you aren't too busy believing, here are things you can be doing:
le ballon rouge
When I was in first grade, I was assigned a teenaged mentor through a school program. I don't remember her name, but I'll never forget her. When we met, she had beautiful, extra-round red and blue helium balloons on a string for me, a most unusual and enticing event in a school day. She sat me down in front of the AV cart and said were were going to watch their story. We proceeded to eat Fig Newtons and watch The Red Balloon and I thought it was the most wonderful movie I had ever seen.
Since that day of my seven year old life, red has meant magic to me, and Paris allurement. I don't know what inspired her to choose that movie, but I have been grateful ever since. I can't have Paris all the time, but I always try for a little bit of red.
seeing red
I have been seeing glimpses of red on my daily walk. It started with a towel hung at my neighbor's window. It's amazing how glad seeing that little flash of color makes me.
It's nice to have a red ribbon of my own to twine through my days.
list love
Michel Gondry's top 25 music videos of the past 25 years. Pretty interesting - I was surprised that he included Madonna, and it was sweet that he mentioned that he gets jealous when Bjork works with anyone else.
This is the most recent video on the list - Devendra Banhart's 'A Ribbon'. I like the papery house and shadowed woodchopper, and the starry night sky:
6.26.2008
listening to this on my porch
Crazy video, excellent song and even more excellent title - 'Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby'.
working on: practicing papercutting
I found a post on Craft linking to a papercutting tutorial by the crazy-talented Skinny LaMinx, so I thought I would play around with the technique she uses.
Got to keep working. I would like to do a piece with a couple watching fireworks. This is a possible couple prototype. We'll see ... I think I need to start with bigger sheets of paper, then work down to smaller sizes.
call to artists
From Cleveland Public Art:
'Cleveland Public Art is seeking local artists and planners to be part of an upcoming storefront exhibit addressing the housing and foreclosure crisis. If you have done work on or have a specific interest in this social and economic issue and would be interested in participating, please send an email to contactus@clevelandpublicart.org.
Include a statement explaining why you'd be interested and qualified, along with any appropriate supporting documentation, such as a link to your website (if you have one), images or excerpts of your work, etc. If you'd prefer to discuss your possible interest first, call Cleveland Public Art at 216-621-5330.
Even if you have not so far done any work related to or major research into the topic, if you see potential value in this exhibit please consider contacting us. The deadline for substantiated expressions of interest is close of business on Monday, June 30, 2008. The exhibit will open at Cleveland Public Art's storefront office in October 2008.'
photographs of things that don't exist
On Tuesday, I discovered the work of Trevor Paglan at Conscientious. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. He photographs things that aren't supposed to exist - spy satellites, insignia from classified military programs, hidden prisons, extraordinary rendition flights.
In this age of photoshop, where anyone can do anything to an image, it's good to remember how powerful a photograph of a thing as it is can be.
See more here.
Photo: LACROSSE/ ONYX II Radar Imaging Reconnaissance Satellite Passing Through Draco (USA 69).
'I'm interested in glorifying something that we in the world would say doesn't deserve being glorified.'
Ed Ruscha's best shot. Good reading. Found via the wonderful I Like.
6.25.2008
ending the day
Tonight was a treat. Dinner at Brennan's Colony with my parents, where we ate nachos and discussed redwood trees, Konrad Lorenz, Locke and turkey attacks (my parents are such good company!)
On the way home, Sean and I had our first gelato of the season - a moment to be noted, because summer begins in earnest on warm nights in the glow of a neon sign beckoning frosty things.
Evenings like this make me love where I live.
fifty designers' current favorite typefaces
protest like a rock star
Under the Radar's latest issue lists the top ten protest songs of the 21st century. I think I need to get a copy.
travel like a rock star
Use the forthcoming Indie Travel Guide. Intriguing concept. Sadly, no one's writing about the Cleve.
even if i had a million blocks ...
I don't think I could do Le Corbusier. Pretty flipping great.
LEGO Villa Savoye via Craft.
papery = lovely
I discovered ORGANIC by John Patrick yesterday on Unruly Things. Lovely, lovely. I am drawn to yet unnerved by the romper in the collection ... though attracted to the idea, I am undecided on rompers for grown ups. This top is unequivocally great, though.
dimensional typography
The Finger by Oded Ezer from www.odedezer.com on Vimeo.
3-D typography. Cool.
From design:related via NotCot.
pop up
Love these papercut PopMat placemats from Publique. Spotted at Apartment Therapy.
Also love the papercut-style popup animation at Checkland Kindleysides. (Thanks, Caroline!)
6.24.2008
swarmsketch
Prometheus as drawn by SwarmSketch.
From their site:
'SwarmSketch is an ongoing online canvas that explores the possibilities of distributed design by the masses. Each week it randomly chooses a popular search term which becomes the sketch subject for the week. In this way, the collective is sketching what the collective thought was important each week ... Each user can contribute a small amount of line per visit, then they are given the opportunity to vote on the opacity of lines submitted by other users.'
Pretty rad.
anne sexton/kiki smith
Long ago
there was a strange deception:
a wolf dressed in frills,
a kind of transvestite.
But I get ahead of my story.
In the beginning
there was just little Red Riding Hood,
so called because her grandmother
made her a red cape and she was never without it.
It was her Linus blanket, besides
it was red, as red as the Swiss flag,
yes it was red, as red as chicken blood,
But more than she loved her riding hood
she loved her grandmother who lived
far from the city in the big wood.
Excerpt from 'Little Red Riding Hood,' by Anne Sexton.
The image is 'Born' by Kiki Smith. The photo does not convey how menacing the deep carmine red feels. It made me cold when I saw it in person last summer.
silhouettes
This is a fragment a student from the Netherlands animated for a class project in the style of Lotte Reiniger. (I'll be posting more on Lotte in the future.)
Here's another student project fragment on similar lines:
If I went back to school, I would like to learn how to do this.
little red riding hood slays the big bad wolf
Sweetheartsinner silver-plated brooch at Etsy. The image reminds me of Judith and Holofernes.
the girl in the cape
I saw this print by Orange Willow yesterday on The Shiny Squirrel.
I've mentioned before that I love fairy tales, those strange little macabre parcels that twine into the roots of childhood and story. They act like lodestars, drawing artists and writers to them to parse apart their imagery and meanings and encoded fears. This print reminded me of a number of Red Riding Hood inspired works I want to share, so I'll be posting a selection this morning.
6.23.2008
working on: one for joel
richard scarry
I found this Richard Scarry image on a page I had bookmarked for another reason. Strange coincidence, after just thinking about him this morning.
(P.S. That page is full of lovely - I was drawn to the book covers. It belongs to Christian Swinehart/samizdat drafting co., who posts sometimes on Ffffound and takes ravishing photos, among other things.)
reading: blackstock's collections
Sean bought this book for me on Saturday, and I have not been able to put it down. Gregory Blackstock is an artistic savant from Seattle who has been making visual lists for the last 20 years, each fantastically detailed and captioned. The drawings are more intense, and more beautifully ordered, but they remind me a bit of Richard Scarry, whose books I used to pore over for hours as a child. Both are using images and words to order the chaotic world of objects that surround us.
In this tv piece on Gregory Blackstock, everyone remarks on his memory. It's terrible to think of the blessings and curses of such a remarkable ability - it allows him to make his art, but it keeps the bad memories of his life near the surface. I'm not sure it is a trade-off anyone would choose.
my favorite blanket
I have been feeling pretty terrible since Saturday night (cursed wedding reception food!) and one of the only things that has made me feel a little human is having my favorite blanket to curl up with on the couch. It has all these different shades of green, and it is cozy without being too warm - just a perfect thing altogether. Linus knew what was up. Blankets do have magical properties.
things my sister does at weddings
Hides.
We went to a family wedding at Squire's Castle on Saturday. Plenty of excellent hiding places.
6.22.2008
sunday tune #14: robin pecknold/fleet foxes - crayon angels
Today, recent songs from the Black Cab Sessions.
6.21.2008
circle squared by todd st. john
My sister and I saw this on Happy Mundane yesterday and were smitten. Happy Saturday!
6.20.2008
jump
Happy weekend!
(The Lomographic Society International World Archive has some great shots, all snapped with the different lomo cameras. I love this one by Ondrej Bok.)
field trip: room service/made in the 216
This afternoon, I popped over to Room Service to check out the eagerly anticipated Made in the 216. I felt a huge surge of happiness as I walked up and saw all the people. Yay, Clevelanders! Supporting an awesome thing!
Room Service always brings the charm - I like stopping by just to see how things are arranged - but I have to say Danielle (the oh-so-sweet owner) completely outdid herself this time. It was wonderful - every little detail had been paid attention to, down to the tasty snacks provided by Studio C. It was hard for me not to jump up and down a little when I saw the tiered tray of PB&J finger sandwiches. So. Freaking. Cute. (I also loved the plushy pink velvet chair and Union Jack pillow. Left to my own devices, I could have parked myself there a good long while.)
Each artist had a display area that was distinctive yet somehow seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the store. Retail magic! I liked how there was often something big to catch your eye, and then when you looked closer tiny treasures were revealed (like this photo collage and earring grouping.)
While I was there, I developed a serious crush on these chairs...
... and this little hat by Made Marian. I wish it came in grown up size.
There was a lot of really nice work - photographs, charming prints by the small screen, Stephanie Finley's adorable baby togs, hand dyed vintage linens and oodles of jewelry. I bought one of these lovely wire birds by Satomi Jin. It's like a beautiful sketch made three dimensional. I can't wait to find the perfect corner for it in my house (and to spend more time on her website - wow).
And, just to cap everything off, tiny little cupcakes as a fare-you-well at the door.
Make time and go!
Room Service
6505 Detroit Avenue
Friday: 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
working on: a wedding card
If you use this, you may recognize the paper I used - it's from the box. The cover of the card has more gold foil stars and says "you two were written in the stars."
I hope they like it!
working on: even*cleveland calling cards
I ran out of bookmarks a while ago, so I needed something to fill the void until my next order of gocco screens ships. Voila! Calling cards.
you should go
Made in the 216
Hosted by Room Service
6505 Detroit Avenue
Friday: 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Artists/crafsters featured include Small Screen Designs, BCTZ Cleveland, Little Korboose, Amy Derethik, Finley Handmade, [base] line, Sarah Jane Reidel, Buzz Buzz Designs, Satomi Jin, Hannah Verbeuren Photography, and Marian Made.
There is a nice big article on it in the PD. See you there!
i would wear this and drink strawberry lemonade
Wiksten has the most beautiful clothes - all handmade, all perfectly perfect, and all almost impossible to get before they sell out. This stripy Ellybeth top is currently at the top of my list. So, so summer.
bag of hammers
More Thao with the Get Down Stay Down. This is actually the second video for this song, but I like it because it has an oktomat and I heart me some lomography.
(Other video here.)
box of fun
Materials Monthly is a subscription service that sends out samples of new architectural and decoration materials. It's $300, but you get ten boxes a year, each with five samples.
I must confess, I love materials samples (carpet, upholstery, tile, even paint chips) so this sounds just about awesome to me. Little pieces can be so useful in projects. If only my couch cushions were deeper!
Seen at Apartment Therapy.
80/500
Job Wouters' creativity and talent is just about beyond my comprehension.
I wonder what the other 420 were like.
(Oh, and if you haven't seen this, you are missing out.)
tapes'n'tapes
Item the first: Are you making Muxtapes? It's a nifty little service that lets you compile MP3s into virtual mixtapes to share. And oh, the listening - the listening! Right now, I'm all about littlewolfhadwings. So much goodness. Please make me one right now, thank you kindly.
Item the second: Cassette From My Ex. Truly brilliant - people writing about special mixtapes, and posting the mixes for the world to see. Reading these make me sigh and feel like driving an old ratty car to the 7-11 for slurpees and spree.
Item the third: Rad Thurston Moore book.
Final item: Check this clever poster by Hrafn Gunnarsson. Great concept. Spotted on Ffffound.
Meeting adjourned. Everyone go off and make muxtapes!
6.19.2008
we have just begun to fight
I saw this shortly after reading Peter Schjeldahl's piece on Jeff Koons in the New Yorker. Truly, a different time.
For a description of the social movements that Art Front emerged from, see here.
Cover image from Alk1's Flickr photostream via Ffffound.
things my sister does at work
Talks on the phone under her desk. Oh, I love my sister!
(Edited to add: sorry about the extremely random nature of the posts today - I'll try and borrow some focus for tomorrow!)
according to richard florida's placefinder ...
Ha ha.
Richard Florida was just on NPR talking about his latest book, Who's Your City? In conjunction with the book, he has an online tool that is supposed to help you find your ideal place to live. It's a bit wobbly (maybe too many users right now) but you can play with it here.
imaginary outfit: going to ez's virtual party
Ez at Creature Comforts, whose site I have long admired because it is just full of lovely lovelies, is throwing a virtual party and inviting everyone. I'm so excited! Her beautiful inspiration board is luxe, luxe, luxe - full of black and white and pearls and peonies and glimmering lights. This is what I would wear - a floaty printed top with skinny jeans and quirky oxfords in ice cream colors with ribbony laces (if you look closely, the top has a hint of those colors). And because you should never go to a party empty-handed, I would bring a John Derian plate piled high with macarons.
Thank you for inviting me, Ez!
newwork
From the site:
'NEWWORK Magazine is a large-format newspaper publication for readers who appreciate the value of new ideas. Designed and published biannually by Studio NEWWORK, Issue No. 1 shows a selection of contributors solely from New York.
...
Since all the pages are seperatable, they could be put up on the the wall as art pieces. Customized typefaces to reflect each contributors' work stimulate thinking about typography in graphic design.'
Order here. I can't wait to get mine.
street art + dante
Only in my beloved Rome. I wish I could have seen it. The street art there is everywhere and amazing. My favorites were trains covered in tags.
r.i.p. hek + mak?
"The other news is that two graffiti taggers were recently caught by the Cleveland Police on May 30th at 3:00 am, at a gas station at E.55th and Superior."
***
"22 year-old Mathew Eastburn of South Euclid, AKA 'HEK', and 23 year-old Mark Skapin of Cleveland, AKA 'MAK' have been spray painting and marking their tags all over the Cleveland area."
Someone told me about this at work on Saturday night, and it looks like it may be true.
REALNEO for all has an great post theorizing that HEK is a collective tag used by a number of artists to draw attention to problems in the city. It's an intriguing idea. The photos representing the many faces of HEK are worth a look. There are a few more on Flickr and one on Bombing science.
6.18.2008
write here write now
I saw this on Debbie Millman's blog today (I am currently reading her brain-enriching book, How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer) and am in awe. It is the work of Mrs. Eaves, whose blog, for the love of type, is a compendium of awesome.
I like that it is nodding to this (one of my favorites).
working on: strawberry galette
Right now, I am drunk on the smell of strawberry. This is the recipe and if you would like to get high on strawberry smell in the privacy of your own home, I strongly recommend making it (I skipped the basil parts - too lazy!)
Collateral benefit of making pie crust = pie cookies. Pie dough scraps + cinnamon + sugar + butter + oven = delicious. I was always good at writing equations.
typolution
This is pretty great. Design by Olivier Beaudoin, music by Ratatat (who I have really been loving lately.)
See hot off the presses at Notcot.
nice green single speed
Specialized Langster Seattle. I am in the market for a bike, and will probably end up getting one here, but it is fun to browse on the interweb. Saw this one a while back at Coolhunting.
perfect simple thing
clu t shirt with pockets. A simple thing made wonderful.
Available at Oak (where I pretty much would like one of everything they have. Their Jodie Foster/'Taxi Driver'-inspired summer editorial is ravishing - you have to scroll down, but it's worth it.)
you should get a pair
Lucchese boots. I happened upon a pair of these at the Zappos outlet store (a magical, wondrous, extremely dangerous place) for $80 and they are probably my favorite shoes ever. Very comfortable and good for wearing when you feel like getting in trouble.
we don't dive we cannonball
Good morning! Spray paint, rainbows, cowgirl boots and banjos ... it's going to be a good day for you. I feel it.
(P.S. Thao and the Get Down Stay Down truly rock out in person - Sean and I saw them at Sasquatch and were properly impressed. This song is called Swimming Pools, in case you need to love it more.)
6.17.2008
quick - check your showers
Who knew exfoliants could be so evil? I can't stand the thought of hurting these little fellows.
field trip: strawberries
Look at these lovelies. Strawberries are hard to pick - you have to do a lot of bending and stooping - but it is worth it. I paid $1.75/lb for these charming fellows. Even better, they have filled the air in my house with the scent of sun-warmed strawberries. I just may have to go back this weekend to get more. It makes me feel a bit like Emma to go on a strawberry expedition, even if I am in grubby jeans on a farm instead of an India muslin at Donwell Abbey.
Let the jam making commence!
historical color systems
This article by Prof. Dr. Hans Irtel has links to a dazzling array of very old color charts - the one at top is Tobias Mayer's Farbendreieck (1758), and the one below is a demonstration by Wilhem von Bezold of additive and subtractive mixtures (1874). The last one is by Ewald Hering (1920).
A collection of these would be a wonderful thing.
the regular and beautiful order and arrangement of color
So, after looking up color paddles, I decided to look up color wheels, which led me to these beautiful hand colored engravings by Moses Harris. They were included in his book on color, originally published in 1766. Here is the full title, a story in itself:
The Natural System of Colours , Wherein Is Displayed the Regular and Beautiful Order and Arrangement, Arising from the Three Primitives, Red, Blue, and Yellow, the Manner in Which Each Colour Is Formed, and its Composition, the Dependance They Have on Each Other, and by Their Harmonious Connections Are Produced the Teints, or Colours, of Every Object in the Creation, and Those Teints, tho' So Numerous as 660, Are All Comprised in Thirty Three Terms, Only.'
I think getting my hands on a copy is a long shot, but oh, how I wish.
oh, pretty colors
I translucent color - it reminds me of the things that kindergarten teachers use to teach color mixing, my favorite lesson. The fact that the letters spell out the wrong colors makes it a little extra rad.
Stroop Vessels on Flickr via Ffffound.
a-berrying i will go
This morning, I am up early and off east to go strawberrying. Hopefully, I will get enough that Sean and I can eat ourselves silly and still have enough for a big batch of jam and maybe one of these.
The image is Marimekko Mansikkavuoret fabric from 1971.
hey, people with video cameras
GOOD Magazine is asking people to make videos promoting their hometowns. The most illuminating video wins its creator a pair of plane tickets anywhere in the U.S.
Wouldn't it be cool if about a dozen people each made short movies about the Cleve? Then, we could stage a mini film festival to screen the offerings and eat delicious movie snacks and maybe, just maybe, get see this place we live in a different way.
(Seriously - do it! And keep me posted. I may give it a try myself.)
6.16.2008
oh, the poppiness
This is a new video from Last Shadow Puppets, which is one half Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys and one half other guy (o.k., o.k., Miles Kane).
The grooviness is almost too much to take. Skipping pigtailed go-go girls finished me off. Seen on Stereogum.
the other james joyce
This is another James Joyce that I love. His design and illustration studio, One Fine Day, has done projects for Nike, Carhartt, Kiehls, and Penguin Books, among others, in addition to offering art prints. His tiny town puts mine to shame.
I love the noodle faces.
bloomsday
On June 16, 1904, James Joyce and his future wife, Nora Barnacle, went walking to Ringsend in Dublin on their first date. Years later, when Joyce was writing Ulysses, he centered the action on a single day - June 16, 1904. It's the most monumental literary tribute to a first date in the canon.
Here in the Cleve, if you wish to pay homage, Visible Voice Books is hosting a reading of Chapter 10 of Ulysses from 3:00 to 6:00. While you can't stop off at Davy Byrne's for a gorgonzola sandwich afterwards, you can head to Nighttown.
working on: a papercut for my dad
Instead of a father's day card, I decided to try my hand at a father's day papercut. My dad keeps bees, hence the design. My first attempt was too fragile - the little bee paths ended up tearing - so I had to rework the design on a slightly larger scale. I cut it out on one legal size sheet, and folded the ends in to create some depth. It's backed with an old manila folder cut to size, and set in a shadow box I happened to have lying around the house. It came out a bit tangly and jumbled, but I think I like the disorder.
This was not a quick project, but it is surprisingly relaxing to sit and focus on nothing but carefully cutting paper for a couple of hours - a sort of meditation by doing. I would love to get halfway decent at it - I love papercuts.
a good business card is a thing of beauty and a joy forever
I kept seeing photos of amazing business cards popping up on the interweb (ex: Ffffound, among others). I greedily seek and collect interesting business cards, so my interest was piqued. I finally had a moment to check out the source and my little eyeballs have been goggling at the riches all morning. Wow.
More here. See also the following Flickr pool: The Art of the Business Card. This one may be my favorite. You have to read closely to understand what it is ...
6.15.2008
great steves: my dad
I love this picture of me, my dad, and my sister. I had a very noisy toy called the Big Mouth Singers when I was small, and I am pretty sure I am emulating it here. My sister is emulating a spud. My dad - well, he's just his own cool self. He's been that way his whole life - in high school, the kids called him Ziggy, as in Ziggy Stardust. When he got a little older and was working guiding canoe tours for inner city kids, those kids called him Steve Austin. This innate coolness was not enough for me, however. When I was little, I used to tell everyone that a family friend named Tim McKenzie was my father. It made for fun explanations from my parents.
Before I knew better, I assumed everyone's dad played in bands, raised bees, drove a park truck, and could name all of the trees in a forest (I still think everyone's dad should be able to do that). I thought all dads listened to everything from Ry Cooder to Thelonius Monk to the Pretenders and could tell you engrossing stories about Gram Parsons being buried in the desert and Stephen Stills and Bonnie Bramlett righteously punching out Elvis Costello. I figured it was no uncommon thing to have a father who took you for midnight hikes in the woods, taught you to walk without making a sound, and told you beautiful stories about the starry night sky.
I think I was about eight when I realized the truth - not only was my dad one of a kind, he was freaking cool. I'm still trying to live up to the legacy.
Happy Father's Day, Steve.
(My attempts at cool started early. That's me on the far right.)
6.14.2008
sharpen your needles
Saturday, June 14th is Worldwide Knit in Public Day.
(So technically, this image is a cheat - Carol Hummel crochets rather than knits. She is an artist based in Newbury, Ohio, and this particular tree was part of a public art competition in Cleveland Heights.)
wait till your father gets home
This is the title song from Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, which ran in prime time from 1972 to 1974.
6.13.2008
music to sit on the porch and drink sangria to
She and Him: the Lillywhite Session on NPR.
17 minutes is not long enough, but still. Gorgeous. I think I have listened to this three times today.
Spotted on Stereogum.
working on: ice cream cupcakes
So, since no one responded to my plea, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Inspired by this, I decided to make my own version of ice cream cupcakes. Instead of a cake base, I used brownie, and I topped them with strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice creams. One batch of brownies and one 1/2 gallon of ice cream was enough for 24 little treats. I finished them with melted chocolate, sprinkles, and a cherry. They look pretty cute, no?
After they set up in the freezer, I delivered them to Sean's office as a Friday treat. I was driving home when I realized the tragedy - I forgot to leave one in the freezer for me.
I think I'll just have to make another batch tomorrow.
please watch this now
I just saw this on A Cup of Jo and had to post it immediately. This is a video Beau Bergeron created for a job interview at IDEO (a.k.a. whoa nelly freaking sweet place to work). He presented it by projecting it onto his shirt.
It's wonderful. I hope he got the job.
puzzles
1. 'Decipher' - a series of fourteen cryptograms published by Pentagram.*
2. Some people have all the luck - they not only have 4,200 square foot apartments in NYC, they also have a brilliant architect who designs the house as a riddle. Read on. **
* I found this on the great Happy Cavalier.
** Ever awesome Erica pointed this out to me as a possible joint business venture. Wouldn't that be the best?
underwater
Pi via The Style Press. I love this especially, but the other illustrations make me swoony as well.
parallel spheres of social interaction and solitary communion
Yesterday, I noticed the Lincoln Park Pool was filled (and hopefully opening soon, fingers crossed). It made me think of the Swim photographs by Carlo van de Roer.
From his statement on the project (via 20x200):
'This series focuses on outdoor swimming pools and public baths — sites where the normally parallel spheres of social interaction and solitary communion with nature intersect. Viewed from above, patterns and groupings of people emerge, revealing their interactions both with each other and with their surroundings.'
standing on the sidewalk
This is what I saw from the sidewalk tonight - the silhouette of willow branches on my dining table, and a moon growing old.
6.12.2008
i needed something pretty to look at
And I found this.
Someday, when I flee the Cleve and buy a farm and decide to wear overalls full time and grow blueberries for a living, I hope to be driving one of these.
geniocity
'Carolyn Jack, the former arts writer for the PD has joined forces with artist and critic Dan Tranberg to create Geniocity.com, an online home for creativity. Inspired by a 7-part newspaper story she wrote on creativity, Jack has honed in on an underappreciated fact: creativity in all its variations is embedded in all walks of life. Their new site, Geniocity.com, is part objective news portal, relating the latest advances in science, research, commentary and inventions, and part marketplace for creative work. Their Geniocity Shop will represent global artists, including Clevelanders Robert Thurmer of CSU, and Tracey Lind of Trinity Cathedral. They officially open for surfing on Thu 6/12, so get creative, and contact them to submit your work and reach an international audience.'
I was so excited when Sean sent me this press release that I was counting the days until I could check the site. Seriously disappointing - it's bland and corporate, completely incongruous for a creativity portal. Too bad. I'll still check in to see what they add to the shop and what people are posting about, but what a missed opportunity. The interweb is all about the eyes, people!
Check it here.
stop and listen
Fleet Foxes - 'He Doesn't Know Why'
Free for download - the full story (and a really pretty picture) is at Stereogum.
If you don't love this band by now, I have my doubts about you.
art less pollution
My friend erock sent this to me this morning and it is absolutely brilliant. Alexandre Orion, a 27 year old artist and designer based in Brazil, removes the soot created from traffic pollution to create images of skulls. The official reaction was to clean all of the tunnels in Sao Paolo.
working on: birds - part 1
When I saw this mobile I was immediately charmed and set out to make my own. I took myself off to Abigayle's Quiltery on a fabric shopping expedition, then enlisted the help of my talented seamstress mother. Clever fabric manager that she is, we now have enough birds cut out to constitute an ecologically significant population.
Next steps: finish sewing & stuffing, find branches and assemble the mobiles. Updates to come.
wednesday
We had some problems at our apartment yesterday (a plumbing nightmare was unfolding) so Nora and I escaped to my parents' place. I spent the morning playing in the creek, then sitting on the porch writing letters surrounded by the leaflights and the sound of water.
It was a banner day for Nora the Bean. Lots of riding in the car, swimming in the creek, running through mud, and visiting her dog cousins. I think creek is her second favorite word in the world (the first being carrot, her snack of choice.)
meet satchel
This is my new bag, given to me by the best of aunts. Some years ago, said aunt and I happened to be at the big leather market in Florence, and she bought this bag. She claims she has never used it since then (a crime!) but now that it has a new home, it will be making up for lost time - it's already filled with moleskines and colored pencils and packs of travel tissues.
I keep wanting to hug it.
6.11.2008
ed fella
I can't stop looking through Ed Fella's sketchbooks.
This image is from his Prismacolor Lettering Book, 1989 - 1998, but everything on his site is beyond amazing (naturally, given the man is a living legend.) Check out his resume. Wow.
wilhelm staehle: silhouette masterpiece theatre
I saw a sample of Wilhelm Staehle's work on FFFFound and had to check out his site, Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre. The letters in the header made me swoony with delight, and the dry hilarity of the text is a perfect juxtaposition to the vintage feel of the images.
This one makes me think of the poem where Algy meets the bear.
6.10.2008
conroy & wilcox
Some beauty for a gray day. These pieces are all part of the Conroy & Wilcox collection. Gillian Conroy and Danica Wilcox met at goldsmithing classes in NYC, and the company was formed in 2006 after they went to India to source gemstones and study technique.
I love that they use raw and occluded stones (those are the ones that look a little cloudy) and older, faceted cuts. The best part is that they source the stones responsibly (no conflict diamonds) and use some recycled gold. Everything they make feels modern, but not aggressively so, and I love the pieces that are inspired by unusual things, like safety pins, sequins, and thorns. I would love to get my hands on a piece.
The pictures barely do the pieces justice, which is why you need to visit Industrie.
industry as art: bernd and hilla becher
i heart industrie
Imagine a tiny store on two levels, a small space packed with everything from vintage mirrors to Frye Harness boots to Jonathan Adler ceramics to Donna Hay cookbooks to sculptural crocheted light shades to wee carved Bakelite owl measuring tapes to suzanis. Beyond the eclectic treasures, there is also an onsite selection of fresh flowers, so you can go home with a bouquet. It sounds like a place you might find in Brooklyn or San Francisco, but it's here in Cleveland, at the Murray Hill School House. Welcome to Industrie.
I wandered into the upper space by happenstance, and felt a little bit like Alice going through the looking glass - everywhere my eye landed, there were uncommon things, pretty things, things I liked put together in unexpected ways. My heart was won when I noticed an antique glass cabinet tucked into the corner. Peering in, I saw sparkly rings I recognized, rings I have looked at and dreamed of many a time on the interweb - the unmistakable handiwork of Conroy & Wilcox.
!!!
My little brain was whirling. What was this place and why hadn't I been here before? At this point, I introduced myself to Terry Mascia, one of Industrie's two owners, who kindly let me try on and sigh over the pretty jewels. She said that I had to be sure to check out their space on the lower level, because they had more interesting things, a florist, and a sale table.
What? Flowers? More things? Double !!!
I headed downstairs, where I met Industrie's other owner, Sharon Lindseth. More loveliness to be seen, including a handmade stuffed lion with a red yarn mane and a nice selection of Havaianas. Then, there was the sale table. Piles of cashmere sweaters and Loomstate jeans and t-shirts all for $20. It was such a good deal, I had to pinch myself.
I plan on going back soon - it's the kind of place you like to visit again and again because it's inspiring to look at and there is such a personal and artful assemblage of things, like a more organic and interesting version of Anthropologie.
Industrie is at 2026 Murray Hill Road, #209, and I would call for the hours: 216-229-7220.
6.09.2008
imaginary outfit: things to wear on a summer day
Cleveland is roasting today - 88 degrees, and going up. Yikes.
Right now, I am holed up in my apartment, with the blinds drawn, the fans on, and the AC chugging away, dreading going outside. It has to be done, however. I think I would feel better if I had something extra glammy to wear - a floaty linen top, some lightweight jeans (I don't really do shorts), a scarf for my hair and lots of blingy accessories. If I am going to endure the sun's glare, I may as well put it to good use and blind those around me with a golden glow. The one thing I left out was sunscreen - lots and lots of sunscreen, so I can keep that special shade of pale I am noted for.
Here's hoping the heat breaks soon - until then, I may be living on this.
su blackwell
I flipped out when I saw Su Blackwell's book-cut sculptures (her work inspired the Beringer ad). All of my favorite things - books, paper cuts, and fairy tales as one beautiful object. Looking at these transports me to my childhood, when I would arrange things in my dollhouse, then stare for hours imagining the events of that tiny world.
I love art that is made of common things, things everyone lives with, like books and scissors and sheets of paper. Transforming those things invests them with magic potential, and magic begets wonder. Lovely.
paper wonder, advanced edition
Directed by Olivier "Twist" Gondry. This one is even more breathtaking. You can watch how it was made here.
6.08.2008
saturday
On Saturday, Sean and I woke up unusually early. I had a premonition that it was going to be a day of small adventures. Forewarned, we fortified ourselves with yogurt, berries and honey, and set out to see what the morning would bring.
First stop - the West Side Market. We were at the ATM on West 25th when I heard the unmistakable strains of 'Eidelweiss' filling the air. Just around the corner there was an oompah band, in full lederhosen, puffing away, undaunted by heat and humidity. A crowd of people were gathered, enraptured by the Sound of Music, suspenders, natty caps and the fact of a tuba.
Next, we hit the market, where we picked up the makings for a vat of gazpacho, and got a treat for Sunday dinner from Kate's Fish:
After we dropped the perishables at home, we wandered around a bit on the near east side. We went to a place in the city where the trees are taking back what used to be theirs.
I was particularly struck by the trees growing out of the gutters, and the almost pixelated pattern the broken panes of glass created across the face of the building.
We also saw interesting tags:
bad graphic design:
and good news.
After all these wanderings, we ended up in Little Italy, a place where you can enjoy these:
and these:
Truly, there is no more picturesque place than Little Italy for supplying all of your crucifixion jewelry needs.
Sean had an appointment to get his hair cut at La Barberia, so I was free to wander a bit on my own. I headed over to the Murray Hill Schoolhouse to check out Anne van H. (where I covet the Faryl Robin shoes) and Sobella Paper Boutique (which has a nice selection of Oddball Press cards and a floor decoupaged with pages out of Emily Post). That is where I discovered Industrie, my new favorite store in the city (it is so wonderful, it will be getting a whole post to itself very soon, so keep an eye out).
After I recovered from my retails raptures, we headed home, with a quick stop at Gallucci's for the three c's - cheese, chinotto and Castlevetranos. We took the scenic route home (surprising, right?) and drove through Slavic Village, where the roses were in riot. A good ending to a day of finding beauty in unexpected places.
sunday tune # 12: iron and wine - naked as we came
Some songs call out to the the yearning, inarticulate places in your soul. You listen to them, and they complete a half-formed feeling or thought you were barely aware of. Sam Beam's songs are like that for me. Even if I could give voice to those fragments, I don't think my words could ever be as beautiful. This song is particularly dear - there are many songs about love at the beginning and love at the end, but this song speaks to quieter, less flashy things -the days together that build a life.
These are the lyrics to the song:
She says "wake up, it's no use pretending"
I'll keep stealing, breathing her.
Birds are leaving over autumn's ending
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes 'round the yard
She says "If I leave before you, darling
Don't you waste me in the ground"
I lay smiling like our sleeping children
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes round the yard
sunday tune # 11: mason jennings - to you
This isn't an official video, but it is really beautiful. It reminds me of me and Sean. I am feeling a little grateful and a little wistful today, and this matches, I think.
6.07.2008
monchichis
Does it say something about me and my siblings that we loved singing this song over and over?
This one goes out to Rachichi.
6.06.2008
things we think about before we sleep
Jacob Trollback had his designers create short films showing what they think about before they sleep. Watch here. The one that starts with the image above felt heartbreakingly real to me.
Via SwissMiss and Coolhunting.
i wish for a party with maracas
It's so hot, the only thing to do is find a party, drink some beer, and listen to some tweecore. This video is vaguely creepy, but it has maracas!
in case you are not rendered immobile by the heat
This weekend, among other things, you can:
- admire arty things while eating lemon ice
- venture east in quest of treasure
- see John Waters' magnum opus of grossness
- bust out your zoot suit
- watch grown men kick each other
- yard sale your heart out
donut lovers of the world, rejoice
The first Friday in June has been Doughnut Day since 1938. It's a high holiday for Krispy Kreme, and to celebrate they are offering free ones to all comers. Find the one nearest you here.
(Thanks, O Knower Of All Things Donut (a.k.a. Sean))
it's making me blue pantone 292
Effektive Pantone Badge Concept. For them what loves color.
Via FFFFound.
(the post title is from a Stephen Merritt song ... more Pantone love)
rockefeller park
Today, Nora and I took our daily constitutional in Rockefeller Park. Seeing jungly green like this in the middle of the city is a miracle thing. Those the big old houses that line the park should be the most desirable property in the city - just imagine having the whole park for your front yard, and the art museum down the street.
rudie can't fail
On the Rudy/Rudie theme. This is from the Clash's movie, Hell W10. If you like the Clash at all, even a tiny bit (and you should), watch the documentary The Future is Unwritten. Brilliant, and as Lavar Burton used to say, you don't have to take my word for it. Read more here.
i remember this one
Official Cosby sweaters, worn on the show by the man himself, are up for auction. Proceeds benefit the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation.
When I was little, Mr. Cosby's sweaters seemed part and parcel of the glamorous big city, where you could live in a brownstone and go to Columbia and have a cool name like Rudy.
More details about the man, the auction, and the sweaters at CoolHunting.
6.05.2008
i always suspected i might be a nerdy girl ...
I think tonight I got irrefutable proof. I am taking a class on basic web design (so that this blog may be a riotous feast for the eye and a delight of the mind to you, my twelve readers) and tonight I learned some basic HTML coding. It was like getting the key to the magic kingdom of internet. While we working on a practice exercise, the instructor asked how I was doing. In raptures over the ease and joy of creating tags, I exclaimed, "This is fun!" He looked at me, a little incredulous, then informed me that I am the only student he has ever had that has called writing out HTML code fun.
Ha ha. The joke's on me, really - even though I went to quite a techie school, I was well known as a Luddite who disdained all things computer - I never emailed, I typed with three fingers, and until two years ago, my personal computer was a venerable antique that still had a hard disk drive.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Image from Hatch Show Print, my favorite place in Nashville.
working on: tiny houses
I love bleeding colors. I was supposed to write some letters today, but instead, I got a little distracted playing with my Crayola paints. It might be the germ of a good idea - I'll have to play with it a little more, tweak the colors, refine the little buildings, and maybe work on bigger scale - this little card is only about 4"x 6". I might try and set it up as a repeating pattern - it would be cool to use for my own wrapping paper.
Ideas, ideas.
wanderlust
My armchair fantasy today. I wonder if you ever feel dull when have a brain like Bjork's - it seems to be the most fantastical place, full of unearthly yodels and shaggy creatures and futuristic geishas and who knows what else. I distinctly remember this first time I saw the Human Behavior video - I was 15, and it was mesmerizing. I remember feeling that it was the product of a whole other world of creativity that I had never conceived of or had access to before. I love finding things like that, those dazzling proofs of a creative world larger and more wonderful than anything I have known.
This video was done by Encyclopedia Pictura (you can watch it in 3-D as well).
green + grey
From my walk today. Sometimes, I love living here, and I see beauty in the rust and crumbling sidewalks, the grey buildings on the horizon and the greyer sky beyond, and the slow, tentative accretion of progress - a house with new windows on my street. Other times, I look and see those massive bridges that bleed people away, and think I should get in the car and start driving.
6.04.2008
the unbearable lightness of being
Poster by Mario Hugo. Edition of 25. Available here.
This is one of my favorite books of all time. The title alone is a masterpiece, which is why this poster is so brilliant - beautiful to look at, sad and a little fraught to think about.
Via Ffffound.
dumplings. hubba hubba.
Check out the Free Times' cover article on Asiatown.
Dim sum, light of my life, joy of my belly ...
America's improbable experiment in democracy
This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign – to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America. I chose to run for the presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together – unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction – towards a better future for of children and our grandchildren.
Barack Obama, March 18, 2008
Full text here.
Image by xtrapop.
For more on the design explosion the Obama campaign has sparked, read Kristin Gorski's article about artists inspired by the campaign, and Steven Heller and Brian Collins' discussion of Obama's use of the Gotham typeface. More posters and art here and here.
intolerable beauty
Check out Chris Jordan's photographs of the things we throw away (click on Intolerable Beauty: Portraits of American Mass Consumption).
I am particularly take with the photo of circuit boards - it looks like a metropolis in micro.
6.03.2008
atomic: full of love, full of wonder
Isn't this a gorgeous installation? It feels like a representation of molecular happiness.
Atomic: full of love, full of wonder, 2005 by Nike Savvas. Via Bunnyshop.
color on a grey day
Colorflip.Com by Rafael Rozendaal. If you have sound on your computer, you can hear the pages flip. Via SwissMiss.
out of order
It would be interesting to create a display like this in your own house - I like the thought of installing a wall of books behind my bed.
Images from Marianne Viero + Laurenz Brunner's Out of Order series, #1 and #6, respectively, using old library books. Found at i heart photograph.
large editions + low prices x the internet = art for everyone
20 X 200 was started by Jen Bekman as way to get art to the people. Every week, the site offers two new pieces for purchase - one photograph, and one work on paper. Every piece is available in three sizes, and the smallest size is always an edition of 200 with the flat cost of $20. New works go up on the site every Tuesday and Wednesday at 2:00 PM.
It's just about the most affordable way to start an art collection I can think of.
Above - Pollution Post Unlimited by Andrew MacRae.
two typography artists for your tuesday admiration
Mike Perry: The mastermind behind this book and the tape type above. His studio is called Midwestisbest, which totally tickles me, naturally.
Darren Booth: I particularly love the swirly, dimensional cursive script. Via Czina Likes.
new shoes
These swanky flats are the very first things I am going to buy when I get my next real job. I think wearing them would make me feel French and muse-like, a la Anna Karina.
6.02.2008
back to school
Tonight, I start back to school. I think I am ready - I have my pencils sharpened, at least. An old boss used to tell me to always have "a sharp pencil for a sharp mind." We'll see.
Boston Ranger Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener.
