The Ruins of Detroit
I’m very excited to be visiting Detroit for the first time, so I went back to look at the incredible photos taken by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre for their book The Ruins of Detroit. It’s hard to believe that they could exist in 21st century America, although if you’ve seen The Omega Man, with Charlton Heston cruising a trash-strewn deserted downtown Los Angeles in a convertible, it doesn’t seem so farfetched. Along with Soylent Green and Planet of the Apes, a great triple-bill of Heston starring late sixties/early seventies cheesy (in a good way) post-apocalyptic sci-fi.
On a more positive note, there is a lot of exciting urban renewal and creative activity going on in Detroit that I’m looking forward to checking out, such as the Russell Industrial Center, a massive former factory complex that has been converted into a hub for artists, craftsmen, designers and small manufacturers.
High Contrast
Striking image by photographer Richard Powers, taken in the New York home of designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg. The strong perspective and bright light draw you in, but the high contrasts of light/heavy, smooth/rough, and shiny/dull in the furnishings are what bring it to life. Divine.
Soft Focus
Close-up of an early coffee table design in walnut. The soft focus was accidental, but I love how it gives it a heavenly glow.
Ink Flow
For his series a due Colori, Alberto Seveso photographed ink underwater. Gorgeous colors and fluid forms.
Lucy in Walnut Jeans
Our niece Lucy modeling a pair of low rise walnut jeans made by our master craftsman, Aaron.
And no, the abstract expressionist painting on the right isn’t a Robert Motherwell. Lucy painted it – when she was two years old!
Moby on LA Architecture
I’ve always found Moby to be an interesting character, although I must admit I haven’t listened to any of his music since the late 90’s. I had him pegged as a diehard Lower East Side New Yorker, and was pleasantly surprised to read in the New York Times last year that he had moved to Los Angeles and bought a funky house in the Hollywood Hills. I was even more surprised to learn recently that he loves architecture and has a blog called Moby Los Angeles Architecture.
Blogging on a rare building by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (owned by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo) to a seedy Hollywood motel, and everything in between, it’s clear that he has fallen hard for Los Angeles and it’s unique architectural splendor. Great insights into what makes LA such a fascinating and vibrant city that is so often maligned, yet sadly misunderstood.
Check out his interview by Dwell Magazine LA editor Frances Anderton on KCRW.
The Jellies Experience: Are You Experienced?
If you missed Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival you have another chance to experience some psychedelics in Monterey. “The Jellies Experience” opens at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on March 31st. If it’s anything like the jellyfish exhibit I saw there a few years ago, it’s sure to blow your mind.
These gorgeous photos by marine biologist and underwater photographer Alexander Semenov are just a teaser. To really experience the wonder of these beautiful and astounding creatures you need to see them live. Hallucinogens are optional but not necessary.
Fact or Fiction?
Well, some of both actually. Belgian photographer Filip Dujardin digitally assembles photos of buildings, creating hyper-real architectural images. Intriguing, and a little unsettling.
Size Matters II
While on the subject of exaggerated size in art and design, these are two of my favorite images by French photographer Guy Bourdin (1928 – 1991). His surreal and often risqué photos for French Vogue and Charles Jourdan shoes explore themes of desire and alienation, and were way ahead of their time for fashion photography.
