Livable Art: Sustainable Building Eco-Systems

The Bjarke Ingels Group has some of the coolest buildings that are truly works of art eco-systems. My favorites are the City Hall and Trash Incinerator Building/Ski Slope. (Yes you read that right) Watch the video for more awesome buildings or check out their website. Seriously, we are so far behind in American architecture!

Principles of Art: Rhythm

Rhythm: The movement or variation characterized by the regular recurrence or alternation of different quantities or conditions. The pattern to which we arrange elements in a piece of art, whether it be notes in a song, footwork in a dance, lines in a painting, or words in a poem.

In everything there is a rhythm, an ebb and flow. From the breathes we take to the cycle of life. From the patterns on our clothes to the way we walk. Rhythm is felt in our core (not necessarily in our feet - I know plenty of people whose feet can't seem to pick up the rhythm in a dance).

Bruce Barton put it best: "Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living".

There are 3 types or ways to make rhythm: repetition, alternation and progression.

Repetition - Structured, Organized Repeats
A good example of this would be my day - get up shower, get dressed, go to work, work, come home, eat, sleep, repeat in the morning. (Okay my life is not quite that boring but sometimes it feels like it.)
Recent examples in the textile world are the chevron and ikat patterns.

 

Alternation - Repetition just slightly more complex

System of design created by alternately changing the elements of the design. Think pinstripes and zebra stripes. I think of this like my full week: work, work, work, work, Weekend!!!!, work, work work, work, Weekend!!!!

 

Progression - Suggests movement and sequence
You know like progress... I like progress - sometimes not the effort it takes to get to progress but the progress itself is fantastic.

So hold onto your hats this month we'll be discussing the rhythm of life, possibly how each of the rhythms techniques relate to life but definitely examples of rhythm in everyday life and finding the music in you!

BTW I have spelled rhythm wrong almost every time I have typed it out. Not sure who decided to spell it so weirdly but I am not impressed!

Orange: Spontaneious, Optamistic, and Respect

Orange is a happy color, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow, it not only does evoke fun, cheeriness and warm exuberance but it also helps to relieve feelings of self-pity, lack of self-worth and unwillingness to forgive.

Orange brings spontaneity, stimulates the mind to find interest in life and brings a positive outlook on life.

Orange aids in the assimilation of new ideas and frees the spirit of its limitations, giving us the freedom to be ourselves. At the same time it encourages self-respect and respect of others.

Blue: Calm, Collective, Protected

Blue has a very cooling and soothing affect, often making us calmer and has been known to help lower  blood pressure, which is partially why blue scrubs are worn in the operating room.

Blue can also suppress the appetite, partially because food doesn't look good against blue. So putting a blue light in your refrigerator or eating off a blue plate can help control your appetite.

Blue has more of a mental and intellectual effect on us rather then physical. It stimulates clear thinking and aids in concentrations and memorization.

Although blue is the world's favorite color it is often perceived as cold, unemotional, uninviting and unfriendly.

Sunday in the Park with George

I have always loved this painting, the use of color and texture is breathtaking. A few weeks ago I was listening to the musical "Sunday in the Park with George" which is based off of this painting and was really struck by some of the lyrics of one of the songs: Chromolume #7/Putting it Together.

 

I wanted to share with you what struck me because it relates so much to life:

 

"Art isn't easy-
Any way you look at it."
...

"Bit by bit,
Putting it together...
Piece by Piece-
Only way to make a work of art.
Every moment makes a contribution,
Every little detail plays a part.
Having just a vision's no solution,
Everything depends on execution:
Putting it together-
That's what counts!"
...

"Small amounts,
Adding up to make a work of art.
First of all you need a good foundation,
Otherwise it's risky from the start."
...
"The art of making art
Is putting it together
Bit by bit..."
...

"Bit by bit,
Putting it together.
Piece by piece.
Working out the vision night and day.
All it takes is time and perseverance,
With a little luck along the way,"

...

"Till you have a balanced composition-
Everything depends on preparation-
Even if you do have the suspicion
That it's taking all your concentration-"

So if you remember anything from today I hope it is this: The art of making a life is putting it together bit by bit. Start with a good foundation, a vision and preparation, then everything depends on execution. Life isn't easy but taking it bit by bit moment by moment adds up and can make it easier.

Purple: Peace, Meditation, and Spirituality

Purple is often associated with the right side of the brain; stimulating intuition and imagination- encouraging deep contemplation and meditation it brings awareness to a higher level of thought, and is thus associated with spirituality and compassion.

Purple has a cleansing effect with emotional disturbances and is associated with bringing peace as it helps to balance the mind and transform obsessions and irrational fears. 

Because purple has been associated with royalty for centuries it usually communicates the finest possible quality. However, using the wrong tone will communicate cheapness.

Yellow: Cheerful, Creative, Stimulation

Yellow stimulates the brain make us more alert and decisive.  It also makes muscles more energetic. Maybe I should try wearing yellow during my workouts, it'll help me actually want to do them.

Yellow is a happy, cheerful, uplifting color. You know that just seeming yellow sometimes (especially in winter) makes you smile. You can admit it - it happens to us all.

Yellow is associated with intellectual thinking - discernment, memory, clear thinking, decision-making, creativity and good judgment.

Yellow builds self-confidence and encourages optimism. However, a warning, too much of it, or the wrong tone in relation to the other tones in a color scheme, can cause self-esteem to plummet, giving rise to fear and anxiety.