piecedgoods

Disneyfication

We were at Disneyland this weekend. The attention to detail in helping visitors Disney-fy each encounter is something I don’t think any other amusement park even comes to close to duplicating (other than other Disney parks) They’ve now even taken the ‘ears’ to the next level.

We were there to see our son and middle school perform in the Carnation Plaza Gardens. Our school’s extremely dedicated band teacher brings the symphonic band each year to experience the Disney Arts program where kids get a chance not only to perform in the park for the public, but also get a chance to rehearse and then record music that accompanies animation, all with a professional conductor. It’s a great way to motivate and reward hard work and practice.

On top of all that, the day we went was the world premiere day of the 4th installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides.We were well out of the park before the premiere, having opted not to join the crowd paying $1K each for a chance to ogle the stars on the black carpet, and watch the movie projected on a 6 story tall screen built over what used to be Tom Sawyer’s island. I was sad to miss seeing Great Moments with Mr.Lincoln with Media for Pirates. Though I’m sure Mr. Lincoln did a great job.

Patchwork Olympics

The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee for the upcoming winter Olympics in Russia announced their graphics a week or so ago. I’m a fan!

It appears, however, that on the webs that it’s not unanimous. In a nutshell, the critical stuff says it’s too busy and that this is what happens with design by committee.

Well! To a person that loves busy bold patchwork, this is just about right. I love the colors, the shapes, the repeating forms and the symbolism of the patchwork. There are 16 designs in each of these patchworks – representing the most famous traditional Russian arts and crafts, from Gzhel to Khokhloma*

I’m all for great focused design, but for the purposes of creating a backdrop that reflects the diversity and color of the Games, I think the patchwork is great.

I wonder if the patchwork will replace the usual silly semi-mythical/historical stuffed creature that always represents the Games?

*Go to this link to know more about the patterns represented in the patchwork.

Gzhel. The so-called “Gzhel bush” is scattered at a distance of 60 kilometers from Moscow; the “bush” is 27 villages where since the mid-17th century clay has been mined for pottery and porcelain. Gzhel dishes are painted by hand using cobalt oxide, which after being baked in the oven becomes saturated blue.
Khokhloma. Khokhloma painting is an ancient folk craft that appeared in the 17th century in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. On the proposed Olympic Games Look patchwork quilt concept, juicy red strawberries and rowan berries can easily be distinguished. In the late 19th century this decorative style of painting on a golden background was appreciated and valued in Europe. It is amazing that the wood is not painted with gold, but with silver tin powder. Once the craft item is covered in a special compound and baked 3-4 times it acquires the golden-honey hue of Khokhloma dishes.