Sunday, April 29, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Arts and Crafts - Sterling Silver Kalo Vase


Sterling Silver Kalo Vase
(Chicago - Arts and Crafts Era)

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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Autodidactic – George Ashdown Audsley

Japanese Design


Ran into the term “autodidact” to describe the lifetime education, self-education of the late George Romney.  Never heard or read the term before.  I am aware of people in earlier times who educated themselves with books such as Franklin, Lincoln, Truman who had little formal education beyond the basics.

World Museum Liverpool

I know that many architects before the term and function got commoditized as a University only taught profession in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were self-taught.  One example is the British architect George Ashdown Audsley who designed the skyscraper 11 Broadway in 1896 in New York City as well as pursued a self-taught interest in the music of organs and designed the world famous Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. 

11 Broadway NYC

Perhaps there is too much official Ivy League type education these days that seems more like a product built in a factory than a pathway to individual pursuits, intellect and common sense design and function.


Autodidacticism

Autodidacticism (also autodidactism) is self-directed learning. In a sense, autodidacticism is "learning on your own" or "by yourself", and an autodidact is a self-teacher.
Autodidacticism is a contemplative, absorptive procession. Some autodidacts spend a great deal of time reviewing the resources of libraries and educational websites. One may become an autodidact at nearly any point in one's life. While some may have been informed in a conventional manner in a particular field, they may choose to inform themselves in other, often unrelated areas.
Autodidactism is only one facet of learning, and is usually complemented by learning in formal and informal spaces: from classrooms to other social settings. Many autodidacts seek instruction and guidance from experts, friends, teachers, parents, siblings, and community.

Joan of Arc School Harrowgate Philadelphia

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Atwater Kent Radios - 1928


Philadelphia Street Scene - 1937



11th and Market Streets.

City Hall in background.

(Photo: George Mann)


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Cup Sleeves - Aluminum Tumblers

                                                      Terry Cloth Cup Sleeves 

Aluminum Tumblers


They go together.  


Lost American (picnic) culture.


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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Alexander Pushkin - The Prophet



Alexander Pushkin - The Prophet


With fainting soul athirst for Grace,

I wandered in a desert place,

And at the crossing of the ways

I saw a sixfold Seraph blaze;

He touched mine eyes with fingers light

As sleep that cometh in the night:

And like a frightened eagle's eyes,

They opened wide with prophecies.

He touched mine ears, and they were drowned

With tumult and a roaring sound:

I heard convulsion in the sky,

And flight of angel hosts on high,

And beasts that move beneath the sea,

And the sap creeping in the tree.

And bending to my mouth he wrung

From out of it my sinful tongue,

And all its lies and idle rust,

And 'twixt my lips a-perishing

A subtle serpent's forkèd sting

With right hand wet with blood he thrust.

And with his sword my breast he cleft,

My quaking heart thereout he reft,

And in the yawning of my breast

A coal of living fire he pressed.

Then in the desert I lay dead,

And God called unto me and said:

"Arise, and let My voice be heard,

Charged with My will go forth and span

The land and sea, and let My word

Lay waste with fire the heart of man."


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