Desperate times call for different measures

"Thomas Sully was considered the cream of the crop," reports Dorothy Spears of the New York Times, but that was before the 19th century Philadelphia painter forsook his original pursuit as a portraiture.
Following the Panic of 1837, Sully received fewer patrons and therefore, less money therefore, Sully had to abandon his revered art to accommodate a more commercial and popular style. "He became more entrenpreneurial, racking up profits by subordinating his style to market tastes."

Though many may see Sully's actions as "selling out" it is quite understandable. When America, or any nation at all, hits hard times it is the artists who suffer and therefore have to change their methods of earning income; many times changing their entire style to make a living and "giving people what they want," according to William Rudolph, the curator of American Art at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts.

Thomas Moran also "gave the people what the want[ed]" after the Crash of 1873. Moran painted scenes of the Rockies and Grand Canyons, entertaining and satisfying Americans who had never seen these landscapes (at the time Western states were just beginning to be included in the union.

Like many artists existing in difficult times, Moran and Sully know that "art could not exist without commercial enterprise."

(Image: Thomas Sully's Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, 1821) 

"Impenetrable to Inviting"

Once feeling like an outcast while walking down Madison Avenue, Eric Wilson of The New York Times, now fits right in.

Due to the recession many businesses are clamoring for business, including those located on upscale shopping areas like Madison Avenue. Employees of MaxMara, Gucci, Chanel and other high-brow houses, who once sized up shoppers by their hand adornments and shoes before helping, are now indiscriminately performing their jobs. "Salesclerks, haunted by the papered-over windows of stores next door, are being trained to exude a level of customer service rivaling that of Disney," reports Eric Wilson.

On an experimental journey through the area, Wilson dressed poorly and wandered into several stores on the avenue, including Prada and Ralph Lauren, presumptuously trying on clothes he couldn't afford and making false requests.

Nevertheless, customer service was always outstanding and never wavering no matter the clientele.

Marketing MoMA with Picasso

The image of five naked women are being plastered all over New York City's subway station.

It's not by graffiti artists or random vandals, but by the marketing team of the Museum of Modern Art hoping to capture the attention of New Yorkers. Located on 53rd street between fifth and sixth avenue in Manhattan, the museum is making an effort to transform its image as only a tourist fixture. MoMA employees, in conjunction with the MTA, is displaying Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) as well as works as many other contemporary artists like Cindy Sherman, Marlene Dumas, Hopper, O'Keefe and Matisse.

By the end of this six week art campaign, beginning in the Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street subway stations in Brooklyn, Moma officials are hoping that New Yorkers will be more interested in frequenting the museum and buying museum memberships. Kim Mitchell, the museum's chief communications officer tells, "The whole city is important to MoMA, and this station just seemed to be a good to start the experiment."

Here we go again...

Once again as the economy suffers, arts are the first to go. With little funds to simply allocate to basic education The Arts are not even considered salvageable. From the Great Depression to the near bankruptcy of the nation caused by The Vietnam War, Art has fought to remain an appreciable segment of society. Nevertheless, it has always resurrected.

Again however, due to the economic state of the nation artists find themselves struggling to make ends meet and frankly, the New York Times' Holland Cotter is fed up. "Students who entered art school a few years ago will probably have to emerge with drastically altered expectations. They will have to consider themselves lucky to get career breaks now taken for granted: the out-of-the-gate solo show, the early sales, the possibility of being able to live on their art."

However, instead of perpetuating this seesaw of success, Cotter recommends devising a plan or "carving out a place in the larger culture" where the shakiness of the economy does not affect the arts.

No more leopard print

Media mogul, Nduka Obaigbena is sponsoring a African fashion show aimed at countering the prevalent idea of this realm of fashion only containing the "Big Five and leopard prints."

This effort has been one of many African designers, who intend change the perception of African fashion. Since its emergence, African fashion's growth has been hindered by an underlying sense of "romanticized colonialist, stuck in amber, image of bracelets and long necks," curator of "This is Not a Fashion Photograph," Vince Aletti says.

Many designers, like Malian designer Lamine Kouyate, have exceptional and original ideas to display however, besides the glass ceiling of preset notions to break through, designers also have to deal with the other elephant in the room. "One problem for us is that we don't have media talking about this African energy, this sophistication. All anyone is obsessed about is disease and what's going wrong," Kouyate laments.

Nevertheless, designers like Kouyate and his contemporary Nkhensani Nkosi, founder of South African label Stoned Cherrie have been significantly successful at getting their head above water and staying there.

Hello J.Lo, goodbye emaciated

Forget the Gisele Bunchens and Miranda Kerrs and welcome the Kate Winslets and Beyonces. A growing movement to debunk the unhealthy, skeletal look off the runway and replace them voluptuous, "real" women has received support from several Fashion Week shows over the weekend.

Several designers have traded in the paisley, innocent look for "black biker shorts, bodysuits and motorcycle jackets with foxtail fringe." Finally realizing that its sex that sells, designers like Vena Cava are "bored with the sweet, dusky vintage looks that first brought them attention."

The Obama Effect

President Obama's sensational campaign and subsequent win has done more for than lift the spirits of under-privileged and insecure African Americans, it has allowed for greater job opportunities for black models.

Inadvertently, Barack Obama's election to presidency has awarded a greater diversity to the fashion industry. The New York Times calls it "The Obama Effect."

Guy Trebay reports that while it was once not uncommon to see such signs as "No Blacks" at casting calls, there is now a greater tolerance and demand for black models. At Duckie Brown's show during 2008 Fashion Week, Trebay interviewed several black models who told of their experiences.

One of them, Marcus Lloyd, explains, "I remember my agent was like, 'If Obama does become president, there's going to be a lot more work for you guys.'"

Another model, Shawn Sutton says, "Fashion shows have basically been Caucasian for a while. I'm not really a black model, I'm a model. I just love putting on the clothes and jumping into the character."

Inside Pages

Space between letter- kerning
Space between lines- leading

Justified- even on both sides
Ragged right- uneven on right

1.) Copy text from word
2.) Draw a text box into quark (2.125 W)
3.) Item--->content--->text
4.) Link
5.) Select all (command A)

Add noise to help pixelation

House of Rockwell

Thankfully, the All-American and heartwarming illustrations of Norman Rockwellhave been revamped, invigorating public interest in this American artist once again. Hoping to turn The Norman Rockwell Museum into "nexus for the study of American illustration art," what some may dub, a lost field, the museum has announced plans to establish the Rockwell Center.

“Rockwell is very accessible, but when you understand more broadly and deeply how much influence his work wielded on an entire nation, you have a much richer experience,”said Laurie Norton Moffatt, the director of the museum.

Having his first illustration printed for the Evening post at age 22, Rockwell's photos are charged with emotion that keep his prints forever relevant.

(Image: Rockwell's "New Kids in the Neighborhood" 1967 )

Rome via Google Earth

Google Earth has now built a 3-D representation of the ancient city of Rome, circa A.D 320. Viewers will be able to tour the city in a matter of minutes thanks to the software. Elisabetta Povoledo reports:

"First Google Earth turned millions of Internet users into virtual travelers who could fly to any spot on the globe. Then its Sky feature took them to other galaxies. Now Google Earth has embraced a frontier dating back 17 centuries: ancient Rome under Constantine the Great.

Soaring above a virtual reconstruction of the Forum and the Palatine Hill, or zooming into the Colosseum to get a lion’s eye view of the stands, Google Earth’s 400 million users will be able to explore the ancient capital as easily “as any city can be explored today,’’ Michael T. Jones, chief technology officer of Google Earth, said at a news conference in Rome’s city hall on Wednesday."

Reincarnation

From syringes to combs, the exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design, located in Columbus Circle are made of once discarded materials transformed into memerizing works of art. In an effort to perpetuate a new image and encourage "hippier" artists, the museum, once called the American Craft Museum, hosted "Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary." On display were works from around 50 artists or artist teams.

(Top: "Metal Jacket" (2008) Doh Ho Suh's Middle: "Sound Wave "(2007) Jean Shin, Bottom: chandelier made out eyeglasses (2008) Stuart Haygarth)

Think like a designer, write like a journalist

According to William Bostwick of the website Core77, not because you're designer doesn't mean you can't successfully present yourself in writing as well. Using one's creativity and unique style and following Bostwick's five basic tips, this can be accomplished.

Firstly, using your abilities as a designer contour work to fit your audience and the task at hand. To know what interests the public is an inherent trait of any designer. Therefore, use it to rearrange sentences, select the proper words and "putting complex ideas into simple boxes."

Secondly, avoid pretentious, useless words or as Bostwick calls them "verbal SUVs -- big pointless words that look fancy but don't do anything." Because many people are unfamiliar with design, use words that are comprehensible and relatable.

People respond to stories. Therefore, tell a story when writing about your projects. Concentrate more on how something came to be rather than what came to be.

Next, use the first person. Personalizing your writing makes it more interesting, more relatable and less formal. According to Bostwick, "A little informality goes a long way."

Finally, "Cut ten percent of all the words you write," Bostwick advises. If it isn't necessary or true don't say it. It's always best to be honest.

"Architecture to make you smile"

Can a building really make you happy?

Japanese architect Kazuo Shinohara, believes that his building designs may have psychological effects on people. Undoubtedly the the form and fashion of many objects, architecture included, have an effect on our moods and the members of the Royal Institute of British Architects are capitalizing on that.

“Led by Ed Blake, “Building Happiness” was a project that aimed to use the best research and anecdotal evidence from across a wide range of disciplines to identify and analyse the most important drivers in the field. How do we construct happiness? What components make for a happy building or space? How do we measure and quantify this response? is it possible? Who is responsible for it? can it be built in?”- Jane Wernick, Building Futures.

(Image: cover of the recently published novel by The Royal Institute of British Architects, "Building happiness: architecture to make you smile.")

Introducing the new Soda Can

The development of a new environmentally friendly soda can makes advertising even more ubiquitous. Conceived by Ukrainian Johan De Broyer and developed and designed by Robert Davis the "Soda Seal" has many benefits, it's primary one being its ability to be resealed. These are some of the benefits:

1.) Storage and shipping methods are easy because the form of this revolutionary can is the identical to that of the standard can.

2.) There will be no cost for the can's production, because the inside seal of the can will include advertising that will be copious enough to cover this cost.

3.) There are no new recycling concerns, because the components of this new can are all aluminum.

4.)The can provides a water-tight and gas tight seal retaining carbonation and enabling consumers to use drink beverages during outdoor activity without spilling.

Powerpoint Magic according to Seth Godin

According to Seth Godin's "Nine Steps to Powerpoint Magic" here are a few ways to give a successful presentation.

1.) Only use powerpoint if necessary. While some powerpoint presentations are helpful, others can be distracting. Godin's advice: "Do it in your own words, without artifice and with clarity."

2.) Powerpoint presentations are visual aids, they are not meant to be read. So use as few words as possible. Never more than three words per bullet.

3.) Don't give presentations for small ideas. According to Godin, that's what memos are for, so always make sure, "you brought your big idea with you."

4.) To give a bit of edge to your presentation, get your own font. You can visit Smashing Magazine and buy your own font.

5.) Tell the truth. This concept goes far beyond the given idea of not telling a lie, instead it urges presenters to NOT HIDE anything.

6.) Be as brief as possible. If your presentation can be 20 minutes don't prolong it for an hour. After all today's television broadcasts have conditioned us to have very short attention spans.

7.) Captivate your audience. "Your actions should demand their attention." Ensure that your presentation is all that it can be.

8.) Get a remote because it allows you to maintain eye contact and interact with your audience.

9.) If you're presenting to a large group of people, get a microphone. It may increase the cost of a presentation but it heightens the impact of your presentation and improves your posture. In Seth Godin's words, "If 400 people are willing to spend an hour listening to you, someone ought to be willing to spend a few dollars to make the presentation work properly."

"God is in the details"

The great German architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said, "God is in the details." As artists, we are often compelled to shock and awe with peculiar and unconventional creations. However, it's best to sometimes keep it simple and graceful. We frequently get so caught up in the grandeur of our projects that we forget to focus on the details. Many can learn from this artist who strived for simplicity and often referred to his creations as "skin and bones" architecture. Sometimes the simplest productions can be the most surprising and satisfying.

(Photograph of the Mies van der Rohe's "Barcelona Pavilion" in southwest Barcelona built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1983)

Too much?

The Morgan Library & Museum have plans to digitize the Gutenbery Bibles. In its possession are three copies printed in Mainz, Germany circa 1455.

Dubbed the "first significant printed book in the West," images of the Bibles will be on the library's website in an effort to broaden it audience demographic.

KAISER KARL

Born to a wealthy family in 1938, Karl Lagerfeld is one of the most unique and acclaimed designers to have ever to picked up needle and thread. With his trademark powdered white hair and dark sunglasses, Lagerfeld is as easy to identify as his contributions to the dynamic industry of fashion.

To speak of ambition one must speak of Karl Lagerfeld. In 1955, at the age of 17, the German native had already move to Paris and won first prize at a competition hosted by The International Wool Association, for a wool coat he had created, catapulting him into the offices of Pierre Balmain, a renowned French designer. There he worked as an assistant to the designer for three years, before freelancing for Jean Patou and the Houses of Krizia and Fendi.

Karl Lagerfeld, a man of "immense energy and creative ideas," simultaneously launched his own perfume company, Parfums Lagerfeld in 1975. By 1998, he had already launched four fragrances, "CHLOE" in 1975, "LAGERFELD" in 1978, "PHOTO" in 1991 and "JAKO" in 1998. Convinced that his greatest strength is "to bring things that others have started to a better conclusion," Lagerfeld began working for the House of Chanel in 1983, after the death of its creator, Coco Chanel.

There Lagerfeld rejuvenated Chanel's image so significantly that he reaped the best emotions that any aspiring designer could ask for: shock and awe. With the help of another designer, Gilles du Foir, Lagerfeld produced ready-to-wear garments for Chanel as well as single-handedly transform the traditional Chanel suit into a "jeans" look by 1991.

An accomplished photographer, Karl Lagerfeld often produces his own press photos, earning him the titles, "Jack of all Trades," "Kaiser Karl" and "Karl the Uninhibited." In 1984 he finally, ventured into his own design business and by 1994 his signature line was marked by dramatic black and white women's wear that featured the "Wunderbra" and the "Wundercorset."

Introductions

Illustrator- logos; vector-based drawings (sharp resolutions)

Photoshop- manipulated images

Layout- Quark; In-design

SEO (search engine optimization)- making your website viewable through text

Cloud computing (open invitations; communal building of websites).
Examples:
- blogs
- wikis (wikipedia)

Vetting- Endorsing; accrediting

Resolution- apparent/ technical clarity
screen: 72 pixels
print: 300 pixels
(for magazines)

Real People

Similar to MoMA's attempt to acquire more visitors, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is launching a campaign that includes pictures of real visitors.

The pictures, which are usually uploaded on the photo-sharing Website Flickr.com, will be placed around the city like on a Time Square billboard or a New York City bus and will bear the tag line, "It's Time We Met."