Newsletter | Jul/Aug 2022
Editor's Note by Mui Ho  Mingei means "art of the people" in Japanese and the Mingei Museum is one of the few folk art museums in this country. What inspired me most in the renovation was the process between the architect and the members of the Museum as described by the Museum Director, Jessica Janson. There was continuous dialogue between the architect, the board, staff and members of the museum to address the needs of the museum and how it should serve the public. The architect also worked with artists on how best to exhibit their works. The use of new materials and the use of artist's work incorporated in the new renovation was impressive. Wood tables and chairs by world renown Japanese artist George Nakashima, benches by artists, the acoustic panel made of wool felt behind the bar by Dutch artist Claudy Jongstra. Architecturally, the museum is clean and modern. Natural light was brought into the museum by glazing previously blind wall arches thus still keeping the integrity of the Colonial Spanish building. Most importantly, the ground floor was turned into a public restaurant-shop space easily accessible to the many visitors to the other more restricted museums in the park. |
 Mingei exhibition space and library |
 Balboa Park The new Mingei Museum in addition to the many venues of Balboa Park might be a good trip if you have not visited San Diego recently. |
A different kind of inspiration by Sandhya Sood  My Aunt’s disability from polio seemed to inspire me as a student of architecture in India. I designed a piece of furniture for our shared room; seats that brought guests to her eyelevel with storage accessible from the floor as she walked on her four limbs, dragging her right foot with her right hand. I was filled with so much empathy that this human emotion led me to figure out design solutions to ease her movement. A few years later, a poor man asked me to design a house for his growing family in a neighboring village since he could not afford to live in my city of privilege -Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh. I knew that climate responsive design based on principles of vernacular architecture could lead me to an appropriate built form. Considering the high cost of electricity, a simple design of a courtyard dwelling to mitigate tropical heat while infusing daylight in winter, incorporated a shaded verandah for his playful children. In the late 1990’s I immigrated to the US to pursue a Master of Architecture degree at the College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley. The academically rich program was not particularly directed at teaching design concerning the poor or disabled, although social and cultural factors were evaluated through seminars. Perhaps this was a pedagogical gap in most design schools at the time, although it is being addressed with course offerings on global poverty and designing for justice. Regardless, as creative and experienced thinkers we have many design tools to bridge this apparent paucity. We can hone our skills further to positively impact communities that would benefit from our vision, compassion and power to influence stake holders and impact the built environment. Once the “other” is seen as deserving of delightful design, inspiration could expand our mind to think of sustainable solutions that cater to all people. In my architecture practice, Accent Architecture+Design at Berkeley, I am working towards broadening my client base while diversifying project types, including some pro bono work. Westerbeke Ranch is such an invigorating place for our annual retreat. Watching the sunlight dance on the pool’s rippling blue water, ruffled by the lazy air settling on the lush garden is mesmerizing. The sumptuous food satiates our bellies and the vibrant conversation tickles our brain cells. While we might seek inspiration from this breathtaking setting, all we need is a catalyst to precipitate that human endeavor which lies very much within each of us. |
Art Quilt Retreat Project 2022 by Ann Wright  This is how the Art Quilt Association members define art quilts. Their competition entries rules and judging are based on this definition. There is a wide range of how this definition is interpreted: in themes; materials, colors, and techniques. The internet has a wealth of examples, under art quilts, collage quilts, and quilt / fabric embellishment. Quilting Arts Magazine, Studio Art Quilts Association and Art Quilt Association have archived shows. Since the retreat art project is limited in time and is mostly an informal way of adding creativity to our visiting and “catching-up”, the retreat art project will be limited to making small, embellished quilt wall hangings. Below is a summary of the activity Activity Summary: We will be making a small art quilt wall hanging about 10-16 inches square or rectangular. We will start with a “canvas” of quilted fabric -- 3 layered fabric sandwich of a front and back fabric, with a batting layer between -- then embellish it with stitchery, embroidery, added fusible appliqued fabrics, ribbons, trims, beads, buttons and other small found objects. Quotes and writing can also be incorporated into the design. Each “canvas” will include a method of hanging the artwork such as sleeves or tabs. The ”canvasses” to be provided will include blank fabric, themed fabric and some quilt blocks. Themed fabric will include nature, landscapes, sunsets, sea life, birds, animals, butterflies etc. Quilt blocks will be traditional and some faded out to recede as a background. From this variety, everybody will choose a canvas that inspires them. Embellishing materials will be provided but if an artist has a theme in mind, they are welcome to bring objects to support that theme such as shell for a beach theme. Here are some examples of art quilts: |
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Visit Porcelanosa by Suzan Swarbacker  The wonderful showroom was filled with lovely examples of Porcelanosa's porcelain material, plumbing accessories, and edging options, Even better, the Reps covering the various areas of the Bay Area were there to answer any and all questions. We learned that as of May 26 there were 62 fully loaded containers stuck in the Oakland port awaiting off-loading! This means that companies like Porcelanosa are now using Houston's port and freighting material across the Western U.S. to save time. The lead times have dropped from 16 weeks to 10 weeks, still a long time by our standards. We designers have gotten used to quick-ship products. It is humbling. Porcelanosa catered a lovely meal while we learned that Porcelanosa carries large tiles, slabs, and even LVT. The slabs are cheaper than Corian. A surprise to most of us. |
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