mirrors mirrors on the wall
Every time I leave Malaysia for a while I return with a renewed ambition to see and do everything on our "hit list". It's embarrassing that our list is as long as it is (since we've been here for a year and a half) but the good thing is that with time comes more understanding and appreciation of the things around you.
Friends of ours recently went to the Islamic Arts Museum and highly recommended it for peeks at mosque architecture around the world and of course, artifacts with designs and patterns that are uniquely Islamic. We didn't hesitate in making a date to go the next day.
I was in awe of a miniature model of the national mosque I visited in Abu Dhabi (how do they make it so small?!) and was fixated on a section where the mosaic designs were broken down to basic geometric sketches of shapes from beginning to end. It made me think that had I learned geometry through the art of pattern making I would have enjoyed my math classes much much more!
The main stand out for me was this impressive razzle-dazzle wall of mosaic mirrors. Though situated in the restaurant, it's definitely a piece deserving of its own "Modern Islamic Art" section. I don't know if mosaic mirrors are a new thing in Islamic design but it sure feels fresh and I love love love the looks of it for a modern interior. Future home DIY project perhaps?
weekend, we
Hello, how was your weekend? Our was pretty uneventful so I figured I'd share something really awesome from last weekend in Singapore: Kinetic Rain. We learned about this art installation after clicking around the Vimeo feature on Apple TV and were completely in awe. On departure from Changi Airport we made a beeline to Terminal 1 to see it in person and wow did our jaws drop! We stood there for twenty minutes watching the silent dance...completely mesmerized. It's the coolest art installation I've ever seen. The. Coolest.
friday pic & pin
We have been itching to put some art our walls so maybe we'll get ambitious this weekend and buy the supplies to make it happen. As made obvious by my Pinterest Art Thou Wonderful board, I'm really drawn to impressionist and abstract style paintings and I'm loving this one by Kristy Gammill. If only it were available as a print! I could really use a dose of bright inspiration in my office nook...any recs on websites or artists I should check out for good selections? I have a difficult time committing to art since there's so much to choose from but guess I could start by printing my own photographs. It would make a fun weekend project and I do like them. Hhhmmmm, food for thought...
Have a wonderful weekend and see ya back here on Monday!
This week's three rad links...
• beautiful block-print textiles via I ART U
• something most adults can relate to: making friends after a certain age or stage in life via NY Times
• classic camper road trip in New Zealand via Wayfarer Magazine (on our list!)
(image left: flower shop, London by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin originally via Kristy Gammill Flickr)
{happy friday} pic & pin
Heellooooo weekend and hello pool time. We've been having extremely warm weather in KL (according to locals, I still can't tell the difference) so I'm only more justified in lusting over a wardrobe full of easy-to-wear dresses. This graphic seascape one caught my attention with its muted colors and dreamy print. It looks like the designer used an actual photograph and I absolutely love the idea of turning one art form into another. Does anyone know of a company that takes your photographs/designs and turns them into ready-to-wear garments? Or at least prints the fabric? If either of those don't exist then someone please do it, get a Kickstarter campaign going and I will back that thang UP! Seriously, please, someone do it.
As for the weekend, we don't have any plans and that in itself is worth looking forward to...
I hope you have a good one!
This week's three rad links...
• lisa followed me on Instagram and i checked out her site - SO impressed with her creative self-portraits!
• and I'm really impressed with these magic fingers via Eco Salon
• now here's something closer to my creative abilities: a jersey weave sweater DIY via The Forge. great concept for using fabric scraps, too!
And one more thing, if you're in London, do check out this crafting and shopping event hosted by Papermash. Lynne, shop founder and owner, asked me to design the invite and I had so much fun doing it, just wish I could attend!
(image left: Penang waterfront by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Les Nouvelles)
{yes please} grown up piñata
I would have a hard time hitting this beauty with a bat, no matter how much fun and yummy stuff was inside of it. Piñata, should you ever find your way to my home please have no fear. You will be free of harm and adored as art.
Made in New York by Confetti System.
Paint Chip Art
How fun is this? Reminds me of the vintage textile I bought last month.
Art By Veronica Diago, discovered via Thoroughly Modern Tilly
More Art: off to a resolved year
Okay, so I lied. I do have one resolution: visit more museums and design exhibits. This weekend will kick-off a more artsy and designed infused 2010 with a trip to NYC.
I've got my new boots (Nike Air + Cole Haan = most comfortable shoes ever! Definitely worth the three year search) ...
and am ready for some serious gawking at works by Kandinsky (Guggenheim) and architect Eero Saarinen (Museum of the City of New York).
Must be some kind of crazy to leave 72 degrees in LA for 20 something Manhattan!
::
Pasadena Painter: R. Kenton Nelson
When I was a senior in High School, I worked part-time at a property management firm. Though I actually really enjoyed the job, the things I remember liking most were two R. Kenton Nelson paintings that adorned the main hallway. I would admire the boldness of his colors and the way his subjects subtly popped off the canvas. There's something about the vantage point he paints from that makes you feel like you are invading someone's personal moment or space. Yet, its okay.
Came across his work again at a travel store in Pasadena and am in awe all over again....
