Modernism | Musings

“Consistent and classic yet absolutely unique…”

Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings

I recently learned of the work of California based designer Erin Martin. Ms. Martin has a clean, refined style with a bit of wit mixed in. Love it. Her stylistic choices are classic yes, but these elements are carefully and strategically placed in a sea of restrained modernism. There are few materials, with a strong presence created with the scale of its use. For example, the modern interpretation of the classic adirondack chair below, looks to be built of repurposed wood, which immediately creates a lived in quality and element of comfort to each user experience. Further, the chairs simple repetition is easy on the eyes, and the tonal pea gravel base further supports this beautiful, monochromatic composition. Looking at the bathroom sink and the kitchen above, you begin to see the power of this approach. The simple palette and clean lines allow the details of the space to become the focus. Beautiful work Erin.

Images sourced at http://www.erinmartindesign.com

Tags: architecture, Classic Interiors, Erin Martin, interior design, Modernism

Read more | Comments (0) | April 16, 2012

The Wall House

Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings

I have followed the work of the talented team of Brian Messana and Toby O’Rorke for some time. Together, they are Messana O’Rorke, an interdisciplinary design firm founded in 1996 in New York City. They believe that the value of design has the power to enhance the quality of life. I couldn’t agree more.

I recently came across ‘The Wall House’ on the architect’s website. It is simple in form, and conceptually sound. The long concrete wall forms a barrier from the public realm, a blanket of privacy and separation from the activity of the street. On the flip side, the home is open, light filled and inviting, an exercise of transparency, and comfort of proportion. I would love to move in.

From the architects: ”The Wall House is conceptually a house as described; a massive concrete wall, which divides the public realm from the private house beyond. A single opening in the wall provides access to the habitation, which conversely is based on a simple box with glass walls. The wall is a metaphor of a medieval rampart and is also a natural billboard, where shadows of trees and clouds race through daytime and moon lit nights. The three bed roomed house is arranged along the wall, whose edge becomes the communicating spine along which the various spaces are accessed. An open sided courtyard separates the main house from a guesthouse and gym. A one hundred meter lap pool, like a moat, runs the length of the house.”

Images and excerpts sourced at www.messanaororke.com

Tags: architecture, interior design, Messana O'Rorke, Modernism, The Wall House

Read more | Comments (3) | February 21, 2012

Forever Bicycles

Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings

I came across these breathtaking images while perusing Fast Company . The artist, Ai Weiwei, has a new exhibition in Taiwan at The Taipei Fine Arts Museum titled ‘Forever Bicycles’. 1,200 bicycles, nearly 100 feet high, providing a strong visual impact. The repetitive elements are perfectly aligned and meticulously displayed. Every angle offering a new vision. At once monolithic and simple, as well as dynamic and complex. I am so taken by these images that I can imagine hours spent studying this display if I could visit in person. The reflectivity of the material creates a play of light, a study of transparency abruptly and rhythmically disrupted by the deep black spheres of tires. For the large volume of this venue, a thoughtful, impactful, and beautiful display. “The bikes have no handlebars and no seats and instead use those parts of the frame to extend upward and outward to connect to other wheels and other frames, creating the illusion of a labyrinth-like space in a three-dimensional area.” Forever Bicycles will be on view until January 20.

More information here.
Images found at Fast Company.

Tags: Ai Weiwei, art, Bicycles, Modernism, Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Read more | Comments (1) | January 13, 2012

If You Don’t Look Good, We Don’t Look Good.

Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings

Modernism through the eyes of Vidal Sassoon. Beautiful, angular and sculptural creations on the heads of women everywhere. A Vidal Sassoon cut, was a serious fashion statement. In the 1950′s, Vidal began experimenting with shapes. His creations took on names like “Teasy Weasy”, expressing the technique and style of the times.

Have you seen the film about the life of this talented designer? View the official theatrical trailer of Vidal Sassoon The Movie by clicking on the link. “This film is a first-time, deeply intimate look into the life of Vidal Sassoon, from his early days in an orphanage, to his time as a soldier, his beginnings on bond street, and ultimately, the revolution he caused, which continues to this day. Vidal Sassoon The Movie was filmed over the course of 3 years and features unprecedented access to Vidal, candid interviews with former staff, family members, reporters and historians”. Vidal Sassoon The Movie

This isn’t a story about hair. Rather, it is a story of passion, design, vision and continuous self invention. I find his tireless dedication to his craft to be a true inspiration. Regardless of medium, every designer must embrace these, pausing to question, challenge and redefine what is expected and accepted. From that personal exploration of craft, comes innovation. Vidal Sassoon has a story to tell. It is a tale which expresses his belief in the connectivity of the arts; his artistic influences based on architecture, culture and art. Vidal Sassoon reminds us what is possible with the “right commitment and passion”.

Vidal Sassoon The Movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York city April 23 – May 1, 2010.
Image and excerpt found at the official website http://www.vidalsassoonthemovie.com

Tags: design, Modernism, Vidal Sasson

Read more | Comments (0) | July 21, 2011

Alex Steinweiss, The Inventor of the Modern Album Cover

Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Favorite Posts, Inspiration, Musings

Taschen recently released a book written about the successful career of Alex Steinweiss. Mr. Steinweiss was the inventor of the album cover. His design work was bold and modern, and he singlehandedly changed the way musicians expressed themselves both visually and acoustically.

The following is an excerpt from the publisher describing the work, author and influences.

“Alex Steinweiss invented the album cover as we know it, and created a new graphic art form. In 1940, as Columbia Records’ young new art director, he pitched an idea: Why not replace the standard plain brown wrapper with an eye-catching illustration? The company took a chance, and within months its record sales increased by over 800 per cent. His covers for Columbia—combining bold typography with modern, elegant illustrations—took the industry by storm and revolutionized the way records were sold. Over three decades, Steinweiss made thousands of original artworks for classical, jazz, and popular record covers for Columbia, Decca, London, and Everest; as well as logos, labels, advertising material, even his own typeface, the Steinweiss Scrawl. He launched the golden age of album cover design and influenced generations of designers to follow.

The authors:

Kevin Reagan is a triple Grammy Award-winning art director, also honored by the AIGA, Print, and Communication Arts. As former art director of Geffen, MCA, and Maverick, he designed packages for Madonna, Beck, Sonic Youth and many others. He lives in Los Angeles.

Steven Heller, co-chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA Designer as Author Program, writes the “Visuals” column for the New York Times Book Review, and is the author of 120 books on design, illustration, and satiric art.

To preview the book visit the publishers website, Taschen.