Think BIG!

Share on Facebook

I spent a beautiful time with pals a couple of weekends ago in Montauk, and the many farm stands that we passed on the way had huge sculptures of ears of corn standing tall and greeting the cars with a smile.  It reminded me how much I love giant . . . well . . . ANYTHING.

My love for “giant” stuff started as a kid at the iconic 80’s Soho store THINK BIG.   Every dentist’s office in America had a giant toothbrush in their lobby from the shop, and I thought it was super cool.   I feel the same about roadside vernacular architecture where nutso oversized “things” hit the road.  Here are some that I love below.

 

The above picnic basket is the world’s largest one, a building that is the home of a basket making company (but of course!) in Newark, Ohio.

 

The world’s largest chair (above) is in the piazza of Manzano, Italy.  Manzano is a city of chair makers so this is quite apt.

 

Spokane Washington’s city park sports this ‘lil red wagon. (above)

 

I’m not really a doughnut fan as far as eating is concerned, but this L.A. icon has always sent me! (above)

Similarly, the artist Claes Oldenburg’s public sculptures change the context of a public arena with bold whimsy.  Check these out:

 

 

 

 

 

We “blow it up” quite a bit in our events too . . . transporting our party guests with an Alice In Wonderland sense of scale shift.  Check these out below:

 

This was our version of “The Bouquet of the Day” at one of Macy’s Flower shows (above).  The last thing Macy’s needed from us was another pretty bouquet in a lovely vase.  We surprised everyone with this oversized paint brush dipping into dripping “paint” created from thousands of fresh, red carnations.

 

A giant hammer of bubble wrap hovered in mid bang above the guests heads at a gala for the Museum of Art and Design. (above)

 

Here (above) a giant composition notebook becomes a powerful metaphor for the fine work that the incredible folks at New Yorkers for Children do in helping foster children on the road to an education.

 

This “bottle” was created from hundreds of recycled wine bottles for an editor’s preview event for the Eco countertop line.  The countertops are created entirely from recycled glass, porcelain, and mirror, and our event schematic showcased various sculptures made from the raw recycled materials.

If anyone has any examples of giant things in the world that they love, send ‘em in.  We’d love to see and be inspired by yours too!

Xo

D.

Ok . . . We have our first BIG thing contribution (below) from Deborah who “used to drive by the Peach water tower en route to the Carolinas from Atlanta (back in my grad school days).  It is located in Gaffney, SC.” 

Thanks for sending in this cool addition, Deborah.  Anyone else?  Don’t be shy!

xo

D.

 

Comments

[Melissa A.]

I've been in that big basket building. I used to sell Longaberger baskets. The Longabergers are the one's who still own and run this company. The top is made of glass, so that when you are inside you fill like you are in a big basket. I just happened upon your blog and love your party designs. This is something I would love to do. I am constantly getting ideas to do things big as well. I have done a little decorating for a few events, but all volunteer. I would love to get paid for this.

[david stark]

Thanks for writing in, Melissa. I would LOVE to be inside that big basket. So cool!

xo

D.

[Becca]

So cool! :-) Love this!

[david stark]

Thank you!!!! Keep writing in and telling us what you think!

xo

D.

[Danielle Nekimken]

I agree completely!
Some of my favorite BIG things include:

Royal de Luxe - THe Sultan's Elephant
http://www.thesultanselephant.com/gallery/gallery.php

and

The stage at Austrian Bregenzer Festspiele’s 1999 production of Verdi’ s opera “A Masked Ball” was a giant book being read by a skeleton.
http://www.bregenzerfestspiele.com/en/node/93

Of course there's so much more!

[Rebecca]

I loved Think Big!! I had the giant clipboard in my teenage bedroom. I remember flipping through the catalog and always wanted the pencil. Oh the 80s.

[Ajf 4]

The sky is clean clouds returns the love of the earth mother!

[lilly pulitzer bedding]

Even the word "exaggerated" fails to describe these humongous attractions! Thanks for this very entertaining post!