Soren Petersen: Design in Startups from the Get-Go
There has never been a better time to start a company since there is an abundance of capital, talent and growth rate. The rules of game have changed from a “make and sell” mentality to “how fast can one turn ideas/knowledge.”
Read more: Crowdfunding, Values, Crowdsourcing, Design, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Investors, What-Is-Working-Small-Businesses, Business News
SOURCE: Design on Huffington Post – Read entire story here.
ArtAngel spectra: London’s centenary beam of light
The beam towers above London to mark the WW1 centenary
SOURCE: Art reviews – Visual arts reviews, previews, pictures and gallery info – Read entire story here.
Basel art fairs draw big names and big sales
Art Basel. Adriana Varejão, “Carnívoras,” 2012. Photo by Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop
Joan Mitchell’s “Untitled” (1956) sold for $6 million. Courtesy Joan Mitchell Foundation.
All eyes turned to Basel, Switzerland as collectors and art lovers flocked to the Art Basel, SCOPE Basel and Volta9 art fairs.
Art Basel, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs, annually showcases work from over 300 international galleries. This year an estimated $2 billion worth of art is on sale and includes both modern and contemporary work. The event attracts corporate buyers as well as Hollywood celebrities such as Leonardo di Caprio and Cate Blanchet.
Can’t make it to Basel? Browse the participating galleries here, or skim through photos of the events at blouinartinfo.com.
The three fairs wrap up June 16.
(Foreground) hanging works by Simón Vega and an overlook of Hall C, featuring (from left to right) Gallery Skape, Christian Larsen Gallery, Galleri Christoffer Egelund. Courtesy of VOLTA.
SOURCE: Art Business News » Latest News – Read entire story here.
JBbTC 187: Foreign Languages Press pt.3
Here’s my final entry in the Foreign Languages Press series (not that there aren’t plenty more books put out by FLP—thousands, actually). You can see the other posters HERE. I saved my favorite for last: Exploring the Secrets of Treating Deaf-Mutes. The cover is stunning, a stylized portrait of a young Red Guard puncturing himself in the back of the neck with an acupuncture needle. The concept behind the pamphlet is just as stunning: Chao Pu-yu, an acupuncturist with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has discovered how to cure deafness through his earnest study of the works of Chairman Mao! I think this publication can speak for itself, so I’ve scanned the entire Publisher’s Note for you to be able to read, and included multiple page spreads. Read on, and learn how Chao Pu-yu stuck it to the imperialist doctors and “authorities.”
Bibliography for this series:
Pa Chin and Others, A Battle for Life (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1959).
City Cousin and Other Stories (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1973).
Exploring the Secrets of Treating Deaf-Mutes (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1972).
The Golden Bridge: A Selection of Revolutionary Stories (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1977).
Philosophy in No Mystery: Peasants Put Their Study to Work (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1972).
The Seeds and Other Stories (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1972).
Taching: Red Banner on China’s Industrial Front (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1972).
The Unquenchable Spark/2nd Ed. (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1964).
Hu Wan-Chun, Man of a Special Cut (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1963).
Gao Yunlan, Annals of a Provincial Town (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1980). Cover design unattributed; interior illustrations by Ah Lao.
Kao Yu-pao and others, My Hometown: Six Reportage Articles (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1974).
SOURCE: Justseeds: Blog – Read entire story here.
Between Ancient & Modern
He mixes past arts with urban arts.
Read more: Between Ancient & Modern
SOURCE: FatCap | Latest Graffiti News – Read entire story here.
Sotheby’s and eBay Announce Art Auction Partnership – artmarketblog.com
Sotheby’s and eBay Announce Art Auction Partnership – artmarketblog.com
In a surprising move that evokes memories of their past failed partnership, Sotheby’s has announced a partnership with with eBay to make art and collectibles from Sotheby’s live auctions available to eBay’s 145 million active buyers.
The two companies have joined forces to develop what they describe as “an innovative online platform that will make it easier for millions of people worldwide to discover, browse and acquire exceptional works of art, antiques and collectibles.”
eBay and Sotheby’s will inaugurate their partnership with a number of live auctions at Sotheby’s headquarters in New York that will utilize a newly-designed “experience” to be launched on the eBay site in the near future.
The new eBay “experience” will cover 18 collectible categories and will be tailored to collectors of art and premium collectibles. In the future the partnership will expand to include themed and time-based sales as well as live auction from Sotheby’s other global salesrooms.
“The growth of the art market, new generation technology and our shared strengths make this the right time for this exciting new online opportunity,” said Bruno Vinciguerra, Sotheby’s Chief Operating Officer.
“We are joining with eBay to make our sales more accessible to the broadest possible audience around the world.”
**Nicholas Forrest is a Sydney/London based art market analyst, art consultant and writer. He is the founder of the Art Market Blog (artmarketblog.com) which offers independent commentaries as well as research and analysis on the current art market, and has recently been published in Fabrik magazine, Verve magazine, Visual Art Beat magazine, Australian Art Collector magazine, Art & Investment magazine and many others. Nic has made several radio appearances (both nationally and internationally) as an art market expert and has received press from the likes of the New York Times, Conde Nast Portfolio and Times of London.
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SOURCE: Art Market Blog – artmarketblog.com – Read entire story here.
Breath Box: A Structure to Activate Your Senses
Breath Box is a waterfront pavilion that was designed to activate your senses as you interact with it. The seaside structure in La Grande Motte, France was designed by NAS architecture for the Festival of Lively Architecture (FAV), an annual architecture festival. The main wall facing the sea is reflective and while it recreates images of the water, it also creates a visual experience as the wind causes the modules to ripple.
Inside, under the burnt wood slats, your senses are once again brought to life with graphic light patterns that change throughout the day and as the mirrors move.
The structure lets you actually see the wind’s movement as the modules dance when the wind hits them, interacting with the coastal elements.
As visitors walk around and experience the box, it’s impossible not to take note of the visuals, the sounds, and the feelings that come when the natural elements, wind and light, hit the ever-changing facets of the structure.
Photos by Paul Kozlowski.
SOURCE: Design Milk » Architecture – Read entire story here.
Unpleasant Vibrators Need Not Apply
A librarian at the card files at a senior high school in Minnesota, 1943. Photo: David Rees
From The Library Assistant’s Manual, a guide by Theodore Koch “issued on the occasion of the 61st annual meeting of the Michigan State Teachers’ Association, Ann Arbor, October 30–November 1, 1913.”
Qualities that unfit one for library work in general are physical weakness, deformity, poor memory, a discontented disposition, egotism, a lack of system in one’s method of work, and inability or unwillingness to take responsibilities, a tendency to theorize, criticize, or gossip, inability to mind one’s own business, fussiness, and long-windedness.
One librarian advocates listing the virtues and personal qualities of the staff and apprentices by having a questionnaire like the following filled out for each assistant:
Has she tact?
Has she enthusiasm?
Has she method and system?
Is she punctual?
Is she neat?
Is she kind?
Is she a good disciplinarian?
Is she sympathetic?
Is she quick?
Is she willing to wear rubber heels?
Is she a good worker?
Is she accurate?
Has she a pleasing personality?
Has she a sense of responsibility?
Is she patient?
Is she courteous?
Has she self control?
Is she cheerful?
Has she a knowledge of books?
Are her vibrations pleasant?
Has she executive ability?
Can she speak French, German, Spanish, Italian, Yiddish?
Has she social qualifications?
Can she keep a petty cash account?
What are her faults?
Mr. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress, gives the following advice to aspirants for library positions:
“First, secure the best possible general education, including, if possible, a college course or its equivalent; second, acquire a reading knowledge of at least French and German; third, add to this a training in a library school; fourth, if a choice must be made between the special training in a library school and a general course in a college, choose the general course, but make every effort to supplement this by the special course if only for a brief period; fifth, if an opportunity occurs for foreign travel, utilize it; sixth, if you have not been able to contrive either a thorough general education or special training, your best opportunities in library work will be in a small library where your personal characteristics may be such as to offset these other deficiencies; seventh, without at least a fair reading knowledge of French and German you cannot progress beyond the most subordinate positions in a large library.”
SOURCE: The Paris Review – Read entire story here.
Deliver Happiness To Your Guests
I’ve been reading Delivering Happiness by Zappos founder Tony Hsieh. I highly recommend it as an inspirational story about sacrifice, drive, perseverance, and personal mission.
One of the things Hsieh stresses repeatedly is how much more interested he is in experiences than in acquiring things. It’s no wonder that Zappos has become known for its superior customer service.
This got me to thinking about how artists and arts organizations treat their guests at openings. Here’s what I came up with.
Artist Karen McLain addresses a standing-room only and overflow crowd at the fundraiser for The Cloud Foundation, which she worked on for over a year.
When you host an opening and invite people, you are the host.
The people who attend, whether they pay or not, are your guests. They have gone out of their way to show up for you.
It’s to your advantage, and hopefully to your delight, to deliver happiness to them – not just with your art, but also in the way you treat them. How should your guests feel when they arrive? How would you like for them to remember the event?
Even if the opening is hosted by the venue, the guests are often coming because of you. Instead of thinking about it as just another opening, consider creating a memorable experience for your guests. Here are a few ways you can do this.
Tips for Delivering Happiness To Your Guests
1. Inform your guests ahead of time about directions and parking.
Let them know about any road construction or other events that might be occurring that would result in more traffic.
2. Set the scene.
See that the bathrooms are clean, put out a coat rack, and bring in extra seating. I realize you might not think of these things as your job, but who else cares more about your guests than you?
Designate a table for your promotional material: business cards, brochures, postcards, and other handouts. If appropriate, put together a notebook of information about your work.
Great turnout for The Cloud Foundation fundraiser, evidenced by the empty platters.
3. Arrive early.
Hosts are not permitted to be fashionably late. If you tell your guests that the event is from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., you should be there by 5:45 at the latest.
4. Wear a name tag and greet people.
You can’t be the greeter at the door because you must be mingling with your guests. If you’re the only artist, ask your closest friends or family to help you with this task.
Make an effort to remember names. When you meet someone, repeat his name out loud: “It’s so nice to meet you, David.” Then repeat the name silently to yourself several times.
5. Introduce your guests to other guests, particularly when they arrive alone.
You are probably the only person in the room who knows everyone. What does Jane have in common with Jeff? How could Susan and Debbie benefit from knowing one another?
Tracy Miller, Karen McLain, Me, and Carol McIntyre at the opening event for The Cloud Foundation fundraiser.
6. Limit your liquor.
All eyes will be on you as the featured artist. Be an example of restraint and sip on a single glass of wine all evening or forego the booze altogether.
People probably won’t buy your art if you’re tipsy and spill wine on them.
7. Stay for the duration.
Whether it’s a solo show or group exhibition, you are still obligated to be present for the entire event.
8. Send your guests home with a small gift.
Of course, you can’t always do this with a huge crowd, but what if each guest received a packet of your note cards or a small inkjet print of your work? You’d be getting more of your images out into the world and treating each person like royalty.
How do you deliver happiness at your openings and through your customer service?
We try to deliver happiness at every point for our Art Biz Makeover guests. See what I mean by registering now. Early registration ends soon!
SOURCE: Art Biz Blog – Read entire story here.
August 6, 1945
“August 6th 1945 was the day that the US air force dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan, striking Hiroshima and killing up to 160,000 of the city’s inhabitants, most of whom were civilians. The mortality rate continued to rise for months from radiation and disease but the primary cause of death was from burns. Daniel Garcia’s artwork for this 1971 OSPAAAL poster is sombre and thought provoking, making use of the partially obscured face of a young Japanese citizen and burnt paper to remind the world of the horror of that day. “
SOURCE: Justseeds: Blog – Read entire story here.
Tranquilty Nodes Made of Sand by Talin Hazber
Architect Talin Hazber used an unusual material when designing Tranquility Nodes. After becoming obsessed with sand and the possibility of creating something out of it, she found herself doing research on its micro and macro qualities by sculpting lamps out of it. The fully functioning lamps create a warm glow, inviting viewers to inspect them closer.
The lamps create a cozy ambience, therefore meeting Hazber’s goal of wanting to design something that would influence the space. Everything changes when the lighting and mood shift and the cascading, organic fixtures do just that.
SOURCE: Design Milk » Art – Read entire story here.
Mothersill: A Vacation Home Inspired by the Boardwalk
If you’re looking for the beach house of your dreams, Bates Masi Architects are definitely the people to see. The Hamptons-based firm has knocked it out once again with Mothersill, a creek-front property in Water Mill, New York.
Common to most any beach area, you’ll see elevated wooden walkways hovering above the grounds, and those boardwalks help create a clear path when faced with a rocky landscape. This simple element is what inspired the design of this project, using it as an architectural component to intertwine portions of a historic site with a new building and the surrounding, natural landscape.
The site of Mothersill features two structures built in 1962, a small house and studio, designed by Andrew Geller, along with a diverse mix of plants, including rare specimens. Connecting the two structures is a boardwalk, common to his work. This part of the property is protected by a conservation easement, keeping the structures, Yew garden, and over 400,000 Siberian Iris’ safe, while allowing for a new main house to be built.
The boardwalk connects the three buildings, one of which (the Geller House) was relocated to the Yew garden and the Geller Studio, which has become the new pool house. Parts of the path are shaded and parts expand out to create outdoor seating areas in different spots.
The new home’s interior brings the wood indoors with wooden floors and ceilings.
Large windows help frame the lush landscape that surrounds the property.
In this bathroom, you can shower indoors or out!
SOURCE: Design Milk » Architecture – Read entire story here.
Does Edinburgh need two festivals?
It’s eclipsed by the free-wheeling frivolities of the Fringe, says Rupert Christiansen
SOURCE: Art news – Visual arts news and gallery info – Read entire story here.