tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72600902849628112342012-02-20T20:25:27.900-06:00Creative MusingsMatthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.comBlogger2441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-23500949126004536332012-02-20T20:25:00.000-06:002012-02-20T20:25:27.910-06:00

John Glenn. February 20, 1962.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-5889687196505831642012-02-16T05:40:00.001-06:002012-02-16T23:51:48.420-06:00

 Futura, designed by Paul Renner for the Bauer foundry animated by Thibault de Fournas and Christopher Wilson, both studying at the ESAG. (found here)   Sorry it is in French, but still beautiful. FUTURA LE SPECIMEN ANIMÉ from Thibault de Fournas on Vimeo.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-72360852860871666322012-02-14T05:30:00.001-06:002012-02-14T05:30:00.443-06:00

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-16035751419253916622012-02-04T14:46:00.000-06:002012-02-04T14:46:17.925-06:00

Lessons to be learned from Wayne White.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-69993302298443384812012-01-25T02:16:00.003-06:002012-01-25T02:16:00.202-06:00

Thursday by Matthias Hoegg is a breath taking animated short which marries Corbu's Vision Plan and Mondrian's Broadway Boogie Woogie into a Tati style love story that has everything from Space Elevator lounges to comm cable bird nests.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-71695005955998020692012-01-24T23:48:00.000-06:002012-01-24T23:48:49.628-06:00

A world of imagined landscapes and closed suburbs, Canadian Artist, Ross Racine's hand drawn digital artwork reminds use of a world that almost is.  Taking a cue from Google Earth and our contemporary ability to view our world from above, Racine re-imagines the suburbia into figural  symbols and patterns.  What is so beautiful about this work is that, if one had never seen the satellite imagery

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-71634042190326588692012-01-23T15:12:00.000-06:002012-01-23T15:12:24.223-06:00

This breathtaking short combines stop-motion and time lapse to take a unique journey across the U.S. Completely imaginative and inventive in its execution. Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-49475516393061906752012-01-22T17:52:00.000-06:002012-01-22T17:52:18.787-06:00

These beautiful masks are made by Eden Bachelder of Toronto.  All hand shaped and painted in leather.  They can be bought at her Etsy page or looked at on her Deviant Art page. Beautiful.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-25760576540486752722012-01-18T00:02:00.000-06:002012-01-18T00:02:33.797-06:00

The Operable Window, from its inception in 2008, has presented a great deal of content in the form of short films and video. This is no accident or coincident. In fact, a great deal of discussion has happened between the contributors about video's roll on the blog and in the greater creative world. At the Operable Window our general belief is that the video, of all other forms of the graphic

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-9592785721075997842012-01-09T22:38:00.000-06:002012-01-09T22:38:28.901-06:00

It is a very special thing when a creative person dedicates their life to making people happy. Watch this trailer and try not to feel good.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-80455313623259332152011-12-20T00:34:00.000-06:002011-12-20T00:34:39.743-06:00

Love David Attenborough

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-56323287121292452392011-12-08T15:27:00.001-06:002011-12-08T15:27:42.618-06:00

This has been a while in the coming and now it is circulating around the web pretty quickly. I could not help myself though. "going green 1949 style bitch" -IC

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-12053203491432161342011-12-06T22:00:00.001-06:002011-12-06T22:00:48.572-06:00

I have Eastwing hammers in my tool box, an Eastwing hatchet in my camping gear.  I have a collapsible bucksaw, I use a splitting maul to ready wood for the wood stove every year.  I take pride in my tools, not only the physical ones, but mental ones and digital ones too.  They are how I get the job done.  These axes are so beautiful, and the marketing for them might as well just be putting a

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-21567722900718211572011-12-02T09:54:00.000-06:002011-12-02T09:54:35.892-06:00

Found at A.R.K.I.T.E.T.T.U.R.A & INTERIOR DESIGN

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-2018434430901006012011-12-01T19:13:00.000-06:002011-12-01T19:13:22.288-06:00

Beautifully shot trailer for an upcoming film about a crew who are pushing the sport of "highlining" a combination of climbing, slackline and tightrope walking. I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-30948008501040170592011-12-01T19:10:00.000-06:002011-12-01T19:10:27.301-06:00

Super Sexy CPR, a top of the line advertisement for Fortnight Lingerie. Super Sexy CPR from Super Sexy CPR on Vimeo. Don't forget the abdominal thrust... for next time your date starts choking. Super Sexy Abdominal Thrust from Super Sexy CPR on Vimeo.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-76388031445338960172011-11-26T15:31:00.000-06:002011-11-26T15:31:51.216-06:00

Never seizes to amaze. Can't wait until next August. I apologize for the slow down in posts. Focusing on grad school at the moment.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-40716031147443444052011-11-18T22:00:00.000-06:002011-11-18T22:00:31.874-06:00

Getting excited?! def a date night movie...

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-30873459871255951132011-11-06T09:03:00.001-06:002011-11-06T09:03:02.605-06:00

With a new phone comes new blogging capabilities.  I have recently purchased the new htc design, and am so far loving it.Hopefully this will mean more blogging worked into my very busy architecture school schedule.Cheers for now!

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-45521055145883514292011-10-24T11:31:00.000-05:002011-10-24T11:31:33.652-05:00

From Tel Aviv University I am not going to try and explain this.  Watch the video and visit the site. Gotta love Superconductors.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-66999806004031502402011-10-10T10:55:00.002-05:002011-10-10T11:15:19.353-05:00

Always refreshing to see something a bit different. Continuous from adriene hughes on Vimeo.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-41253452103571352412011-09-26T10:32:00.001-05:002011-09-26T10:32:51.323-05:00

Below is a pretty amazing time lapse of a satellite cutting diagonally across the western hemisphere, starting over the Pacific ocean and ending near Antarctica. Watch for lightning storms during the night and for the beautiful glow of the ozone layer.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-73772554454882036272011-09-16T16:33:00.001-05:002011-11-18T22:01:32.287-06:00

Being that the contributors to the Operable Window seem to pick up and post a disproportionally large amount of work coming out of Iceland it is time to compile a post of strictly work from the cold island in the North Atlantic: Starting with this new, and stunning, time lapse video of the Icelandic Aurora by August Ingvarsson: Followed by this work, previously featured here in a post about

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-45923897610163690262011-09-16T01:02:00.000-05:002011-09-16T01:02:01.013-05:00

and we're back... Recently I was exposed to, perhaps, one of the most interesting examples of contemporary photography that I have ever scene.  Strikingly beautiful and disturbingly surreal, the work of Aneta Grzeszykowska and Jan Smaga, of Poland,  explores the world of neighbors.  Shot over a two year period (2003-2004), Plan, are compositions of hundreds of detailed images stitched together

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-78531103350286993632011-08-04T20:05:00.000-05:002011-08-04T20:05:50.503-05:00

The RED Epic has been out for a few months now, and at a third the size of the RED One, it's showing up in some places that filming with a larger camera has been tough in the past.  The new RED Epic has 5 times the resolution of an HD video camera, as did the RED One, but this one has another half stop of dynamic range, can process HDR footage up to 18+ stops of dynamic range, and can shoot 60

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-30850776688640024462011-07-26T06:30:00.001-05:002011-07-26T06:31:19.914-05:00

Often a journey home is a quite reflection of where one has been.  In the case of Danny MacAskill a journey home is truly an adventure of exploring our world and the built environment. On top of helping Architecture students pull all-nighters, Redbull is notorious for there sponsership of awesome things.  Wingwalking, snowboarding, Parkour, Flugtag and now this beautiful video... "Way Back

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-12599101360109160702011-06-05T14:09:00.000-05:002011-06-05T14:09:18.839-05:00

This short is not particularly new, but it was recently brought to my attention. This short film was made as a behind the scenes look at the Guess spring Collection in 2010.  The reason I am featuring it here is somewhat personal.  The location of the shoot is the small village that my mother is from and much of my family still lives.  Needless to say some of the faces are familiar and all of the

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-22239902306627317902011-05-30T05:00:00.000-05:002011-05-30T05:00:01.609-05:00

During the late 1930's and early 1940's Jack Delano worked for the Farm Security Administration Photography Program.  He made some amazing imagery mainly focused around the train scene in Chicago.  I'd love to write a bit more about what these photographs mean to this fine city but unfortunately I'm between air planes and road trips right now and the car isn't going to pack it's self!

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-28574848718063781582011-05-29T02:34:00.000-05:002011-05-29T02:34:15.980-05:00

The Phillis Wheatley School in New Orleans sustained minor damage in Hurricane Katrina, but it will be neglect and a bulldozer that will be its most dangerous disaster.  This short film is a plea to save the building before it is demolished this summer.  Check it out.  Looks about like the coolest elementary school I have ever seen. "You mean to tell me the state of Louisiana can preserve

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-49840897378633696682011-05-26T20:36:00.000-05:002011-05-26T20:36:32.298-05:00

Photo: Tom Harris  Photo: Tom Harris This week my studio flew street artist ROA into Chicago to paint anything he wanted on our blank 22' high west wall. We had been having a problem with bad taggers and gang members tagging up our wall.  We appreciate a fine piece of street art as much as the next guy but between the poorly sprayed on names of taggers and the city battling them with coat

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-52575394433918225272011-05-26T01:36:00.000-05:002011-05-26T01:36:40.672-05:00

This 1960 commercial has been floating around the blogs as of late. Besides the fact that it is absolutely awesome it is very telling of the times. I find it interesting that Legos have always been perfect for building Modernist architecture. I swear that there is a Mies tower in the last shot of the commercial. Also look at the awesome bomber that the boy makes. Perfect for going

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-49994736615874504462011-05-20T18:05:00.004-05:002011-05-20T18:17:07.778-05:00

I was pleasantly reminded of this fantastic animation last week by Anthony F. Schepperd Enjoy!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13374098707891210543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-57708971143596448822011-05-13T22:57:00.003-05:002011-05-13T23:01:11.421-05:00

Picture this. It is April 30th, 1945. You just overheard on the radio that Adolf Hitler was dead. What do you do? You go out and throw a kegger in front of the White House of course! Who cares that you have friends, family, and fellow citizens overseas, still fighting and dieing for you, he's dead! I'm proud to say that on that actual day, their was no celebration, no rejoicing in

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13374098707891210543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-53190789891882640812011-05-13T15:03:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:03:35.175-05:00

Found this on at the Wooster Collective. Started in 1945 as a collaboration between Disney and Salvidor Dali, Destino is a surreal look at the love between Chronos and his mortal interest. Left unfinished until 2003, most of the animation is traditional with some digital work augmenting.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-43762727504852492842011-04-24T10:38:00.000-05:002011-04-24T10:38:05.651-05:00

Just released.School of Architecture @ UIC's student run journal.I shot the coverbuy it it is amazing. "After our earlier celebrations of architecture’s mystique and particular fetishes—the inside of the Black Box, as we put it in Issue 3—FM decided to explore a more transparent or user-friendly aspect of the field, a side we’ll call the “How-To.” A deceptively simple tool, the How-To offers

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-83788677544308499242011-04-03T21:05:00.000-05:002011-04-03T21:05:02.147-05:00

This short is a commercial for a japanese phone company, Domoco.  Just watch it.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-49727951620220117232011-04-02T10:47:00.000-05:002011-04-02T10:47:01.784-05:00

This piece really falls into a larger conversation that I have been having with some peers about the representation of architecture through photography, video, rendering and animation.  Some of my thoughts about the photography part of that conversation can be found here.  I have a feeling that conversation will start to make it's way to this blog more and more in the next few months. For now, we

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-12984665210908166532011-03-31T22:54:00.000-05:002011-03-31T22:54:07.769-05:00

The Neighbors project was (is?) a project out of San Francisco in which a handful of personalities are interviewed in a candid manor doing what they do. "The working title for the project is Neighbors, a series of short stories about six individuals (DJ Brown Amy, Mike Giant, Elgy Gillespie, Dick Vivian, Fran Martin, and Dylan Bigby) from various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Part

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-83288905347034861722011-03-31T01:31:00.000-05:002011-03-31T01:31:06.302-05:00

Here is another short about process from a very talented illustrator.  A bit sappy at points, he has some interesting points of view on art in general.  I don't agree with everything that he says, but it is interesting none the less. Inspirational Artists: Pascal Campion from Onyx Cinema, Inc. on Vimeo.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-24470423225707129262011-03-28T05:00:00.000-05:002011-03-28T05:00:09.826-05:00

As Matt put it in a chat we had tonight after we watched this video, "Photography is an art that happens even when times are hard".    The earthquake in Japan showed us that, when something happens some people run, others grab their camera and get to work.  Have a watch.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-3773235569680026862011-03-25T20:32:00.000-05:002011-03-25T20:32:12.205-05:00

Here at the Operable Window we love anything that has to do with process, hence all of the behind the scenes videos and discussion of how things are produced. This short video has been going around in the last few days and it is simply mesmerizing.  If you think you have a handle on Adobe Illustrator, watch this. (unfortunately the final product is not as impressive as the line work) Wake Up

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-32329567329227274952011-03-25T09:15:00.000-05:002011-03-25T09:15:15.760-05:00

The work of Tronic Studio first came to my attention when someone showed me the work they recently did for Herzog & De Meuron.  That video was actually produced a few years ago, but it was only recently that I was made aware of it.  Tronic has been very busy since that time creating new digital worlds for the likes of Adidas, Microsoft, Sony, Target, Diesel, GE, Nike, Sharp and Hitachi. Most

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-56846727347222071972011-03-17T15:49:00.001-05:002011-03-17T15:50:25.130-05:00

I am not sure what exactly I have to say about this entire situation yet.  This post is more of a conversation starter about the importance of the quality of our built environment. The events of March 11th in Japan are one the minds of much of the world at this moment.  The visual understanding of the events has been discussed on this blog as well as the instant accessibility of those visuals via

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-9193231202218863212011-03-14T00:37:00.000-05:002011-03-14T00:37:00.574-05:00

What do you get when you mix street art, Mt.Rushmore style material removal, and indie soul music? This! The Portugese street artist Vhils, is no stranger to Operable Window posts.  Recently this inspiring artist has teamed up with band Orelha Negra to make an interesting video. Vhils ussually works by drilling an hammering away at walls to produce emotive portraits of common people.  For the  

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-20802152384406702222011-03-13T12:21:00.001-05:002011-03-13T13:45:18.708-05:00

After seeing the great video, "Inspired by Iceland" that shows off Iceland and it's people I started thinking about those "Pure Michigan" signs, and billboards on the highway that say "at this very moment in Manitowoc". Country, State, and City Branding. The pure Michigan video has under 25,000 views (other Pure Michigan ones had even less), while Inspired by Iceland has over 100,00

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-30714700429022914792011-03-11T13:42:00.002-06:002011-03-11T13:46:02.317-06:00

Any major event that creates a data set is likely to be graphically displayed by people across the globe. How that data is handled and translated to a visual system varies. Some are visually pleasing, some are easily understood, and some try to be more visually pleasing by neglecting visual legibility. Below are examples of maps that display just when you can expect your beach to feel the

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-75742245989720811952011-03-11T10:47:00.002-06:002011-03-11T11:13:38.535-06:00

Recently I had a talk with a couple of the contributors to this blog, we discussed the Internet and what easily accessible video has brought to the game. This is being made evident right now, though the 8.9 magnitude earthquake happened only hours ago in the ocean off Sendai Japan which is viewable by you or me here in the United States now.  Not all of the video was shot by journalists and

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-58602187938397307342011-03-10T00:08:00.001-06:002011-03-10T00:09:53.587-06:00

This is kind of a side note. As some may know, I am a blogger for the Archinect School Blog Project (check it out).  Recently I posted an update of the classes that I am taking at the University of Illinois Chicago.  The post included an quick rundown of a project I am working on for an Architectural Theory class. (I will probably post the whole project on here when it is done.) The research

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-3795652215287531392011-03-09T00:02:00.000-06:002011-03-09T00:02:43.692-06:00

In honor of Women's Day an image by Modernist Photographer,  Imogen Cunningham Nude, 1939 Happy Women's Day

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-38607050435600942682011-03-08T08:56:00.000-06:002011-03-08T08:56:08.184-06:00

With the post from 2010 about Perspective Localized Paintings being such a hit I couldn't resist posting this video showing another artist and his team of volunteers doing some similar work.  The video segments toward the end really show what it's like to walk through one of these beautiful paintings. The installation artist/photographer's name is Georges Rousse and the subject of the film is

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-59198548594658122142011-03-07T22:04:00.000-06:002011-03-07T22:04:36.614-06:00

Tableaux has certainly never been my strong suit as far as the photographic arts go.  That does now, however, mean that I can't recognize beautiful work in that manner when I see it, and Time With Guests by Adrien Broom is just that. The work on her websites spans several different traditional photographic avenues, but all has the feel of a single photographer, a clear vision. She lists

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-89255253554597019012011-03-06T00:54:00.000-06:002011-03-06T00:54:11.624-06:00

While talking about the previous post with Matt last night he mentioned that while in the military he was able to see much of the old Badger Ammunition plant in Wisconsin, and that most of the production buildings had slides like octopus arms that radiated from the buildings for a quick exodus if fire were to catch in the building.  I managed to turn up a single image showing the Nitro Glycerin 

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-63745658258145276232011-02-27T21:06:00.001-06:002011-02-27T21:26:36.524-06:00

While methodically photographing dozens of abandoned houses in Gary, Indiana this weekend I came across something I hadn't seen before.  A metal tube slide coming out of the second floor of a building.  The next day I re-visited the same house with a friend who told me a story of her nearly blind grandmother who attended a school for the blind in Janesville Wisconsin while growing up.  She spoke

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-45135693426974273172011-02-25T16:50:00.000-06:002011-02-25T16:50:25.112-06:00

Tom asked us all "what is art?"  and  "what makes an artist?" People that make art? but that definition is dependent on the definition of "Art." Is art made only by Artists. Does it all depend on proficiency in a medium? Originality? no. I guess I don't have an answer.  Tom's origanal post on the subject started a few interesting conversations, so I am just bringing up the subject again.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-76311604001078196602011-02-21T21:57:00.001-06:002011-02-21T22:03:06.266-06:00

Nearly a year ago Matt Messner and I made a number of images on Easter Sunday in two abandoned churches in Gary, Indiana.  Some of you may be familiar with the images, there were a couple of shows in Chicago that featured the work.  As the darkest part of winter is now behind us I am again drawn to that city to make a new series. These were the postcard invites to the first show which

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-72922449484071679272011-02-11T22:00:00.001-06:002011-02-11T22:15:14.397-06:00

Lately I have been thinking a lot about my attraction to photographs. In doing so I've realized that a well considered photograph of almost anything can hold my attention for a substantial period of time.  Concluding that the subject matter is not, for me, as important as is the consideration within image itself.   Shinichi Maruyama Though images, as well handled as the one above, of

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-13940611692519893792011-02-04T00:27:00.000-06:002011-02-04T00:27:48.895-06:00

Tuesday night, for a good portion of the United States was a Blizzard Wonderland.  With Class and Work cancelled for most of Chicago, Tom Harris (the same regular contributer to this blog) and I trekked out into the maelstrom to take advantage of the event.  My roommates, Joel Fernando and Ryan Morris, had the same idea and spent Wednesday filming as well producing their own short film. This

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-81214901741073075732011-02-01T08:55:00.000-06:002011-02-01T08:55:47.720-06:00

I am very fortunate that in my line of work I get to cross paths with amazing architects, designers, and thinkers on a daily basis.  A recent project I was lucky enough to be a part of was to move Hedrich Blessing into the realm of video.  Thirst Design worked along with us taking the footage and imagery we made in the space to produce this video which I hope sets a new bar for what is possible

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-79079259824873079022011-01-17T22:28:00.001-06:002011-01-17T22:31:20.642-06:00

Officially so now, fashion has become a recurring topic here at the Operable Window.  This is for a few reasons outside of the fact that it is simply a creative endeavor. Fashion holds and interesting place in the creative world.  Particularly in the world of Design, fashion falls in a space that seems somehow outside of the bounds of other design fields.  Architecture, Industrial Design, and

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-58991862130430613622011-01-16T12:07:00.000-06:002011-01-16T12:07:20.992-06:00

I recently came upon a very interesting website (webbook?).  Sonic Iceland is a web site that is something of a virtual book.  Its was designed with the end goal of it becoming a print book at some point.  The site has chapters that follow two travelers on a journey through Iceland exploring the people, culture and music.  As you read through the site you can listen to Icelandic music and look at

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-2794260891474113812011-01-14T14:21:00.000-06:002011-01-14T14:21:10.831-06:00

I have been thinking a lot about what art is and what makes an artist an artist lately.  In my first year of college a few years back I was asked in my first art survey class the question: "what is art, what makes an artist?" I remember very few things about that class.  A lot of photos of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty (which emerged from the water due to drought in 2004, when I took the class,

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-83596403237069250892011-01-13T18:30:00.000-06:002011-01-13T18:30:49.332-06:00

We have all been driving down the highway and gazed at a curved surface jutting away from the earth.  Wondered what it felt like to tip down from the top of one of those giant ski jumps to be thrust off a huge drop back to earth.  I've always found them particularly beautiful.  Here are some images of temporary ski jumps I ran across today. Empire Stadium in Vancouver was home to this towering

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-43275394481091651712011-01-12T13:33:00.000-06:002011-01-12T13:33:03.255-06:00

Acclaimed Chicago based architectural photography firm Hedrich Blessing has recently started selling Prints on their website of some of their vanguard shots.  Sold as either Classic images (1929-1979) or Contemporary (1980-present) there are many familiar shots to choose from and many more beautiful images, in particular of Chicago.  Prices are reasonable ranging from $150 to $450. As the shots

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-89685428317634545832011-01-09T18:20:00.000-06:002011-01-09T18:20:50.763-06:00

Branding itself as a Webzine for savvy young designers Archilepsy has released its 'issueZero'. Something of a sneek-peek of what is to come, this first issue outlines the periodicals goals, views and future plans. Its stated place is somewhere in the gray quasi-professional/academic world that so many designers have found themselves in this time of economic struggle.  Looks interesting and a  

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-74617050729512746742011-01-07T09:02:00.000-06:002011-01-07T09:02:03.840-06:00

 Imagine being at an auction, checking out a bin from a repossessed storage locker and finding that the bin contains 30,000 negatives from chicago in the mid twentieth century.  Now imagine those negatives have never been seen before and are from an absolutly amazing street photographer who never showed her work. That's exactly what happened here in Chicago.  A show containing 80 images

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-77962524180290442672011-01-07T00:29:00.000-06:002011-01-07T00:29:15.715-06:00

The beautiful thing about this blog, the reason I contribute to it, the reason that I read it and perhaps the reason you do as well, is that while it is not highly specific in it's intent, like many blogs are, it is somehow one big cohesive whole. Slices of hip hop, perspective, concrete, photography, painting, architecture, space (both terrestrial spaces and outer space itself), come together

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-63263481733028396292011-01-04T19:04:00.000-06:002011-01-04T19:04:14.788-06:00

This short film is comprised of nearly every single photo that my friend Ian took in 2010.  In the 5614 photos we are taken to 5 countries and a slew of interesting spaces and places.  Check it out, if only for the good music. A Year In Photographs from Ian Thomas on Vimeo.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-55722235890011916112010-12-30T20:16:00.000-06:002010-12-30T20:16:48.504-06:00

It has been a long interesting year, but alas all good things most come to an end! Here are some of the fun things we did together! Alex Roman showed us what was possible with CG.   We took a trip with Grzegorz Jonkarjty on a different kind of Ark. The Freise Brothers showed us what happens when The Machine Stops.  We found Picasso's lil'guitar! We took a ride in one of Keven Cyr's creepy Vans.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-83941298612845505742010-12-24T07:00:00.002-06:002010-12-24T12:36:43.665-06:00

From the Czech group EPOS257 and experiment on human behavior that William Whyte would have been proud of. From their page. "The appropriation of public space with no apparent intent Duration: 54 days (September 04 - October 27, 2010) Location: Palackeho square, Prague - the so-called "Czech Hyde Park" - allegedly the most liberal spot in the country, approved by the authorities for holding

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-27650749392731494532010-12-23T09:20:00.000-06:002010-12-23T09:20:35.896-06:00

... 1100 years to circumnavigate the surface of the largest known star. How small we are.

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-92127955483805317522010-12-22T15:07:00.000-06:002010-12-22T15:07:44.979-06:00

If you read this blog you are probably one of these...

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-75773581116428592742010-12-20T01:08:00.000-06:002010-12-20T01:08:47.966-06:00

It is that time of year again! Yep, Motion Graphics Showreel Time! Here are some of the best, most inspiring showreels of the season! Showreel 2010 from B-Reel & B-Reel Films on Vimeo. Montage 2011 preview from Rom▲n Ruetten on Vimeo. Upper First - Showreel 10 from Upper First on Vimeo. RICCARDO RIZZO REEL 2010 from Riccardo Rizzo on Vimeo. Drazen_Zeljkovic_Showreel_2010 from Drazen Zeljkovic

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-22163929139136235612010-12-14T15:49:00.002-06:002010-12-14T15:54:34.826-06:00

Apparently, Black Swan was shot on Super 16mm, ARRI, Canon 7D & 1D mark IV. The rehearsal footage was shot on the 5D Mark II. While I haven't had a chance to see the film yet, I've heard fantastic things about it. I'm glad to see directors making a move to more "unorthodox" methods of recording footage. More to come later!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13374098707891210543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-26862299033904667742010-12-08T18:46:00.000-06:002010-12-08T18:46:53.589-06:00

In what is now a series of Vicrotia's Secret adverts, Michael Bay has a group of models climbing all over the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-84828611358510445212010-12-02T15:38:00.001-06:002010-12-02T15:39:15.673-06:00

I "had" to do some testing at work today of a 39 mega-pixel back we had repaired.  I set up the view camera and got to work on one of the precast concrete walls that sheath our building.  Upon looking at them in full resolution I began realizing that there were hundreds of micro compositions to be made within the single image; which makes a lot of sense considering you have 39,052,992 pixels to

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-15981463571296866542010-11-26T18:47:00.000-06:002010-11-26T18:47:51.095-06:00

Recently while occupying a space that had a TV that I was not paying attention to, I was instantly transfixed by the image of something very sexy.  Out side of the scantily clad super models, the newest Victoria's Secret Commercial, is just one more example why Architecture is THE sexiest profession. Filmed in the Santiago Calatrava's Quadracci Pavilion, in Milwaukee, the advert features all of

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-63400121040801740282010-11-18T09:01:00.000-06:002010-11-18T09:01:38.126-06:00

I had to post this as soon as I saw it. You may remember a few posts earlier this year about Alex Roman, the unreal CG artist that blew everyone away with the Third and the Seventh. This is a commercial Roman did recently. If this does not make you feel at least a little bad about your rendering skills or a lot inspired to create something beautiful then you are not watching close enough.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-60312797788311947532010-11-17T17:20:00.000-06:002010-11-17T17:20:49.263-06:00

First, we apologize for not posting as much as over the summer.  Despite the slow down in posts our readership has consistently grown over the last few months.  So we sorry and Thank You! We hope you like what you are seeing and reading.  There is so much more to come. Not to give away the goose, I was thinking that I would do post of the blogs and creative resources that I personally follow

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-71399882539433872792010-11-13T13:56:00.000-06:002010-11-13T13:56:34.484-06:00

Just a quick plug. Along with the Operable Window I am also involved with another blog/Publication. Fresh Meat is the school journal and blog for the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois, where I am a grad student. My portion of the blog is called The Frame. I discuss perception, representation and documentation. The Rest of the blog and web site is filled with writings and

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-15402580140489701492010-11-01T14:21:00.000-05:002010-11-01T14:21:02.588-05:00

Because Sesame Street never stops being creative.

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-55308477329653161392010-10-29T13:05:00.000-05:002010-10-29T13:05:33.047-05:00

I generally don't post in this fashion but ArchDaily did an excellent job of covering this project. Here is the video, but there is much more discussion and screenshots on ArchDaily.Latent City by Yaohua Wang from Foral on Vimeo.Latent City / Yaohua Wang | ArchDaily

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-19793804189447703522010-10-26T21:27:00.001-05:002010-10-29T14:20:36.066-05:00

...and now for something completely different For all intensive purposes rap is considered to be the most 'urban' music.  This is not to say anything else besides the fact that it is almost always related to the urban environment, and addresses urban issues, some more serious then others.  At the most 'superficial' level artist often use the city for the complete theme of tracks.  That

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-82138241295783565432010-10-25T10:33:00.003-05:002010-10-25T10:34:50.788-05:00

Tobias Battenberg set out with a projector and a selection of letters from the font, Akzidenz Grotesk, an inspiration for some of the more famous fonts such as Helvetica and Univers. Tobias projected, from street level, letters upon buildings and pieces of infrastructure with some very beautiful results.  In projects such as these I would argue that the photographs of the process are as

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-22553998798273490402010-10-12T10:38:00.000-05:002010-10-12T10:38:39.036-05:00

A Swiss artist, Felice Varini has recently been brought to my attention.  I had seen his pieces in photograph form in the past and had never been given his name.  After looking through his website, which happens to be in french, and finding some great video showing dynamics of the project, I thought I should share it with you all here. Take a look at this photo of a whole neighborhood he did

Tom Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07930932982149049132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-19847822647270951802010-10-08T16:32:00.005-05:002010-10-08T21:34:39.316-05:00

Using conventional photography and creative photoshoping, Francesco Sambo has been able to create an interestingly strange array of creatures.Though each different, they all convey a similar emotional feel to the viewer while retaining a strong animalistic quality. Each has a unique personality and I feel that the poses from image to image fit each animal to a 'T'. Take a look at the rest of his

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13374098707891210543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-83207008315544083572010-10-05T11:07:00.000-05:002010-10-05T11:07:37.957-05:00

Slightly keeping with the theme from The Kids are Alright post. A fellow UWM Arch Alum produced this beautiful film chronicling urban spaces in Chicago this summer.  It is a beautiful example of all of the things that you can only see in the city. From the crowded city beach, the crowds welcoming a winning team (Blackhawks Stanely Cup Parade in the opening sequence), to little kids playing in

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-57443196047132848862010-10-03T15:01:00.001-05:002010-10-03T15:01:00.502-05:00

One night with Silvia, Iby borissov

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-87431100707471038222010-09-30T05:00:00.001-05:002010-09-30T05:00:01.551-05:00

This video was brought to my attention recently.  It is an interesting look into the lives of the young adults of Chicago. very well made. My Life Chicago from Kyle Neary on Vimeo. Concrete-Production Video-Josh Robinson "The life style and the people that I came across of my visit to Chicago, their story...."

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-56673822574384564652010-09-28T16:27:00.000-05:002010-09-28T16:27:34.197-05:00

Now that a few images have come up from my series of favorite Deviant Art artists, I would like to take a second to talk about why I think that these pieces have value. So far the images that I have chosen are all portraits.  They are all different in their own ways, compositionally, chromatically, and so forth.  What they do all possess though is a certain rigor.  The do not have the effect of

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-75968213446427038292010-09-27T00:31:00.000-05:002010-09-27T00:31:00.156-05:00

The one, the only, Scott Church... dad 2008by *scottchurch

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-17134421389185190712010-09-21T11:52:00.000-05:002010-09-21T11:52:53.422-05:00

Absolutely beautiful and inspiring short.  Think the opening sequence to Goldfinger revamped.   From the Artists- "Hi,We are two young french directors that decided to create a real time installation and make a video from it."Light Rhapsody" is a real time human lighting sculpture. A 3D model has been projected in real time over the real model through a projecting device. It creates a radiant

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-51725690513252273992010-09-21T11:45:00.000-05:002010-09-21T11:45:18.019-05:00

Out of London- The first interesting use for an iPad discovered! Berg and Dentsu London have used 3D modeling, a "homebrew" app, long exposure and time lapse to produce a truly beautiful effect. I love how analog this is.  It would be very easy to make a similar effect without half of the work, but it would just be similar, not as amazing. Making Future Magic: iPad light painting from

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-52121717461931501322010-09-14T20:01:00.000-05:002010-09-14T20:01:39.061-05:00

Because I love abandoned spaces. Because I love Royksopp. Aphex Twin meet Chernobyl meet Saved By the Bell...

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-9289953953054911882010-09-13T00:24:00.001-05:002010-09-13T00:24:00.331-05:00

umaby `nikosalpha

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-17479217917094213352010-09-09T14:32:00.000-05:002010-09-09T14:32:47.180-05:00

Beautiful Legacy of Letters from Luca Barcellona on Vimeo. Luca Barcellona - BOOOOOOOM! - CREATE * INSPIRE * COMMUNITY * ART * DESIGN * MUSIC * FILM * PHOTO * PROJECTS

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-15036532742700444012010-09-06T00:22:00.001-05:002010-09-06T00:22:00.521-05:00

Headphones are Stylish.by `zemotion

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-42487231153044059232010-09-02T00:21:00.000-05:002010-09-02T00:21:37.450-05:00

This is something I think I am going to turn into a new series on this Blog.  I will be taking "random" images from my DeviantArt Favorites folder and putting them up here with a link to the artist page.  I am not particularly active on DA anymore, but I still browse it regularly for inspiration. act of insanity . . . . VIIby `mehmeturgut

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-40724215279734002132010-09-01T15:19:00.000-05:002010-09-01T15:19:35.717-05:00

From 2A_eM: be wise

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-56059720614353228612010-08-31T23:17:00.000-05:002010-08-31T23:17:38.858-05:00

George Lucas meet Fritz Lang...

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260090284962811234.post-42757131565814187882010-08-23T05:00:00.000-05:002010-08-23T05:00:00.208-05:00

I find myself in a conundrum.  I love design,  I love designers, I love designer things, but, alas, I the first two of these list are the only ones that I have the means to have around.  I can design and look at design and I can surround myself with other designers, but I can not afford the things I see or those that are produced by the same designers. So here I am.  Recently I ordered a new

Matthew Messnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691161641881390908noreply@blogger.com0