~Henry David Thoreau

"Seconds Count" by Jason Wilbur

In the face of natural disaster, where others see devastation, Joy Feuer – and the many artists & volunteers who work with her – see opportunity for transformation and renewal.  Life is often about new beginnings.  Since 2008 Joy’s non-profit organization, ART From the Ashes, has been helping communities and individuals rebuild from the ashes of their former lives.

The concept for ART From the Ashes came to life autumn of 2007, during one of the most destructive fire seasons in the history of California.  AFTA was created to use the cathartic properties of art as a means of supporting the renewal of lives devastated by wildfire.  Members travel to a disaster site and from it reclaim materials – burnt wood, ruined household goods, architectural elements, anything that inspires – to be transformed into works of art and later sold at an exhibition-auction benefitting the effected community.

Joy Feuer, photo by James Carbone

The process is deeply meaningful for Joy.

“We have seen up close and personal the powerful connection and healing properties that our art programming has on communities in Southern and Central California,” she said.  “In the wake of disaster…watching what occurs to people and places, in that moment, you are there as well.  Its human nature to want to help in any way possible. In the actions of ART from the ashes, we can provide resource and support to communities in need.  Art provides a connection, provokes inspiration and invites hope.  There are no boundaries geographically or creatively.  Our desire is to honor this and expand our mission to help as many people as possible.”

Since its founding, AFTA has held exhibitions on behalf of META (Making Education the Answer), the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Deukmejian Wilderness Park, and the Japan Society Earthquake Relief Fund.

Currently it is involved with local Texas artists, residents, businesses and community organizations in planning art-based fundraising initiatives designed to benefit those affected by the Bastrop County Complex Fire.  (This series of wildfires has destroyed over 34,000 acres of land, 1,649 homes, and claimed two lives.)  The effort involves more than a hundred artists and will include a benefit exhibition to be held March 2012 in Austin, Texas.  Proceeds will be used to aid the community of Bastrop and support the volunteer firefighters which battled the blazes.

The use and re-use of what lies at hand epitomizes the philosophy of sustainability.  In its work AFTA embraces that ideal, not only using reclaimed items for the foundation of art but also using repurposed materials in the creation of each chosen exhibition space.

"Dreamland" by Jennifer Davis

“We seek out reclaimed wood, glass, fabric, corrugated metal, windows and furnishings for design elements so the gallery environment supports the body of works…and also rings true with AFTA’s philosophy of practice (waste not, have more),” said Joy.  “The complimentary energy between art and the environment of the space,  seems to resonate as people usually remain at our exhibitions for hours on end, it seems to beckon interaction.”

As a non-profit the organization has championed opportunities for artists, including media exposure and private & public commission work.  Joy hopes to continue to break new ground in this respect.  She would also like to broaden AFTA’s geographical impact, ideally by enabling additional “chapters” to form as they are needed for community disaster relief.

To learn more, including how to help, please visit the ART From the Ashes website.

~ Emerald

At the end of the month, If I can haul at least a carload of stuff away each week, I am going to reward myself with a single purchase.  You’re going to laugh – or at least raise your eyebrows – but bear with me here and I’ll explain.  This is what I want…

Such a beautiful combination of function and aesthetics, don’t you agree?

Still think I’m a little wacky?

Well, here’s the thing.  Along with my “vow” to keep my home filled only with meaningful objects, I have also decided to limit my future purchases to items that have a tangible quality of craftsmanship and innate beauty.  Hence my desire for this simple, perfect little dustpan designed by Masanori Oji, and made by hand in Japan, using traditional techniques.

Created from paper, it is then dyed with Japanese persimmons, which also serve to coat the pan and make it waterproof.

Paired with a traditional, Japanese style handwoven broom, it is the perfect set. I must have it!

If you too are loving the idea of simple, handmade objects and would like to see more like this, you should definitely check out Analogue Life, an amazing online collection of Japanese artisinal handcrafts.

Thanks for visiting!

Rachel

There’s No Place Like Here: Pass The Baton from Etsy on Vimeo.

I love this video, I love that store, and I LOVE the concept.  A trip to Japan has been on my mind anyway, but a pilgrimage to Pass the Baton in Tokyo now seems imperative.

seen on re-nest

So here’s what I was looking at this week:

1. This History of Curtains is a lot more interesting than you might think at first. (design sponge)

2. You should really take a look at these beautiful prints made from pieces of discarded maps. I particularly love the Japanese Crane, especially because part of the proceeds go to Japan disaster relief. (design sponge)

3. You have to check out this crazy collection of taxidermy antiques in London. (Craft)

4. Est is a new online magazine about “global living with an Australian twist”. (desire to inspire)

5. Here’s a store that really takes sustainable living seriously. All of the products in their store are sourced and crafted in the United States from sustainable materials. (Re-nest)

6. I’m in love with this amazing bench crafted from 5000 recycled New York City Metro cards. (Yanko Design)

7. If you’re short on space, one of these 10 convertible dining tables might just help you squeeze in a little more functionality. (Tree hugger)

That’s it for now.  Happy weekend everyone!

Meanwhile, as usual there is plenty of fascinating stuff going on in sustainable design that I thought you might be interested in. Here’s what I’ve been reading about this week:

1. The process of dying silk fabric uses an awful lot of water. What if you could dye the silk before it is even spun by the silkworm? That’s what researchers are working on right now, by feeding fluorescent dye to silkworms. (Treehugger)

2. One of the biggest obstacles to using LED lighting is the initial cost. New research may be able to lower that cost by 75%, making LEDs comparable in cost to the much more popular CFL and incandescent bulbs. (Treehugger)

3. A big factor to consider in creating a sustainable product is the efficient use of material. This hardwood flooring company reduces waste by using a computerized analysis to calculate the curves and irregularities of uncut logs in order to create flooring using no straight lines. The curved edges of the pieces fit together like a puzzle. (Boing Boing)

4. Here’s an interesting look at some DIY lighting projects. (Design Sponge)

5. I don’t know what this midcentury modern wall sculpture is actually made from, but it reminds me of dried slices of citrus fruit. What do you think those funky circles are? (Standard)

6. Here are four good sources for paraffin free candles. (re-nest)

7. In this interview, furniture designer Leon Wong discusses why he encourages people to buy modern wood furniture for Earth Day. (Maneuvering Life With Style)

8. I thought I would close with this video interview with Architecture for Humanity founder Cameron Sinclair talking about how they are already helping  Japan rebuild. If there is anybody who can inspire architects and designers to go out and save the world, it’s him. (seen on Inhabitat)

image via Shelterrific

Here are some really CUTE pillows from recycled materials, by Alexandra Ferguson. (Shelteriffic)

West Elm’s new line of FSC certified office furniture, designed by students at Pratt. (Inhabitat)

A lovely new kitchen, made of reclaimed materials, that looks absolutely classic. (re-nest)

GE has unveiled their latest technology in super efficient OLED lighting. (Inhabitat)

It takes 5,000 cocoons to provide enough silk for one kimono!  And this guy is raising the caterpillars, spinning the silk, and weaving it all by himself. (BoingBoing)

The first U.S. Certified Passive House, in Louisiana of all places. (Treehugger)

And finally, the most adorable ad, made on a whim by an 11 year old girl, for Harmony Art organic cotton fabrics.  Seriously, somebody hire this girl! (The Journey is the Prize)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Nowhere I have traveled has the humble toilet been more intriguing.  From the literal hole in the ground at a park rest stop, to the futuristic, captain of the Enterprise, push button laden, wash, blow and style model I was warned not to use at an acquaintances house, the Japanese are the masters of the W.C..

Other than the really comfy, but slightly disconcerting heated seats that seemed fairly ubiquitous, the single most logical thing I saw was the integrated sink.

“Why don’t we have these back home?” I exclaimed.   “What an incredibly sensible way to save space and water!  Where can I get one?”  It took me almost fifteen years to find out.  What was considered a fairly standard item in Japan back then, is only just now capturing the interest of the rest of the world.

The toilet above was recently put on the market by Australian dual flush experts Caroma.  Like all integrated sink set-ups, this one diverts the clean water that normally goes straight into your toilet tank, and sends it through a small spigot where it can be used to wash your hands.  The now soapy water (aka greywater), drains down into the tank to be held there for the next time the toilet is flushed.  Genius!

Image via Dezeen

Here is a modernist take on the idea, by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti.  Stylish, yet somehow not all that comfortable looking.  Still, it uses water wisely!

Think an integrated sink is a great idea, but not terribly interested in ripping out that brand new Toto you just had installed?  You can always get one of Gaiam’s DIY tank top converters, as seen above.  It even has a soap dish.

Image via Yanko Design

However, if you don’t mind waiting awhile, you might want to hold out for this ultra compact, high concept, all in one bathroom design by Dang Jingwei.  Not only does it have an integrated sink, but it even has a mirror, a table/shelf, and a drawer, in case you want to store you toothbrush and toothpaste, um… for those times when you, er… brush your teeth at the t….  On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t wait for this one!  But it is a pretty interesting design, no?

So, survey says…

To look at my furniture it’s obvious that I like Danish Modern.  When we create we can’t help but let our influences show.  Our work is a compilation of what we see and our imaginations.  Certainly as a furniture maker I’m going to be influenced by the aesthetics of the styles of the past but I’m also going to draw upon why these furniture styles can to be.

I went to The College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program, in Mendocino, CA.  The school is known for teaching a high attention to detail and balance and symmetry in design based on the work of James Krenov, Jim, as he’s known to the students.  The program is set up like a European apprentice system where students start with the basics and then make pieces under the watchful eye of the instructors.  Students must have their designs approved by Jim.  Any deviation from his design sense may be dealt with by his sharp criticism.  Rebellion is mild but highly noticed.  It’s funny to look at the pieces I made during school to know that they were controversial at the time.

Before school my influences varied from Art Nouveau to factory made mid-century modern.  I was taking in everything that caught my eye.  I was looking into the origins of Jim’s work and his teacher, Carl Malmsten.  This began my interest in the work that had been coming out of Scandinavia. Especially Danish Modern as expressed by Hans Wegner and Finn Juhl.

Early Modernism had embraced the factory as the way of the future and highlighted the status of the designer.  The founders of Danish Modern eschewed this and began building modern furniture with local craftspeople and local materials.  Being modernists they wanted the furniture to be simple and function based but made to a high level of craftsmanship.  This resonated with me and I began building my furniture with these ideas and continue to build on them.

Today, I’m looking into the work that influenced the Danish masters that I admire as they also looked to the past for inspiration.  Egyptian, Chinese, and Japanese were strong influences on them.  Lately I’ve been looking at Japanese stuff and it’s making itself shown with my use of sliding doors and increased use of woven elements.  Japanese make joinery an art form.  While I like to expose my joinery I’ve been keeping it subtle.  This might change as I’m experimenting with Japanese joinery techniques.

I see my work as building on what the makers before me have done.  As I look at my current work compared to my earliest pieces I’m also building on what I have done.

Japanese carpentry is known for its complex system of joinery, crafted entirely by hand.

The tools used to work the wood are as artful as the furniture they are used to produce.  Unlike western carpentry tools, Japanese saws and planes are designed to cut on the pull stroke, rather than on the push.  One advantage to this is that the saw blades can be thinner, and therefore make finer cuts, but the technique takes quite awhile to master.

Because everything is done by hand, it is a laborious process, and the furniture, interior, and exterior work are priced accordingly.

However, when you consider the incredible amount of skill and knowledge that goes into each and every complex bit of joinery, and the centuries it has taken to perfect these techniques, the cost seems relatively small.

Imagine hand crafting all these individual components, and then putting them all together until you have achieved…

…something this beautiful.  This exquisite mizuya (kitchen) tansu is by Ki Arts.*

Since opening their world to ours in the 19th century, Japan’s amazing carpentry methods have captured the imaginations of western architects and designers.

Image via Gamble House website

From the unique construction and furniture designs of the Craftsman era ‘Gamble House‘ by Greene and Greene,…

Image via Whyrhymer

… to the graceful lines of this modern ‘Orbis’ table by Whyrhymer, the influence of Japanese carpentry is everywhere.

*Thank you to Ki Arts for the generous use of their images to illustrate much of this post.

Image via Japanese Wall

The traditional Japanese home’s interior is made up of an artful blend of wooden floors, tatami mats, shoji screens and natural plaster walls.   Although most modern homes in Japan now use drywall and paint, the call for more sustainable building methods has created a renewed interest in the traditional plasters.

Image via Shikoku

Primarily made from diatomaceous earth, which has air purifying and sound dampening characteristics, Japanese plasters may also contain sand, straw, seaweed, and/or pigment (often in the form of a small amount of paint).  Another style of plaster,  “Shirokabe”, uses lime as the base.

Image via Japanese Wall

Unlike with Venetian plaster, Japanese plaster walls have a fairly uniform color, as well as a soft, textured matte finish that makes a lovely contrast to polished wood.  It is difficult not to feel peaceful in their presence.

There are several companies offering Japanese plasters to the international market.  Japanese Wall has a large range of different natural interior plasters to choose from.  Shikoku International’s Eco De Vita plasters are SCS certified Indoor Advantage Gold for good air quality.  Beautiful, natural lime based plasters may be obtained from Tagawa Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Excuse me while I go Zen out now…