Resorts at Sea - June

After some much needed housekeeping, I went on a tangent to familiarize myself with artwork of the time period in question (1945-1962), downloading catalogues from the American Contemporary Painting and Sculpture exhibits that were held at the University of Illinois. Some of the artists in my focus had works in at least one of these exhibits (two from 1955 are shown below), and at the very least, these catalogues offer some biographical info that I’ve been unable to find.

 

Other tangents/distractions were caused by archive.org. It’s where I found Norman Bel Geddes’ Horizons. Among many other items, I also found the report detailing the McKim, Mead & White 1902 White House renovation. Long before and especially since my involvement with the Kirksville Arts Center remodeling, I’ve loved reading about renovations. Buildings like the White House have such permanence – they’ve always been there, they’ll always be there – so pictures of the East Room and the Blue Room (below) stripped down to the studs are a little eerie.

In a close call, I bought the book Ship Style: Modernism and Modernity at Sea in the 20^th Century. When Amazon sent me a pre-order now message detailing the book, I thought, “Crap, I’ve been scooped!” (Ok, in reality, it was a bit more colorful, as those who know me can attest.) Having finished the book, I can breathe a little easier. The focus is roughly 90% European vessels. There are a few mentions of U.S. passenger ships, but nowhere near the depth of what I’m attempting.