TWA Terminal, New York International (now John F. Kennedy International) Airport, New York, circa 1962. Photographer Balthazar Korab. (c) Balthazar Korab Ltd.

Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future
Nov 10 through Jan 31
Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St.
212.534.1672

Presented at the Museum from November 10, 2009 through January 31, 2010, Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future is the first retrospective of this architect’s career, which was one of the most prolific, unorthodox, and controversial in the history of 20th-century architecture. From the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport and the St. Louis Gateway Arch to the Pedestal Chair for Knoll Associates, Saarinen (1910-1961) created some of the most potent expressions of American identity after World War II. Saarinen’s clients constituted a who’s who of the era’s most prominent industries and institutions. For them he designed buildings that advanced the expansion of higher education to the promotion of automobile culture and air travel, popular forms of entertainment like television, and the newest information technologies. Featuring sketches, working drawings, models, photographs, furnishings, films, and other ephemera, the exhibition examines the architect’s career from the 1930s through the early 1960s.

Anytime I’m over by 17th and 6th, I’ll head to my two favorite thrift stores: Housing Works and Angel Street Thrift Shop. Over the past 8 years,  I’ve found two mid-century tables that I bought for about $40 each and restored, an English touring bike, vintage cameras, and flatware. This past visit, I was particularly shocked by the quality of two pieces of furniture at Angel St.:

Solid oak, gentleman’s armoire made in England. $2000.
Still a lot of $, but this would easily retail for $ 5,000 and a regular store in the city.
Plus, they lower prices at end of week.

Pretty amazing interior with enamel signs.

Mid-Century Desk, maple and walnut. $1,100 with light blue interior.

Another good part of shopping here–the money goes to programs for New Yorkers with substance abuse, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS.

Here are the locations. Click for google maps.

Angel Street Thrift Shop
118 West 17th Street
between 6th and 7th Avenues
Manhattan, NY

Housing Works
Chelsea Thrift Shop
143 West 17th St. New York, NY 10011
718-838-5050

]]> http://www.brooklynmodern.com/incredible-finds-housing-works-angel-street-thrift-shop/feed/ 0 http://www.brooklynmodern.com/a-conversation-with-andrew-raible-of-standard-41/ http://www.brooklynmodern.com/a-conversation-with-andrew-raible-of-standard-41/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:41:11 +0000 Brooklyn Modern http://brooklynmodern.com/?p=1213 Andrew Raible is a Brooklyn based designer who builds modern, sophisticated furniture. He has a family history in the trade, is schooled at Pratt, and apprenticed with an accomplished Brooklyn furniture maker. His work has been recognized by all of the important interior design publications.

BrooklynModern: You are a sixth generation designer. How does this history affect your design thinking?

Andrew Raible: At a very early age, my father had me working in his shop sanding, using the jig saw or cleaning up. Sounds like child labor now, but it did teach me that I could use the machines to make just about anything. We also discussed his designs and others along the way. I learned very early on to have a critical eye. At first I parroted my father, but eventually I began to disagree and to fight for my own ideas. He also had no qualms giving me his opinion and suggestions on my designs. Often he was right with his criticism (”turn it upside down”) but eventually as my style evolved, the dialogue became more nuanced, concentrating on an angle or a proportion.

Lap Top Desk, solid walnut, maple, cherry
L55? D32? H28?

BrooklynModern: What motivates you as a designer at this stage?

Andrew Raible: You mean other than the ultimate table leg casting the perfect shadow across the floor and stimulating the conversation that leads to universal enlightenment? Honestly, transitions have always intrigued me. My designs almost always begin with a 3d model of some transition; plane, material, reveal. I love exploring how to move from one surface to another. It’s still four legs and a top, but how can I incorporate some discovery within my design, some detail that doesn’t immediately reveal itself.

Love Chaise, available in solid and veneered walnut, maple, cherry,
L50? D33?  H32?

BrooklynModern: You apprenticed before going out on your own. How helpful was this experience?

Andrew Raible: When I’ve been in communal shops, you can tell almost immediately who has been properly trained and who is self taught. Apprenticing, schooling or working your way up thru the ranks in a large shop, teaches you a discipline and respect for the machines and the material that I think is crucial. The Europeans’ approach to passing on the knowledge, not hoarding it, tends to create a more well rounded craftsperson. They have been doing this for centuries and it shows.

Slant Credenza, solid and veneered wood walnut, maple, cherry
L60?  D22? H29?

BrooklynModern: It appears that Modernism and Scandinavian design have influenced your work, but is there a particular artist you look to for inspiration?

Andrew Raible: Obviously I’m coming at this from a mid-century ideal. But I’ve been exploring this idea of mid-century for this century. A greener and maybe a bit more sculptural approach to designing. Contemporary artist/designers are: Scott Burton for his form and material-stone, Roy McMakin for his sense of humor, Christopher Wilmarth for his transparency, Judd for his flourish.

Modern sculpture has influenced Andrew’s work

BrooklynModern: What’s the advantage to being a designer in Brooklyn?

Andrew Raible: 1– The resources that are here. Brooklyn has a slew of craftspeople who seem to defy the modern world; artists who practice centuries old art. But we also have artists who are using the most advanced machines and techniques in the world. 2– The competition.  3– The proximity to knowledgeable forward thinking clients.

BrooklynModern: Whose work in Brooklyn do you admire the most?

Andrew Raible: They’re all no good sons of bitches.

Actually, I just met all the other designers who are showing at Voos, a new furniture show room show casing Brooklyn designers. I have to admit that the owners chose a very strong group. If you want to see what’s going on in Brooklyn furniture design right now, go to Voos.

BrooklynModern: You made yourself a part of the Brooklyn furniture movement during its infancy. How has the scene changed over time?

Andrew Raible: A lot more cache than before.

BrooklynModern: You are making a shift away from exotic wood to more local, traditional wood? Why?

Andrew Raible: Obviously first and foremost, the environmental impact of using exotic wood is just irresponsible at this point. Also, I’m trying to rely more on form now than a BOLD piece of exotic wood. I’ve been thinking more along manufacturing lines lately, and beautiful domestic woods, harvested in the North East seem to make sense across the board.

BrooklynModern: Where do you see your work heading in the future?

Andrew Raible: The Oval Office.

BrooklynModern: What is your dream project?

Andrew Raible: I just started designing a restaurant. I’ve always been particular towards tables for bringing people together. Now with a restaurant, I can expand on that idea 50 fold. Ahhh, community.

Andrew’s work can be seen at Standard41.com. He has several collections and takes on custom projects. He can be directly reached at 917.805.0835

Core777, which always manages to find interesting stuff, posted the above movie. The short film is 1960’s graphic, has a groovy track, and complements two other videos I’ve posted:  Eames chairs debut on NBC in 1956 and Ahhh….the Mid-Century Life. Interestingly enough, IMDB credits the Eames for directing over 110 films.

Nice collection of vintage furniture. They can be seen at www.freshkillsflagship.com.