So Close, Yet So Far Away

There is something astounding about the aesthetic relationship between the architecture of Ensamble Studio and the artist Adriaan Berend Wagemaker. Although there is 45 years between the creation of the artwork and the building of this house, it seems as if one was constructed for the other- material, palette and geometries that soften as they interact with the organic forms around them.

1., 3., 5., 7. Hemeroscopium House by Ensamble Studios circa 2005

2. Adriaan Berend (Jaap) Wagemaker, Le Clous, Mixed Media Circa 1960

4. Adriaan Berend (Jaap) Wagemaker, Structure En Gris Et Bleu, Mixed Media Circa 1960

6. Adriaan Berend (Jaap) Wagemaker, Forme De L'Espace, Mixed Media Circa 1960

The Circus

While researching Maurice Prendergast we stumbled upon the work of his younger brotherCharles. His child-like vision is stunning, capturing the beauty and innocence of a childhood dream.

The Circus, Charles Prendergast, 1928

Carnival ball toss via Heir Antiques

Circus, Charles Prendergast, 1927-29

Vintage carnival ball toss, sold for $400

Circus Scene, Charles Prendergast, 1927-29

Carnival ball toss game of Prussian soldier, c. 1910

Hammershoi & the 19th Century

1, 3, 5. Paintings by Vilhelm Hammershoi, (1864-1916)

2. Meissen porcelain tureen, available here

4. Oak artist's easel belonging to Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847-1917), sold for $1,600

6. George II mahogany drop leaf table, sold for £9,799

Kate MccGwire

Kate MccGwire's installations and sculptures are nothing short of astounding- aesthetically beautiful and eerily biomorphic.

Evacuate

Wrest

Stigma Series

Corvid

Slick

Stigma Series (I-V)

Stifle

Stigma Series (I-V)

Sluice

Vex

Subtle Hues and Warm Spaces

1. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

2. Via From the Right Bank

3. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

4. Via Katy Elliott

5. F0lk art watercolor by William E. Williams, 1833

Recall

There are few works that inspire an immediate visual empathy- recollection of a surface brushed against the blush of light in an afternoon.

Kako Kazumi bowl

[1]

Terri Brooks, Half Black

Meatpacking, NYC

[2]

Terri Brooks, White Shape

Painted building, West Village

[3]

Flaming Cactus

An early appointment today brought us near Hudson Park where we bumped into the "Flaming Cactus" installation--a whimsical piece made of 52,000+ zip-ties wrapped around lamp and street poles. The idea is to turn something otherwise cold and utilitarian into something colorful and artistic. Check.

Making History

A stroll through the old cemetery in town last weekend ended up being a study in typography--capitals and italics mixed with initial caps and bold weights with serifs and sans serifs. While the beauty of each stone harkened to a time past, it was also so current. We explore some vintage typography below (tombstones aside) paired with Louise Despont's architectural stencils on the pages of antique ledger books.

1. Ad for Letterpress Text font, 2003

2. Louise Despont The Bodhi Tree, 2011

3. Early French stamp via Graphics Fairy

4. Louise Despont Amphoras, 2010

5. German alphabet from Modern Alphabets, 1906 via Jane Maday's Art Blog

6. Louise Despont As you are, we once were. As you are, so will you be, 2011

7. Antique French invoice via Graphics Fairy

8. Louise Despont King and Queen Day, 2010