eugène atget exhibit: new york

What: Eugène Atget: Documents pour artistes
When: February 6 thru April 9, 2012
Where: MOMA

What’s not to love about black and white photography, Paris in the early 1900s, its architecture and breathtaking gardens—and supporting its multitudes of artists?

Eugène Atget admired all of the above, so he photographed whatever he saw as interesting and beautiful—empty outdoor cafés, expansive gardens, cobblestone streets and the shops that lined them. Then he became the first to produce and sell what today we refer to as ‘stock photography’ selling these ‘documents’ to artists in need of source material.

Focused in Paris’ fifth arrondissement, the Luxemborg gardens, and the parks at Sceaux, he captured the essence of his subjects—images that spark a thousand words each and which will surely stand the test of time.

While Atget did photograph people early in his career—and perhaps inspired by the Surrealists in later years—he seemed much more interested in modern store window mannequins and the marble sculpted goddesses found throughout the city.

spring top 3: sandra

ous hanging candleholder
like the hokey-pokey, sometimes brass is in style, sometimes it’s out…
but I’ve always loved the warmth of this finish—especially combined with glow of candlelight—and it feels completely natural on an organic silhouette like this. poodle pouf
so 70s, 80s and now—reminds me
of the carpeted walls in Graceland, our sunken living room in the suburbs—it would work anywhere
in my place today! grid hemp rug
there’s so much to love—the texture, the sustainability, the colors and pattern…but it’ll have to go in my virtual beach house since I don’t have the perfect place for it…yet.

artist profile: hung kei shiu

From original artwork done at the Creativity Explored studio in San Francisco—a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit and sell art—comes this lush and plush pillow.

Created by artist Hung Kei Shiu—one of the first artists at the studio, he left for a number of years and then re-joined in 2006.

Shiu’s known for his cryptic compositions—the tiniest of marks, a small hatched line segment, miniscule circles, or a short block of color—and the digital blue pillow is a visual feast of these marks with reflections from the shallow to the deep end of the pool. Much like the multiple layers of our personalities, the result is complex and rich.

one of a finds: carpenter bench

Ingrained in Indian culture for centuries, the craft of woodworking embodies a rich sense of history. To this day, the skill of the badhi (carpenter) is taught father to son, assuring the trade will thrive for generations.

Dating back up to 30 years, these vintage handcrafted carpenter benches offer a snapshot of a bygone era, gathered from rural carpentry sites, schools and roadside dhabas (rest stops) throughout India. Simple in construction, they were an important tool of carpenters who planed and shaped rough cuts of wood into refined objects of art, large and small—from impressive doorways and intricate handicrafts to basic furniture for everyday living.

Hewn from solid teak or mango—local woods favored for their strength and heft—each bench is unique, with natural weathering, splitting and knots inherent to the wood species. Occasional traces of paint and exposed hardware may be present, adding to the distinct “as found” character of each piece.

One of a Finds original works are offered one time only in a small reserve for collectors and enthusiasts—the carpenter’s bench has a limited edition release of 170.

recipe: buffalo wing stew

photo by: kevinmarsh leftover buffalo wings, de-boned
white and sweet potatoes
peas or corn, whichever is preferred
celery, sliced to bite size chunks

Directions:
1. Prepare buffalo wings per instructions, enjoy during half-time, then refrigerate the leftovers.

2. On Monday, de-bone them and set aside.

3. Peel and cut up potatoes into bite-sized chunks—using an equal amount of each to the leftover chicken. Boil until soft, then drain.

4. Combine all ingredients in a medium to large pot—add extra wing sauce if needed—and let simmer for at least twenty minutes. Serve with crusty white bread and box wine.