future's so bright, gotta wear shades...

The presentation went well. The jury liked my interpretation of what Thoreau might want in his urban Walden, right down to the Macbook on his desk. For the presentation itself, I enlarged random parts of the book and pasted them to the boards next to the drafts and sketches. We presented in pairs and what was the juxtaposition of our two designs. She designed a space for Karl Lagerfeld and they could not have been more different. Whereas my boards were deliberately sparse, simple and in black and white, hers were filled color, Chanel symbols and fashion images.
It's been quite a ride, these past 15 weeks. I had a great teacher, great classmates (with whom I hope to keep in touch). It was a small group and I was lucky to have had such talented women as my classmates. We were each given the same apartment, and everyone came up with such different and fantastic designs. What a great experience! An advanced course may be offered in September, as well as an AutoCAD class, both of which I plan on taking.
But until then, anything can happen. Continue looking for work and "Mr. Right" or maybe get lucky and find myself a sugardaddy. I certainly hope to get a cat (black) and/or dog (golden). Such lofty goals, I know ;)
It may be a bumpy ride at times, at others, smooth sailing, but I hope you'll all stick around and enjoy the trip. It reminds me of this corny clip on my parents' wedding reel; this is not the end, it's just the beginning. fade to black.

Even the sailor on the Atlantic...

I finally came up with an idea on how to present Thoreau's apartment. Tell you? And ruin the surprise? You'll just have to wait... And I still have to conquer the 2 point perspective. Yikes.
Now that that's settled, what's next for me come Tuesday at noon? Who knows. I'll keep you all posted, of course. In the meantime, you'll just have settle for my silly ramblings and random images. One thing I've learned, is that one little instant can cause a drastic turn in one's life. In the meantime, I'm still looking for work, trying to get my photography shown (and sold *fingers crossed*), and hopefully meet someone soon. Oh, and adopt a kitten, and/or golden retriever. So let's see where my next little adventure leads...

Artists must be sacrificed to their art. Like bees, they must put their lives into the sting they give

Well, we are entering into the home stretch. I have my final presentation on Tuesday, and I have so much to do! I need to finish my model, do my perspective drawing (2 point!), prepare the boards. Yikes! It kind of crept up on me, and now here it is, the final reckoning. I am at such a loss as how to present the boards. Like Archimedes, I took a bath to see if something would hit me. Nothing. Looking at the blank boards to see if something comes to me. Nada. This is kind of how I am envisioning the apartment itself. Trying to glean inspiration from this photo. Maybe I am forcing myself too much. I should just let it go. So here I am going on with the rest of my day... (but if anyone has any ideas, please don't keep them from me!)

Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding

Yesterday was Purim in Jerusalem. The Jewish holiday which celebrates Queen Esther's heroism in saving the Jews against Haman. It is traditional for people to dress up in costumes; I went as Holly Golightly. In that sense I guess it can be described as the Jewish Halloween. So, I just wanted to share a couple of images I captured of the day. Now it is back to reality; I must complete the electrical plan for Thoreau's apartment...

There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.

As part of my class, we visited a lighting store to learn about new trends in lighting. I saw many different styles ranging from ultra-modern to retro. The store offered everything from locally made custom pieces to high end Italian models. (More images from my trip can be seen flickr page and at tchochkes.com)
While I didn't find anything that would necessarily fit into the aesthetic of Walden Two, I think Thoreau would be pleased to learn of the advances made in the technical aspect of lighting. There is a global movement to phase out halogen and incandescent bulbs for the more energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. Thoreau may like that, but I have to say, I do not. I have an aversion to fluorescent lighting. I find it cold, harsh and green (it may be ecologically sound, but I am referring to the color it emits). I did see some effort to make the energy-saving bulbs "warmer," but not enough to be convinced. They still emit this horrid coldness. Don't get me wrong, I am all for anything that is earth-friendly, but please can someone design a bulb that is more pleasant and doesn't make me want to leave the room?

Must be out-of-doors enough to get experience of wholesome reality, as a ballast to thought and sentiment. Health requires this relaxation...

..this aimless life





I find myself back at home after a couple of weeks away, cat-sitting. I'll miss 'em! I've been busy these past couple of weeks. That is not to say I've accomplished much, just been busy. I had one exciting day where I picked my niece up from nursery, took her the park, and ended up at the zoo. I didn't have a good camera with me, but nonetheless felt compelled to share a couple of images from my little outing.
In other news, the specs of the final presentation of Thoreau's apartment has been announced and I learned about lighting, so look out for those upcoming posts!

City life - millions of people being lonesome together

This was taken during a stormy afternoon out of my office window, facing south, in the summer of 2002. I thought of it because it has been raining pretty much non-stop in Jerusalem for a few days, and it's been kind of dreary. The photo was taken when I was playing around with Spectra black & white slide film. I wonder if it even exists anymore!
I also have been reminded of those dismal winter days back when I lived in New York because I've been cat-sitting over the past couple of weeks, so once again I'm alone with a couple of furry friends. Today has been one of those days, like the ones I had in New York, when you spend the day in bed, balancing a kitty and a laptop, maybe the TV is turned on, napping on and off, devoid of human contact. I miss those rainy, New York days!

Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it

It dawned on me at some point last night that there might not be such a difference between my work doing picture research and interior design. The goals of both are to find the best-suited elements for a specific place and purpose. As a photo editor, I would find images that would fit the copy and make the best visual impact. It is the same with interior design, I would be looking for items that are most appropriate to serve its function in a given space. In both I was searching for the best form to serve a specific function. It could simply be there as eye candy, or it could be there to illustrate a point in the story, or in the case of interior design, a place to sit.
Both photography and design tell stories; and both, if done properly, will engage both the creator and the "experiencer" in some fashion. I think the best results in both come from those who really love what they are doing, and that is true in any field. I love being a photo editor, and I will love being an interior designer. But, as the song goes, "it's nice work if you can get it...."

where you can see all the treasures of the house at one view

We went on a class trip today, to a big home fixtures showroom. I saw this little guy on one of the bathroom displays. At first I thought he was mimicking one of those Maneki Neko, or Japanese lucky cats, but now I think he is fixing his fur. Grooming makes more sense for a cat sitting on the bathroom sink. Though, everyone could use a little luck where ever they are.
They had everything, from floor tiles to shower stalls. Most exciting for me, however, was the claw foot tub on display as soon as I walked in, as I have been thinking about using one in Thoreau's master bathroom. Though I am not thrilled about the silver-y colored ball & claw, I was envisioning them in black.

I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship and three for society

Found these chairs. They're 'Zesty,' by Chair Baltic, a Latvian manufacturer. Made of molded plywood, they are super light and also available in birch, walnut and oak and can be customized in different colors. They're not necessarily for the Thoreau apartment, just something I'm liking.

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance..

...among the pines

This photo was taken exactly two years ago, while waiting to board a TLV bound flight from JFK. That day had been what had become the blizzard of the "century." I was working at a magazine across the bridge in jersey at the time, and the office had even been closed that day, though I didn't find out until after I got there (the message said there would be a two hour delay; it was changed ten minutes after I had already called and left to make my bus). My flight was later that evening, at around 11pm. Getting to the airport was more of a nightmare than the flight itself! The SuperShuttle people called me 20 minutes before they were supposed to pick me up and canceled! Meanwhile, I hadn't heard about an major delays on my flight. The SuperShuttle people suggested I go to the street and hail a yellow cab. They didn't seem to understand that north of 96th Street, they're pretty hard to come by even during the most perfect weather (I lived on 184th Street). The car services I called didn't have a car for at least another 24 hours. I told them that doesn't help me make a flight that is in 3 and half hours. So out I trudged, with my luggage, through the 29.5 inches of sleet and snow to Broadway and started walking up trying to hail down anything that resembled some sort of livery vehicle, when lo and behold, I see a yellow cab, with his medallion light on, he stops, my urban knight in shining armor, I throw my bags in, shut the door, and say "JFK, please." He looked at me as if I were kidding. Did my huge duffel bag make it look like I was joking? He was nice enough to oblige; and 2 and half hours and 1 huge tip later, I was at the airport, taking off my boots.
While waiting for the flight, no one would clue us in as to what the deal was. So there I was, sitting by the gate, waiting to board the flight. The food stands by the gate had closed, so I go back out past security to get a cup of coffee, and they wouldn't let us back in with our beverages. We were finally told that the wheels of the planes had frozen to the ground in the hangar, so they had to melt the ice off which had caused a back log. We finally took off at around 1:30am (not bad for a blizzard!) after a couple of Xanax and 10 hours, I was in sunny Tel Aviv!
I remember the date because it happened to be on Valentine's Day; then, like now, it is something I lack, so I wish all of you a Happy Valentine's Day and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for stopping by and "listening" to my rambling and I hope you come back again soon!

I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pont, in Concord, Massachusetts

I realize I should have posted the plan of the apartment first before going into any detail of specific rooms:

I have chosen all the bathroom fixtures, however I have not yet drawn them to plan in 1:20. But I did choose the rest of my kitchen.

Thomasville's Cabbot Maple Moss Glaze cabinets.

Craft Art Reclaimed Bamboo Natural Countertop





Restoration Hardware Dakota Cup Pull

and button knob

All the attractions of a house were concentrated in one room; it was kitchen, chamber, parlor, and keeping-room...

While my version of Walden is not limited one room, I am still going to try to stay true to this idea by allowing the different rooms to serve different functions. This is the plan for Thoreau's kitchen. It very basic. Along the window on the left are two stools against a raised counter so he can look out the window while he eats or enjoys a cup of coffee. He can entertain a friend or enjoy his solitude. He can read or write in his journal, or, perhaps, simply do nothing at all.

These are the appliances I have chosen. I still haven't chosen the cabinets or counters. (I intend on having hardwood floors throughout the apartment). The sink, as mentioned in a previous post, is an acid-resistant ceramic over cast-iron apron sink. I am thinking of some sort of green distressed wood cabinetry and wood counter tops, perhaps birch or some other light colored wood. I'm still looking. Ideally it should be recycled or reclaimed.

The pocket doors on the right lead to the bedroom. Between that and the kitchen along the top wall, is some sort of plant. I am placing greenery in various spots around the whole space, as Thoreau did love nature, though I may choose to put the cat's (Ralph) food and water bowls in that spot.

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong. Henry David Thoreau

Yesterday was election day here in Israel. I took my 2 year old niece with me to vote, instilling civic duty early. Luckily I got home from the polls before a major rainstorm; Israel really needs the rain. It was quite fantastic, with thunder and lightning. I guess since it doesn't rain in the summer, we get thunder storms in the winter.
Without getting into politics, I have to say that the system baffles me. I voted for a small party whose values seemed to be closest to mine, though in the end I don't think they won any seats in the Knesset. Both Livni and Netanyahu have declared victory, although I think Livni is the victor but the right has the Knesset majority. I am still very confused about this whole process. I don't know what causes what; the confusing system or that the political issues themselves are so complicated.

Now that there are no priests or philosophers left, artists are the most important people in the world

Today is Gerhard Richter's birthday, it is also Tu B'Shvat (Jewish Arbor Day). I also managed to accomplish some stuff, like going to the Absorption Ministry to get unemployment. Took my business card to the printer. Went to the doctor; he's starting me on physical therapy - that should give me more to do, given my unemployment. Looked into a program in Industrial Design at a local college; it is intense and I don't think I have the discipline to handle such a huge course load, especially in a foreign language. I have to figure out what I am going to do when the course I am taking ends. I certainly want to continue in the field. Speaking of which, I made some not so minor tweaks to my kitchen plan. I extended a counter so the kitchen area is more of a U than an L. I haven't decided the height of the extension; if it will be table height with a couple of chairs, or higher with a stools.
The two images are Richter's. I saw the Toilet Paper image at a MoMA showing of his a few years ago, and for some reason, this image resonated with me (as did the entire exhibition, but for some reason, this image especially). Also the above are his "Trees," fitting both with Tu B'Shvat and with the motif of my Thoreau apartment. If last post touched on the relationship between artist and viewer, then I suppose one of my themes in this post can be the relationship between nature and art. And, perhaps, photography as art. Gerhard Richter said of photography: "Photography altered ways of seeing and thinking. Photographs were regarded as true, paintings as artificial. The painted picture was no longer credible; its representation froze into immobility, because it was not authentic but invented."

A room without books is like a body without a soul

One of my assignments was to create some sort of logo that represents what we are trying to create in our apartment design. This is what I came up with. It is some sort of representation of Walden Pond, which I'd like to be reflected in my color scheme. The brown will be expressed in Thoreau's apartment by the use of wood (hopefully recycled & reclaimed). My color scheme is comprised of a mossy green and different blues. I'm still not sure how it will be incorporated, but this is a work in progress. I also had the idea of exposed red brick on the walls. At some point I'll post the actual plan. Of course there are lots of bookshelves. I imagine this big bed surrounded by bookshelves, and the headboard is under a set of shelves. In the middle is the entertaining area with banquet seating along to-the-ceiling windows, and a sofa which is all under a big skylight. The kitchen area is on one side and on the other is his desk and an armchair with ottoman near more bookshelves. The master bathroom will have a deep claw-foot tub. I really love my plan, I wish I could really build it for myself. And it is also getting me excited to take on my own real projects. For now, I'll bide my time as Thoreau's architect.

everything but the kitchen sink

I chose the rest of my appliances and my kitchen plan is now drafted in 1:20 scale. I may play around with the appliance placement a little more, but for the most part I am satisfied with how it's turning out. Except for the sink (I'm sticking with the Hawthorne, it only seems right =) ), I went with all stainless steel. My color scheme is based on the above photo, taken at the Van Cortlandt Golf Course (the oldest public golf course in the U.S.). In fact I think I may just use this photo as an inspiration for the whole apartment, given that it is for Thoreau.
On to other things..... I am going to a charity ball tonight. Who knows, maybe I'll meet my Prince Charming? Doubtful, but I'll remain a little hopeful. I don't know anyone else going, so I think I'll bring along the New Yorker. I wish I had an iPhone. I don't know how that relates to anything, just sayin'.

stovetops and fridges and sinks, oh my!

Just got back from class. Walden Two (no, nothing to do with B.F. Skinner) is coming along swimmingly. I have to tighten up the plan a little as far as precision of measurements, but other than that, it's lookin' good. No class next week, but the next time we meet we're going on a field trip to check out materials and stuff. Our assignment is also to design the kitchen, with appliances and everything. I'm liking this sink, and appropriately enough, it is Kohler's Hawthorne model:

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them

Let's get to some architecture... I got some positive feedback from my teacher, which is quite encouraging! My big project for the semester is to design an apartment for a famous person; I have chosen Henry David Thoreau and am creating a modern day Walden (which he will share with his cat, Ralph ;) ) Of course, in the plan I have included his MacBook (it's drawn to scale... the apple logo isn't)

It is Super Bowl Sunday, not as exciting as last year, when the Giants won, so I will not be staying up to watch it, and I am sorry to be missing the Puppy Bowl.

Here's a photo of Ralphie. I really miss him and Henry. I am so sorry that I had to leave them behind when I relocated.