a blog about photography, design, art, architecture, ephemera, found objects, pop culture, anonymous, outsider art, folk art, self-taught art, illustration, beauty, esoterica, auctions, discovery, art environments, mystery, vintage stuff and the magic that can be found in everyday things.
MANY OF YOU MAY REMEMBER WHEN THE TELEPHONE WAS SOMETHING OF A NEW THING. I always remember having a phone, but I do remember when we got a lighter weight rotary phone, one that replaced our old, black heavy one. And, we even had a color or two to pick from! White, black and tan, if I remember correctly. I think there may have been options then for yellow and red as well.
Imagine today, receiving a booklet from the phone company about telephone etiquette. How quaint and naive were our times.
I found these on a Flickr page somewhere, and lost the original source. If I could identify you, I would, and I do want to apologize.
SO, WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU GO TO EBAY AND TYPE IN THE WORD “ZEPPELIN?” Well, you get everything from toys to postcards to snapshots to yes... you guessed it—Led Zeppelin. Love the group, but as far as eBay goes, the band has hijacked the name. That’s mainly what you find.
Who doesn’t like Zeppelins? They are so weird! And ominous—and strange. And SLOW. I love the misguided idea of it. When they built the Zeppelin, it was like someone said: “Let’s build the biggest, slowest and most dangerous flying machine we can!” And, you’d think one of those giant flying monsters could hold about 5,000 people. Oh no. They needed room for the flammable HYDROGEN! “Let’s take a trans-Atlantic flight in a really slow flying BOMB!”
Click on any image for larger view. PENTAGRAM IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS DESIGN FIRMS IN THE WORLD. These signs were photographed as part of a campaign to bring awareness and help to these individuals. All of the copy below is from their web site—and there is a link below to tell you more and show you ways you can help.
------------- In the Spring of 2008, when DJ Stout proposed that our next issue of Pentagram Papers focus on the plight of the homeless, the Dow was above 13,000 and the U.S. unemployment rate was below 6%. This choice of subject matter, however, proved sadly prescient. While the publication was in production, the world suffered the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
We have all seen the homeless on street corners holding hand-scrawled signs. Pentagram Papers 39 features signs from the personal collection of author and legendary Texas musician Joe Ely, photographed by Randal Ford, and a series of large format portraits of homeless people by Austin photographer Michael O’Brien. Ely wrote the foreword.
Joe Ely was homeless for eight years of his life after he jumped on a freight train headed out of Lubbock, Texas, when he was 17 years old. During his wanderings he kept a journal of musings, verses, songs and sketches. Because of his fascination with and compassion for the homeless men and women he encountered along the way, he began to pay them for their hand-written signs.
These signs, some of the most basic forms of graphic communication in our society today, combined with O’Brien’s unblinking black-and-white portraits, are a reminder that with a little bad luck we could easily find ourselves in similar straits—and that at times we can all use a helping hand. We encourage you to join us in supporting the charities we list or a local one of your choice.
WHAT IF YOU WERE A PERSON WHO THOUGHT ABOUT CARTOONS LITERALLY? What if you were the kind of person who thought about what it would be like to dissect Tweety Bird, or Barney Rubble, or Charlie Brown of “Peanuts.” I mean, are we going to just take for granted the enormous size of Fred Flintstone’s head?
Artist Michael Paulus decided to dissect cartoon figures like scientists and post-mortem doctors - wondering about their origins and true physiological make up. Here’s what he came up with. I think they are hilarious—in a scientifically funny way.
THIS INCREDIBLE LOUIS VUITTON TRUNK, up for auction at the St. Louis auction house Ivey-Selkirk this November 14-15. The auction description doesn’t say how old this piece is, but it has such great wear and patina, I am guessing at least 100 years old. Imagine the stories this trunk could tell. With a glass top—what a great side table this would make.
MARK WEAVER IS ON A MISSION: MAKE SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY. I like that mission. It’s similar to my blog. Seeing as he is so prolific, here are a few of his wonderful artworks.
Mark shows his work on The Behance Network. Make something new everyday—what a great way to live one’s life.
Please click on any image for a bigger, more mighty view.
Don’t forget, bigger is better! Click for larger view!
GEORGE F. JOWETT IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE “FATHER OF AMERICAN WEIGHTLIFTING.” Certainly, he was an inspiration to many who read his many books and pamphlets about physical culture in the first half of the 20th century. Born in England in 1891, young George eventually emigrated to Canada where he became a weightlifting champion by 1915. By the 1920s, he was so popular he was considered the Father of American Weightlifting, inspiring thousands of young weaklings to bulk up. Even the great Charles Atlas was said to have been inspired by Jowett’s books. I love the illustrations in the books, especially the covers.
These pamphlets were found at R. Ege Antiques, a “mity-fine” antiques shop in St. Louis, MO with a gorgeous web site chock full of the kind of stuff you readers will want! Also be sure to check out Rick’s blog, Tilt-A-Whirl.
LIKE THE LATE HOWARD FINSTER, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FOLK ARTISTS OF THE 20th CENTURY, a Crossville, TN minister named Horace Burgess says God commanded him to make art. Only in this case, it was not to make over 100 thousand paintings, but to build the worlds largest treehouse. He took the commandment seriously. Minister Burgess has spent the last 14 years of his life building the 100 foot tall structure, which contains some 80+ rooms and dozens of porches, overlooks, nooks and stairways. Built from scrap wood, the site stands in a rural area, but is attracting people from all over the country.
Minister Burgess says he hopes the 10-story structure will bring people closer to God.
If you wish to see this incredible art environment, it is located on Beehive Lane, in Crossville, TN. From Interstate 40, take exit 320 and go north onto Hwy. 298 to Cook Road to Beehive Lane. Admission is free.
I found these images via funster.us. But they originally came from a very cool blog called Baking With Medusa. Check out the site!
HERE IS A CARVING OF A BIRD IN OUR COLLECTION. I THINK IT MAY BE A FLICKER and I think it may be 75+ years old, I am not sure. It is painted so beautifully, not in a style that attempts to hit the exact detail of the actual bird (in transitions between color), but one that roughly captures the essence of the bird. This bird, painted with broad shapes and squiggles to define various areas, is more akin to modernist painting than it’s more decoy-like, realistically painted counterparts of the day. When I see this bird, I think of modernist painters like Arthur Dove (no pun intended), Georgia O’Keefee and others.
I’d love to know what other modernist painters this bird may remind you of, or what you think.
This just in:please read Harry’s comments in this post. This is a carved and painted Great Spotted Woodpecker, found in Europe. And actually, though roughly painted, the color patches are quite accurate. Thanks Harry.
Click any image for a larger view.
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