Image of the Day

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Kelli Connell: Convertible Kiss, 2002/2011 (Archival inkjet collage, 5.5 x 7 inches, edition of 15, from the collection of John Jenkins and Stephen Lyons). On view at Greg Kucera Gallery through June 2 as a part of Under the Rainbow, a four-gallerist show in support of the Tacoma Art Museum's current exhibition Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture.

Functionality and Aesthetics

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Ferdinand A. Porsche, designer of the 911, died yesterday at the age of 76. I'm really not a car person – in general I just don't care that much. But the 911 (and for that matter, the 912), transcend "car." They are some of the most beautifully designed objects ever made.







From Bruce Weber's obituary at the New York Times:

In 1963 the new model, originally designated the 901, was introduced at an auto show. (The designation was changed to 911 after the company learned that in France, Peugeot had a claim on three-numeral designations of passenger cars with a zero between two digits.) Slightly longer and narrower than the 356, more powerful, with a six-cylinder, rather than a four-cylinder, engine, the original 911 also had more legroom, more rear seat room and bigger doors for easier entrances and exits. Mr. Porsche also modified the body of the 356, rendering the signature sloping back end and extended hood into a sleeker silhouette. It was a remarkably simple design that helped create Mr. Porsche’s reputation as a designer who prized function above all.

“Design must be functional and functionality must be translated into visual aesthetics, without any reliance on gimmicks that have to be explained,” he said.

Read the rest here.

Before and After

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The 1966 Jaguar 3.8 Litre Saloon* my dad has been restoring for the past 12 years.

He turns 70 this year and I think it's the perfect self-gifted birthday present.

*Saloon is apparently the fancy English word for sedan

Image of the Day

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The new Ferrari Museum in Modena – the final design project of the great London-based firm Future Systems – built around the former offices of Enzo Ferrari.

Image via Wallpaper* – click here for more info and a slideshow.

Image of the Day

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I am obsessed with this photograph of Joan Didion and her white Corvette Stingray.

Joan Didion, 1970.
Julian Wasser/Time Life Pictures

And this one:

Joan Didion, Hollywood, November 1970

How much does she rock?

New York magazine had an interesting (and sad) article a couple of months ago about Didion and her new memoir, Blue Nights. Read it here.

Arboretum

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Image of the Day

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[+] 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider. No particular reason, just an awesome photo [photographer unknown].

Restless...Civilized...Challenging...Serene

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The 1975 Mercury Cougar XR-7. Uncommonly luxurious.

(via T. Cole Rachel on Facebook)

Positively Absolutely

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The Clash "Car Jamming" from Combat Rock (1982, Epic) and Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg (unreleased)

(photo: Porsche 914, Capitol Hill, Seattle, last week)

28 Red Cars

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Seattle, New York, Port Townsend, Tacoma, Moclips, Anacortes, Aberdeen