Ponderings & Wanderings

The Nelson-Atkins had an exhibit on the Origins of American Photography, an exhibit featuring daguerreotypes and paper photography, cyanotypes, salt prints, albumen prints and amber prints.

Seeing the evolution of mediums and materials reminded me of a story I’d heard on NPR back in ‘03. Binh Danh makes prints on plants, using the sun and a few pieces of glass as his enlarger.

And then there’s Matthew Wheeler, who made a lens out of ice. Check out the resulting images.

It all makes my little digital camera seem much, much too easy.

I’ve made the MSP/MCI drive many times, most often around the end of December. Traditionally, Mother Nature’s timing is impeccable, delivering ample icy-road conditions to help me brush off my MN driving skillz in rain/freezing rain/sleet/snow. This year, she changed it up a bit and I had to drive through *THICK* fog most of the 8-hour drive.  Below: visibility at it’s best. (Imagine driving 80 mph too!) Once the sun went down, it was impossible to see which lonely Iowa exits harbored gas stations or food stops. Thank goodness for granola bars.

Though traditional conceptions of ‘fine dining’ include as much A2D paid to presentation as preparation, a nontraditional restaurant in Germany is challenging the norm. At Unsicht, one dines in complete darkness, to allowing the senses to focus entirely on the food. The waiters (blind, as I understand it) give some quick plate-navigating directions before leaving the table. It certainly alleviates the “do I have food stuck in my teeth” angst.

http://www.unsicht-bar.com/

(For those a little rusty on their German, I suggest translating the page via Babelfish.)

When something plain-old typeset just won’t do, I always think of Marian Bantjes. She does beautiful work in a multitude of mediums. Some projects are more conceptual than others, but her passion and patience shine through every time.

One of the most enjoyable “thank you” offerings I received after picking up a friend from the airport; A Voodoo doughnut, complete with pretzel protrusion and a mystery red-fruit flavored jelly filling. T’was nummy, so if you ever find yourself downtown Portland around 3am, check ‘em out

 I was taken aback. I just wanted some paper clips….but it loves me?! When did this happen? What does it see in me? We hardly know each other. This has all happened so fast.  I don’t know where that thing as been. Maybe that’s why it’s free.

The Pumpkin of ‘99
Took over 8 hours using a ice cream scoop, a saw, a few knives, and a sharpie.
(Accidentally shaved off Dominican Republic and Cuba. My apologies to those populations. )

Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, NYC

Check this amazing work by Peter Callesen.
In this case, paper beats scissors and rock.