I love metal sculpture and retro products, so it’s logical that I would like the online gallery of work by Southern California-based artist, sculptor, designer and machinist Greg Brotherton. The site is Brotron.Com [Source: Boing Boing] . Great retro-combat-robot pieces and futuristic weapons. Somehow it reminds me of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. This certainly is the best repurposing of an Electrolux Vacuum that I’ve ever seen. Of course, my favorite metal sculptor is still Joan Waters but I do have a greater appreciation for metal now.
Speaking of repurposing old items, last week I had the pleasure of seeing John Freyer at the Digital Storytelling Conference and Festival. Freyer talked about his first eBay-fueled project, All My Life For Sale and his newest PBS-supported Second Hand Stories. Starting out from New Jersey in a 1978 ambulance they bought for $2,500 on eBay, the two relic hunters visit every second-hand outlet they can find, from thrift stores and garage sales to military auctions and university surplus centers, guided only by their sense of an obscure treasure lurking around the next corner. Determined to maintain a thoroughly second-hand experience, the duo record their journey with a variety of vintage cameras they have spied along the road and fill out the soundtrack with music from old records they have bought for a song.
I’ve been thinking about this whole consumerist approach to a “second childhood” for over a year now because my friend, Peter Wolf, recently completed his Masters at Arizona State University. His area of study is enduring design and the societal penchant to acquire authentic retro items as a means of reacquiring one’s youth. Wilcha’s series looks like it will be fun. Watch for it on PBS this fall.
Holy smokes! I knew you were out of town for a week, so it had been a while since I checked in. And when I do check in, what do I find but a link to my very own website! A dream come true! What’s next? What can possibly follow THIS? How to recover from peaking at such an early age…?
Very envious that you got to hear John Freyer talk about his work! Now you need to borrow the “Second-Hand Stories” video… Glad you’re back, Cyndi!
Yes, I’d love to see the video … even more important, I want to talk to you about making those camera things for me … great news on Kate … hope she’s happy (I am a tad sad) … let me know when you can get together … c.