A BUTCHER’S hook/look (Cockney rhyming slang)
I recommend installing the Substack app (free) on your phone. It’s easier, works well and looks better! Or online here - browse away!
work in progress
It’s a given that there is always construction going on in New York. If it’s not for maintenance, potholes etc., streets are constantly being ripped up. Every building that goes up needs water, gas, electricity lines and endless cables that have to go somewhere.
deconstructivism - I looked out of the window and saw this ‘composition in orange’.
things at spring
One assignment we had at our exhibition space spring was BRING IT TO THE TABLE where, in collaboration with co-curators Natasha Chetiyawardana and Michael McDevitt, we asked a group of designers, artists, art directors and thinkers to bring something to the table to provoke thought/discussion/action. This was my offering:
better living
A graduated 4 week / 4 fork program
For the first week the 4 tine fork introduces a new fork to begin to think of the purpose of the program. In each successive week a new fork, with one less tine, is to be used. The efficiency of the fork as a tool is gradually reduced - resulting in smaller bites and eating less. Less consumption over a longer period helps with digestion and would lead to more conversation. By the time you’re on the single tine, it’s quite a challenge to eat anything at all! Of course this isn’t really practical - it’s a hypothetical starting point - It’s the idea that counts.
(and thank you Derek for such a skilled job on the tine removal and finishing)
parts of SoHo
SoHo materials #2 : Tin(ned) ceilings - originally introduced to America to emulate the fancy plasterwork of historic houses in Europe, things changed with the mass production of sheets of thin rolled tin plated steel. It became the quick solution for industrial and manufacturing buildings in SoHo and Tribeca - cheap, fire-resistant and unlike plaster, needing little or no maintenance.
Different design sheets were sometimes used as room delineators (eg, the manager’s office on the left) or just for repair, resulting in a patchwork collage. I have seen a lot of these original ceilings but never the ‘lozenge’ pattern, as in this fabulous ceiling of artist friend S. Her SoHo studio loft is a great example of an original ‘Artist In Residence’ space. Signs reading A I R on the front of buildings indicate to firemen that there were occupants inside.
With the ongoing obsession in this country for everything 1890s, of course installing tin ceilings has become many interior designers’ favorite - to go with the exposed brick of course! It’s pretty funny that now I’m seeing ads for ‘faux’ tin ceilings, when the original is a faux plaster ceiling. Double faux.
It’s interesting to note that the critics’ view from 1850 believed it was ‘morally wrong and deceptive to imitate another material and blamed the degradation of society towards the "art of shamming" rather than honesty in architecture’
postcard world
The road in - Image wise, not so exciting - probably one of the most boring postcard I’ve found, and I have a lot of boring postcards. But this has the added bonus of an extremely boring letter as well - and it’s from Anaconda!
This is part of the road in. But this picture must have been taken two years ago when the road has just been reconditioned. There isn’t that much of a good stretch on it now. In fact the back road has been better as far as surface goes - tho’ it’s too hilly, curvy and narrow for after dark.
Wouldn’t you like to be in the tire and spring business out here! Austin
I don’t know if anyone else gets as fascinated as I do in a full on description on the condition of the road, that the sender and recipient obviously know well (it’s the road ‘in’) Not only the detailed update of the road, but to end with a quip - It’s just the best! And was Miss Eleanor enthralled with this update?
Really enjoy your insight and point of view!