Where to buy: http://honeyspits.jp/
Departures and Arrivals (2009) by Ben Snead
Photo by: Robbie Rosenfeld
Info Plaque
As part of the Jay Street-Metro Tech Station (Brooklyn) rehab, the MTA’s Arts for Transit division has installed a 103-foot-long mural along the newly renovated mezzanine. Designed by Ben Snead, the piece is called "Departures and Arrivals", and it is a metaphor for the melting pot of the Borough of Kings. It features species of animals that have migrated to Brooklyn and one that is departing.
The ceramic tile mosaic depicts several species of animals that have migrated to Brooklyn over time, such as the European starling, Monk parrot and Red Lion fish. (The Tiger Beetle, a local species in decline, is also represented).
“It sort of mirrors immigration and how Brooklyn is made up of a diverse group of people,” said Snead, himself a transplant from Boulder, Colorado, who was commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to create the mosaic.
Snead designed a miniature model of the mosaic in 2006, and sent the maquette to Franz Mayer of Munich, a German-based architectural glass and mosaic manufacturer.
The firm replicated the mosaic in life-size using Italian and Mexican tiles, then shipped the finished product back to Brooklyn, where it was installed in sections at the subway station in October of 2009.
Ben Snead's website: http://www.bensnead.org/
Source: http://greenpointstar.com/view/full_story/10667249/article-Are-commuters-too-busy-for-subway-art-?instance=lead_story_left_column
More photos: http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork_show?239
More photos and info: http://www.iridetheharlemline.com/2010/07/29/arts-for-transit-departures-and-arrivals/
The Parrot Dress by Alexander McQueen
WOMEN'S SPRING/SUMMER 2008 "LA DAME BLEUE"
Inspired by extreme glamour as embodied in particular by Isabella Blow, La Dame Bleue focuses on all the McQueen signatures including authentically created strong-shouldered Savile Row tailoring – each piece is canvas mounted and hand-toiled – closely fitted cocktail dresses with an exaggerated hip-line, their waists cinched with wide belts, sleek black skirt suits in precious reptile skin, flashes of exotic colour and embellished silk chiffon and organza gowns.
The set, on this occasion, is a large, metal, light-encrusted structure based on a pair of out-stretched wings and this theme is echoed in the clothes in the form of Bird of Paradise and butterfly wing prints and flamingo feathered bodices.
Link: http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/alexandermcqueen/experience/2008-womens-ss-fashion-show,en_US,pg.html
Link: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/la-dame-bleue
Mata Ortiz Parrot Pottery
Along the Palanganas River near the ancient ruins of Casas Grandes, in northern Chihuahua, Mexico, a local self-taught potter named Juan Quezada founded a native art movement inspired by traditions that had died out around the time of the Spanish Conquest.
Source: https://www.tannerchaney.com/info/other/mata_ortiz
Mata Ortiz has recently seen a revival of an ancient Mesoamerican pottery tradition. Inspired by pottery from the ancient city of Paquimé, which traded as far north as New Mexico and Arizona and throughout northern Mexico, modern potters are producing work for national and international sale. This new artistic movement is due to the efforts of Juan Quezada, the self-taught originator of modern Mata Ortiz pottery, his extended family and neighbors
Mata Ortiz pots are hand built without the use of a potter’s wheel. Shaping, polishing and painting the clay is entirely done by hand, often with brushes made from children’s hair. All materials and tools originate from supplies that are readily available locally. The preferred fuel for the low temperature firing is grass-fed cow manure or split wood. Each of these characteristics derive from the ancient pottery traditions of the region, however Mata Ortiz ware incorporates elements of contemporary design and decoration and each potter or pottery family produces distinctive individualized ware.
Mata Ortiz Parrot Dish
Mata Ortiz Parrot Pot
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery Jar by Lupe Soto.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Sabino Villalba.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Franklin Peters.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Hector Quintana.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Mata Ortiz Pottery by Vidal Corona.
Macaw cazuela bowl, by Manuel Rodriguez Guillen.
Olla Pottery by Paty Ortiz.