Another genius video has surfaced about one of my favorite things! Julian Smith made this badass video about reading.
His intensity is priceless.
And here I thought nothing would compare to the Arts and Crafts Gangsta Rap. I may have to check out his other videos.
Although I can’t catch The Mad Potter’s Tea Party in person, I’ve been anxious to see its contents ever since viewing the flyer online a couple of months ago.
Here are some sample images from the pre-sale:
At Strychnin…
I’ve spent a great deal of time in LA. Although I love the art scene there, literature has never been the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the city. But there seems to be a new trend of library themed bars and restaurants.
I approve! A couple of these will definitely be on my next LA itinerary.
The Wellesbourne
I think this one is my favorite. It looks so warm and cozy (not to mention nice and packed, like my own library).
Hyperion Tavern (only open for private events)
This law library themed space can be confused with a regular house, since it happens to be sandwiched between two houses and is not open to the public.
Library Bar
I hear this one has a great jukebox…
XIV
I tend to avoid the upscale scene on the Sunset Strip, but I’m still happy that trendy nightlife is getting a bookish makeover!
Allow me to take a domestic turn for a moment here. This transparent iron is a design I’ve always wished for.
Sometimes I can be a bit impatient when I iron. I’d love the efficiency of a transparent device that allows me to make sure I’m getting the wrinkles out as I go.
Sleek, sexy, tempered glass and electro-thermal wires.
I hope this concept design actually gets produced.
Baby Dolls of the past, pay homage to your predecessor: Thomas Edison’s talking doll, circa 1890.
If you’re not fiending for one of these dolls already, you can hear it speaking (what is supposedly a recitation of “Little Jack Horner”).
I’ve contracted a severe flu, so I’ll be using posts from my draft stash for a little while. I’m very sorry if it takes me a little while to comment back or return emails!
Thought you’d never see anything about Barbara Streisand on this blog, eh? Me too. I’m just full of surprises.
Usually I’m unimpressed by celebrity displays of ostentation, but at least this one is unique. Instead of storing her things in the basement, Streisand has turned the area into a street of shops.
If you are among the infinitesimal minority of the population unconstrained by time, space and finances, I think this is a creative way to categorize important collections.
I couldn’t look at these images without wondering how I would set up my own “street basement”…
My personal street would be lined with an antique shop, oddities museum, art gallery, fabric store, Halloween/spooky shop, craft center, (large) library and candy store. Throw an old fashioned movie theater in there, too.
The lovely Lines and Colors recently made a second post about Olga Dugina and Andrej Dugin.
They definitely hail from the school of Hieronymous Bosch, using surreal mashups of religious figures and iconography to construct visual narratives.
Image collection, courtesy of Lines and Colors:
Official site
More work (large images)
…also here and here
I hadn’t planned to commemorate Groundhog Day (arguably our most ludicrous holiday in the US). But I got carried away with some absurdities I can’t help sharing.
Let’s start with some groundhog art.
Eeeeeevil…
My favorite:
There were a number of groundhog mascot outfits.
This one looks like he’s being held up by the cops:
I can’t quite explain why I find these photos so entertaining. Maybe it’s the unflattering angles…maybe the logo…
I’ve heard rumors that the neighborhood groundhogs don’t trust this guy:
…or this adorable decoy.
I was rather surprised by the culinary representations of the groundhog.
Most cakes and cupcakes appear unnerved, unhappy or otherwise deranged.
I would NOT disturb this one…
I’m not sure this technically IS a groundhog, but the photo was titled “groundhog-plus.”
I really hope the person who made this has a terrific story behind it, or feels a special connection with the animal. That’s the only way I can justify its existence.
A moment frozen in taxidermy.
YESSSSSS…
SheWalksSoftly 