vintage category

True Stories 1986

I am embarrassed to say that I just watched True Stories for the first time last night, after years of meaning to watch it. I LOVED IT. I immediately wanted to re-watch it. It’s on demand on Netflix, so seriously, watch it. Or give it a re-watch if you’ve already seen it.

Harm Me Not

prayerofthewoods_copy.jpg

Loved this.

(via here)

Foliage House Plants 1972: Mrs. Ubogy’s Terrarium

I scanned this from a Time Life book simply called Foliage House Plants.  Confession: I kinda bought this book just so I could scan Mrs. Ubogy and her terrarium, which she clearly loves and dotes on. There’s a tutorial on how to make the terrarium in the photo, but good luck finding a bottle this huge and awesome. Oh also, you will never keep it looking so pristine. Mrs. Ubogy has you beat.

I also just wanted to point out that your mom was making terrariums before you were.  But mainly, I love this photo.

vintage, time life book, foliage house plants, terrarium, bottle, 70's, the look see

The book is actually pretty good too, by the way.

The Museum Scene

So I just watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for the first time with a friend. I know I’m twentysomething years late on this one. This scene is so good… but you already know that. Of course I also love this rad instrumental version of The Smith’s Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.

*Can anyone out there help me to remember the artist who did a sort of fan-art piece based on this scene? I’ve been scouring the internet for it but can’t find it. It was maybe a year or so ago that I saw it.*

New Order: Blue Monday 1983

Vintage Find: Carlsbad Caverns Diorama Souvenir

I found this today.  Unfortunately not in Carlsbad, but still… super rad.

carlsbad caverns, souvenir, ©the look see, photos, vintage

carlsbad caverns, souvenir, ©the look see, photos, vintage

Add a little light from above, and wait for it…

carlsbad caverns, souvenir, ©the look see, photos, vintage

carlsbad caverns, souvenir, ©the look see, photos, vintage

Awesome right?! Don’t you feel like I just took you to Carlsbad?

House (aka Hausu) 1977

I know that I’m by no means the first to discover it, but I watched the Criterion copy of Obayashi’s 1977 cult classic horror movie House several weeks ago, and took some screengrabs which I forgot about. This movie is hard to describe- it is funny, suggestive, cheesy, campy, surreal, a little creepy, and beautiful in many ways. It combines optical printing with animation, live action, stop motion, and so many editing gems I can’t even describe here. It seems self-aware but is so over-the-top crazy. House is not really horror (if you, like me, are leery of horror flicks) and is worth a watch for it’s sheer artistic value and absurdity. With characters named Gorgeous, Fantasy, Prof, Mac, Melody, and Kung Fu, how can you go wrong?

If you’re not convinced by the screengrabs, then I have two words for you: WITCH CAT.

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

house, hausu, the look see, japanese, movie

Could life ever be sane again?

This Memorial Day weekend was also The Smiths/Morrissey weekend for me. Just thought I’d share some choice songs and videos with y’all.

Arm in Arm by Remy Charlip, 1969

Arm in Arm

a collection of connections
endless tales
reiterations
and other echolalia

by Remy Charlip
…..

An absurd, beautiful, free-form, and frequently psychedelic children’s book I found at a thrift store the other day. Remy Charlip is a very interesting and talented jack-of-all-trades: a teacher, theater director, choreographer, costume and set designer, the head of the Children’s Literature and Theater department at Sarah Lawrence College, and founder of the New York Children’s Theater (to name a few).  I took some photos of the crazy layouts in this book but none of them turned out that great, so here are some cover and detail shots.

1969, arm in arm, remy charlip, book, the look see

1969, arm in arm, remy charlip, book, the look see

1969, arm in arm, remy charlip, book, the look see

1969, arm in arm, remy charlip, book, the look see

1969, arm in arm, remy charlip, book, the look see

Dying arts and other fascinations

So I finally found a hand-engraver. Most of you don’t know that I’ve been looking for one, but remember this vintage signet ring that I got for Christmas in 2009? Well I’ve been wearing it everyday for two years, blank, until this week! I decided it was time to complete this incomplete ring. The difference between hand and machine engraving is quite significant, in my opinion. Machine engraving has absolutely no grace to it- the lines are too heavy, too perfect, and you are limited to a few boring styles. I’d worked with hand engravers at a previous job with a designer, and there I developed a real admiration and appreciation for their precise art. I have such a love and respect for this old-world craft, which to me, is still relevant.  Hopefully it doesn’t fade into oblivion like so many other skilled trades.

I found a fellow who is a very sweet, talented, older gentleman who’s been in the same location for 31 years, and has lovely old hand-engraving booklets that must date back to at least the 1920’s.  He also has a case full of more complex pieces that he has made for people in the past and is very proud of- wax impressions of super complex carved signet images, carvings and cut-outs of faces, and much more.

Most monograms are too florid for me, and the square signet called for something more delicate and simple, especially because of all the subtle exisiting engraved filigree.  I found a deco style that seemed to suit the era of the ring, was not too masculine or feminine, and had a small amount of shading.  I am very pleased with the outcome.

signet, hand engraving, vintage, los angeles, the look see