Image courtesy of eatzycath

This is a belated 4th of July post.

So we had this party on our rooftop in Brooklyn and there were quite a few people there. Actually I’ve never seen so many people on our modest rooftop. I was there early, before the crowds arrived, playing with my son. I don’t remember what time it was, but it was still early when he arrived. Before I could think twice he had claimed a small space on the table and set up a shiny white marble mortar and pestle next to 2 large zip lock bags of fresh mint and limes. He then proceeded to make mojitos. This man stood at that table, indulging various guests in chit-chat, for close to 4 hours, making mojito after mojito. Now, I tend to believe that mojitos are much too often either too sweet or just lack any flavor at all. But his mojitos were perfection. Then the fireworks went off, my attention was diverged, and he was gone.

True story…I’m not creative enough to make that up.

What a cool idea! Knit Cap Cup is a venue for aspiring fashion designers that allows users to submit designs for knit caps. Here’s how it works:

1. Register
2. Submit your design (deadline is 8/31)
3. Every entry is manufactured into a cap, and the designer receives a sample (about $40)
4. Every cap then goes on sale between October ~ February
5. The designer receives half of the profits (about $20 per sale)

I’m not sure if you have to have an address in Japan, but I’d be happy to help if anyone wants to try! (it’s all in Japanese)

Nina Beier and Marie Lund
“The House and the Backdoor” (2007)

I was immediately drawn to this fascinating piece by Nina Beier and Marie Lund. Currently based out of London, the 2 are having their first solo show in Japan over at Wako Arts. (Through July 19th)

This instruction-based piece is a collection of books that overlapped between Nina’s mother and father when the two got married and their collections merged. The owner of the piece is instructed to return the books to Nina’s mother “ should she ever again have to make a home of her own.” I found this very odd at first. It was as if the artist was reserving the possibility of her parents getting a divorce. But then I realized that death, of the husband before the wife, could also be the cause if this condition.

I haven’t come across instruction-based art in quite some time. Probably since art history class learning about the conceptual art of Yohko Ono and Sol LeWitt.