Over the last week, I have spent many a late night playing with AI image generation on Midjourney with what can only be described as frenzied compulsion. Since my friend Winston showed me that you can set up an account on Discord, join a chatroom called Newbies, and type the phrase /imagine…to have a machine spit out a visual of whatever you imagine in less than a minute…I’ve been amazed, amused, addicted, impressed, and inspired beyond all measure.
Incidentally, the last time I remember feeling this way was exactly a decade ago, when I was sitting in the incredible bookstore Arcana in Los Angeles…and beginning to vaguely form in my mind what is today known as The Letterist. The wave of ideas and possibilities and imaginations of everything I could and would create was intoxicating. I’ve longed for that feeling ever since, and I never imagined something called Artificial Intelligence would turn out to be what did it for me.
Design
Things I coveted at Maison&Objet 2024
The last time you heard from me about Maison&Objet, I was in the back of a cab on my way to the middle-of-nowhere outside Paris where the world famous design fair is held. I posted a quick selfie, thinking that this was only the first of many photos and videos I’d share in my Instagram stories throughout the rest of the day. I thought I was being quite the martyr in fact, braving the cold wind and slippery slushy streets just to vicariously take all of you to the fair. I never willingly leave home before 9am. And it’s not like I have any real reason to attend a trade fair. I was doing all this, for you.
But the first thing I saw when I walked in and had my ticket scanned was a sign saying that photography was forbidden. I was tempted to steal a few sneaky ones anyway…but then I noticed that individual exhibitors also often had signs prohibiting photography, so I decided not to risk it. The whole show was also insanely huge and overwhelming, so I decided it was perhaps a blessing to put the camera away and just try take in as much as I could with my eyes.
I decided to just take out a pen and paper and write down the names of brands that caught my eye.
Here are just a few of them for you.
I have NOT been able to stop thinking about this yellow saucepan.
Ax
Read MoreSacred Modern; Architectural Chapels and Places of Worship from Around the World
The idea of getting married in a church has never really felt like me, but long rectangular windows, solemn concrete structures, sleek oakwood pews, downright heavenly skylights, and breathtaking views of nature most certainly do. Add to that the signature of modernist gods like Le Corbusier, Matisse, or Rothko and I’m basically sold. Here is a curated collection of chapels and other spiritual spaces from around the world to which and in which I’d gladly say I do. And if you do find yourself booking one of these for your wedding - call me, I know exactly what the invitations should look like.
I’ve borrowed most of the text below from various design magazines and blogs because I realized that writing about architecture isn’t really my forte, but I’ve linked to each of the articles at the end. I’d recommend reading them all as there are lots of interesting details and stories behind each project. Like the 10cm gap Le Corbusier left between the structure and the roof to allow a sliver of light in. Or the little shrine to the patron saint of winemakers that was included in the open air chapel in Uruguay. Or the vestments designed by Matisse that I’d petition to be adopted by priests and preachers worldwide.
Stay inspired and stay spiritual, or spirited —
A.
Read MoreTurn Panic into Magic; Amsterdam in 27 Photos
When I was going through immigration at Schipol airport, the young woman leafing through my passport looked up at me and asked, what are you in Amsterdam for? My first thought was, isn’t everyone here…to get a little high? Do a little dance…make a little love…you know, get down tonight? I then thought to try and give her the short version of the truth - which is that I live in Belgrade and my future husband lives in Paris and we occasionally like to spend a weekend somewhere where neither one of us has to do the dishes. We’re not married yet, but I’m fairly certain I’ve already figured out that one of the great secrets to a happy marriage is a third person who does the housekeeping.
But what’s the short version? By this point I’m overcome with panic. I’m one of those people who is inclined to believe they’re guilty of something whenever approached by someone in uniform. Quick! Say something, say anything. (Except for tourism. You are actually a tourist, but everyone hates tourists, and you need to be liked by everyone everywhere so you cannot admit to being a tourist.) And so I blurted out the noblest, most concise, and most above-board response I could think of. One word, three letters, I didn’t even bother putting it into a sentence. ART.
A Breath of French Air; The 2023 Letterist Gift Guide
Dear Santa,
My darling husband-to-be,
Sweet friends and followers of The Letterist,
It has just dawned on me that all those days I left my desk to wander and window shop through the endlessly delightful streets of Paris, I was not being naughty, but actually engaging in the very industrious and noble act of unconsciously putting together the gift guide of the century. Now, unlike the Gwyneths and Athena Calderones of this world, I don’t get any gifts or commissions from the brands I’ve rather painstakingly taken the time to curate here, so this is a pure and unadulterated list of things you should get me I love.
I have taken the liberty of loosely categorizing them to help you find the perfect gift for each one of my personalities everyone in your life. You’ll note that there are many things you think I have too many of and I think one can never have too many of vessels, candles, accessories and tchotchkes to beautify the kitchen, home, face and body, and not forgetting that we now share a home and kitchen and bathroom I’d also urge that you consider any or all of these as gifts for yourself.
Happy browsing and shopping, wrapping and gifting, giving and living…in beautiful, thoughtful, and inimitable Parisian style.
Read MoreThe Letterist 2024 Letterpress Desk Calendar
Thrilled to share the latest edition of our beloved letterpress desk calendar is now available in the online shop. Page per month, blind embossed months in a downright sexy typeface, and two letterpress ink runs for the days, months and inspirational quotes. Resting on a custom made acrylic holder in dark grey, and packaged in a sleek bubble mailer. In 2024 we will celebrate ten years of Love on Paper and in honor of the anniversary, this edition is truly our most special one yet.
Read MoreProject X for Design and Paper's 10th Anniversary
Last year, we were honored to be commissioned by Europapier to create a work in celebration of the 10th anniversary of their online magazine and inspiration resource, Design&Paper. Having worked with the Europapier Design Papers catalogues for half a decade, and found in them so much inspiration for countless projects and color palettes, I was immediately tempted to reimagine their catalogue, curate our very own famously “colorless” Letterist edit of tones and textures, and gift it back to them in a bound and framed block. As Dieter Rams wrote, “Having small touches of colour makes it more colourful than having the whole thing in colour.” We then laser cut an X (Roman Numeral 10) onto the front…which wonderfully added one more sepia nuance to the mix. A big thank you to the team at Europapier for inviting us to participate, and to the many hands, printers, bookbinders, and framers that made it happen. Read more about the process and this project in the the full article on Design&Paper here.
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