Area Art
I was reading an interesting article with bright shiny pictures recently that I found really impressive. The art in the pictures was big and bold with interesting textures and an off the wall modern feel. Some of the sculptural pieces had an interactive feel to them with jets of water that sprayed up or trickled down like rain or waterfalls. All in all, it was a lovely installation of art ... except it wasn't, it was a bathroom.
Some of the products that have emerged in the last few years in the area of bathroom design are utterly gorgeous. The big, solid, freestanding carved marble washstands look like pieces of abstract sculpture with water elements. The minimalist showers with glass tile mosaics and rain shower look more like elegant water fountains than places to wash in the morning. They're big and bold and innovative.
For those that have the money to spend on such unique works of functional art, there is a lot of interesting pieces out there to choose from. Pretty much any item that you'd find in a bathroom you can find in a sculptural version. There are carved stone varieties, sculptural porcelain, ceramic, glass, bronze. Due to the fine quality of many of these items as well as the vast quantity of some of them, many of these items are quite pricey however.
For those of us who're used to a far simpler form of washroom though, I can see that some culture shock could be inevitable if one found themselves in such a facility.
The downside that I can see to some of these fixtures and designs is what I like to call "The Seashell Experience". Consider the movie Demolition Man; for anyone who doesn't remember that particularly stunning piece of film history, the main character is woken up after spending 40 years in suspended animation and quickly discovers that the future that he has awakened into has evolved new bathroom fixtures that he doesn't understand how to use. The only clue being a set of three seashell-shaped fixtures where the toilet paper should be. At least he comes out and admits that he doesn't understand the process; how many of the rest of us would just spend the afternoon fiddling with the controls, too embarrassed to come out?
After reading through some of the sculptural design articles, I worry a little about finding myself in one of these gorgeously decorated bathrooms and not knowing how to turn on the water or flush the toilet but I suppose that as long as no one mistakes a stylish and dramatic piece of art for the commode it's all good.
Area 51 : The Frantic Caller
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San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge Towers) Art Poster Print - 24x36 $11.10 San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge Towers) Art Poster Print - 24x36... |
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San Francisco (Bay Bridge and Skyline) Art Poster Print - 24x36 $3.49 San Francisco (Bay Bridge and Skyline) Art Poster Print - 24x36... |
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4' Stripe Surfboard Rug / Light Blue $30.99 Surfboard Rugs - Sky Blue Classic Racing Stripe Print Measurement: 48" L x 20" W (4ft) |
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P.D.Q. Bach: Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities $5.67 ... |
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New X: Trios & Duets $4.99 The New X Art Ensemble featuring the Amazing Tess Toster Tones is hard to describe. They're a free form big band known for odd instrumentation and experimentation with a debt to jazz, blues, and classical traditions. "Trios & Duets", was named for their penchant to subdivide as band members go on breaks. It's first track capitalizes on several of those possible incarnations in a carefully orches... |
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Area 51 $15.99 ... |
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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain; Seven Lessons to Enhance Creativity and Artistic Self-Confidence [VHS] $29.99 ... |
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Area 51: The Alien Interview [VHS] $19.95 ... |
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Watercolor- Wet in wet within defined areas [VHS] $34.99 ... |
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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Seven Lessons to Enhance Creativity and Artistic Self Confidence $39.99 ... |
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1940s San Francisco Historical Safety Movie: You and Your Bicycle DVD (1948) $4.99 You and Your Bicycle is a prototypical 1940's safety film that features historical value and timeless cycling tips. Shot in beautiful post World War II California, the film traverses the San Francisco landscapes with cute young kids on their bikes. The safety tips and funny simulated bike accidents keep the film moving, making it an enjoyable viewing experience. Take a trip back in time with You a... |
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The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil - Rose Absolute What it is:An essential preparatory step for a close, comfortable shave.What it is formulated to do:The Art of Shaving(R) for Women Pre-Shave Oil - Rose Absolute softens the hair and protects the skin in delicate areas such as the bikini line, underarms, ankles, and knees. Proper preparation helps you to achieve the closest, most comfortable shave possible, with expert protection against irritat... |
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The Art of Shaving Shaving Brush - Custom Contoured What it is:A luxurious shaving brush.What it does:The Art of Shaving(R) Custom Contoured Brush is essential for the perfect shave. This key step in your shaving regime generates a rich lather to protect the skin, brings sufficient water to the skin to soften the beard, opens the pores, and lifts the beard for a close shave. This expert brush also gently exfoliates, eliminating dead skin cells to ... |
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The Content-Rich Reading & Writing Workshop: A Time-Saving Approach for Making the Most of Your Literacy Block $13.48 How do you help your students hit the high achievement mark they face these days, keep them engaged in their studies, and fit everything you are expected to teach into a typical school day? The answer is simple and easy to implement: teach content and rea... |
