The Globus Design Associates Blog

Library Contains Hidden Treasure

One of the benefits of designing Library interiors is discovering a link to the past or a hidden treasure within a Library's special collection.  A recent visit to a prospective client uncovered several surprises:

Photo: Suzan Globus

1. A beautiful setting on a lush campus overlooking the New York skyline.

Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Strong of the period - 1970's- architecture. As an aside, it doesn't always make for the most usable or accessible interiors, but is still interesting to look at.

Photo: Suzan Globus

3. Exceptional student art displays. This mobile was donated by former student, Alexander Calder.  See photo above for another view.

Photo: Suzan Globus

4. More "student" art. A Calder sculpture anchors rows of book stacks.

 

Holiday Outing Sparks Design Inspiration

We decided to keep it local for the GDA annual holiday outing this year and selected the Hunterdon Art Museum as our destination.  Located in a 19th century stone mill, the building is listed on the National Trust of Historic Sites.  The museum is situated in a quaint setting
in historic Clinton, NJ.  Some of us were as equally interested in the views to the outside as of the exhibit.

Val and Alden taking it in. Photo: Suzan Globus

Photo: Suzan Globus

The paper exhibit showcased the work of Pamela Becker who used paper for her constructions.

Linen and paper coiled bowls by Pamela Becker.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Wall hanging representing the four seasons by Pamela Becker. Photo: Suzan Globus

Artists using fire, smoke or explosion to create art exhibited their works on the second floor.

I'm still wondering how this artist controlled the smoke to acheive these circles.  Photo: Suzan Globus

The work of some of the museum members was exhibited on the third floor.

This nearly photographic quality portrait was executed in charcoal.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Afterwards, we walked up the street to The Garden Gourmet where Chef Briellen is cooking some memorable hearty, local fresh fare in an unassuming storefront.  We had a waterfront table in the cozy upstairs and rolled down afterwards to select some exceptional baked goods from her first floor bakery.

Design Lessons Learned:

1. Use familiar materials in new ways.

2. Experiment with unconventional substances, like smoke,  to create unknown effects.

3. Good design is always around if you can train yourself to recognize it.

4. Good local food, well prepared is always inspirational.

Waterfowl Festival Exhibits Good City Event Design

Planning for the day when Americans gather around a table featuring a fowl seems like an appropriate time to look at the plan of another fowl based event, the annual Waterfowl Festival held Nov. 11-13 in Easton, MD.  The town wide event is a marvel of event design.

Cars are prohibited in the center of town. Photo: Suzan Globus

The fine arts are exhibited in secure venues.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Free busses take festival goers to and from off-site venues.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Where vendors, Photo: Suzan Globus

and competitors exhibit.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Regional food is plentiful.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Local non-profit organizations are given the opportunity to provide food. Photo: Suzan Globus

Several groups of musicians provided a variety of entertainment.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Judging from the people and dogs, it is a successful event for the town. The people and the dogs deserve another post.  Until then, Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Green Goes Main Stream in Crafts and Art

Using found objects to create art is nothing new.  "Objet Trouve" translating to "found object", is the French term for the practice that is commonly attributed to the DaDa movement.  It seems to be enjoying a resurgence perhaps due to the focus on sustainability.   These three examples popped up in my immediate area:

Quilt

Photo: Suzan Globus

"Paper Bag Quilt" by Lynn Liebenow was made using only recycled materials.  It was one featured at a quilt show at Monmouth University.

Card

Photo: Valerie Mangan

This award winning greeting card is the artful work of Valerie Mangan - yes, THE Globus Design Associates Valerie Mangan, which she made from an old photo sleeve.

Art

Art From Found Objects is a juried exhibit hosted by the Monmouth Museum through the end of the month.  This juried exhibition in the Museum's Main Gallery features artwork created from discarded, reusable or found objects. Forty-eight artworks from artists working in NY, NJ and PA and as far away as Missouri and Arkansas are featured. 

It is great to see sustainability seeping into all aspects of our culture.