Artist of the week: Ryan Mcginness

"Surrender," 2005, Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 72“
www.ryanmcginness.com

Designer of the week: Tapio Wirkkala

Years ago, Toronto's Design Exchange presented an amazing retrospective on Tapio Wirkkala. His Bolle Bottles series make for some of the most exquisitely elegant glass work.

5 down, 8 more to go

Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun is fast becoming my favorite novel of 2007. It is a lovely testament on how certain individuals continue to play a pivotal role in our existence, even if only through memory. I absolutely adore this story.

Forget-me-not

I seem to never tire of Jeanne Frankel de Corrales' books, partly since her writing style is incredibly witty. It's one of the few Baha'i books infused with so much humour (not counting Marzieh Gail's work).

Having to witness someone's worst Monday

While waiting for the bus this morning, I (sadly) witnessed a dog being hit by a truck, two grown women cry and a wailing dog who suddenly found itself paralyzed. I imagine the dog has since been put down as the damage was extensive. I've been trying to think of happy thoughts ever since. . . like little people and elephants. . . which makes me think of poachers (for the elephants and not the little people). Let's try this again. . .

The Scandies and their eye candies

"Norwegian Forest lights draw on a classic Scandinavian tradition of using thin birch strips for lighting. Norwegian Forest lights show a deep pine forest with animals in light and shade." www.cathrinekullberg.com

Favorite discovery: the Vladmaster

"Vladmasters are handmade viewmaster disks designed, photographed, and hand-assembled by Vladimir. They make use of toys, neglected household objects, and other miscellany to tell 28-picture stories."

I can't begin to describe how widly creative, imaginative and beautifully designed these sets are. She even has a series on Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. Treat yourself to one. www.vladmaster.com

Dai Sijie's Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress celebrates the delightful importance and power of literature.

Artist of the week: Laura Mckibbon

www.culdesacdesign.com

The boys of war

A few weeks ago, I read a compelling book review in the Globe and Mail by Lynne Jones on Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. The last section of her review stated "Ishmael's story shows both the horror and the possibility of redemption. This is an unbearable book that has to be borne. Read it." So, I did. It is an utterly heartbreaking memoir, and Beah is a profoundly gifted writer.

lovely lovely chair

"The Tio Chair from New Zealand-based Conscious Design is green in more ways than one. Designed by Nathan Goldsworthy, Stu Barr and James Whitta, Tio’s wood frame is environmentally-friendly, built from selectively-logged pine from managed forests, and put together with water base adhesives free of any dangerous toxins." www.consciousdesign.co.nz

Musical interlude of the week: Catherine Feeny

Zebra pendant lamps by Viso. www.visoinc.com

La Belle Bête

I've recently re-read Marie-Claire Blais' La Belle Bête and it is still depressing and disturbing. Disturbingly depressing.

"La Belle Bête commence comme un jeu d'enfants et se termine en une pure, une déchirante tragédie, c'est-à-dire qu'il nous conduit du charme au malaise, et du malaise à l'effroi.» Gilles Marcotte, Le Devoir"

Last year, Shiva lent me a fascinating article in the New York Times on Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. I've never been a fan of the "graphic novel" (aka the comic book). I've read Chris Ware (beautitul, yet heartbreaking) and Chester Brown. Probably and for that reason alone, it took me over a year to finally sit down to read her work. Persepolis is a stunning memoir, and I especially loved her conversations with God.

4 down, 9 more to go

"In 1978, Murakami was in the bleachers of Jingu Stadium watching a game between the Yakult Swallows and the Hiroshima Carp when Dave Hilton, an American, came to bat. According to an oft-repeated story, in the instant that Hilton hit a double, Murakami suddenly realized he could write a novel. He went home and began writing that night."



Isn't that the loveliest story? The blossoming of one's capacity.
(source: www.randomhouse.com/features/murakami)

Musical interlude of the week: Grizzly Bear

Urban lamps designed by Donna Brady www.re-surface.net

The Scandies and their eye candies

They might have one of the highest suicide and smoking rates in the world, but the Danes know how to rethink storage. "Straight from Pure Nomade in Denmark, the Hotel box concept is a brand new product to the market. It is neither a box, nor a piece of furniture, but all in between." www.purenomade.com www.purenomade.co.uk

Bring the outdoors in

Designed by Nicolette Brunklaus, these wonderful ceiling lamps have such a dreamy quality. www.brunklaus.nl

Artist of the week: Ingi Erlingsson

www.ingierlingsson.com

Designer of the week: Tage Frid

Most of us have a "wish list" of things to do or learn in our lifetime. Woodworking has always been one of mine. I've always admired artisans who spend hours toiling in a studio building and rethinking items for day to day use. Born in Denmark, Tage Frid taught at the Rhode Island School of Design. In the next few weeks (or when his guidebook arrives), Krystuccia (who is pleased as punch!) will finally embark on building a chair. Luckily, they have made progress on voice recognition computer programs to compensate for the loss of my fingers when I accidentally saw them off.

Musical interlude of the week: Valérie Leulliot