something wise

"it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."
-e.e. cummings

Mirror Trickery

My current obsession is mirrors that are lit from behind.  If clothing shops are smart, they have these in the changing rooms, as they are incredibly flattering.  They replicate the kind of evenly diffused light that you get when you use a light umbrella on a photo shoot.  Not harsh, but since there are no shadows (i.e. on your face, that your nose makes when the light comes from above) you can see a lot of detail.  You always appear to have a glow, due to the balance of light.  I stayed in a cool hotel this weekend that had one in the bathroom.  Nice choice!  A backlit mirror is on my list of things to build- that and eighty other projects.  I'd offset the mirror 2-3" from the wall with any kind of frame (prob plywood), and mount strip lights facing out from the frame.
Additionally, I'm working on a lighting fixture right now for a group show in November.  Using lots of chrome.  Am I in over my head?  Maybe. We'll see!

Slatted

Finally came up with something for my room that makes sense, is potentially easy to do, and a comfortable balance between permanence and temporariness (renting, after all).   Inspiration- exterior solar shading.  Also for the bed, which I mentioned a long time ago, I want to upholster just the edge of the platform that sticks out (1-3" on two sides).  Desk- mdf and/or plywood, 1" and 1/2" thick.  
No, I don't really have an Eames chair.  Yet.

When you first get up to my loft.

From my bed looking at shelves, desk, slats, and wall extension.

Looking out.

Live & Learn

RK

"What are the challenges of doing work as a 26-year-old with no formal design training?"

"When to be gracious and when to be a firm business person. Knowing when to say 'Well, I'm 26, these people are more experienced than me' and when to say 'Hey, I need to stand up for myself.' It's such a huge challenge."  - Ryan Korban for Interview Magazine

Finding Inspiration

My friend turned me on to making moodboards.  I've since found them to be useful in realizing styles or trends that I like.  Here's one that I made in August that I just remembered I never posted.  Just some assorted pics from my favorite websites (most linked on the right).  A lot have good details, or backstories, or just give a good vibe.

Overall theme: Order, unique windows, enjoyable spaces?  Not quite sure.

Also here's a few little sketches I did the other day at the Met in the sculpture garden.  I like going there when I'm feeling a little melancholy, cause focusing on something basic, like drawing, is really peaceful and helps clear my brain.    

Bamboo Banga

The latest rooftop sculpture at the Met is really awesome.  It's called Big Bambu, and was created entirely out of (you guessed it) bamboo by Doug and Mike Starn.  It's continually changing, an organic-yet-linear work of architecture.  The structure has been growing throughout the summer, and now, as September hits, it's almost 40 feet high.  It's like the house from Blue Lagoon got transported to high above Manhattan, with a five-star view of the park.  There's walkways that swirl and meander their way through the temporary forest that you can actually walk through on a guided tour.  (You've got to get there when the museum first opens to reserve your time).

It's only there till Halloween, also, so you'd better skedaddle uptown asap if you want to catch it.