ALL MY EYES: June 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011

Miles per Dollar, the New MPG

Great infotisement for the completely electric Nissan LEAF. Chart compares distance traveled by various cars, for the cost of one dollar. Hey, when you've got it (the data on your side), flaunt it.

via PSFK

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

DIY Stonehenge: Infographic

[via geek in heels, via Flavorwire, via Designboom]
Some 18,000 people gathered at Stonehenge yesterday to witness sunrise on the day of the summer solstice. To welcome the new season, I’m sharing the IKEA assembly instructions for the ancient monument. This awesome infographic by Justin Pollard, John Lloyd and Stevyn Colgan, appeared in this year’s Qi Annual.

Small print at the bottom:

Important! Ensure all components are free from mud, dung and evil spirits before assembly. Wear appropriate safety equipment (spear, flint knife etc.) in the event of bears. Small parts are not included.

If plagued by demons or suffering from pestilence, seek advice from a druid before attempting assembly.

May contain quartz.

I’m pretty sure you need to supply your own magician and beer. Also, there's is no mention of lingonberry preserves, but they are a must for human sacrifice.

Just a few pix ...

Solstice, 2011. via Daily Mail.

Solstice, 1984.Photo copyright Alan Lodge.
via Andy Worhington

Residue of the 36,500-person solstice gathering in 2009. Daily Mail

Stonehenge News and Information urges solstice revelers to
use public transportation.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day Clip: The Bicycle Thief

Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thief has to be one of the most beautiful movies about a father and son ever made. Watch this lovely clip of Antonio and Bruno getting ready in the morning and setting out together. It's Antonio's first day at his new job hanging posters.

Darn, the video clip from TCM is not embedding, so here is the link.

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Vested Gentress

Winking horses, yakking yaks, puppies, giraffes, frogs, and bunnies. Welcome to world of The Vested Gentress. Playful, hand-screened prints that instantly transport you to lawn parties were fresh berries and deviled eggs are always within easy reach. Think Lilly Pulitzer, but sillier and less saccharine; Vera, but sillier and less mod; Marimekko with imagery. But while those labels have storied pasts, very little is known about The Vested Gentress.

The label has developed quite a following, as ever more vintage fans discover (usually while looking for Lilly Pulitzer) these charming prints. Still, information about the company is so scarce, that I’ve yet to read anything other than what Lizzie Bramlett has had posted on the Vintage Fashion Guild site for some time now:

Vested Gentress was established in 1961 and was based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Their factory was located in Trappe, Pennsylvania, about twelve miles from Valley Forge. The company was known for whimsical screenprinted fabrics. These fabrics were made into dresses, slacks, and skirts. They also had a line of golf wear. The company closed in the late 1980s.

Time for a gin & tonic!

This winking horse, probably the best known "vg" print, is irresistible both coming and going.

Sources: Most items are/were for sale on Etsy and eBay. Other sources include Sparkles of Life, Looking 4 Lilly, RubyLemons.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Jules Printing and Stationery

Jules Printing and Stationery in Long Island City has been “serving you since 1933.” Their windows, however, haven’t been changed since the mid 1980s, and serve as a time capsule of late 20th century office supplies. Liquid Paper in all colors, rolls of tape, and sun-bleached packages of post-its are sparsely displayed behind glass and a film of 25-year old dust. It wasn’t until I looked closely at the photos, that I noticed the ancient data storage and protection device--a key-locking case for 3 ½” floppy disks. The kind you may have had on your desk, next to your first Mac in 1984.

I especially like this tableau of Liquid Paper.

Packing tape, glue, and large enevelopes.

Post its, Scotch tape, ledger and purchase-order books.

File box, white chalk, rulers, screen cleaner, and disk case.

Business card printing display.

Vinyl Lettering, plastic signs, aluminum signs.

Boxes of printer paper.

Deluxe cash box.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Puerto Rican Artist, Lorenzo Homar

Exhibition, The Poster in Puerto Rico 1954-1974,1974
I did not head out today for the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, instead, I am celebrating Puerto Rican culture with a parade of works by the wildly talented and prolific artist, Lorenzo Homar (1913-2004)

I urge you to read his bio on the AIGA site to really get a idea of his significance in the development of the graphic arts in Puerto Rico and his influence on a generation of artists there. Renowned as a poster designer, Homar’s talents ranged from gymnastics to calligraphy and his biography includes a Purple Heart earned during active duty in WWII, and a full time position in the design department of Cartier.

Princeton University houses an archive of 350 works. In addition to posters are a sketchbook from WWII, jewelry designs for Cartier, and roughs for posters and books. In my last post, “Picturing Coney Island,” the pencil drawing of figures at Muscle Beach was from this archive.

When you look at Homar’s work, you will see evidence of, not only the engraving skills he honed at Cartier, and his interest in sports, but the influence of some quite notable teachers. He studied with George Bridgman at the Art Student’s League during the 1930s, and after the war took classes at the Brooklyn Museum, where his teachers included Ben Shan and Rufino Tamayo.