Style Trends: Big Shoulders

If you’re a thrift store junkie like myself, you probably know the drill:

1. Purchase clothing
2. Take out shoulder pads!
3. Wear clothing

But looking forward to spring and summer we may want to reconsider Step #2. Big shoulders are slowly creeping their way back onto the runways, making appearances at numerous Spring shows including Margiela (above top left), Proenza Schouler (above bottom left), and Balmain (above top and bottom right). However, the new big shoulder isn’t just an 80′s throwback to the shoulder pad stuffed power suit. For 2009 shoulders have a geometric edge that compliments a new era of structured dressing. So next time you’re tempted to rip that shoulder pad out of your newly thrifted purchase, take a second look because you may find some hidden, or not so hidden, potential.

Tibi and Lanvin

Balmain and Chloe

The Rathaus’ Tricia Rock

by: Tricia Rock

Secretary of the Arts?

For 10 years, musician/producer Quincy Jones has been asking the American government to provide a cabinet post capable of promoting the arts, in particular arts education, directly from the White House. In a radio interview last November, Jones reiterated this need for a minister of culture, similar to those found in France, Germany, or Finland, after he encountered high schoolers unfamiliar with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane. Jones said that he would even “beg” President-Elect Obama to establish the post if he had to.

Inspired by Jones’ passionate plea, two New York musicians, Jaime Austria and Peter Weitzner, have started an online petition to make this idea happen and well over 140,000 people have signed the petition thus far. Please help support the arts in the United States and take a moment to sign the petition. We did.

SIGN IT HERE!

posted by: Brent Carter

Artist Shout Out: Matt Shlian

Matt Shlian’s complex sculptures are built by cutting and folding paper by hand. And that’s it as far as we know but we will find more when we interview Shilan. For now, this description taken from his artist statement might shed some light on his process.

“As a paper engineer my work is rooted in print media, book arts and commercial design. Beginning with an initial fold, a single action causes a transfer of energy to subsequent folds, which ultimately manifest in drawings and three dimensional forms. I use my engineering skills to create kinetic sculpture which have lead to collaborations with scientists at the University of Michigan. We work on the nanoscale, translating paper structures to micro origami. Our investigations extend to visualizing cellular division and solar cell development. Researchers see paper engineering as a metaphor for scientific principals; I see their inquiry as basis for artistic inspiration. In my studio I am a collaborator, explorer and inventor. I begin with a system of folding and at a particular moment the material takes over. Guided by wonder, my work is made because I cannot visualize its final realization; in this way I come to understanding through curiosity.” – from artist’s statement

In December of 2008 Shlian released a book of his work entitled “Ghost Town.” Limited to an edition of 100, each copy of “Ghost Town” is signed and numbered by Shlian and features die cut pages that you can try to fold yourself. So hurry up and buy your copy soon because “Ghost Town” will not be reprinted.

shouted out by: s.a.johnson

posted by: Brent Carter

“Aberrant Agriculture” by Scott Johnson

For our sixth and final installment of architectural projects dedicated to vertical farming, renewable energies, and the construction of a better, greener 21st century, s.a.johnson discusses Aberrant Agriculture by University of Kansas Masters of Architecture student Scott Johnson, also known to the Rathaus as s.a.johnson.

… Continue Reading

100th Post

illustration by: Scott Starrett

This marks our 100th post here at The Rathaus since our founding in September of 2008. To celebrate we scoured our archives, found our favorite posts from each contributor, and provided the links so you can easily view any you may have missed. We also wanted to take this time to thank all of our readers and everyone who has helped make The Rathaus possible. So without further adieu, we present our favorite posts to date. Enjoy.

s.a.johnson’s
“Communicating Through Architecture: Media Facades and the Digital Infrastructure”

Scott Starrett’s
“Lenna, the story of the first JPEG”

Tricia Rock’s
“Style Icon: Lou Doillon”

Harold Johns III’s
“The Immersion Project”

Meghan Bainum’s
“Running into Walls”

You can access The Rathaus’ entire archive here.

posted by: Brent Carter