“I see, as if I heard, a visionary noise of wind in a disturbance of foliage.” — David Wright, from Deafness: A Personal Account
This week’s edition of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere has a do-nothing machine, ventriloquist dummies of yesteryear, antique toys (like a mini-guillotine) and a photo series that artfully bridges the economic gap.
Ventriloquism has a long and colorful history. Long before Vaudeville and nightclub acts (where most of the characters above hit their prime), ventriloquism was used in religious practices. According to ye olde Wikipedia, “The noises produced by the stomach were thought to be the voices of the unliving, who took up residence in the stomach of the ventriloquist. The ventriloquist would then interpret the sounds, as they were thought to be able to speak to the dead, as well as foretell the future.” See more creepy puppets in the Vintage Ventriloquism Flickr pool. [Via How to be a Retronaut]
Swedish dolls of birchbark, 19th century
Child with doll; German, 18th century
Guillotine, toy of the time of the French revolution, ca. 1794
German doll, ca. 1860
Glass toys from the Bavarian forest, 19th century
Domestics from the Utrecht doll’s house, ca. 1670
Who needs a Cabbage Patch when you can have a mini-guillotine or lovesick porcelain doll? This collection of historic toys was originally published in 1928′s Children’s Toys of Bygone Days: A History of Playthings of All Peoples from Prehistoric Times to the XIXth Century by Karl Grober. [Via 50 Watts]
Jim Goldberg’s Rich and Poor — a photo essay profiling residents of San Francisco transient hotels and lush mansions during the late 1970s — provides an interesting subjective commentary on the relative happiness of the haves and have-nots. Which is to say, everyone is unhappy in their own way, as evidenced by the interview quotes, but that some are more materially comfortable in their misery. The combination of photos and quotes “reveal Goldberg’s subjects’ innermost fears and aspirations, their perceptions and illusions about themselves, with a frankness that makes the portraits as engrossing as they are disturbing.” See the photos at full size at Sighs and Whispers.
In the late 1950s, Eames developed a solar powered whirligig designed as a “do-nothing machine.” It was also extremely shiny and entertaining. Watch and see. [Via UnionMade]
Do you know of a forward-thinking art, style or design blog? Post it in the comments! And make sure to check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!
85 comments
Sign in to add your ownMegansMenagerie says:
Great! Those dolls are cool and creepy lol =)
352 days ago
GardenApothecary says:
OMG these pictures are beyond frightening! Love the collection though...
352 days ago
Slowshirts says:
Wow, Jim Goldberg's Rich and Poor photo essay's are incredible.
352 days ago
VeraVague says:
oh my!
352 days ago
WhisperingOak says:
Wow. I love the pictures. ... and the descriptions of self
352 days ago
mazedasastoat says:
Those dolls & dummies are just sooo creepy! I have a solar do-nothing machine, but nowhere near as intricate as that one! It's fascinating to put it on a sunny window sill to let it spin round, pull the curtain & it stops instantly...
352 days ago
iluxo says:
I love these photos. They have so much personality.
352 days ago
BetaBoutique says:
creepy creepy dolls and beautiful beautiful sad people
352 days ago
ikabags says:
Great as always Alison :)
352 days ago
Harem6 says:
Great post! Cool pictures ! Love ! Love ! Love !
352 days ago
scarletbegonia11 says:
LOVED the little sugar mushrooms <3 and the rest was weirdly awesome as always, thanks!
352 days ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
Extremely cool pictures. Do you find all those from the web? They look like they belong to a museum :)
352 days ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
" I can't help being born with money. I try to ignore it and hide it all " THAT is absolutely my favorite quote :))
352 days ago
branda says:
Congrats andiespecialtysweets!! :-) :-)
352 days ago
franz66 says:
As usual, such INCREDIBLE finds. Im familiar with Jim Goldberg's work but those old ventriloquist photos are totally new! thanks!! (the mugshot esp. is whacked!!)
352 days ago
HaroldandMod says:
Wow. I'll have Twilight Zone-nightmares about dummies all week; but those photos make me want to dust off my Duane Michals book. Thanks again for the inspiration!
352 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
There's something slightly sinister about those kids toys they have a haunting quality to them!
352 days ago
RetroGrouch says:
one of my favorite blog posts ever
352 days ago
KettleConfections says:
Love how these photos transport us to another place and time!
352 days ago
bootmeister says:
Eeekk! The third doll down from the top is the stuff nightmares are made of!
352 days ago
Krystyna81 says:
the rich and poor photos are incredible...must find out more! did the artist inscribe them or the subjects? either way is a tantalizing thought....
352 days ago
neighborhoodvintage says:
These are spectacular. The precision and detail you put into your work is something I can only wish to accomplish. Don't you dare see my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/neighborhoodvintage?ref=seller_info
352 days ago
JDanger says:
What an amazing post! Dolls are so fantastically creepy! I can't NOT look. The photos are great- I cant wait to see more of the photos too.
352 days ago
amysoldschool says:
The rich/poor images were very cool! Did you notice the table under the Do Nothing Machine? And the dummies - WILD - one looks like she is going to have it suckle!
352 days ago
TheScarfTree says:
I love the photo's! Very interesting, it makes you want to stare at them for ages - there seems so much detail in them! Thank you for your article!
352 days ago
naturapicta says:
Great post!!!
352 days ago
ElvenWreathsJewelry says:
poor TJ; neat pictures
352 days ago
Free2BeCreatives says:
Those old photos are spellbinding. So very interesting to see and read thoughts from so long ago. Thanks for sharing them with us!
352 days ago
Parachute425 says:
Jim Goldberg's Rich and Poor photo essay is fascinating but those dummies might make this the creepiest post ever. And I think Fisher-Price has a recall on that guillotine.
352 days ago
ConvergedCommodities says:
What an interesting post this is.
352 days ago
rebourne says:
Wow, the images of women and their thoughts on motherhood, fullness, power and identity are so heavy. My mom had a lot of collections, but she was a sucker for what I considered creepy. She would buy an old puppet, I would come to visit, and she would always have it in a super creepy spot and pose. I'd always get freaked out and she loved it.
352 days ago
VintageDictionaryArt says:
Thanks for that voodoo that you do.
352 days ago
sonyarasi says:
Excellent subjects this week!
352 days ago
MerCurios says:
OMG! this just reminded me of my nanny. I have so many pictures from the past with her scribble all over the back - messages of the moment, I guess - some peaceful, some schizophrenic, some just down right mean & sorrowful... perhaps it was the times, but just don't know.
352 days ago
TomLaurus says:
Thanks. this was fun.
352 days ago
jungledread says:
Wonderfully creepy!! >_<
352 days ago
ThePeachTree says:
Wow.. I.. wow.
352 days ago
myvintagecrush says:
Oh wow. You get me everytime. Amazing finds! The man with the puppet family, nude on a couch.. awesome! Thanks so much!
352 days ago
accentonvintage says:
Creepy and intriguing!
352 days ago
pumpkinandbutterfly says:
congrats andiespecialtysweets. i've always been a fan! great post. it's amazing how a photo and script can give you a glimpse into a person's soul. It really takes you back and makes you wonder what struggles people indured at the time.
352 days ago
TheMillineryShop says:
Those dolls are very creepy. But those mushrooms look very yummy.
352 days ago
IceCreamCandy says:
creepy dolls but very interesting feelings in the photos...love it all!
352 days ago
acuriousbrood says:
I have to go look again, too good.
352 days ago
blessedvintage says:
wierd!
352 days ago
excentrix says:
Love it, very cool Pics...
352 days ago
TheIDconnection says:
Super story! Thanks Monica TheIDConnection
352 days ago
kathiroussel says:
the ventriloquist's dummies look like they might all be inbred cousins... fantastic gathering-- ! and i'm always wowed by your posts--but this time i think i'm floored! p.s ...and thanks so much for having me here-- what a total treat!!
352 days ago
Iammie says:
Stunning.
352 days ago
windupgirl says:
wow. i want that book!
352 days ago
girliepains says:
That book is gorgeous! Visit my blog : http://www.melstringer.blogspot.com
352 days ago
girliepains says:
That book is gorgeous! Visit my blog : http://www.melstringer.blogspot.com
352 days ago
beliz82 says:
Wonderful photos and love the machine :) Thank you for sharing :)
352 days ago
bykirabo says:
That is the scariest post to date!
352 days ago
gretchenmist says:
the portraits are really interesting. thanks!!
352 days ago
tian41801 says:
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Kudos
352 days ago
katrinaalana says:
I agree with accentonvintage says: Creepy and intriguing!
352 days ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
Love your collection! Interesting photographs!
352 days ago
ddfoto says:
As a photographer I'm always interested in vintage photography and the stories that seem to come alive from the past through a simple image. Thanks for this story!!
352 days ago
MishaGirl says:
Freaky, but cool! You sure know how to pick them Alison!
352 days ago
YarnUiPhoneApp says:
Fascinating stuff...particularly the 1930s woman worried that "this world is a mess." Well, it's true...probably more so that we have nuked-up dictators to worry about. There's also the sadness of feminism too....the woman who wanted to appear distant. Man, she didn't even have a computer then. Distance is even **easier** to achieve now. Two people can be in the same room for hours not even talk or otherwise communicate. Amazing our technology is!
352 days ago
daisyvortex says:
That blew me away somewhat. I am reeling here.
352 days ago
AdornmentsNYC says:
Wow - what an amazing collection.
352 days ago
stepbackink says:
That is amazing all the toys back then were so meaningful to their makers. Where did that all go now.
352 days ago
stepbackink says:
That is amazing all the toys back then were so meaningful to their makers. Where did that all go now.
352 days ago
MisfitJewels says:
There is something about old photos that gets me every time. I mean the really old ones like the black and white ones with the scary as hell looking dolls. . . I just love how the people look like they are thinking bout other things besides just sitting for that photo.
352 days ago
bedouin says:
Images duly noted in the back of my nightmares! Love love the Edible Wild Sugar Mushrooms by andiespecialtysweets
352 days ago
WoolyBison says:
I look forward to your posts the most! Thanks for giving me a good reason to put off the inevitable sewing tasks of the day...
352 days ago
metaphore says:
very interesting and inspiring... thanks!
351 days ago
ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Love the Eames video with "WipeOut" music. Perfect retro!
351 days ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
Cool.
351 days ago
abbyberkson says:
Spooky
351 days ago
littleprintsdiaperco says:
WOW oh wow, wow!!! You have just done something wonderful to my little brain. The creepy and dark puppets & toys to haunt me for years to come, followed by sadness that had me just about in tears and then this whimsical solar powered "do nothing" machine is like a little slice of happy lemon pie at the end of a bizarre & strange meal where the main course very well could have been a human apendage. Ive been scrolling up and down this mastepiece for half an hour. YOU are brilliant!!! THANK YOU! I do not understand the related posts & the thought that I might not be witty enough to get it is somehow really great too. Alison, you are one of a kind! I cant wait for the next.....
351 days ago
lunahoo says:
Interesting article, I love vintage photography ! Thank you :)
351 days ago
littleadelaidekate says:
love the photos & captions. the ventriloquist dolls completely freak me out, think it has something to do with chuckie & a clown music box from my childhood.. must... receive... hypnosis....
351 days ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
fascinating stuff
351 days ago
Everydayness says:
So great!! The ventriloquists are amazing as are the dolls and figures. I have always appreciated Jim Goldberg's rich and poor series, so nice to see it again. Thank you!
351 days ago
Everydayness says:
p.s. the third one down of the ventriloquist photos looks like a weird combination of chucky and Joe Pesci.
351 days ago
stepbackink says:
Those dolls are amazing
350 days ago
strawberryluna says:
I'm not gonna lie, those ventriloquist dolls are scary as all get out.
349 days ago
SweetSincerity says:
I really like the photo essay by Jim Goldberg, and the message that "everyone is unhappy in their own way" despit their economic situation That perspective is helpful in overcoming the "grass is always greener" mentality and helps me apprecite what I have, not focus on what I don't! :)
348 days ago
yogiodie says:
Wow I don't know what i was entertained with most. Loved the solar display-I could go for that in my back yard. Loved the mugshot of "Lester"-apparently a ladies man and a money getter! His finger print is huge! Wonder if it has tree rings in it?
348 days ago
MakingMyRent says:
Thanks for the reminder that great art reveals truths about the world, it isn't just about beauty. In fact, the revelation is the beauty.
341 days ago
HoldTheWire says:
Wow, the Jim Goldberg photos are quite good. I like how they are able to respond to the images and write on them, ie. "this photo doesn't reflect who I really am..." Thanks again, Alison!
339 days ago
torchyhunter says:
Thank you for the most engrossing post I've ever seen.
267 days ago
stixandbones says:
THANK YOU for introducing me to Jim Goldberg's project.....very stoked to look into it further
260 days ago