From the monthly archives: August 2010
With more than 3,000 designs in production and more than 300 awards, he might be expected to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of his creative labors. But then, designer of democratic objects and modern interiors, Karim Rashid continually does the unexpected. His wildly popular designs, like a 2009 modern resin bathtub with built-in television for Saturn, Korea, never fail to surprise and please.
Television Bathtub for Korean’s Saturn (via)
He recently told designboom.com, ”People live too much in the past, they reference too much to past styles, and traditional behaviors and rituals. I’m only interested in completely contemporary living. For example, I only wear microfibers, its all grey, silver, and white stuff, its smart, its clothing that has to do with the time we’re living in, not trying to be something we’re not.”
Already in 20 permanent collections like the one at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, Rashid exhibits art in galleries internationally. He has collaborated on designs with makers of luxury goods like Swarovski, as well as household names like Dirt Devil and Samsung.
Karim Gallery Art Expo (via)
Not content to design only, Rashid’s published works include “Design Yourself” and “KarimSpace.” He also manages to fit in frequent appearances as guest lecturer at universities and conferences around the globe. In fact, he says that much of his designing is done on airplanes during his many travels.
Rashid is at home in many worlds. Born in Egypt and raised in England and Canada, he now lives and works out of New York City.
His passion is designing for the people and making a difference in society. He believes, “Design is about the betterment of our lives poetically, aesthetically, experientially, sensorially, and emotionally.”
Karim Rashid Designed Loft (via)
What else Karim Rashid is saying:
He recently told Interior Design,”I’m wearing purple for the first time in 10 years. Can you believe it?” and speaking about his opinion that all colors go together: “I don’t think there are rules anymore.”
What about his dreams? In an interview with MetropolisMag.com, he answered these questions: How about dream clients? “Fiat, Vespa, Trek bikes, Bose, Philips, Vitra, Motorola, Ikea.” Dream job? “Industrial designer or a musician or a prophet.”
Color Lover Karim Rashid’s Own Loft Unleashed (via)
Karim Rashid a Designer of Life (via)
The world’s libraries are extraordinary places. Though devoted to books, knowledge and learning some buildings housing libraries are works of art in themselves. With so many unique and amazing buildings to choose from, compiling a small list of favorite libraries is a very personal task. Each of us is drawn to a certain library just as we are drawn to a piece of art—because it touches us in some special, oftentimes indefinable way.
Opened to the public in 1897, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, represents in its interior design the works of almost 50 American artists. These painters and sculptors created an elaborate interior fitting for the building’s magnificent architecture. The Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building offers a perfect example of the incredible work done by those privileged to work on what was then called an “unparalleled national achievement” and the “largest, costliest and safest” library in the world.
Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building Great Hall (via)
The George Peabody Library, affectionately called “The Cathedral of Book” because of its awe-inspiring architecture is part of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Opened in 1878, the library building was designed by Edmund G. Lind, a prominent Baltimore architect. Today, in addition to being used as a research library, it is available as an event space. Probably the building’s most recognizable interior space, the Peabody Stack Room features five stories with decorative railings from the Bartlett-Robbins Company. With gold-leafed classical embellishments this room soars to a glass-filled skylight 61 feet above.
George Peabody Library Stack Room (via)
The British Library in London, England, was officially established in 1973, but that date is deceptive because it was part of the British Museum dating back to the mid-1800s. The British Museum Reading Room with its magnificent architecture served as the main reading room for the United Kingdom’s national library until 1997. It is still open today and now houses the Library’s collection of books that focus on the British Museum.
British Library British Museum Reading Room (via)
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (New Library of Alexandria)
This last library is built in a totally different style. The interior of the Library of Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt, mirrors the sweeping design of its modern exterior. The new Library of Alexandria is built on a location very close to the original library which was built in 290 BC and thought to have been destroyed by fire upon the arrival of Julius Caesar in 48 BC, although some scholars say the destruction came much later.
The cultural complex and the new library with a main reading room featuring eleven levels topped by a magnificent roof of glass panels was designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta and was officially opened in October 2002.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Interior (via)
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Creative Gratitude and Giving
“There are all kinds of stats of use to all kinds of people. These are stats for the humanitarian and social conscious among the masses. These stats let us know how we are doing and to appreciate what we have. And they motivate us to find new avenues to give. Everything we have of value in life and every advantage has been hard won by those before us,” shares Cynthia, a 53 year old woman from Kansas, commenting on StumbleUpon.com about the eye-opening and mind-blowing social awareness statistics in the above graphic.
“I appreciate it, and teach and share it daily. I give by teaching, and teaching hands on, I’ve taught people and youth my trades, Printing, Graphic Arts, and Digital Music Composing. Yes I promote myself and others in the creative, as nothing gives the downtrodden more will to survive and accomplish than what they can produce with their own hands and intelligence. Make your how to videos, they will get to the furthest and poorest reaches of this earth if you can not give monetarily. Teachers and humanitarians are already everywhere teaching and using these videos. To inspire is a great way to give.”
