Street of Eames

Not ashamed to admit that it took us two beats to get the name (without the bentwood chair visual cue) of this great project scheduled for Spring 06. Caroline Fenn et al are organizing a tour of modern and contemporary homes in Portland as a benefit for the Chapman Educational Foundation of Chapman Elementary School and Project Return, a Portland Public Schools’ program to aid homeless youth. The American Institute of Architects is on board as a sponsor of the tour.

Wonder what some of our modern and contemporary beauties have up their sleeves? You’ll have to wait for April, but keep an eye on the website for more information as it becomes available. Tickets go on sale in February.

You May Find This Interesting: McG

Ryan McGinness, “Glory Hole,” 2004.

It’s an interesting time to talk about where illustration and fine art meet, overlap, inform one another. A symbol recontextualizer and decorative madman, Ryan McGinness has operated in the worlds of both commercial and fine art for a number of years. Son of Pop, McGinness feeds back into the dense visual landscape equally dense work that incorporates symbols and motifs borrowed from the commercial art side of the fence. He’ll be at PICA tonight (224 NW 13th) at 7 PM to talk about installationview (Rizzoli), his new book and the title of his current exhibit at NY’s Deitch Projects. Admission for PICA members is $8, General $10.

Fun fashion note: McGinness exhibited at Agnes B. in Paris.

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Design Treasure Trove

DROOG Chandelier ‘85 Bulbs, 1993. Design: Rody Graumans.

Speaking, as we were, of design, we are inspired to recommend this treasure trove of modern and contemporary design, the Design Museum’s online archive of designers ranging from Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen to Manolo Blahnik and Christian Dior to Droog and Experimental Jetset. With terrific bios and photos, it’s a true feast.

Shiny and New

You don’t even have to leave your chair to get a preview of jewelry designer Tiffany Thomas’ new collection for Fall 05 on her recently revamped website. It’s great work with semi-precious stones, silver and gold chain in work that can at times be beautifully minimal and other times organically aggregated. To see her work in the real world, go to Lilith (1524 NE Alberta).

Get Inspired

For two more days, the riches of the Portland Art Museum are yours, mine, and ours for the price of a stroll around the block. Don’t miss your chance to see the new Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art in the renovated Mark Building. You can climb four floors from Claude Monet to Hans Hoffman to Dan Flavin to Sophie Calle (!).

Free through Sunday.