Words About Things

You may not have heard of the Barcelona Chair but you will defiantly recognize it. As far as chairs go it is one of the most iconic designs of all time (perhaps only beaten by Robin Day’s polypropylene stacking chair). Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s design looks modern yet classic, minimal yet decorative if not exactly comfy.

The chair was designed to be shown inside van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion which was created to represent Germany at the 1929 International Exposition. The Pavilion (and the chair) were meant to represent a new image for Germany following the first world war:

“The pavilion for the Universal Exhibition was supposed to represent the new Weimar Germany: democratic, culturally progressive, prospering, and thoroughly pacifist; a self-portrait through architecture.”

Claire Zimmerman in ‘Mies Van der Rohe’ published by Taschen

This quote could also be describing the chair (although it seems unlikely that we would ever consider a chair aggressive like we might a building). The design had the desired effect and remains popular to this day. Although it was originally Ivory coloured most examples feature black upholstery. Barcelona sofas are also a popular item of furniture in the homes of design fans.

Cars in England tend to be a bit smaller than their American counterparts. I guess this is because we have different types of roads (lots of narrow, twisting country lanes compared to big highways) and probably a different sense of proportion. Everything about America is bigger and and brasher (and it’s probably best I end that sentence there). I consider myself quite English (reserved, up-tight and of the opinion that guns are a Bad Thing) but I really like American cars. No Hummers or SUVs but good old fashioned long square ones with go-faster-stripes and a sense of style.

Modern cars leave me cold, I don’t understand why aerodynamics are considered quite so important, I would rather have a car that is a clearly defined shape than one that looks like a squished diamond. Ideally I would have a Ford Mustang or a Dodge Charger:

Unfortunately I don’t have the necessary spare cash to blow on one of these cars so I’m destined to own sensible second hand cars that are dull but get you falrom A to B. I have found that there are several car rental companies who specialise in classic cars so my dreams of driving one aren’t too far fetched.

Polaroid has announced that they will begin producing their iconic instant film once again. The company plans to bring back their digital and analogue ranges including the 600 instant film they are most famous for. The company’s instant film was gradually phased out throughout 2008 although it was still possible to find limited supplies of it.

When the Polaroid corporation collapsed (for the second time) it’s remaining assets were bought out by Summit Global who will be producing the new cameras. The new line of cameras will be produced in China and will be branded as Polaroid. An instant digital camera is also planned although details are vague so far presumably it will have an on-board printer similar to the bluetooth printer previously released by Polaroid.

The instant film will be produced by The Impossible Project which was set up by photographer Florian Kaps in order to save the film from dying out. Kaps managed to convince Polaroid to let him manufacture the film with the help of Ilford and even took over the factory in which it was made. Kaps managed to get $2.6 million in funding in order to save instant film.

The Impossible Project is proud and excited that its ambitions and all the relentless work that has already been invested are now becoming the foundation for Polaroid’s comeback as a producer of Instant Cameras.

The first commercial instant camera was created by Edwin Land who co-founded Polaroid. His design, the Land Camera, first went on sale in 1947.