Just For Fish, And Maybe A Few Other Things Too...

By nature, I don't like things that don't have multi-functional design. This though, is a conundrum. Why is it so? Because, so many multi-functionally designed items are horrible at all but one function. Therefore, generally speaking, you loose the comfort of a uni-function item, and still don't get the full benefit of the multiple items. This thought process came about yesterday for me, and now I'll explain why... here

Mid-Century Acquaintances. Artist Interview: Edwin Wade

Posted on November 12, 2011

Growing up, I was always captivated by art. When I started skating (skateboarding) at 6 years old, I was drawn to the sport by the way the skaters had the ability to move and carve. Plus, the boards had some cool graphics. As I continued to grow up in small Texas and Georgia towns, I came to appreciate the difference between artists and the rest ever more clearly. Don’t miss understand me. I’m not saying non artists are less valuable. I’m just say…artists view the world quite differently. While I haven’t skate in at least a year, I remember that feeling of expression and freedom as soon as I got on my board.
These days though, I still find those same feelings in a hand printed poster, painting, or even in a piece of furniture. Another place I find that same enjoyment is from doing digital art. So, when I saw Edwin Wades art on facebook for the first time, I knew that I wanted to interview him. To my surprise, it turns out he works in a number of cool mediums. Not only that though…he turns out some REALLY COOL art! You know, the kind that makes me want to go create something. Read the full article after here.

Something In common...

See more HERE.

Bauhaus, Understanding What It Was Like.

In general, design and ingenuity rely on individual people, more than schools and universities. That’s what I think anyway… However, I also, think that a well coordinated college/school, can teach and inspire ingenuity, design, and functionalism in a fairly balanced and practical way. It seems that one school has become famous for many of these aspects. This school, more than most, became known for it’s influence on modern design. Bauhaus is it’s name. To read more click here to continue at our new location, www.amidstmod.wordpress.com

amidst mod, architecture, arts, Bauhaus, brutalism, crafts, eric mcgrew, furniture, Hannes Meyer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, design, mid-century, modern,Walter Gropiusfrom

It's Coming Back To Me Now...

I guess as I get older, I just don't remember as much as I used to. Could it be though, I'm just on the internet or "e-net" ,as a friends dad calls it, to much?( Nobody knows way E-net.)

You've probably experienced the same thing. Something catches your eye, and you think, this is cool,I've got to share that. Two seconds later, the same thing happens again, and first thing you found, went out the window. Well...that's what happened to me with this site. I fond it, and then...there it went out the mental window. Thanks to the "e-net" being so small though and everything (insert sarcasm here), I found it once again. In fact, facebook brought it back to me. What was it...? Anticipation building. Ooooh... Click here to keep reading.

My New Favorite Thing To Collect.

While on the internet, trying to finalize all this moving of my blog from www.amidstmod.blogspot.com to here (www.amidstmod.wordpress.com). I found something that really drew my attention. What was it you may ask?
Let's see if you can figure it out for yourself. It's flimsy, mainly black, white, and occationally green, blue, or yellow. It has cool photos of old houses. Talks a lot about retro furturism, woodworking, mid-century modern design, and manual arts and crafts. Figured it out yet? I'm talking about... click here to continue reading.

Down To The Details...

To start with, I'd like my viewers to take note that over the next few months, www.amdistmod.blogspot.com will be changing to it's new blog home...www.amidstmod.wordpress.com. I appologize for the inconvience, and hope to see you there soon.

We all know that the details make the final product. If it lacks details, well there's not much of a product at all. However, if the details are there, down to the last little one... Well, that changes everything.

Interior design is the same way. A homes architecture can be amazing, but if the interior is lacking, or simply doesn't fit, well...there goes the effect. So, why am I mentioning this? A very simple reason.

Yesterday as I was cruising my rss feed, I saw a post by www.retrorenevation.com on authentic vintage/retro appliances and where you can buy them. While, I'm not in the market for this type of thing at the moment, I know some of you are. Therefore, I figured I share one the places with you.

This particular store is in a town near my wife's grandmother. Antique Appliances has been around for a while now. Even though I can't really figure out how long, I know we've seen them around since the early 2000's. Plus, I've found that a lot of the mid-century, vintage, or retro appliances that I've found online have been restored by this company.

Staying true to their market, they are in a very small Georgia town, right off main street. The buildings exterior reminds me of an old general store. In front, they have a few HID lights hung over the open plate glass window, and have a few recently renovated stoves of varying colors and styles. If not stoves, they will sometimes put out refrigerators. Each one though, glimmers and gleams as if it just came off the showroom floor in the early 50's. Antique Appliances even does renovations of stoves back to the 20's if that's your thing.

Looking over there site, I can see they know what they're doing. They've restored gas stoves from years before I even knew gas stoves existed. One quirky stove that caught my eye was a stove that had gas burners on one side, and was wood burning on the other. Who would have thought?

To be honest, I've never bought or dealt with this company, but from what I've read online, and knowing the people in small time Clayton, you can pretty much be sure to be call "sweety", "baby", or "doll". They don't mean anything by it, it's just how you have to talk in a small town Georgian town. Who knows, they may even give you a syrupy sweet glass of ice tea on hot days.

For more on antiqueappliances.com, go to their site, they have a number of links to interviews, and article about their business in well know papers, magazines, and they evidently were even featured on a radio program too. So, as you can imagine, their fame came from somewhere. I'm pretty sure it's their quality and customer service. Take a look at their site and see for yourself.

Also, if antiqueappliances.com can't fulfill your need, you can go to Retro Renovation's post on other vintage/mid-century appliance dealers and restores here. There you will find 16 places listed. It may just be what your looking for.

Changing Of The Tide

For many reasons that I will not bore you with, my blog has changed themes again. Evidently Blogger didn't like the dynamic theme on my blog and told me this morning that it was no longer available. I hate that it has changed once again, and am working on providing a more permanent solution.

Thanks for understanding.

George Perrou's Show: 'Flashbacks of Yestermorrow'

With permission of George Perrou, and Elroy Artspace

As some of you may know, I myself, am an artist. How good of an artist is for you to decide. However, there are artists that I can state... are good! Why so? Because, well, the simple fact is, I and many others think so. One such artist is George Perrou.

Some of you may have heard of him, some may not have. Either way though, there is no denying he has a unique talent, and a unique style. More though, than just having a good style, his work intrigues me. As an artist myself, I am captivated by what I can't do. Mr. Perrou, definitely does, what I can't. Here's what I mean.

George Perrou has a unique ability to balance the "lack of"... with the exact amount "of". His shapes are sharp. He has vast spaces that, thru use of color, are not dead but very much alive. If these two things aren't hard enough to use correctly, he balances these shapes and colors finely on the edge of abstract fine arts, and wacky land cartoon-ism. In short, his art captivates me and makes me think not so much about an emotion, but more about it's being. That is a inspirational combination.

Seeing as though George Perrou, was and is, inspired by the post war modernistic era (aka. mid-century modernism), and some of the greatest artists that have every lived, cartoonist... he has some fine roots for inspiration and creation. These inspirations connect with most of us. More with some, and less with others. As for me, these same inspirations have always been a driving factor. For this reason, without understanding how or why, I connect well with this art. It simply feels comfortable to me. It's just like being at home. Even if it is in a George Jetson sort of place.

While recognizing George Perrou's art is important. That's just not enough. There are other important aspects to consider. One is, and always will be, to actively support artists you like when possible. While I'll not be able to attend the showing of George Perrou's art at Elroy Artspace, you just might. So, please do.

Another important point to consider, is that of Elroy Artspace. Elroy Artspace is a Gallery that really dedicates itself to the art of those who, while not there, still find fascination with the future that was to come. So, just as these artists need support, so does this truly fine gallery. With that, I tell you...STOP READING THIS, and make plans to visit this show that will be starting today Nov. 3 2011, and will continue thru December. Who knows, you may even find that one of these fine pieces by George Perrou just might end up taking you home with it.

For more information on 'Flashbacks of Yestermorrow' and Elroy Artspace Gallery, please check out Elroy Artspace's 'Flashbacks of Yestermorrow' page.

Vespa Shirt

Photo from www,cafepress.com

One of my favorite things of the 50's and 60's are the scooters. Specifically the Vespas and the Lami's, or Lambretta's. These little scooters are just so cool and fun! Just to get on one makes you feel like the weight of the world has been lifted.  For these reasons, when I saw this shirt on Cafepress.com I had to let you know about it. Not only does this shirt have a Piaggio Vespa theme, but it also looks like original vintage artwork. So, how much better could it get than this? Vespa theme and vintage styled art... now, that's a cool shirt. Maybe you should take a look.

Just A Quick Shot Out

On a sea of copies, there are a few gems that are still the real deal. I found one of those gems today on Cafepress.com. Sophista-Tiki Origians has a number of very mid-century products in their store. These things are super sweet. My favorite though is the shot glass.

I'm telling you want though... If only I could paint like that. So, go buy one and support not only a like minded MCM enthuasist, but also a truly talented artist.  Plus, if a shot glass isn't what you need, check out one of their other items here.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations 

A Shelter From Stress

Image from Populuxebooks.com

Shelters are genuinely interesting to me. It's no big supprise that landscape architects tend to use them a lot. There are many shapes and styles of shelters too. Some are very taditional and some very artistic, but if designed well, and place in the right setting, they can all be a shelter from the elements. Clearly the elements that I refer to here include the natural elements of weather, but these shelters can also be good, relaxing places from the elements of the mind, and of life. Things such as stress, anxiety, and depression too.

Over the past week, I've been building a bed that I need. It's not really a bed that I want though. This bed has not turned out  at all like I had envisioned. My beds design has suffered and changed so many times now, based on materials available to me, that I don't even really recall the original design these days. Then on top of all that, the materials I'm left with which to build are not ideal, and damage easily. So, to say the least, my past two weeks have been stressful. And that's, how this topic of shelters came to mind.

I would love to have a shelter in a small grove of oak and eucalyptus trees. So, when I had worked hard, I could lay there and stare thru the slats at the clouds roll by. That, truly would be a pleasure.

It was with this soothing dream in mind that I remembered my favorite Mid-Century (MCM) shelter. I don't know how many times that I've seen this shelter of the years, but I do love it. Every time I see it, I'm just amazed at how simple, but cool it is. Is it complexly designed? Not at all, in fact, I dare say that of all things, this is a prime example of "less is more".

So, for those of you who aren't real sure how to build it on your own, here are the instructions, plus...if you ever need help, hit me up. I'm always willing to answer questions.

Hope you enjoy, and don't let one of the beams fall on you! Oh yeah, one more thing, don't forget to check out Populuxe Books for more mid-century/atomic oriented DIY project books.

Image from Populuxebooks.com

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations

Pop Art 1 Dr Pepper

Pop Art 1 Dr Pepper, a photo by sueism1 on Flickr.

While I'm working on a bed that is just not working out right, I thought I'd post a painting by Sue of my post mid-century acquaintances interview: Sueism1. Plus, Dr. Pepper is the only soft drink I ever crave. To bad they don't sell it here near me in Chile.

For some other creative retro styled pop art check out this link.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations

 

It's Yummy Fresh...

From www.yummyfreshgrainfeed.com

It's definately Yummy and Fresh, but the question is, do you know about it? Or, maybe the question is, do you remember to consume it's delicious flavors regularly?

Ok, so I'm not talking about regular food. What am I talking about then? The food of illustrators, artists, and their enthusiasts. I'm talking about probably one of the most comprehensive Illustration blogs on the planet, and they just so happen to focus on a lot of designer that have a Mid-Century style. I'm talking about Grain Edit, or Yummy Fresh Grain Feed as it's called in the RSS feed.

If you don't know about this blog, you should really check it out. Grain Edit is a very professional blog that has showed over time that they have the contacts, and even more importantly, the knowledge that it takes to keep providing us with what we want to see.

As a designer myself, I'm constantly looking for that inspiration that is more than eye candy. I look for those illustrators and artists that make me think twice about their work, the detail, and the difficulty or simplicity that compel me to think. Grain Edit does this, and they do it very well.

Along with showing latest finds or the newest works from known artist, they also seek out the new up and coming illustrators.  Interviews with many of the artists featured on their site plays a big part in their influence on the illustration/design world as well. This gives a unique look into the artist motivations, and views that drive their individual style by each artists view of the world.

To be sure, Grain Edit is not lacking in expertise, contacts, or knowledge of the industry. Here you will find over a hundred pages of blog post dedicated to the wonderful world of retro styled illustrators and their art. Really...I never get tired of going back and studying the works listed there.

Grain Edit is also well know for their own works and compilation books with other artists. Therefore, if you have the desire to own a retro looking piece at a reasonable cost, would like to have a cool coffee table book,  you can check out their store and select what you'd like to buy. On the site Grain Edit also puts up a suggested poster for the viewers to consider, and you can even search for a design job if you'd like to also.

Well, with all that being said, I hope you can see a little of why I like this blog so well. To understand completely though, you really need to stop by and browse for yourself.

Earlier Today, Did You Miss It...?

Photo property of Edwin Wade.

Earlier today, a cool post popped up on my google reader. It was from Atomic dustbin.com. If you don't know yet, this is the site of the very talented artist Edwin Wade. Anyhow, today he posted a serigraph, real in print for sale.

Like all his stuff, it's a credit to his talent, and I'm pretty sure it'll make any home look Mid-Century too. So go check it out. Sure you see it above, but on his site, he explains all the reasons that Serigraphs are good options for art lover/collectors. Alright then, have fun buying his art. Oh, yeah... almost forgot. I got an interview that I'll be posting with him soon, so keep posted.

If It's Hip, It's Here: ArchiTech's Future Perfect: Mid-Century Modern Design Drawings

Photo from www.architechgallery.com

That crazy little RSS button under the "follow my site" title is one of the best inventions ever created. Why? Because I'm a sucker and can't say no. I mean...I find one cool post, and then, for the rest of my days, I'm getting every lame post posted by every blogger that I couldn't refuse to follow. Then, there are the times that, for some unknown reason, I don't push it and it takes me for ever to find their site again.

What does this have to do with architecture you may ask. Not much, really. However, it is somewhat related. See, I find and follow (willingly or not) a lot of blogs on architecture. While architecture is something I REALLY enjoy, I find that architectural renderings are just as cool if not cooler than the real building created. So, from time to time, I go looking around for Mid-Century/Atomic Age architectural renderings. On one of these occasions, I found this site:  If It's Hip, It's Here: ArchiTech's Future Perfect: Mid-Century Modern Design Drawings. 

If It's Hip, It's Here, has a post on a really cool gallery called Architech Gallery. Here you will find a super rare illustrations of different MCM homes, buildings, furniture, and technical designs. I really found the post nice and the the online gallery as well. They are both definately worth a look at.

Be careful though, because on at least one of these sites, you'll have to choose whether you want to fight off the RSS button temptation, or sub come to its powers. Really though, that's for you to decide.

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Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations 

Oversized Stardust Postcard 1960s

Oversized Stardust Postcard 1960s, a photo by sueism1 on Flickr.

Oh, yeah... did I mention that Sue has good taste in collectibles? She has a nice collection of vintage Vegas postcards.

Finding The Eames Part 2

Photo linked from Palisadespost.com

Really, I hadn't planned on posting a part 2 this soon, but today I found a really nice article on the Eameses via PrairieMod. So, to help you see more about who they where, and how their house came to be, I give you this link to palisadespost.com. See "Finding The Eames Part 1" here.

TWA Terminal by Eero Saarinen, More Than Architecture

From MidCentArc via Flickr

This morning, thanks to Jason Whiton of Spy Vibe, I was reminded of how incredibly beautiful the TWA Terminal by Eero Saarinen* really is. While the terminal has been renowned for decades as a masterpiece of architecture, for Mid-Century Modern enthusiast and others alike, I gained a new perspective of it today.

I've heard and read many times that the terminal was sculpted, and of it being a true work of art. True, all architecture is art, but in comparison to the TWA terminal, most other architecture is just stacked materials. While I had always appreciated the form and flow (that jet age look) of the TWA terminal, it wasn't until my recent post on "Knoll Furniture" that I found the first key that changed how I saw the TWA terminal.

In the "Knoll Furniture"post there is an interesting video about Eero Saarinen's furniture* and design*. In this video, Brian Lutz (author of Knoll Furniture*) states that Florence Knoll told him, speaking about Eero Saarinen:"before anything else, he's [Eero Saarinen] is a sculptor". Truly, that is evident in much of his work, but I think the TWA terminal points that out better than anything else.

Saarinen's* qualities as a sculptor are abundant in the TWA terminal. In the photos on Phaidon's site, you can see many of these qualities very clearly. Some instances that are well known would be the flowing stair cases, the hanging clocks, the seating, reception desk, and the handrails. However, some thing more caught my eye when I was comparing the photos that I had seen before, with those on Phaidon's site. In all that Eero Saarinen* crafted for the terminal, he choose textures and colors that added depth to the dramatic, but smooth lines he drew in 3 dimensional space. Space and depth became divided, not so much by a line, but more by a cast shadow or a subtle change in tone depth. This added a dimension that takes normal 3 dimensional space to its limit. With his final work, he really showed his hand as an artist, as an architect, and...in the words of Florence Knoll, "before anything else, as a sculptor".

Do To My Busy Schedule

As mentioned in the title, I'm busy today. However, I still have time to share a video, albeit old, that talks about the importance of the Googie style. You know, that California Coffee Shop style that we all find so cool. Those angled roofs jetting off into outer space...Signs that create a motion while sitting still, and using the whole building as a huge, awesomely designed sign for your modern business.

Well, if you don't understand, or you just want to reminisce, here's a cool video to do it with.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations

Barney Reid Mobile

Barney Reid Mobile, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

While this isn't Chimay Bleue's month to be featured anymore, I just had to post this very cool art.

Finding The Eames Part 1

Recently, I've found or re-found info on the Eames that I'd either never known about, never taken the time to look into, or just plain forgotten about. This is something that I'm happy about and I'll explain why.

As far as Mid-Century Designers go, the Eames' are definitely a pair that come up quickly in a conversation. However, while I appreciate them a lot, I just never have been fanatical about them. Granted, they have cool works, and the lounge chair is probably one of, if not the most, recognizable icon of MCM furniture. Still, though, I never knew enough about them to get a full scope of who they were.

Recently though, that has been changing. Why, you may ask? Well... there are few different reasons.

While their works (at least the most popular ones) are seen on almost every mid-century site and blog, it seemed that the same handful of designs always showed up. Along with that, it seemed (to me) that very little was every really explained about them in a way that expressed their quirks and personality.

To that end, it's only been recently, that I've come to appreciate them a bit more, Not as just the people who designed this or that, but the people who looked for "the way it should be-ness" in their designs. People who where artist. Ones that where so interested in design and it's effect on life, that they studied nature to better the relation between humans an objects. Those are the things that I find interesting.

So, how did this change for me? First, was an article that I found on google books. This article comes from Life Mag Spep.11, 1950. While the article is short, I get a little bit more of a feeling about Charles Eames, and the importance of friends and design in his life. Plus, the way I read it, it seems that the article writer is completely unenthusiastic about this assignment, and understands the Eame's artistic qualities even less. For some reason, I appreciate that difference.

Another piece that helped me see a bit more about the importance of design is the video that I recently found online about the aluminum chair group. It talks about how the chairs came about, and how detailed the Eames' where in designing a producing these chairs.

All of this has helped me to appreciate the Eames' a good bit more. While I've never met them, I feel that people should be appreciated for themselves, more than just the designs that they created. That's what has been happening to me.

I hope you take the time to watch the video, and read the Life article. It's possible, that you may appreciate the furniture you have for more than it's esthetic quality.

See Finding The Eames Part 2 here.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations