Tag: photography

The grim brothers

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Ajay Kurian (b. 1984), details of Childermass, 2017.
Plaster, sulfur, goldstone, steel, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, custom clothing, screen printed T-shirt, sneakers, spray paint, LEDS and duct tape, dimensions variable.

Childermass, or ”The grim brothers” as I dubbed it because that was the first thing that came to mind, was an installation of haunting figures – children, animals, some of them merged into both, some not human at all, eerily hanging from floor to ceiling in the Whitney’s stairwell during the 2017 Biennial.

June 10th, 2017

 

Direct Line

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The Standard, High Line

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Lawrence Weiner (b.1942, New York City, NY) created NYC Manhole Covers, functional manhole covers that read: “in direct line with another and the next” in reference to the grid of New York City’s Streets, a Public Art Fund project on view in 19 different locations.

The project was ongoing between 2000-2011 but is still on view judging by the one I found on W 12th St. & Hudson St. In case you ever feel the urge for some serious manhole hunting, you can look for other locations here.

June 10th, 2017

Me, myself and eye

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@Samsung_837

Samsung’s only concept store in NYC is located in the Meatpacking District. More concept than store, since nothing there is for sale (except coffee and treats), a kind of event space where one can get first hand info on Samsung’s latest developments and equipment and there is always an interesting happening, like our selfies being taken by multiple Galaxy S8’s and then projected on a giant screen as prismatic honeycombs.

June 10th, 2017

Scribner’s at Golden Hour

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The red brick of Charles Scribner’s Sons building is bathed in a warm blood orange colour.

Formerly a printing plant and corporate HQ of the historic printing house which produced works from such legends as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Edith Wharton, Thomas Wolfe, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Ring Lardner.

Now renovated and transformed into a modern office space.

Scribner’s on 43rd Street, Hell’s Kitchen.

June 8th, 2017

”A good start is half the journey”

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A lot of advertising of that period would, in one way or another, be considered inappropriate or offensive by today’s standards. But, make no mistake: the Cream of Wheat Chef knows exactly what every boy and girl needs and serves it with a smile!

Edward V. Brewer (1883-1971)
“A Good Start is Half the Journey”
Cream of Wheat advertisement, 1926
Museum of American Illustration, Permanent Collection
Oil paint on canvas

Apparently Emery Mapes, one of the owners of the Diamond Milling Company that produced Cream of Wheat, preferred to hire local talent rather than nationally known illustrators. So, from 1911 to 1926, St. Paul native Edward Brewer was the dominant hand in advertising the porridge. This work, done at the end of his tenure with the cereal maker, typifies the homespun ethos the company wished to convey to the general public, something at which Brewer showed great skill. It was Mapes who originated the concept of ”Rastus” the chef, the logo which had from 1890 to the 1920s appeared as a woodcut image. Brewer developed the image that we see here. It is believed to be the face of a Chicago chef, Frank L. White, who received $5 to model in his chef’s garb and which remains the face of Cream of Wheat today.

The Society of Illustrators

June 3rd, 2017

The Society of Illustrators Annual Student Competition 2017

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A jury of professional peers including illustrators and art directors have chosen the most outstanding works created by college level illustration and animation students throughout the year. Pieces are accepted based on the quality of technique, concept and skill of medium used. After reviewing 8.082 submissions, only 220 were selected for this year’s exhibition and 25 have received financial awards.

The works were on view between May & June 2017; these images are but a fraction, just enough to get an idea. Individual styles, different types of media, several Art Schools, all sharing a common quality: it was hard to believe these works were created by students, not professionals.

Carina Chong, F is for Fox
Gouache and pencil, Pratt Institute, Instructor: Pat Cummings

Mei Kanamoto, Insignificant Others
Silkscreen on paper, Parsons School of Design, Instructors: Jordin Isip and Steven Guarnaccia 

Amanda Chung, The Fool
Mixed media, Parsons School of Design, Instructors: Jordin Isip

Kyoosang Choi, Illusion
Acrylic and oil on panel, School of Visual Arts, Instructors: Thomas Woodruff and TM Davy

 Oh, look! Steadman was here!  Varvara Nedilska, The Collector
Watercolour and gouache, OCAD University, Instructor: Jon Todd

Clarissa Liu, Felt Tattoo
Felt, Rhode Island School of Design, Instructor: Melissa Ferreira

Nina Charuza, Train

Acrylic, California College of the Arts, Instructor: Bob Ciano

Mack Muller, Sax man
Monoprint, Syracuse University, Instructor: James Ransome

June 3rd, 2017

One year ago today

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We were watching the fireworks from the heights of Alamo Square Park. Somewhat obstructed by that perfectly aligned row of ”Painted Ladies” but I could not complain. After all, it was a mildly cool evening, we had just arrived in San Francisco and the ”Ladies” themselves were such a lovely sight. There will be many more photos and memories from that trip later on – meanwhile…

Happy 4th of July America! May You Become Sane Again!