Photographer's Dilemma by Tatsuro Kiuchi
Photographer's Dilemma by Tatsuro Kiuchi is utterly charming, like all of his work. It's also the perfect characterization of the dozens of diehard photographers I know. I found him via the current issue of Poetry Magazine — the cover of its July/August 2009 issue is illustrated with Kiuchi's equally charming On the Beach.
Speaking of Poetry Magazine — source of my most recent Paired post's poem Blowing the Fluff Away — you should subscribe. It's super.
The Constellation of the Elephant, a 20x200 edition by Alexander Beeching
On Looking Up by Chance at the Constellations
You'll wait a long, long time for anything much
To happen in heaven beyond the floats of cloud
And the Northern Lights that run like tingling nerves.
The sun and moon get crossed, but they never touch,
Nor strike out fire from each other nor crash out loud.
The planets seem to interfere in their curves
But nothing ever happens, no harm is done.
We may as well go patiently on with our life,
And look elsewhere than to stars and moon and sun
For the shocks and changes we need to keep us sane.
It is true the longest drouth will end in rain,
The longest peace in China will end in strife.
Still it wouldn't reward the watcher to stay awake
In hopes of seeing the calm of heaven break
On his particular time and personal sight.
That calm seems certainly safe to last to-night.
— Robert Frost
Don't Put Off Your Happy Life by Linzie Hunter
I enjoy pictures made of words. I enjoy spam poetry (in small, well-curated doses.) Linzie Hunter has created what amounts to an Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of illustration for me! (I enjoy peanut butter cups too.)
See more of Linzie's Spam One-Liners.
via Drawn
A cheeseburger deluxe by Maira Kalman, from The Principles of Uncertainty
Intrepid assistant Mike and I took a few hours off from our 20x200 toil this evening and went to Maira Kalman's opening at Julie Saul and God, I wish that all openings could be so nice. The heavy rain that came earlier in the evening washed away the throngs of hipsters (or maybe kept them indoors) so 22nd St. was nearly deserted. As we walked into the building, I wondered whether I had the wrong night, it wouldn't be the first time. But stopping at the sixth floor, the elevator opened to a din of voices and the air was warm with the presence of people.
The gallery itself was crowded enough to feel that buzz of being somewhere, but not overwhelmingly itchy and get me out of here even if I have to fall through the floor hot. The attendees were a perfect mix of people who loved Maira, people who worship her (I saw eyes shining with excitement upon meeting her, and really who could blame the owner of those eyes?) and people who work with her and I imagine inspire her and everyone there to wish her well.
A painting of Louise Bourgeois' sink by Maira Kalman, from Principles of Uncertainty
Principles of Uncertainty is a wonderful show, based on the yearlong series of the same name that Maira did for Times Select, now free to be viewed online by a select many, including you. (Go look.) And it's also a delightful book that you should buy.
I have the book, but oh I would so like to buy myself one of those gouache paintings hanging on Ms. Saul's walls. They are fantastic - sweet and playful and full of joy and humor and entirely authentic. And that is so very much the thing for me, the authenticity. No posture or pose, just an energy for living and for seeing everything around you and imagining those things you can't.
Moon by Sergey Tyukanov
I get the feeling that Sergey Tyukanov is one crazy dude, in the best possible way. His website is somewhat terrifying... it's like crazy uber-flashy... mute your computer before you check it out.
It's like the Yellow Submarine has landed in the Kremlin. I haven't thought about the Yellow Submarine in a while, and thinking about it makes me happy, and I needed a little bit of that.
Check out the watercolors, I think they're especially great. And weird. And fascinating.
(via BiblioOdyssey)
The Fireplace by Takei Takeo
I send Raul a link to those gorgeous Japanese maps and he counters with this amazingness. Page after page of utterly delightful Japanese Illustration from the 20s, for the children. And me. And now, you too.
