The Huntress

With taxidermy popping up everywhere from restaurants to clothing stores, it appears that this seemingly masculine art form transcends any perceived gender bias...  

Williamsburg loft of Hovey sisters Hollister and Porter via Ravishing Beasts, from the New York Times. [1]

[2]

Melissa Dixson, Brooklyn based taxidermist at work.

Women resting at the Deer estate in the Scottish Highlands, cira 1800's via Scotlands History.

Where the Wild Things Are

Ram trophy mount we found in Cold Spring, New York.

Ring-necked Pheasant taxidermy we found in Seymour, Connecticut.

Diorama #1, Henning Bock, 1997

Wursa by Daniel Firman for the Superdome exhibition  at the Palais de Tokyo.

Martin D'orgeval Touched By Fire Series via Ravishing Beasts.

Victorian water fowl diorama; past auction at Skinner. 

Victorian bird diorama on auction at Live Auctioneers.

 

Taxidermy by Melissa Dixon via Journal.

Michelangelo Meucci Trompe l'Oeil bird study on auction at Skinner.

A little bit of yesterday, today

Panton and Columbo were known for their futuristic designs. With bold colors and innovative materials they (and their contemporaries) paved the way for a new look in interiors that is still relevant today. We see touches of their unique vision everyday, even on the way to the office...

N Train New York City, 2010.

Panton S Chair design by Verner Panton in 1960.

Coupe 1158 lamp shade designed by Joe Columbo from New York Magazine's 1968 Shopping Guide via Apartment Therapy .

The Garden Egg Chair created by Peter Ghyczy in 1969.

Homage to Agnes Martin, NYC Style

After blogging about Agnes Martin last week, we became a little hyper-sensitive to the stimuli she may have encountered here as a young painter. The city is full of repetative geometries, decorative and industrial--many in a palatte similar to her muted canvases. So, here are a few images found on buildings, sidewalks, in windows and on the street. Some may have a more Sean Scully feel or a Cy Twombly look, but to us, it's an homage to Ms. Martin.

Loving Ms. Martin

White Flower

We blog about Shaker simplicity, our beloved New England coastal palatte, quiet landscapes, modernist and brutalist architecture, etc. When we interact with an Agnes Martin painting, we see the sum total of these passions: all are implied. Reading a Richard Serra interview about drawing and representation a few years ago, the net takeaway was that any mark we make as humans is organic, figurative--no matter what the intent. Agnes Martin's attempt to create absolute abstractions bereft of any representation has an ironic beauty, since she used no tools to erase the evidence of hand. The result are lines that amount to nothing and everything, geometries that are absolutely organic.

The Dark River (detail)

The Dark River

Wood 1

Untitled (No. 5)

Untitled, 1963

Series of 20 screenprints

Tremolo

Untitled, 1961

Untitled (No. 3), 1984

Untitled (No.3), 1984 (detail)

Starlight

HIgh Design: Shaker Utilitarianism

The Shaker belief that things should only be made for their intended use inspired a design movement dedicated to simplicity, with a surprising graphic feel.

A collection of brooms hang on the wall in this Shaker storage room to be used by members of the home. A modern translation of this look is a collection of rug beaters as art in a Connecticut country house. But the beauty of the Shaker broom is still well respected, fetching upwards of $1,500 at auction.

Still from Ken Burns' The Shakers.

Vintage rug beaters line the walls in this Connecticut farmhouse via Country Living.

Birch, wire top, hand laced broom and dust pan estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

The stark simplicity of Shaker interiors is reminiscent of some classic 20th century design. And the clean lines of their furntiure has inspired designs from Wegner's Peacock chair to the classic British Windsor. But the perfection of Shaker originals will still cost as much at $2,000.

Still from Ken Burns' The Shakers.

Swedish stick back chair in modern interior via Antique Arts.

Tiger Maple side chair estimated at $1,000-$2,000.

While the traditional Shaker dress epitomized modesty (along with a cap that symbolized purity) more modern interpretations of the little black dress celebrate style, fashion and femininity.

Sister's Gown of wool, cotton and metal c. 1875.

1950's wool black dress with white angora trim.

Postcard of Mt. Lebanon, NY Shakers in traditional dress, estimated at $200-$300 (along with larger framed print of the same image).

Although their designs were simple, Shaker's interiors are known for their intense colors--they just used them sparingly.

Hancock Shaker Village painted bedroom.

Grammercy Park residence designed by Chris Kraig for Suite New York.

Maple and pine green painted bed estimated at $500-$1,000.