Photo Book: Gyro
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 4:46PM ;)
Here's a new category I've just added to P&C: Photo Book. It all began long ago when I told my friend Wendy Brandes all about the art, design, and fashion books I have. She said I needed to start blogging about them, and many many months later I think I've figured out a good way to do it.
Since I love using the Best Camera App on the iPhone, and since I've had a great response from people saying that they enjoy the pictures, I'm going to use this little tool to celebrate my library. Every so often I'll be posting a cool picture with a short bit of context, taken directly from one of my many books.
Hopefully this will inspire, delight, and prompt further investigation...
For my first Photo Book post, I've posted the above picture taken from 20th Century Pattern Design by Lesley Jackson. "Gyro" is a screen-printed wallpaper designed by June Lyon and produced by John Line, circa 1953. As the picture caption notes: "This sculptural wallpaper was used in the departure lounge at London Airport, designed by Frederick Gibberd. The furniture and furnishings were selected by June Lyon, who also created this pattern."
An English design company, John Line's collections were called "advanced and experimental in nature," or so said Design magazine in 1956.
I love how this motif starts to get into the "tinker toy" realm, but holds back a bit before becoming too whimsical. Still, it has a lot of movement and playfulness, and to me looks a little like Alexander Calder. I especially like the deep ochre and white background which seems to fade out like an ikat print. This pattern is fun, but keeps its sophistication.
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