HAPPY HALLOWE'EN

SEDLEC OSSUARY

The upcoming Hallowe'en festivities calls to mind this unsettling interior from Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.  We visited the Sedlec Ossuary in fall 2008 and wish now that we had better documented the incredible spectacle of ornamentation made from thousands of human skeletons.

The monastery at Sedlec became a popular burial ground in 1278 after the abbot brought back a small amount of earth from the holy land to sprinkle over the existing cemetery.  Both the Black Death and the Hussite War added greatly to the estimated 40,000 - 70,000 bodies exhumed in the 15th and 16th centuries to make way for more graves and the construction of a gothic church and ossuary.  These bones were left stacked until 1870 when František Rint, a wood carver by trade, was commissioned by the  Schwarzenberg family to arrange the remains.

Rint went above and beyond "arranging".  To walk into this space is to experience an intimacy with death, to reflect on the insignificance of the individual, but also to revel in the endless creativity of the human spirit.  We did not leave in horror, but rather found terror 6 hours later on a deserted road, having lost the train station, surrounded by dark shadows looming from dense shrubbery... 

 

HOW TO : CUT DOWN A SHIRT

When time permits, I like to make shirts for myself.  There is something relaxing about knowing that the fit of each garment is identical.  Shirting fabric starts at ten dollars a yard and with the added cost of buttons and the hassle of button holes, I find it more cost effective and fun to make shirts from second hand menswear.  For some reason womenswear is made from inferior fabric so I steer clear.

Look for large shirts from quality brands.  Often the cuffs and collars wear out first but if the remaining fabric is good you should have enough to make a full shirt.  I've been using the same newspaper pattern for many years, taken from a shirt that I liked the cut of.  You could also use a commercial pattern.

When cutting out the front, keep the buttons and buttonholes from the original shirt.  The worst part of homemade clothing tends to be the shoddy buttonholes made on domestic machines - this will save you the embarrassment! You can also save the placket on the sleeve - you just saved yourself 10 minutes!

Sometimes I'll reuse the cuffs if they aren't worn out, leaving only the collar button hole to deal with.

There usually isn't enough fabric to make two yokes so you can cut the inside yoke from a coordinating fabric.  And presto!  3 new shirts for under $10;  I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy Sunday.

SCHOENHUT HUMPTY DUMPTY CIRCUS

We took a fancy to these charming Victorian toys at the market today, little knowing their rich history.  Manufactured by Schoenhut in the 1890s, the characters make up the Humpty Dumpty Circus and were in production for over 30 years.  In 1899 Albert Smith and Stuart Blacktorn used an identical set to create the very first stop-motion animation film.  We would love to see this early film but have yet to locate it. 

This set has certainly been well loved, adding more character to already unique beasts.  I'm glad that Kathy Myers from Eclectic Pelican has decided to sell them as a set, commenting that they've stuck together for 120 years and should continue to do so.  Look for her booth on November 11 at the upcoming Junction Flea, relocated to The Great Hall, where she will have new arrivals from a recent trip to Europe.

 

 

 

 

PRABAL GURUNG GOWN

Asking never hurts.  In looking for the perfect gown, we took Eve Tobolka's advice and headed to The Room at The Bay (Queen & Yonge) with high hopes.  As I was perusing this season's fashions on the display racks, Heather outlined to the sales associate what we were looking for (off white gown with a modest neckline and sleeves).  The woman's face brightened and she rushed to the back to pull out this perfect piece by Prabal Gurung from his Spring 2011 line.  The dress was one size too big, but their seamstress fitted me on the spot and had the dress ready by the following week.  Altering a delicate dress such as this is not easy and she did an incredible job.

Full length, modest train, silk, open back and sheer sleeves.  The fabric is stunning and the construction is remarkable. The gown is an ideal combination of classic and contemporary.

Born in Singapore and raised in Nepal, Prabal Gurung began his studies in New Delhi, India at the National Institute of Fashion Technology.  He finished his training in New York City while attending the Parsons School of Design and interning for Donna Karan.  After 2 years with Cynthia Rowley's design team and 5 years as the design director for Bill Blass, he launched his own collection in February 2009. With a focus on quality and innovation, Gurung seems to pull inspiration from his rich cultural background, the movement of fabric and, of course, from the female silhouette.  Notable patrons include First Lady Michelle Obama and The Dutchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

 

 

 

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

JM Hornsby painted this watercolour in 1866, depicting Lichfield Cathedral in England.  It's wonderful to be able to see the same  medieval cathedral, almost 150 years later, looking remarkable similar.  I like to imagine Hornsby, dresses in his Victorian suit, out for a relaxing day of leisure painting.  Considering Lichfield's proximity to Stoke-on-Trent, perhaps Hornsby worked as a porcelain decorator.    I'm glad that this painting has lasted, unframed, crossing the Atlantic to find itself in a pile at St. Lawrence Market and subsequently into my living room.

 

 

SAGAN MACISAAC

A recent graduate of OCADUs Criticism and Curatorial Practice BFA program, Sagan MacIsaac is poised more than most for life beyond the borders of post-secondary education.  Her thesis project, Inside/Outside Art School, questions the teaching methods of art school and suggests a more experiential and self directed mandate.  MacIsaac recommends continuing education through dialogue with inspirational and like-minded people, tearing down the traditional teacher/student dynamic and allowing for a reciprocal flow of information.

Having spent the last few years interning with other artists and facilitating their projects, Sagan is taking some time to focus on her own ideas and directions.  Along with a collaborative project with Margaux Williamson called Make Red Productions, which will continue with the ideas explored in her thesis, she is working on abstract watercolour painting and developing her feminist all-girl band "Pleather."  Having worked alongside Sagan, I am confident that with her big ideas, paired with a rooted sensibility, she'll realize all her ambitions.

Sagan will be speaking on Monday, November 5 as part of the upcoming Trampoline Hall lecture series.

ATHENAEUM HOTEL

While in London last spring, I came upon this spectacular vertical garden.  The system, invented and engineered by French botanist Patrick Blanc, allows the garden and building to exist in harmony, not causing any of the masonry issues associated with a traditional ivy.  I was taken with the diversity of species and combination of colours.  Although the Canadian climate could not allow such a wall, these structures can be installed in interiors, providing both beauty and better air quality.