oooh la la - lights!!

I found this design studio while doing some etsy surfing. The work is really incredible in it's simplicity of both design and materials. I love the way this ordinary object comes together to create a really interesting pattern that once you add light to is just gorgeous. A lot of times we associate objects with a specific function and if they are not serving that function they are considered useless. I'm really interested in re-using these objects for purposes that they may not have originally been intended for.

Organelle is run out of Vancouver, British Columbia and describes itself as such:

"Our work starts with a simple premise: waste is the most abundant local
resource our cities have to offer. Often free or inexpensive, waste is a
seemingly endless supply, always providing new and exciting design
possibilities. As such, we approach our work from two angles. We are both
searching for found objects to suit specific design program, and
continuously
harvesting available waste materials to derive concepts
from.....Neither mass
production nor one-off custom design, our work falls
somewhere in
between."

The piece above is cleverly entitled Hangelier 2.1 and you can see more at the Organelle website or www.etsy.com/shop/organelle .

Poufs! 18th Century Wearable Art

Popularized by such public figures as Marie Antoinette, the pouf was the epitome of creative hair styles in the 177os. These elaborate hair-doos were created around a thin metal frame that was placed on the head to give the shape structure. The frame was covered with pomade and hair so that it was no longer visible, and the structure was then decorated with feathers, jewels, beads and other ornaments.

Reaching as much as 3 feet tall, these objects became a way for women of the time to express themselves and define their spaces in the most literal way. It is said the Antoinette was even seen sporting a bird cage in her hair at one point. In the late 18th century women were known to adorn their poufs in support of the revolution with ships and other patriotic icons.

Gross factor: Due to the time and money needed to upkeep these styles, some women would attempt to keep the same design for up to a month, in which case the structure was often infested with fleas, lice, mice and other nasty little things!!

More contemporary styles such as the beehive from the 1960's and modern bumps pay homage to the pouf.

art & fear part 2

I really like the idea of whatever abilities you possess being exactly what you need to create good art. A little hopeful maybe, but I think it speaks volumes to the fact that there is no one universal standard of "good" art or a perfect piece.

Although I understand the argument of quality vs. quantity there is still part of me that thinks making crappy things is a waste- not only of time and energy, but of whatever materials as well. I did like the story though, and how making things over and over will help you to perfect your skills and knowledge of the materials so I guess that's just something else to work on.