Resorts at Sea: March 2012

There are times when research is simply a matter of stumbling onto something when you’re not looking.

I was trying to find items on modern art and architecture when I came across the 1952 book Art in Modern Architecture. Focusing on American architecture and American artists, it’s an interesting read, but it also has segments on Moore-McCormack’s (first) Argentina, American Export’s Excalibur and Independence, Matson’s Lurline, and the United States.

Yes, one heck of a stumble.

While it can be found on archive.org, I like a book I can hold and turn the pages. (Sorry, Kindle.) A chronic nighttime reader, I’ve a stack of books next to the bed, usually no less than half a dozen; a mix of mine and library books. Before I moved, the book area in my apartment looked like a set from Fahrenheit 451. (Ok, that’s overstating it … A little ... Oh who the hell am I kidding …) I donated several boxes to the local library. It was quite the cleansing, and I’m doing much better at editing for my personal collection.

But I digress …

In this book, Art in Modern Architecture, Max Spivak, who did the mosaic tile for the soda bar (see left) on the Independence, talked about his process, last minute changes, and artistic creativity versus work for hire. I wish I could find a story like this on every artist (123 and counting). Highly unlikely, but fingers crossed!

So yes, this probably marks a transition from the ship to the artist research portion of this project. Yes ... I think I have said that before ... Don’t judge.

Fun fact from Art in Modern Architecture: Matisse and Picasso designed wallpaper. Who knew?