David Stark Sketchbook

Coffee Talk: Jane Schulak on Shell Mania

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Recently I was at my friend Jane's home and she showed me an incredible tea service set made from shells that I now covet.  I was simply blown away.  The delicacy and intricacy of the constructions are kind of mind blowing, and I always marvel at Jane’s eye and world of beauty.

 

 

 

Photos above by Jane Schulak

 

I had already known that my pal was a big shell lover, but the more we talked, the more I thought it would be fun for her to share with us more of her world (shell) view.  Jane was nice enough to open some of her favorite books, drawers, rooms, and mind  . . .

 

 

David Stark:  When did shells first become magical to you?

Jane Schulak:  I remember exactly when not only "shell magic," but also "shell obsession" became a permanent part of my insatiable appetite. There arose in me a need to dive deep into how, when, and where shells fit into the decorative arts puzzle. Both times I was in a garden of a very special friend...can't think of a better, more meaningful place in the world to become a full-fledged "shell addict"! After those experiences, there simply was no turning back; the beauty and the poetry of shells had found a serious spot in my soul.

 

David Hicks' garden. Photo by Jane Schulak

 

A small room in a 16th century garden folly in Normandy where my friend was slowly affixing mussel shells in the most wonderful patterns as she collected them.

 

Photo by Jane Schulak

 

DS:  What is the allure of shells for you? Why do you think it has held such allure for designers and artisans over so much time?

JS:  I am totally fascinated by the relationship between natural history and design. For hundreds of years, artists, designers, and collectors have felt the need to explore and interpret the innate visual poetry and mystery that shells so respectfully own.

 

It was very fashionable to build a cabinet of curiosity for yourself, and it still is!!!

 

From "Cabinets de Curosités" by Christine Davenne. Photo by Christine Fleurent

 

 

From "The Still Lifes of Adriaen Coorte: 1683-1707" by Quentin Buvelot

 

Photo by Jane Schulak

 

Shell figures were commissioned by the most important collectors all over Europe such as The Medici.

 

By Janine Janet

 

Photo by Gregory Saldana

By Thomas Boog, photo by Gregory Saldana

 

DS:  What are some of the most inspiring shell art/ decor/ installation/room/object/garden moments for you?

JS:  There are so many inspiring shell moments that stand out in my mind. Personally, I think nothing is more ravishing than to have a room totally encrusted in shells, such enchantment, wonder, beauty, and total luxury!

Photos below of a Shell Thatched Cottage at the Château de Rambouillet, built for Queen Marie-Antoinette.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Andrew Hopkins Art

 

Janine Janet was a master at taking the humblest of materials and making serious visual poetry.  Her inspiration came from The Medici shell statuettes and the Rambouillet Pavilion. She was a set designer, as well as, a decorator, and a completely inspired artist.

 

By Janine Janet, photo by Roland Beafre

 

Probably one of the most inspiring garden moments in my life, was seeing the Tsarskie Selo bridge at St. Petersburg the Palace, built in the 1700's by Peter the Great. To me, there is nothing more blow-your-mind beautiful than the Chinese bridge with those urns overflowing so graciously with coral branches like the hair of medusa.

 

Photo by Jane Schulak

 

DS:  Do you love the beach?

JS:  Well ... what do you think? I have a really hard time controlling myself and the need to be dressed in shells or eat off of them.

 

2011 Prada, photo by Gregory Saldana

 

DS:  If time and money were not an issue, what would be your fantasy shell installation?

JS:  That's an easy one ... I already have a plan! I can't think of anything more delicious than being able to wake up every morning in the Palais Royal in Paris to a pied-a-terrre totally encrusted in shells! I think I'll take my inspiration directly from the grotto Margate!!!!

 

 

 

 

From the June 2004 issue of The World of Interiors, photos by Bill Batten

From Fireflies to Fluorescence!

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I had the great pleasure of seeing the incredible Yayoi Kusama retrospective at the Tate Modern earlier in the year in London, and I can’t wait to see it at the Whitney now that it has come to New York.  The show is eye-popping, filled with fluorescence as I am sure that her new special collaboration with Louis Vuitton will be.  And it’s funny when something becomes the zeitgeist, right?  The sun, and the stars, and the moon all line up at the same time, and everyone collectively loves fluorescence!

“Reporting” on this trend, our amazing Corrie Hogg takes the reins . . . Here’s Corrie:

Corrie Hogg:  Just last week around the lunch table the design department was talking about the presence of fluorescent colors in design and fashion as a trend over the past year or so. By coincidence, the next day I was visiting the American Museum of Natural History, Creatures of Light exhibition where I learned all about bioluminescence… fireflies, glowworms, flashlight fish! As part of the exhibit they also explained fluorescent color and the science behind it. I was fascinated! I learned -  it is actually glowing on a molecular level, meaning more light in the spectrum is being absorbed and then emitted from the electrons!!! Whoa! Here is a more in depth explanation from DayGlo.

So today, I just had to revisit some pics of a couple of my favorite events over the past few months where we have utilized the magic of the fluorescent’s photon!

A stunning Bar Mitzvah where the table décor was carefully placed fluorescent plexi osculating down the table like sound waves.

 

 

And of course, this giant NEXT sculpture, where our team skillfully wielded fluorescent flagging tape! More pics here.

 

 

I also wanted to share some fluorescent goods I covet! Perhaps, if I welcome these into my life, I can become a light emitting electron as well.

I’ve got to find a place for these in our collection! Flou Vases from the French company, La tête au cube!

 

 

These super sweet NIKE kicks are great too!

 

 

How about one of these from the Cambridge Satchel Company?

 

 

My future craft project must have…. These neon threads I found at Purl Soho!! I am on the lookout for the perfect fluorescent textile to make my own pouf! Holler at me if you’ve found one.

 

 

I can’t help but love these artists as well. I think it is a little gutsy to go fluorescent, and I have to admire them!

I totally dig this work by, Que Houxo.

 

 

These giant paper sculptures by Paula Arntzen were painted with Fluorescent ink. LOVE!!

 

 

If you are like me and want to make something yourself, check out this how to from Meg Allan Cole. So simple but so good!

 

 

Polka Dots Madness 12 by Yayoi Kusama.

 

 

By the same artist, this piece, Fireflies on the Water is currently on view at the Whitney. I am so looking forward to seeing this myself. From the science of the bioluminescence at the Creatures of Light exhibition last weekend to Kusama’s interpretation this weekend! All I need is to get some of those NIKES to wear to the show!