Modern Architecture for the "American Century"

From the late '40s to the early '60s, Eero Saarinen designed a series of buildings that were emblematic of postwar American ambition, expansion, prosperity — not to say hubris. In an excerpt from her new book, American Glamour and the Evolution of Modern Architecture, architectural historian Alice Friedman explores the rise and fall — and rise — of Saarinen's reputation, focusing especially on his iconic projects for two of the iconic corporations of the era, General Motors and TWA.
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OBSERVATORY : JESSICA HELFAND

The Next Great Graphic Designer

Tonight on Bravo's "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist" the winning Penguin book cover design will be unveiled, which begs a few questions. We hope our readers will weigh in, here on Design Observer, with their opinions.
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CHANGE OBSERVER : WILLIAM UNDERHILL

Blue Star

Every year jaundice afflicts 23 million newborn babies, 90 per cent of them in the developing world. Without prompt medical attention it may cause brain damage or death. Yet the most effective treatment — simply shining high-intensity light on a baby's skin — is rarely available outside Western hospitals.
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OBSERVATORY : STEVEN HELLER

Fascist Seduction

There was a bright side to Benito Mussolini's iron-fisted Italian Fascist regime. Even Winston Churchill asserted in 1927, if he were an Italian he would have given Mussolini his "whole-hearted" support "from start to finish." The author reflects on the Exposizione Universale Roma, and the continuing lure of EUR among Roman neighborhoods.

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PLACES : KIM HøLTERMAND

We Are All Alone

By day Kim Høltermand works as a fingerprints expert in the Crime Scene Unit of the Danish National Police. Off hours, he is a self-described "autodidact" architectural photographer. Here we offer a portfolio of images of architecture, all shot in Denmark, buildings viewed and framed as powerful and moody artifacts, "desolate containers," in Høltermand's words.
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CHANGE OBSERVER : ERNEST BECK

Teach For All

Reforming education is a daunting challenge in any country. Just witness the continuing debate in the U.S. among supporters and critics of the controversial No Child Left Behind initiative. Now expand that discussion to a global scale, taking in the entrenched education systems, attitudes and bureaucracies that compete for control in each country, and the hurdles facing educational reform grow exponentially.
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OBSERVATORY : ERIC BAKER

Today, 06.19.10

Here are Today's images.
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CHANGE OBSERVER : KRISTA DONALDSON

The Real Cost of Free

Despite the number of social enterprises and non-profits that design products to help poor people, not enough of these products stick — in the sense that they are bought, used to potential, and repaired indefinitely until something better comes along. The danger is that free or heavily subsidized consumer products allow for bad design.
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One World Futbol

Report on One World Futbol produced by Hope Is a Game-Changer.
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On Decorum

Personal History

Baseball the Beautiful

PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2008

On the Water: The New York - New Jersey Upper Bay

As the planet warms, rising seas will endanger coastal communities around the world. Engineer Guy Nordenson proposes a bold plan to protect New York City.
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RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED

Why Design Now?
C. McCarty, E. Lupton, M. McQuaid, & C. Smith

Lists

Lists
Liza Kirwin

Ira Rakatansky: As Modern As Tomorrow
L. Widder, J. Caserta & J. Ockman


WEEKLY EMAIL: JUNE 25, 2010
FEATURED THIS WEEK : ALICE T. FRIEDMAN Modern Architecture for the "American Century" From the late '40s to the early '60s, Eero Saarinen designed a series of buildings that were emblematic of postwar American ambition, expansion, prosperity — not to say hubris. In an excerpt from her new book, American Glamour and the Evolution of Modern Architecture, architectural historian Alice Friedman explores the rise and fall — and rise — of Saarinen's reputation, focusing especially on his iconic projects for two of the iconic corporations of the era, General Motors and TWA. READ MORE
OBSERVATORY : JESSICA HELFAND The Next Great Graphic Designer Tonight on Bravo's "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist" the winning Penguin book cover design will be unveiled, which begs a few questions. We hope our readers will weigh in, here on Design Observer, with their opinions. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : WILLIAM UNDERHILL Blue Star Every year jaundice afflicts 23 million newborn babies, 90 per cent of them in the developing world. Without prompt medical attention it may cause brain damage or death. Yet the most effective treatment — simply shining high-intensity light on a baby's skin — is rarely available outside Western hospitals. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : STEVEN HELLER Fascist Seduction There was a bright side to Benito Mussolini's iron-fisted Italian Fascist regime. Even Winston Churchill asserted in 1927, if he were an Italian he would have given Mussolini his "whole-hearted" support "from start to finish." The author reflects on the Exposizione Universale Roma, and the continuing lure of EUR among Roman neighborhoods. READ MORE PLACES : KIM HøLTERMAND We Are All Alone By day Kim Høltermand works as a fingerprints expert in the Crime Scene Unit of the Danish National Police. Off hours, he is a self-described "autodidact" architectural photographer. Here we offer a portfolio of images of architecture, all shot in Denmark, buildings viewed and framed as powerful and moody artifacts, "desolate containers," in Høltermand's words. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : ERNEST BECK Teach For All Reforming education is a daunting challenge in any country. Just witness the continuing debate in the U.S. among supporters and critics of the controversial No Child Left Behind initiative. Now expand that discussion to a global scale, taking in the entrenched education systems, attitudes and bureaucracies that compete for control in each country, and the hurdles facing educational reform grow exponentially. READ MORE OBSERVATORY : ERIC BAKER Today, 06.19.10 Here are Today's images. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER : KRISTA DONALDSON The Real Cost of Free Despite the number of social enterprises and non-profits that design products to help poor people, not enough of these products stick — in the sense that they are bought, used to potential, and repaired indefinitely until something better comes along. The danger is that free or heavily subsidized consumer products allow for bad design. READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AUDIO: DESIGN MATTERS ARCHIVE Spoken Word Broadcast All spoken word show featuring poems, prose and a short story. Listen >> More Design Matters Archive >> CHANGE OBSERVER: PROJECT ARCHIVE One World Futbol Report on One World Futbol produced by Hope Is a Game-Changer. READ MORE OBSERVATORY ARCHIVE On Decorum Personal History Baseball the Beautiful PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2008 On the Water: The New York - New Jersey Upper Bay As the planet warms, rising seas will endanger coastal communities around the world. Engineer Guy Nordenson proposes a bold plan to protect New York City. READ MORE CHANGE OBSERVER: RESOURCES Academic Programs >> Competitions >> Conferences & Events >> Fellowships & Prizes >> Organizations >> Programs & Initiatives >> Publications & Websites >> Social Networks >> RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED Why Design Now? C. McCarty, E. Lupton, M. McQuaid, & C. Smith Lists Liza Kirwin Ira Rakatansky: As Modern As Tomorrow L. Widder, J. Caserta & J. Ockman
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