Monthly Website Review - April 2008

textilemuseum.org
http://www.textilemuseum.org

 

The Textile Museum in Washington, D.C. provides amazing service to their customers.  It has four on-line exhibitions and two current ones. One is a permanent hands-on Activity Gallery, called the Textile Learning Center.  It provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about how textiles are made and how the environment influences the character of handmade textiles.  Visitors are encouraged to touch the textiles, learn how to weave and obtain knowledge about the techniques and processes used to create traditional textiles.  Samples of fibers and various stages of processing are used to explain how everything is being prepared for weaving.  Examples of dyestuffs (including crushed bugs) are added as well.

Textiles are the product of human artistry and creativity.  They reflect personal needs and cultural messages.  Many textiles serve a specific function and all are the result of human artistic expression.  The Textile Museum also offers an on-line service with the most commonly used textile terms.

It's a great opportunity for educators, students, adults, and families to get familiar with the world of textiles.

Reviewed by Library staff member – Kristine Upeseleja

 

 

Monthly Magazine Review - April 2008

The World of Interiors

Title: The World of Interiors
Publisher: Conde Nast Publications. Ltd.
Vogue House
1 Hanover Square
London, England W1S 1JU
020 7499 9080
020 7493 4013 fax
Website: http://worldofinteriors.co.uk
ISSN: 0264-083X
Published: Monthly
Subscription Rate: £50.40 U.K./$79.00 U.S. per year

What a surprise The World of Interiors turned out to be!  It may have stuffy covers aimed at affluent adults, but actually it's a lot of fun.  Its timeline is long; its scope is international.  If you are ambitious, have an innate love of beauty and yearn for quality, this magazine can be your guiding light.  It's full of unexpected juxtapositions, esoteric tidbits and juicy gossip about King George III.

Whereas other magazines have “Trends” and “Must Have” lists World of Interiors calls it “Antennae.” Some examples are:

  • Hand carved chair legs in Chippendale mode, made by a firm of five generation furniture makers in High Wycombe, available for 1,400 pounds.
  • Ultra modern steel, sprayed red, origami table by young talent in Spain.
  • A flueless fire with mirrored fascia to replace that old 17th century-style French-limestone fireplace.
  • Fondazione Lisio's ‘Mercurio’ fabric (702 pounds per meter) is inspired by the cloth that Mercury wears in Botticelli's Primavera. “If you copy the god and drape yourself in this jewel of silk cut velvets, you might raise a few eyebrows yourself. So maybe stick to dressing your windows with it.”

The style of writing is witty, the point of view elevated, and the illustrations lavish.  Where else can you go from 18th century trompe-l'oeil panels of climbing roses on trellis to an Italian designer's sleek haven in Kenya?  They show modern chairs designed to the exact specifications of children's line drawings and are extremely knowledgeable about toile de Jouy.  Sounds like a hodge-podge? No! Just supremely confident designers playing with a world's worth of goodies.

Reviewed by Library staff member – Judith Wehlau – S.F.

 

 

Monthly Book Review - April 2008
Art, Skateboarding & Life

Title: Art, Skateboarding & Life
Author: Andy Howell With Amely Greenven
Publisher: Gingko Press, Inc.
5768 Paradise Drive, Suite J
Corte Madera, CA 94925
(415) 924-9615
(415) 924-9608 fax
Website: http://www.gingkopress.com
ISBN: 1-58423-221-8
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 304
Price: $45.00

Andy Howell is a modern day renaissance “dude”.  He was at the forefront of skateboarding culture.  At a young age he decided he wanted to be an artist, and he wanted to skateboard.  He never looked back.

Art, Skateboarding & Life documents his entire come-up.  Starting from his early days producing his own magazine, up until his legendary status he is today.  It is chalk full of photographs, interviews, and most importantly, his artwork.  Every page is a collage of urban culture and D.I.Y contentment.  It heaves paint and drips with motivation.  The entire book is a huge encouragement for any developing artist or entrepreneur.  It also comes with a two disc DVD which delves deeper into the genius mind of Andy Howell.

I think what really sets this book apart is that it really seems to crack open Howell's head. It talks about his parents, his friends, his ups, his downs, his conquests, and his genuine hustle to get his name out. I think it's a good fit for our library, especially those interested in visuals, graphics and marketing. The book seems to parallel another book we have in our collection: The Beat of Urban Art: The Art of Justin Bua, which I highly suggest for those interested in this genre.

Reviewed by Library staff member – Chad Archibald