culture schlock

asterisk clock ~ 1950

this was one of many asterisk clocks, the others being less separate with their 'fronds'.  i prefer this one.  i also love a bit of turquoise, me.

brass sunflower clock - 1958

can i articulate why i like this?  it reminds me of a honeycomb, or the disturbing equivalent of some odd creepy crawley.  of course it looks like an eye,  a very made up 60s eye.  it also reminds me of those packaging card things you get in this kind of shape.  i can play with those things for ages.  just like a baby or a cat...  i prefer the packaging.  so, this might not be his most colourful, fun piece, but it digs into a real simple, natural pleasure zone for me.  it's pretty classy too,  i think.

brass turbine - 1957

again, not 'fun' but this has such a distinctive, pointy style.  i also like that it is just called 'brass turbine':  suggesting the functional yet being purely decorative.  brass is very sexy in this retro context.  and i thought i was a chrome queen all the way...  it just blends nicely with all those fabulous oranges, yellows, pea greens of the greatest vintage era:   50s, 60s, 70s.

walk, don't run - poster ~ 1960

modern management group cabinet ~ 1957

marshmallow loveseat - one version ~ 1956

known as 'The Cartoon Sofa' and co-designed with Irving Harper, this is a true modernist example of form over function.   i adore this piece but heck, it couldn't be too comfortable to sit on now, could it?  it has such fun beauty, such ordered form and vibrancy:  who cares?

marshmallow loveseat - another version ~ 1956

i love all the versions of this, even the plain ones! this citrus one is just so funky, so yummy. 

marshmallow loveseat - still another ~ 1956

i really can't decide which colour combo i prefer.  But this one really reminds me of sweets and naff kiddies 'jewells' that would enchant me as a kid, and still do.  i think, maybe, this might be the one.  then i look at the others.

multi ball clock - 1948

pill desk clock ~ 1954

for all the obvious iconography of the other stuff, this for me is it.  i'd never seen it before i was looking for pix of his other work but when i did:  powie.  (that's a design term.  well it is now)  Barely functional yet an exquisite piece of 50s wonderment nonetheless.

home office desk ~ 1948

star burst - 1949

tera and nelson

a contemporary use of a classic design.  maybe it's not so uncomfy after all.

steel frame wall cabinet ~ 1960.jpg

women's room - poster ~ 1965