Design with Spine

Beautiful Bookstores

junematics — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:05:42 +0000

Flavorwire » The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World.

When Will Winter End?

junematics — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:50:55 +0000

When Will Winter End? | PDN Photo of the Day.

Ice City

junematics — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:25:13 +0000

(via Land Art ~ Kuriositas)

Chamber of Wonders

junematics — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:19:56 +0000

One of my favorite museum exhibits–art or otherwise–is The Chamber of Wonders at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

It’s an authentic representation of the collections that captured the imaginations of high society during The Age of Exploration in Europe. In fact, it mimics closely a painting that hangs on its walls.

The Archdukes Albert and Isabella Visiting a Collector’s Cabinet

The paintings in this place all speak to the marvels of nature–the strangeness, the beauty, and the growing understanding of it. The wonders assembled, ethically or not, by these collectors give us a glimpse into a different era where discoveries in nature weren’t strictly a matter of science, but a matter of the fantastic.

Noah’s Family Assembling Animals Before the Ark

It’s not just paintings and other art-objects in the Chamber of Wonders, it’s full of the inspiration behind them. And these are probably my favorite elements of the exhibit.

The collection is not only beautiful, it’s tangible.
It’s also varied. A central table lets you get more up and close to some of the specimens than the no-touch art objects or the collections in the cabinets. There’s also a book for visitors to leaf through will period illustrations and descriptions.
I couldn’t have designed this room any better–though in my own surroundings I can’t help but try.

An Accident

junematics — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:54:21 +0000

(Details from An Accident – The Walters Art Museum)

So fond of this kid–pale from blood loss, arched eyebrows, sharp nose, stoic. And the detail of the cat hiding under the bed is strangely satisfying, too.

Painting details photographed by me on a trip to the Walters.

Wunderkammer

junematics — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:56:26 +0000

(via moodboard: Inspire: Wunderkammer)

Book Arts

junematics — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:53:36 +0000

I’m heartbroken! The book arts class I was scheduled for this semester has been cancelled. In memoriam, here are some amazing examples of book art.

(via The Book Surgeon 15 pieces – My Modern Metropolis)

(via Girl with a Pen)

(via Izmia)

(via Rose Colored Glasses)

Ah! What could have been…

Art + Botany: A Xylotheque’s Cabinet of Curiosities

junematics — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:15:59 +0000

(via Garden Design)

…the Age of Enlightenment introduced new ways of bringing science and culture to curious audiences…
the xylotheque was an experiential botanic expedition, an exquisite art form, and an ingenious way to examine the beauty and value of its plant specimens.

Tavel

junematics — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:52:36 +0000

(Tavel wine)

Feeling lucky to have such a tangible representation of the consanguine.

Devil Take You

junematics — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:44:34 +0000

These are two unrelated things, that somehow go together for me today.