One of the many ironies that marked architect Isi Metzstein’s life is that the self-described ‘lapsed atheist’ was known for his series of bold and inventive churches. Metzstein died in Glasgow on 10 January 2012 at the age of 83. The Roman Catholic hierarchy believed the architect of the Scottish churches to be Coia, of Gillespie, Coia & Kidd. The designing was in fact carried out by Metzstein, a Jewish refugee
For those of us afflicted with praise dependency here are some long overdue ‘ribbons for adult accomplishments’ from artist, Brittany Powell. First Place: Setting the Clock on the Microwave Champion: Refraining from Using Your Cell Phone While Driving Champion: Finishing this Month’s Book Club Book First place: Toilet Aim Champion: Tupperware Drawer Organizer Best: Cat-Bathing Skills Champion: Afghan Knitter Champion: Refraining from Using Sarcasm on the Customers First Place: Fastest
A relatively unsung female designer was a significant influence on the breezy, mid century style for which California is known. Greta Magnusson Grossman emigrated to America from her native Sweden (where she was already a prolific industrial designer and architect) in 1940. She arrived claiming that all she needed in her new LA home was a ‘a car and a pair of shorts’. The unique approach she brought with her
Mid-century design laced with sunshine and optimism plus Modernism and rat-pack glamour. Where else but southern California? A new exhibition, California Design: 1930-1965, is at LACMA and includes a full recreation of Charles and Ray Eames Pacific Pallisades Interior (below) and the ever popular Airstream caravan. It has been praised by the LA Times for its detail and inclusion of lesser known artists as well as the usual suspects. A
Artist Brittany Powell has created sandwich art as one of her ‘low-commitment projects – making stuff happen with little time and energy.’ Powell, who is based in Oregon, and fellow artist Tae Kitakata, who lives in Hawaii, are taking it in turns to post a low commitment project every Monday throughout 2012. From Mondrian (above) to Damian Hirst below modern art lends itself perfectly to the sandwich medium: Canaletto might
Very short plastic toys have been holding placards to protest over the recent Russian elections. Police in Barnaul, Siberia have asked prosecutors to check if the protest is illegal. Photograph: Sergey Teplyakov/vkontakte
Much to be admired are those people who step around norms and pursue something with such thoroughness and devotion that it succeeds in the unlikeliest circumstances. Seventeen years ago singer songwriter Kenny Anderson launched Fence Records with what he calls ‘a healthy cynicism of all things music industry related’. He set up not in London but in the small coastal town of Anstruther and yet within five years the label
Coasters have always been aggressive little items to my mind. There’s nothing like a beady hostess thrusting one between your coffee cup and her highly polished surfaces to put you off your social stride. There are lots of great ones about these days though and, now that we’re all about preserving our possessions properly, I guess it’s time to embrace the coaster. These brilliant polaroid ones from London based Just
Ever had the urge to throw yourself off a tall building? Give it a go by lying down at le centquatre in Paris. Argentinian artist, Leandro Erlich has tested people’s perception of reality by recreating a facade of a building, laying it on the floor and putting the multi-storey mirror in front. Looks like more fun than ‘Man on a Ledge’ if the reviews are to be believed. ‘Batiment’ is
On this day in 1759 Robert Burns, one of Scotland’s flawed but freakishly able sons, was born. We mark the anniversary with a quote – not from his poems but from his letters. It’s a simple but beautifully put manifesto that reveals the warmth of Burns’ poet heart: *** ‘No doubt there is much I’ll have to answer for, yet my philosophy was simple enough. Whatever mitigates the woes or