Manhatta (1921) by Paul Strand & Charles Sheeler
From Pop Modernism: Noise and the Reinvention of the Everyday by Juan A. Suarez:
The film was shot over a period of several months in 1920, and it premiered on July 24, 1921, at the Rialto Theater, a mainstream commercial cinema in New York City … Despite limited exposure, it had enormous resonance. It allegedly inaugurated the America experimental film tradition as well as one of its most prolific genres, the “city film” or “city symphony.” Shortly after the premiere of the film, Paul Strand wrote his mentor, the photographer Alfred Stieglitz, that “apparently everybody has been making a reel of New York.”
p.s. - This video is from The Metropolitan Museum’s vimeo and the source file is almost 800 MB, so start it and let it load for a bit before trying to watch it in its entirety.
When txts frm lst nght posts show up on my dashboard, they do so in spurts of usually around 5 or 6 at a time. I always try to weave them together in to one story and manufacture some elaborate narrative with characters, plots, etc. I like this one especially.
A normal 8 A.M. conversation between Chris and I.
-asmith
Aaron Draplin is one of my favorite designers. I also think he’s one of the funniest dudes ever. See here, and here.
In yesterday’s post he talked about being younger and having to get firewood in Michigan.
We heated our house in Central Lake with two wood stoves. It was my job to bring the wood in. And man, I’d bitch and moan. I hated that shit. I fought hard, but they always won.
But of course, I miss that stuff. I remember the smell of the wood, and the burning of it. Plus, the actual “woodcutting” part of it was always the best. Deep in the woods with my dad, best friend Ronnie and his dad, Gary. Great adventures. Running around the woods, throwing shit at each other (literally), eating nutritious meals of candy bars and pop, etc. And dangerous as shit. Trees falling and stuff. Chainsaws. Cases of beer.
Hell, Gary had this old truck that was our transportation into and out of the woods. This one time, due to our dad’s scientific prowess or complete lack of judgment, they dropped a tree directly onto the back of the truck, denting the truck bed walls in. They had a quick laugh and just walked up and started cutting away, chainsaws raised into the air, hacking off pieces. “Less work.” Crazy shit.
He’s got one of the best blogs out there. It’s a daily must-check for me.
This series by Simon Page is great. I’m always a fan of this retro minimalist look. I think he does a great job making it feel aged without going overboard. The color and texture is spot on and the vintage feel is skillfully conjured. Sounded like what started as a personal project turned into a successful client job after they saw the work. Got to love when that happens!
(via ISO50)
