HEATHERWICK STUDIO

 

Being inspired by global patterns and textures, I typically try to show bright forms and lifestyle moments. But, even without too much color, the Heatherwick Provocations exhibit I went to at the Hammer was pretty stellar. The museum presented the recent work from the London architecture studio in a comprehensive exhibit which showed models, sketches, process and stories. Each piece was presented in the form of a question, IE can a bridge move, to highlight the unique conceptual strategy. I was not too familiar with the work of this studio, and was beyond inspired at their brilliant solutions. There was a bridge that curled up like a finger, a purse made entirely of one long zipper which then inspired a staircase,  a pavilion that showcased thousands of tiny seeds at the end of plexi follicles to represent England at the World Expo, a shopping center inspired by the cracks of the dessert floor above it,  and a chair with a curved bottom that keep spinning. The pieces were playful, innovative and clever. Each design is truly a work of art, a quirky solution that takes a problem and turns it on its head to produce a one of a kind result.

HAMMER MUSEUM: PROVOCATIONS

LIVING LIFE

Although this is the place for bright & bold inspiration sometimes life is not so bright. A good friend of mine passed away yesterday, rather unexpectedly. She had been fighting a major uphill battle cancer for too long, and somehow had unexpected complications.

Her loss greatly saddens me and her large circle of friends. We are all stunned at the sudden ending to such a courageous battle. I guess that’s what people always say, but this time it’s terribly true. Her partner was posting updates and photos to facebook, and I have never seen such an outpouring of love. The facebook posts proved what a remarkable person and friend she was and how many lives she touched. I wish I had gotten the chance to see her more. Somehow, she suffered through the chemo, the rounds of radiation and the rounds of hospital visits. Somehow, I assumed she was getting better, already trying to make jewelry after her last chemo treatments. And then, somehow, she was gone.

There is so much and so little to say. Yet, as much as we all loved her, the loss makes me think about living. Despite the last hardships, my friend definitely enjoyed life. She was honest and funny, always positive and sometimes inappropriate (in the best way). She survived the terrors of architecture school, after traveling all around the world in her youth and having had a career as a librarian. She always laughed (cackled) with joy, sometimes laughing with me and sometimes laughing at me. Even when we had a picnic lunch right before her surgery, she was laughing.

She had an incredible heart, and was always fearless. She inspired me to try new things, though I never quite got enough courage to wake up at the crack of dawn and go race car driving with her. She definitely seized life by the horns and lived. I vaguely remember stories of China in the 70s and trekking through Asia with all sorts of psychedelic escapades. During the middle of her middle age she started race car driving, excelling at Autocross and meeting a great community. Her book of life had a lot of chapters, each one a grand adventure.

She taught me to seize the day. Embrace life. Love and laugh. And, always have a positive outlook even when dealt with way too many lemons.

THE SPRINGS: LA STYLE

The Springs has everything that is quintessentially Los Angeles in 2015: yoga, trendy vegan food, a fresh pressed juice bar, a cool interior with a bohemain modern vibe, and an artisinal shop. I have to admit that the combination is a brilliant concoction of current Los Angeles trends infused into a one stop destination.

According to their promotional materials, the founders celebrate the quintessential Los Angeles combination. "THE SPRINGS is a multi-faceted urban oasis cultivating health, wellness, sustainability and community. Located in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District, THE SPRINGS includes an organic juice bar, yoga studio, wellness center, and raw vegan restaurant & wine bar. Creating a hub for health-conscious consumers, wellness-seekers, and foodies, THE SPRINGS is an eco-vegan-mind-body-one-stop-shop."

I love the interiors, and think its the perfect blend of cool and casual in a neighborhood that is literally transitioning everyday. It's defintiely a must see, even if the raw vegan food is not very filling.

THE SPRINGS AFTERNOON

Wanted to post a few more photos to capture our recent visit to "the Springs."

The best review came from Noah, "In the middle of a stretch of a typical dystopian Arts District scene, you'll find this pastel oasis catered to a sheltered lifestyle of endless yoga and vegan abundance. It's a really cool, massive space that oozes California charm with hints of indigenous textiles, midcentury-modern accents and beautifully curated colored stools and chairs. Yes, you'll want to instagram. And yes, you will. You'll almost want to linger and sip on juice all day and admire the surroundings. But alas, it's $9 juice so you'll likely just buy one and slurp it slowly. We stopped in for lunch and had some predictably healthy, organic, vegan, happy salads that temporarily convinced us that we would live to be 150 if we maintained the diet for the rest of our lives. Probably not for everyone but I still recommend."

I totally agree.