William Morris and the Private Press Movement

 William Morris, The well at the world’s end (Printed by Kelmscott Press, 1896)

 

  A Book of Verse, 1870

A Book of Verse, 1870

 

The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, Printed by Kelmscott Press, 1896

 

Odes of Horace, 1874

   

 

"The Nature of Gothic" By John Ruskin Printed by Kelmscott Press, 1892

 A Book of Verse, 1870

Morris must have had some extra time on his hands in 1890 so he decided to found yet another movement -- the Private Press Movement.  Private Press refers to books manufactured with traditional methods of printing and binding with the goal of producing a book that not only conveys information but is also a work of art.  Art and craft as one.  Morris founded Kelmscott Press to realize his vision of books as works of art, producing more than 18,000 copies of 53 different works between 1891 and 1898.

Here is a link to a wonderful on-line archive of Morris book pages/illustrations curated by Dr. Florence Boos of the University of Iowa.  She is currently President of the William Morris Society in the U.S. which definitely qualifies her as a fan!

William Morris Wallpaper - less well-known patterns

Wreath, 1876

Scroll, 1872

Rose, 1877

Hammersmith, 1890

Autumn Leaves, 1888

Branch, 1872

 Diaper, 1870

Michael Peterson: Evolution | Revolution

 

Coastal Stack IV, 2008

 

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 Coastal Stack V, 2008

 

 Teardrop, 1987

From the San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design: "Michael Peterson's poetic wood sculptures are deeply inspired by his environment in the Pacific Northwest.  This exhibit follows the artist's unique trajectory from his early works to his most current organic abstract forms realized through the mastery of the chainsaw."

I like the idea of someone whose artistic vision was enhanced through mastery of a chainsaw.

Amish Quilts at the de Young Museum

 

 The exhibit catalog

After all the glitz of King Tut it was great to go upstairs for a little "comfort" art -- almost fifty Amish quilts from the late 19th and early 20th century.  Like in the Tut exhibit, I was again struck by how modern these pieces looked even though some were over a hundred years old.  This special exhibition is titled "Amish Abstractions: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown" and it will be on display until June 6, 2010.  Great gift shop stuff!

Everywhere the Glint of Gold

"strange animals, statues and gold—everywhere the glint of gold."   Archeologist Howard Carter, describing his discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922.

This past Sunday I visited the de Young Museum in San Francisco where I saw the King Tut exhibit.  It was fantastic!  The treasures found in his tomb included many pieces of his household furniture, made around 1350 B.C.  Check out the imitation leopard skin campaign stool with the swan legs---too cool.

 Tutankhamun's Throne

 Cabinet with Hieroglyphic Fretwork

Royal bed

Imitation Leopard Skin Stool

Hope Chest 

Cow Mehetweret Bed Couch

Another stool

The tomb

Smash the Bourgeoisie! Victory to the Decorating Business!

 Green Engineering Object (2001)

Big Red Propeller (2001)

Transitional Monument (2004)

Artist David Mabb is described as having a posthumous collaboration with William Morris.  Mabb isn't just inspired by Morris, he incorporates Morris's work into his own.  From the on-line archives of the Victorian and Albert Museum:  "Mabb’s interest in Morris focuses not only on the design of his patterns but also the inherent contradictions between Morris’s political beliefs – he was a campaigning Socialist - and his practice as a designer and business-man – he made his living creating luxury goods that were affordable only by the upper middle-classes."

 Morris/Fruit, Rodchenko/Triple Peaks (2006)

Morris/Honeysuckle, Rodchenko/Hard Currency

  Here Mabb combines the "political philosophies and design practices" of two artists, Morris and Rodchenko, who each produced designs intended to enhance the lives of the working class.  The irony of course is that the machine-made designs of Rodchenko were far more accessible to the working class than the painstakingly hand-printed wallpapers of Morris.

More information on Mabb, and many more examples of his work, can be found on the Leo Kamen Gallery website and on the Contemporary Art Society website (a nice slideshow).  The title of this post is taken from one of Mabb's exhibitions.

12/14:  More photos of Mabb's amazing work can be found here.

Winter walk, the bog

ahead

behind

DIY - One World Map

 

the problem:  map taped to wall

the inspiration:  antique map

the process

You will need:   4 half-circle 1" diameter dowels that are 4" longer than the width of the map (any lumber yard will cut them to length for you); paint, glue (I used Elmer's wood glue); staple gun; cotton ribbon or twill tape for ties (sewing notions shop); cord for hanging (ditto); clamps.

 

Paint the rounded sides and ends of half dowels.  Then staple map along the first painted half-dowel (you only need a few staples as it will also be glued).  A "tie" is also stapled near each end on top.

 

A bead of glue is laid down along length of first dowel, then the second dowel is laid on top and clamped while glue dries.  Repeat on bottom.  When dry, remove clamps and drill two holes down through the back-side dowel and thread a hanging cord through them.

the new map!

H. H. Richardson meets book artist Angela Liguori

click to enlarge

 

Two nights ago I went to a "trunk show" hosted by artist Susy Pilgrim Waters that showcased the work of numerous talented local (Boston area) artists.  I particularly liked the work of book artist Angela Liguori, a Roman who creates beautiful pieces with paper, ink and binding.  I bought some cards made with vintage stamps featuring H. H. Richardson (see posts here and here) and another 19th century architectural star, Frank Furness.

Here are a few more examples of Angela's work from her website.

 

Angela also had an incredible collection of beautifully textured and colored ribbon, tapes, and twine for sale that she imports from Italy.  While talking with her I discovered she wrote the guide to Rome on Design*Sponge that I had coincidentally printed out months earlier (it lists artist supply and fabric shops in Rome).

Finally, here's a link to Angela's Etsy shop.