ultra how did you name yourself?
It was so long ago. Let us celebrate the anniversary of ultra’s birth (three years ago, plus a month) with a link to this little note on the ultraists (and yes, we’re linking to Wikipedia…honestly it’s a more fleshed out entry than the Encyclopedia Brittanica), a Spanish literary movement with whom Jorge Luis Borges was affiliated. Note their advocacy of the “Deletion of useless middle sentences, linking particles and adjectives.” Yes! And the “avoidance of ornamental artifacts, confessionalism, … preaching and farfetched nebulosity.”
At the time we named ultra, let us admit that humbly we had only in mind the phrase “ne plus ultra” which is to say, “the highest point, as of excellence or achievement; the ultimate,” or directly from Latin “no more beyond this point.” It’s related to “fare-thee-well” also indicating “state of perfection; the utmost degree,” which we include here because it has a nice ring to it.
Today, we are in a mind of the phrase “plus ultra” or “further beyond” the motto of Spain, Charles the V, Holy Roman Emperor and Sir Francis Bacon. Related: “Further” or “Furthur” painted on the front of Ken Kesey’s bus.
POSTED: July 14th, 2008 | AUTHOR: lisa | FILED UNDER: art | TAGS: art | No Comments »
Looks refreshing in a fresh snowfall doesn’t it. We love Jill Torberson’s steel Tumbleweeds, straight (rusted) and on the rocks (enameled in white and brights). The spheres range from hug-sized to harvest-moon sized, and they play nicely both indoors and out. We love metal left to its own devices so the rust is delicious, and the fragmentary nature of the sphere made mostly of air, really, with the bent rods suggesting surface, makes a compelling piece. Find Torberson’s work at the Museum of Contemporary Craft Gallery (724 NW Davis) and at Dig (425 NW 11th) in the Pearl.
POSTED: July 14th, 2008 | AUTHOR: lisa | FILED UNDER: art | TAGS: art, craft, sculpture | 2 Comments »
Gordon House, Frank Lloyd Wright. photo via Portland Architecture, Brian Libby
This Wednesday night, Design Within Reach Portland (1200 NW Everett) hosts its fourth in the “Designs on Portland” series of discussions on architecture and design. This time around, Brian Libby talks to Larry Woodin of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy about the Gordon House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in Oregon, which in a big brouhaha had to be moved (!) to The Oregon Garden in Silverton. RSVP to portland@dwr.com. Doors open at 6:00, program begins at 6:30.
POSTED: July 14th, 2008 | AUTHOR: lisa | FILED UNDER: design | TAGS: architecture, design | No Comments »