Mid-Century Modern Organic Sculpture

While working on another post, I ran across this beauty*. So, until my other post is up later today or tomorrow, I leave you with this wonderful piece of Mid-century Modern sculpture to look at. When I see pieces like this, it just makes me want to go out and sculpt. To bad it's raining today... Oh well, I can dream can't I.

If you want to check out more about this piece. Price, size, and so on, you can see it all here*.

It's Back In It's Intended Form: Iconic Eames Molded Chair.

Photo source: Gizmodo.com

I don't what to misrepresent any of this information as being of my original design. However, I am so happy to see that the Eames Molded chairs* will be going back into fabrication with fiberglass. Gizmodo.com is the hero, for me, as far as this post goes. It's because of them, that I even know about this topic.

Still, I have to say, that I am really happy. Not that I will be getting one of these any time soon. I don't know if you know..., but it's not easy finding a Herman Miller* store, or product* near me. So, for now, I just have to appreciate the craftsmanship from a distance. Knowing that, this chair in fiberglass, is a thousand times better than in a plastic form.

I've never been a big fan of the plastic. A few years ago, when I went shopping for some "modern" furniture at one of the stores in Atlanta, the sales person tried diligently to get me to buy one of the plastic molded chairs. I just couldn't do it. Granted, they are light and easy to move. Still, they just were never as comfortable to me. Growing up using laundry mats, I've sat in, who knows how many of the mass production Herman Miller, and copies, of this chair. So, I know very well, how they should fill. I sat in a ton of each style. While the style above, was fairly popular where I lived in Texas, at different stores, restaurants, and laundry mats, the short side (without armrest) model was much more popular in Georgia.

While, I understand the reasons for Herman Miller eliminating the fiberglass production in '89, I'm glad to see they've found a way to get the glass work back in the mix. Granted, anyone who's worked with fiberglass before, has to pity the workers a bit. Fiberglass work is one itchy profession, but man... that glass mesh texture in the chairs sure does give it that vintage feel. That makes it all worth while.

Once again, if you want the whole shin dig on what's going on in more detail, I tell you, check out WWW.GIZMODO.COM

 Also, check out the search results on Flickr for the search term "Eames Molded chair". It's pretty inspiring. Also, below you'll see Ebay search results for Eames Fiberglass Chair*.

Spokane, The Ferris House

Image 9_Interior m4, a photo by Spokane Midcentury on Flickr.

It's seems that sometimes, even though we spend much of our time looking and researching, we can easily miss well known architecture. Recently, I was scouting around for some information on the Oyler house, and I ran across this gem of a mid-century modern house*.

Below you will find a digital magazine featuring the Ferris House. (Don't let the first page fool you.)

Spokane Cd'A Living Magazine, March 2013

Spokane CDA Living, March 2013 Being built for Joel Ferris and wife, this house followed their ideal of how life should be lived. Modernly... Fighting the norm of the time, Mr and Mrs Ferris had to work for their house. Even having to find a new location because the lot they had picked out originally had was in a subdivision that would not permit their progressive ideal of living. Not giving up, they were able to find land thru a family member that allowed them to build the now famous Ferris house.

While they had originally intended to use Royal McClure as architect for their home. However, the design presented to the Ferris family, being what they felt was to easily viewed by family members property, lead them to finally using another architect, Bruce Walker.

At the same time that Mr. Walker was working on the Ferris house, he was also working on a project with Mr. Lawrence Halprin, a famed landscape architect. As Mr. Halprin was in the area working and could take on the smaller individual project, he made his services available to the Ferris couple and literally helped shape their future and environment. 

Over the years, the Ferris house was modestly expanded and modified, always using architect William Trogdon, who had worked with Bruce Walker at the same firm. Due to this, the modifications are tasteful and keep in line with the original design sense.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferris were early proponents of the modern way of living. In fact, Mr. Joel Ferris opened the first modern home wares store in the area of Spokane, Wa.. As such, he, his family, and home have had an important impact on modern history in that area and even further.

If you like to find out more details on individual aspects of the Ferris family, house, architect, landscape, location, or just see the video tour of the house and grounds, you can visit the official site at www.spokanemidcentury.com.

Beyond just being a very inspiring, simple, and beautiful house, I love that this house is a self proponent showing that mid-century modern* can be sustainable and even, dare I say it, tastefully expanded and added onto. That is, if one chooses too.

If your interested in books and more info on Lawrence Halprin, here are a few books that are currently available.
 

Martini Glass To Relax With

As usual, I was looking for information on a post subject and I got distracted. What I found was a very cool and inviting little martini glass. While not exactly mid-century modern, it definitely is simple, inviting and is made of the two most common mcm materials... Wood and Aluminum.

Being that I'm a bit more subdued in my color choices these days for house wares, my option is the one shown to the left. Simple wood brown, and white stem. There are other colors, but personally, I find the white stem to be the most simple and appealing. If you want to check out more of these glasses, check them out here.

If this isn't your style, maybe you'll find something of interest below.

Abstract Sculpture, Wayne State University--Detroit MI

Abstract Sculpture, Wayne State University--Detroit MI, a photo by pinehurst19475 on Flickr.

Just a little something to try and keep your creative juices flowing on the last day of this weekend.

Matte Stephens

Every once in a while, you run across an artist who's art seems to connect directly to your brain synapses, and their work just stays in your head. Well, that's what happened to me the first time I saw Matte Stephens' work. Matte has a style that is, simplified complexity...

Mattes compositions, color choices, shapes, and even the textures, speak a much louder story than just the image you physically see drawn or painted. He has a way of focusing you on an emotion with each image. Whether the illustration is a simple background with a single character in a larger foreground focus, or it's a fairly busy land/city scape, he knows how to use the surroundings to express his thought. Many times I find that I've been captivated by the story, and never noticed the supporting scenes around the main characters or situation until I force myself to analyse the whole piece as a painting. I've also found myself feeling more like I've just finished a short, but well written book. Rather than looking at a painting.

To me, Matte's color and texture choices, are like the distant sounds in a sunny city park, while his characters, are the interesting new acquaintance that you want to listen to intently. Listening to every emotion that they express. This makes each piece of Matte's work a very personal experience.

While it's clear that not all of Mattes themes, images, shapes, or color schemes are iconic-ly Mid-century*, every piece of Mr. Stephens would fit perfectly into the most retro* or MCM* environments. Though he's not a kitch retro*/Mid-Century artist*, he definitely does have Mid-Century design* running in his veins. It's easily found in his sculptures, abstracts, house, and furniture choices. Not only is he a very talented illustrator, but a very astute study of Mid-Century graphics and design*.

Even though, Matte has had the opportunity to work for some very well know companies, he still continues to offer works for ever budget level. His works can be purchased in form of sculpture, print, book, or paintings. Within each of these categories, there are generally various options to choose from.  To get an idea what's available, and their price ranges, you can check out his blog here and his Etsy site here. I really encourage you to do so, if you haven't yet.

Mid Century Modern Pottery Ceramic Collection - 2011 P9152794 copy

Mid Century Modern Pottery Ceramic Collection - 2011 P9152794 copy, a photo by Bruce Aleksander & Dennis Milam on Flickr.

If wood is my favorite material for home decor and construction, Glass or Ceramics would have to be my favorite adorment for the house. Between the two, I always have an internal fight a bit about which is more favored.

I hate to say it, but I think, even as much as I love glass work, ceramic works when a couple points more in my favored list. Here's a couple brief reasons why.

-Ceramic works to me, have more natural texture than glass. Even the smoothest pieces so ceramic work has a slight orange peel texture, and that appeals to me.
-Contrast possible on the same piece. I mean, that you can glaze the top part, and leave the bottom unglazed, and that adds a completely different feel to a piece.
-Ceramic pieces tend to have a bit more asthetic weight to the art/object. Being opaque, light is not allow to aluminate the interior of a ceramic piece like it does a glass piece. Making the Ceramic piece visually feel weightier.

While there are a huge range of ceramic art objects to choose from, I'll live you with a general search for today. Later we'll get into designers and kinds available.

Architecture in the 20th Century. TASCHEN Books (TASCHEN 25 Edition)

Photo source: Taschen.com

Architecture in the 20th Century. TASCHEN Books (TASCHEN 25 Edition)

 I find that books are not only a great deal better to look at than a computer screen. And they look good in the house. So, I'm constantly looking at new book to put on my list to buy. Well, it seems that I may just have found one. This photo (the one above), is from a book call "Architecture in the 20th Century"*, is an indication of my it's now on my list.

While this book* is not, by any means, a Mid-Century* only book*. It does seem to hold a few good examples. Also, I'm a avid fan of architecture in a wide range of facets, and books like this allow me to enjoy much of what I like about each of the architectural styles that I find interesting.

Photo source: Taschen.com

As far as this particular book* goes, I've found that there are few aspects of it that really catch my eye. One for instance, is that this book* takes you thru a chronological order of the architecture of the 20th century. This is interesting to me, because I like to know the who's, how's, and why's of design. When you see things put together in a chronological order, as this book says it's done, you also start to notice the influence that different styles have had on one another.

Taschen also says that this book* has works from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright* to Antoni Gaudí* to Frank O. Gehry* to Shigeru Ban*, and many more. Plus, it uses "hundreds of large-format photos as well as a plenitude of drawings and floor plans" to help you understand the progress of architecture thru the 20th century.

Besides the photos and the floor plans, there is an appendix for each of the architects represented in this book. This appendix is in biographical form. So, I'm convinced that there is much to learn from this books.

If you're interested, take a spin to the Taschen site here. There is also a sample index here for those who would like to see what else is in the book.

Oyler House...I Just Stumbled Across It...

The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat - OFFICIAL TRAILER from Mike Dorsey on Vimeo.

I don't remember how, or particularly why, but yesterday, I searched something and found a treasure trove of cool videos. Now, while these videos may not teach you anything particularly new or amazing, to hear them from the Mr. Oyler, is still very cool. Plus, to see old 60's home videos is always fun.

Yeah, we've all heard of the famous Oyler House. If you haven't that's ok too. That just means your still learning, and we all started off there at some point. However I ran across this article on curbed LA somehow isn't the important thing. Finding them is. There I found an interesting video on Vimeo, and then I began to find other cool videos to take a peek at.

So, being the nice guy that I am, I figured I'd let you enjoy, not only one of the videos, but all that I found on the Oyler House by Richard Neutra*.

The Oyler House - Outside Inside from Mike Dorsey on Vimeo.

Oyler House - Drawings from Mike Dorsey on Vimeo.

Oyler House - Rock Pool from Mike Dorsey on Vimeo.

Oyler House - Neutra's Camel Table from Mike Dorsey on Vimeo.

I think that there are one or two more videos that you can watch about the Oyler house by Mike Dorsey on his vimeo. Just click on any of these videos to go to his vimeo site and look for the links at the bottom of the page.

If your inspired by these videos and would love to live in your own Neutra house, then you should skip on over to Curbed.com. It's really an interesting read.

Also, if your trying to find out more about Richard Neutra* as an architect, then you should check out these sources too.
http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/neutra.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Neutra

George Perrou

Watch Retro Modern with George Perrou on PBS. See more from KOPB.

If I was still aspiring to be a professional mid-century styled artist, this video of George Perrou would just about be my motivational breakfast for each day. It's great! It's honest and simple, but not cheesy. Plus, it looks like a fun life.

Instead of creating and painting... I'm, well... writing. That's just the way my cookie seems to crumble. Therefore, I look at George's works a lot. His work wakes me up with a jolt of energy. Looking at one of his pieces is like having your finger plugged into a 240v socket. Still, it's as soothing as having a creamy latte. This mix is what draws me to his works. Retro/Mid-Century modern in spirit, yet bright and bold with contrasting colors and super clean sharp lines work together to make this awaking and soothing contrast.

One things for sure though, his work is definitely worth checking out. It seems that he's never going to run out of ideas. Honestly, I hope he never does. By going to his site www.Atomicnest.com, you can find out more about his work and see his portfolio. Plus, you can find out how to purchase his works. Another good source is www.studioperrou.com.