Wise, Wiser and Super Wise
Anthony Russell; Wildlife Specialist and Master Falconer, Paul Kupchok; and a magnificent Eurasian Eagle Owl at Green Chimneys recent conference Planet Green: Teaching Sustainability to the Next generation. The event, for professionals and 6-8th graders, was held at Clearpool’s Education Center in Carmel, NY. with a focus on incorporating sustainability into the school curriculum. Workshops ranged from school-based sustainability projects to integrating sustainability into the modern world. Topics included Green Cities, Renewable Energy, Empowering Youth and Solar Technology.
Both Victoria Pohlmann and Tony attended the conference as part of their continuing education about the environment and also support for client Green Chimneys many worthwhile programs. Among the professional presenters, Dorna Schroeter’s session on Biomimicry (How would Nature solve this?) and Scott Beall’s program to empower youth as part of the DoRight Leadership Corps were particularly fascinating. For kids, separate sessions dealt with such topics as The A, Bee, C’s of Honey Bee’s and The Secret Life of your Hamburger.
For more information on Green Chimneys, visit http://www.greenchimneys.org
For comments, email Anthony Russell
A Banner Year?
This has certainly been a big year for high-profile Washington rallies, what with Glenn Beck, the tea party and now Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. It was nice to see that our client, Writers Guild of America East joined in with 200,000 union members, civil rights activists and others from all over the country at the Oct 2nd One Nation Working Together Rally. They’ve got our support.
And, it was VERY nice to see the new logo we designed on public display. The Pantone red is a bit off, but they receive high marks for their exuberant spirit.
For comments email: Robert Barber
The Intersection of Art and Commerce
Anyone who cares about art, design, film, creativity, and/or the art world should not miss the film “Exit through the Gift Shop” by the elusive street artist Banksy. Like Banksy, it is sly, funny, subversive, and brilliant. What supposedly began as a documentary about some of the most notorious street artists, including Banksy, becomes a portrait of the compulsive man behind the camera, an examination of the creative impulse and the nature of art and the art market. And it is great fun, as well.
Is street art fine art or graphic design? A mash-up of both? We would argue the latter, and the act of making it is a large part of the message.
For comments email Victoria Pohlmann or Adam Katz
Sharp Gems
At the time that I spotted the striking window of Henry Westpfal & Co. on 25th Street, I had never heard of the place. But the displays were graphic marvels and the juxtaposition with the crudely rendered lettering in the center was a treat that needed to be recorded. I snapped a couple of pictures with my phone and went on my way. Later, zooming in on the photos, I noticed the little white sign taped to one of the displays: “Display Boards for Sale. Made in 1931. Inquire.” So I looked them up and called, and had a great chat with Carmella, the establishment’s manager. Yes, all of the display boards were made by “the same gentleman” in 1931. She had four left that were for sale, including one that features tools for leather workers, and the price was $995.00 each. The boards in the window, though, were not for sale “at this time anyway.” And would those be the same price, if they do ever go on sale? Oh, no, those would be $1,500 each. Reluctantly, I thanked her for her time and resolved to enjoy the images as screensavers and let it go at that. Must return and check out the rest of the collection . . .
For comments email Victoria Pohlmann
