A mobile is best described as a hanging sculpture of fluid motion.
Whether starting with a single wire–or balanced on a stand with a pointed tip, a stabile–thin arms with attachments are carefully positioned one off the other so they balance both physically and visually.
As their inventor in 1931, Alexander Calder is synonymous with mobiles. While sculptures that moved via machinery or motors may have inspired the name, Marcel Duchamp suggested it to Calder for his kinetic, or mobile art pieces.
Thru March 21st at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, is Alexander Calder in Focus. Don’t miss the opportunity to view this annual exhibition of his mobiles, stabiles, drawings and paintings.
Also, detour into the loop to see Calder’s Flamingo sculpture at the Federal Plaza, shown below.
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Special thanks to todd, store designer in los angeles, who contributed the following words and photos.
We began this concept of counter culture windows as a simple collection of high dining tables and barstools accented by spray paint poetry written on a back-drop of fabric and mirrors.
The patterns–with a clashing florescent paint color–added kind of that apocalyptic or anti-establishment or “counter culture” look we thought would be eye-catching.
After executing the first two windows the third one was becoming trickier. It was hard to see any detail in the barstools because their seats were at eye level and they all looked like a bunch or metal legs.
Then I decided in order to show some of the seat top detail I should just angle and stack them into that sort of installation jumble that YES has been done before. Although, with the spray paint this window kinda just turned into this a hotel room that a punk rocker has trashed–with the fabric working as tacky wallpaper.
Man do we Love LA!
“in order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”
-Coco Chanel
“my fault, my failure is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them”
-Jack Kerouac
“I love Los Angeles,
I love Hollywood,
Everybody is plastic, but I love plastic
I want to be plastic”
-Andy Warhol
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From Jodhpur to New Delhi, heavy duty trucks of all kinds jam the roads of India decorated in colorful and symbolic art. With kitschy images of everything under the sun–from stylized sunset scenes and Bollywood movie stars to flowers and religious symbols–these handpainted rolling metal canvases enliven the dry landscape as the driver’s take pride in their personal statement.
This funky and functional storage tru(n)ck is handpainted by original “truck artists” with birds of freedom, the sacred lotus and “OK Horn Please”.
It is truly a small piece of national tradition that helps sustain its artistic creators and will instantly transport you to the roadways of Mumbai.
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A modern interpretation of an ancient craft passed down mother to daughter, these one of a finds were handwoven by village women just outside Kampala, Uganda.
The stepped ribs of coiled raffia over banana fiber recall the region’s mountainside farming known as “mountain terraces”.
The craftsmanship of these women provides both an outlet for their creative expression and much-needed income to educate their children. By using one of the few resources available in their remote area, they are weaving their rich cultural past with a future of hope.
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1. Nag champa incense. It reminds me of India and is affordable. I always burn it to welcome guests.
2. The Eiffel chair by Charles Eames. Its modern accessible and versatile. Mixed with vintage, rustic or paired with modern.
3. Marta glasses. It’s named after me for a reason. It’s the only glass we use at home so I own many of them.
4. Sit down dinners at our house. Casual, with family and friends.
5. Candlelight. My favorite is a 12” white taper candle from Tag. It burns beautifully.
6. Road trips with my husband and 2 golden retrievers. We always take the longer scenic route.[caption id="attachment_3421" align="alignright" width="240" caption="photo by Szift at flickr.com"]
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7. Boots–especially cowboy.
8. Ethnic art because its elemental, honest and human.
9. Architecture and design bookstores–an obsession.
10. Real fires–outdoor fire pits, indoor fireplaces. I love the warmth and the smell.
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Posted in behind the scenes, tagged antique, architecture, art, craft, decorate, DIY, hint, LA, los angeles, wall art, weho, west hollywood, windows on October 29.2009 | 2 Comments »
Special thanks to todd, store designer in los angeles, who contributed the following words and photos.
Storefront windows have been a staple since the dawn of “shoppe” keepers. Over time they evolved into a form of entertainment and experimentation. Today they have to stand out from the competition, stop you in your tracks–and catch your eye between blinks. (no pressure, really)
Developing a concept is the first and most difficult step of planning windows. After some brainstorming a strong idea emerges to suit the product selection. Next we’ll order the merchandise to stock it, buy supplies and schedule help.
For these ‘carbon copy’ windows we were inspired by the movie “500 days of summer”. The lead character in the movie, an architect, had a chalkboard wall in his bedroom to sketch ideas–including a virtual headboard for his bed.
We incorporated this idea into the window theme–which became ‘grey, black, white and a single hit of bold color’–by drawing elements customers might have in their homes, like a flight of stairs and a vintage French mirror.
To produce the windows we sought local (and hidden) talent within our store. Mark-Austin, Elliot and Erick created the chalk drawn interior spaces–the virtual settings for actual product.
In the end, the most successful windows not only display products in the best light possible, they’re created by a talented and enthusiastic team who participate in the creative process and contribute their skills to the execution. Many thanks to the Sunset team for all their support and hard work!
Are you inspired to DIY? How about hanging an infinity mirror and chalking your own frame? We’d love to see what details suit your personality.
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