Sometimes this city is incredibly small. You run into the same people, who know the same people, who know the same people. And then sometimes it can be really great and surprising, like coming across Andy Vogt's work. I hadn't heard of him before reading Derek wax on about how he just found out about his photography... and here I was over here completely clueless to any of his work. I think you can see why I would be instantly taken, and if you can't you haven't been paying attention! ;)
Today you'll have a special treat. I inquired if my dear friend Jorge would be interested in a guest post now and again, mostly because every time I visit Album Carioca I want to steal all his posts away and I cannot keep poaching. Jorge is a multi-talented cat with nine lives for sure, as he's been a well known stage actor in Brazil, a designer and artist, and now an art director for films in Rio de Janerio. I can think of no one else who would be a better guide to Rio de Janeiro, actually if I could I would bring him with me anywhere and everywhere on my travels I would as he has a knack for keeping me on the edge and off the beaten path and he can charm his way into almost anywhere. Seriously! You should see that skill first hand, it got us into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia (aka what would be the U.S. equivalent of Hilary Clinton's manse) so I could see the artwork andfamedstaircase. We were promptly kicked out after looking a little too much. Anyhoo, I'll let Jorge take you around the neighborhoods by beasties...
Have you ever seen the Simpsons episode when they come to Rio and are chased by a bunch of wild monkeys? Or any Hollywood movie filmed in this neck of the woods featuring famished piranas or huge snakes? Hi. I´m Jorge, Halcyon Days international correspondent based in Rio de Janeiro and I tell you : IT IS ALL TRUE! There are monster beasts all over town. Downtown near Cinelandia
Well, mostly lions, but then they get all that fabulous p.r. stuff about being the king of animals and so on. Be back soon, if Kelly lets me, of course.
What a silly thing to say Jorge of course you can stay, as long as you like. xo
I was working on a piece for YHBHS (yes! I'm sooo excited for you to read it.) and came across Daavid's work and blog and was immediately run right over with giddiness, especially that last piece with the Ettore Sotsass glass. My heart beats faster every time I look at it.
I had the opportunity to meet with Walter of Blank and Cables a few weeks back and tour their new facilities. Well fairly new anyway. They have been in their new digs for about one year but they have also scooped up the warehouses on either side of them. Their idea is to create space that will create community which is something I can really get behind. We could all use a bit more community here in the bay area.
Blanks and Cables' work leans toward the custom and one-off market. Their studio is able to handle just about anything you throw their way, with a full metal shop and wood shop. This is key since working as an architectural designer in a city with a bit of history, off the shelf is not always an option. Sometimes the contractor or owner knows of someone but finding good quality people that take pride in their work is a constant search. While I haven't personally worked with them, I'm pretty sure you can add one more to the list since it has been quite a long time since I spoke with someone with as much passion as Walter.
Below and above are a few photos of their studio and workshop.
Just me geeking on the steel tables and type.
They will build full scale mock-ups to ensure the piece they are responsible for fits securely in it's place when it arrives on site.
Inspiration and library.
Another library shot (peering at someone's library tells so much don't you think), and the materials table, filled with materials, finishes and life size mock-ups.
Prototypes and finished products are littered around the studio.
A funny night not too long ago the Mister and I ran into the super power couple of the art world in San Francisco at one of our favorite restaurants Serpentine, Justin Giarla and Kirsten Skipper. They eyed us and we eyed them and took up a conversation on the base that we all looked familiar. We had been to many an opening at White Walls and Shooting Gallery but had never really met.
Dining with them that evening was Kevin Cyr who will be showing at Justin's gorgeous new gallery 941geary in the coming weeks and he invited us back to his studio to check out his work. Really how could I say no. Seriously! All three of these individuals are not only beastly talented but incredibly open and really nice. Let me repeat that N I C E. Which really suits me just fine because I have a no assholes policy.
The top photos are a preview of the upcoming show (yes he built that camper from the ground up, it had me hearkening back to my school days building magnificent models) and the bottom image from Kevin's site. I think he has a thing for temporary and mobile structures and I'm waving the fan flag. I can't wait to see the show. Stay tuned, hopefully I'll have a date for you soon. xo
Kevin's show at 941 Geary will open on April 30th.
Families are funny aren't they. They are hard to deal with and most likely you think yours is bat-shit Crazy. No? Of course you love them, but that doesn't make them any less nutty. (unless you have one of those perfect families we all envy, damn you.) The older I get the more I think, we all think that about our families. For example that cutie you see above, she's my lil' sis. Yep, that's right, I have a little sister and she's almost 30 years my junior. And you know what, I adore her! I think the story went something like this...
Dad: Well Lucy (Dad's then girlfriend, now wife) wants to have kids. Me: Ummm, so what are you going to do? Dad: Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to give'em to her. Me: Hey Dad... umm kids aren't gifts.
So you can see he listened to me right. Ha! Okay, that is not really his forté listening that is... but I have to say I'm glad he didn't because we all adore our lil' sis Elle. And now we get to hear about her conversations with her Mum, they sound something like this... Ellie had a worried look on her face today....
Mum: What's wrong, baby? Elle: Mumma, I just can't decide what to be when I grow up 'cause i want to be everything"
Oh, Dear Ellie, I hear you cutie! I still want to be everything;)
I fully realize this is not the fabrication studio I told you was coming but well, it's still coming. Until then we'll have a couple of fun distractions. I also realize that I up and disappeared on you for a week there. Sorry about that but I've been taking care of some "me things" and I really needed to keep my mind focused on only those things. It was actually really really difficult and I'm not done so posting may still be spotty but I just couldn't stay away any longer. I missed you all;)
Last week I volunteered to help a friend do a little shopping and fill in some spots in her closet. It was really delightful and incredibly difficult to hand over my finds and not keep them for myself. It was also a strange position to be in (after all I'm no stylist) as I found myself analyzing my steady go to shops and my closet which as you all know doesn't exactly look like the images above. But actually it does it's just not all I wear. I like a more colorful and sunny wardrobe for going out and non-work related activities (mostly because it's nearly impossible for me to shop for basics) but for work I try to stick to a uniform very similar to above but with a touch more color.
A uniform is helpful since it allows you to pair things quite easily on an everyday basis while saying a little about you. Me. I'm shooting for professional, doesn't take herself so serious, elegant, knows what she's doing, but casual and of course being able to traverse construction sites. So skirts and heels are strictly for office days, if at all. My bag also needs to hold a measuring tape, camera, sketch pad, and perhaps a laser for measuring as well. How about you? Do you have a uniform? What do you want it to say about you?
By the way the above images are from the darling Dead Fleurette who is all of 19 I believe. That is the most grown-up 19 year old's closet I've ever seen! I mean I was probably traipsing around in zebra pants, platform fornarinas and pink wigs. Good god what a mess I was. Heee and I used to wear my eye make-up like this ALL THE TIME.
So in December when I was picking up a last minute gift for my Mister at Modern Appealing Clothing, I wanted to share my recent closet post with Ben but I couldn't get it to load on my phone:( But, just bringing it up triggered Ben to share with me that his place was just shot by the Selby (because the Selby shot him in his closet) and that it should be up any day now. I was ecstatic because to be honest when I thought of all the people in San Francisco who's homes I could shoot I definitely thought of Ben but, seeing I didn't really know him, I never had the courage to ask. Well, at least you know my instincts are dead on... now if I could only beef up that other side that has something to do with having balls.
Well since then I've been checking the Selby like a loony wondering when, when, when it would be up. Well it's up and Ben's place DOES NOT disappoint. Go have a look. And Mr. Selby next time you are in town I would appreciate if you would please get in touch.
I've been busy as of late working furiously on trying to make some of these long time hopes a reality. In doing so I've had to write an awful lot about well... myself. That project is gut wrenching to say the least. So, I've been trying to investigate those that really inspire and try to put my finger on what exactly it is that they house within themselves that I identify with. This is in hopes that it will bring me a little closer to being able to say somewhat eloquently what I'm all about. It's like a pep talk from those you admire most.
And boy do I know that feeling that Ilse Crawford is talking about... you know when you hand over your baby to the client. What I don't think I've mastered is that second part just yet. Have you?
Do you know what I'm talking about here? How do you promote yourself humbly but forcefully? Please do send your advice. xo k
I try my best to always link back to designers, artists, photographers, chefs, architects, funny people, Misters, supermodels, textile dj industrialists or whomever catches my eye and I end up posting about here but if for some reason you aren't happy with the recognition please say so and I will banish you, um er, remove the post immediately.
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