Friday, December 14, 2012

At Home: A few wooden objects

Matt and I just started this blog, so it has been a slow start. The first monthly feature we are rolling out is called At Home and showcases objects in our random collections.


Some are bought, some are given, some are found. Some are art objects, some are tools and some we have no clue their original use. They just are curious little beings.


For the past few years, I have collected antique wooden pulleys. I have 7 in my mini collection: 'Mini' because they can become quite expensive. Barn pulleys, factories pulleys and a few I'm not sure of their specifics. I love their exhausted look, their carved wooden centers, their purposefulness that is now retired.

This little guy I purchased in an antique store in Cazenovia, NY, though it is not an antique. The mystery object was in a bowl with others, all different and definitely hand carved. A wooden seed pod? A hand massager? A ...?


Another mini collection I have is old hand tools. My grandfather had a farm and this curiosity may stem from snooping around in the old buildings that were full of so much stuff, nothing was ever thrown out. This tool feels great in one's hand. It is heavy and dense. It yearns to steam roll overtop of something.


Lastly is a wooden spoon, carved by our friend and artist, Cullen Stephenson, during grad school. Cullen's work is contemplative and is always more than what is seen at first glance. It is hard to tell, but the spoon's handle is curvy and sort of wiggles in one's hand.

Where are these things situated within our lives? Our mini collections. We place them on bookshelves, coffee tables, windowsills, tabletops. These objects may not be family heirlooms but that doesn't mean that we don't feel attached to them, that we don't have some response to them. I tend to like things that are in retirement, that posses a story. They've lead a good life, they've seen a lot. And have found a way to nestle themselves into into my home.

xo,
Thea

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Ghostly International presents Eight Emperors: Tower Series

We've been anxiously anticipating this for the past week but Ghostly International just released the Tower Series in its online store! Both the Oscillating and Spiral towers are available in black and white.


Ghostly International, one of the best designed and curated record labels in our opinion, has represented Matt for about 2 years. Though this is the first piece that is part of our Eight Emperors Collection that they've supported.


Ghostly was started in Ann Arbor more than a decade ago, and is also the mastermind behind Drip.FM . They go way beyond curating only music.  Michael Cina, who designed the 8E logo, is also represented by them along with a few other amazing designers and artists.


If you are in NYC between now and January, stop past Ghostly's pop-up shop sponsored by Odin on 330 East 11th Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave.) in the East Village. You can buy the Tower Series in person.


http://www.theghostlystore.com/collections/matthew-shlian/products/matthew-shlian-tower-series

xo,
Thea