An example of Chinese calligraphy by Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. The words are “Mindfulness,” “Concentration” and “Insight.” In August 2009, Thay, as his students call him, fell ill and was hospitalized in Boston. The doctors wouldn’t let him do anything except one hour of walking meditation each day in the park across the… Continue reading Chinese calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hahn
Month: January 2010
Art Conservation, Publicity and the Met
I’m fascinated by issues relating to conservation of cultural objects, but most of the publicity goes to fine art conservation–if there is any at all. Friday’s disaster at the Metropolitan Museum, where a woman taking an adult education class fell on an early Picasso, The Actor, and tore a 6″ hole in the canvas, got… Continue reading Art Conservation, Publicity and the Met
Apple’s iBook on the iPad
Today’s Apple announcement (liveblogged at the NY Times) had Steve Jobs diplomatically say of Amazon’s Kindle, that Apple “we are going to stand on their shoulders and go a bit farther.” The iBook app allow eBook viewing and purchasing within the application (like iTunes), so it’s not necessarily tied to a particular hardware. The Times… Continue reading Apple’s iBook on the iPad
Cha-cha-changes: Canada’s History
The New York Times reports that the Hudson Bay Company’s historical publication has given itself a new name, Canada’s History, with the subtitle “Formerly The Beaver.” Name changes have traditionally been a problem for periodicals–both cataloging and shelving. But as in the case of Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College), this change could really help.… Continue reading Cha-cha-changes: Canada’s History
Neil Gaiman’s fantasies : The New Yorker
An interesting interview and profile on the comic book writer-turned fiction/fantasy writer, Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman’s fantasies : The New Yorker The New Yorker piece doesn’t talk much about his Sandman series with DC in the 1990s, but the series did change a small segment of the comic book market, to one without super heroes… Continue reading Neil Gaiman’s fantasies : The New Yorker
Bob Noorda, Who Changed the Look of the Subways, Dies at 82 – Obituary (Obit) – NYTimes.com
Steve Heller’s obituary on Bob Noorda who, with Massimo Vignelli, re-designed the underground signage of the New York City Subway system. Bob Noorda, Who Changed the Look of the Subways, Dies at 82 – Obituary (Obit) – NYTimes.com Also see this post at SecondAveSagas, where the commentors correct the identification of typeface (which is now… Continue reading Bob Noorda, Who Changed the Look of the Subways, Dies at 82 – Obituary (Obit) – NYTimes.com
YouTube – Swearing-In of David S. Ferriero as Tenth Archivist of the United States
YouTube– Swearing-In of David S. Ferriero as Tenth Archivist of the United States Once you get past the 30 seconds of (very slow playing credits), U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (who administered the oath) had some nice things to say about documents. (Ferriero moved to NARA from the New York Public Library.)
Current Challenges to Fine Printing and Book Design (Grolier Club panel)
This is a draft of an article I’m preparing. I believe Godine had prepared remarks which the Grolier Club may print in its Gazette. -pwr Current Challenges to Fine Printing and Book DesignThe Grolier Club, 47 East 6t0th Street, New York Wednesday January 13, 2010 The Grolier Club sponsored a thought-provoking panel discussion on challenges… Continue reading Current Challenges to Fine Printing and Book Design (Grolier Club panel)
James Patterson, Author (updated)
Image via Wikipedia Today’s New York Times Magazine has a long piece about thriller potboiler author James Patterson. Patterson, who started out as a major mover and shaker in advertising at J Walter Thompson, has been transforming an old established publishing house like Little Brown. I do admire his insight that people buy the name… Continue reading James Patterson, Author (updated)