Mother's Day - Sunday, May 8th

I love Mother's Day. It is the perfect opportunity to show our incredible Moms just how much we love and care for them. It is also the day that we are able to shower them with gifts that they may not always allow themselves to indulge in. Check out some of my picks that will undeniably bring a smile to the special lady in your life!

Mother's Day is on May 8th which is right around the corner! Drop in to either Northern Liberties or Rittenhouse this to let us assist you in find the best gift to show your appreciation on this day.  

She deserves it :)  

Come One, Come All!

If you find yourself in the Drexel neighborhood tomorrow, May 5th, between 4-6PM be sure to stop by Drexel Westphal College's Design and Merchandising Kiosk in Nesbitt Hall on the corner of 33rd and Market St. You'll find a wonderful array of handcrafted designs by Drexel students and local Philly artists! Mention this post and you'll even get a savory carnival treat, yum! Hope to see you there!

-Kate

Livia Firth Wears Organic Silk Gown by Stella McCartney

 

 

images via ecouterre

Our leading eco-chic lady, Livia Firth is at it again! She looks stunning at the Met Ball in a Stella McCartney "jumpsuit-gown" made from handspun organic silk, abaca (Manilla hemp) and reclaimed vintage beads. On her blog Firth writes, "I really loved that (McCartney) was so thorough about the fabric: considering the processing and finishing of the fibre and the effect that it would have on the environment. She went for a polished clean look without compromising on these principles." I've said it before but c'mon, why don't other women (and men!) in the public eye make more of an effort to wear sustainable fashion? Hopefully upon seeing Stella McCartney's gown more people will be influenced to make the conscious decision to buy and wear sustainable fashion. In the meantime, I can't wait to see the next sustainably designed garment Livia chooses to wear!



-Kate

Michael Biello Light Sculptures

If you have been to our Rittenhouse location, you have undoubtedly noticed our new, incredible light fixtures by local artist, Michael Biello.  We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pick Michael's brain! Read the interview below to gain some insight into Arcadia's newest featured artist!

I read that you went to school for ceramics, how did you begin creating light sculptures?

@ UArts I had to choose one major … I chose clay even though I was always involved in both art and theater – I consider myself an interdisciplinary artist but back then majoring in interdisciplinary art wasn’t an option. 

My early clay pieces @ UArts incorporated light … I called them headlights - I think the light thing comes from my involvement in theater … the light adds a sense of drama to the sculpture – also light is something I relate to spiritually.

Are there any specific reasons for the light sculptures that you chose to display at our Rittenhouse location?

I visited Arcadia Rittenhouse and inspired by the space I made the 3 chandeliers – Arcadia is like a jewel box made up of Eco pleasures and treasures – I feel the light sculptures are part of the Arcadia collection using new and recycled materials to create a thing of beauty.

Female orb lighting the way in the dressing area …

Red thread chandelier over the entrance desk to echo the actual essence of thread used to make the clothes –

A slinky chandelier in the gift shop – fun and functional at the same time – like the tabletop objects in the room. 

What are some of your inspirations when creating your light sculptures? It appears that you work within different themes- some figurative and some more ornamental.

I’m inspired by love and beauty and spirit and all those things that there’s way too little of in the world of film and art and theater …

Too much attention to fear and war and darkness and depression and blood and gore – of course darkness exists and I face it head on when I have to.

Still … I tend to look to the light for my inspiration and create from there – my best work comes when I let the spirit move me. 

Your choice of materials is extremely unique. I am in love with the one chandelier we have at Rittenhouse- the one that has a yarn spool integrated into it. It is such an unexpected choice, yet it is still so refined and elegant. What informs your choice of materials?

Chandelier’s are mostly made of hard materials – metal/glass/plastic etc. - I feel Arcadia is about soft … the spool of thread came to me and I followed it’s lead – it’s one of my favorites too.

You stated that you like to collaborate frequently. How does collaboration add to your experience of art creation? Is there anyone in particular that you work with the best or get the most out of?

I love collaboration – you get to work on creative projects with other artists/and lovers of art – visioning together - traveling a mysterious journey - facing many challenges which ultimately teach us (if we stay on ride) what we need to know and take us where we need to go.

Dan Martin  - my life partner and composer and all around awesome human being is my favorite person to collaborate with – he writes the music I write the lyrics and together we make some beautiful music – we just completed an amazing collaboration called In My Body … it was awesome! 

Michael Biello & Dan Martin

 

Besides creating visual art, you are also a song writer and performance artist. Additionally, you are also very involved in the theater.  That seems like an extremely creatively demanding life- do you find any frustration in expressing yourself through multiple mediums and outlets?

Yes … but isn’t frustration part of the human experience? – at least my frustration is centered around the things I love to do … my art and music.

Sometimes I feel a bit crazy going from visual art to theater to writing to performing to directing but I can’t not do any of these things … each of them calls me to be and I go and enter creative space where I am most comfortable … and all is well.

Could you tell us a little bit about your studio space in Old City? It sounds and looks like a magical space. Is this where you do most of your construction and building?
Do you have any new and exciting projects in the near future?

My studio is my creative sanctuary – a safe space to open my creative channel and trust what comes in (and out) - it protects me from the world outside – I can take my time and do what I please – lots of magical things happen here – from art and music to performances to rehearsals to salons to dinners to weddings to …

It’s filled with new clay and recycled parts and glass and wood and music and words and songs and all that good stuff that makes up our creative world.

On the art side: I’m making new chandeliers wrapping the crystal and metal arms with thread. It’s my cotton chandelier series.

On the theater side: Dan and I were accepted by New York Stage And Film to workshop our new musical marry harry this summer … very exciting for us!

Also introducing and offering the interior design services of Carlo Fiammenghi into the mix @ Biello Martin studio. 

… and the beat goes on.

Biello Martin Studio

Biello Martin Studio

 Next time you're in Rittenhouse Square, make sure to swing by Arcadia and check out the Michael Biello light sculptures on display! They are truly incredible and not to be missed.

-Mallory 

All images via www.biellomartin.com

Shabby Chic Dreamin'

I always dreamed of having my own tree house when I was a little kid.  I planned out the furniture and what colors I would paint the walls (for some reason, I really wanted it to be pink and purple polka dots).  This Victorian cottage is a beautiful, grown-up friendly getaway that I'd love to have in my backyard!



Image via sharonadesign.com

 Cheers,

Alex

Meet Mallory :)

Name? Mallory Anita Lawson

Neighborhood in which you reside? Fishtown!

Favorite Philly restaurant? No surprise here- Honey’s Sit n Eat. I know this is an obvious choice but I seriously LOVE the menu. Being a vegetarian, I have limited choices while dining out.  But Honey’s has sooo much to offer! They completely satisfy all of my Southern Comfort food cravings- vegetarian biscuits & gravy, veggie chicken fried steak, mac n cheese, green bean casserole, fried green tomatoes… oh my god… I think I need to go tonight.

Most memorable fashion faux pas? Basically anything I wore or did to my hair in high school. The combination of my love for fishnet stockings, high top orange chucks, checkered slip on vans, (bad) band tee shirts, denim skirts,  tacky costume jewelry and multi- colored hair was enough for my mom to constantly remind me that “You know Mal, Halloween was a few months ago.” – On a daily basis. Just ask for a picture, there are plenty.

Favorite line at Arcadia and why? I love She Bible! Most of their pieces are “basics” but their cuts and designs are so unique and quirky, and not to mention flattering. I also love Kelly Lane; her Cavern Collection last fall was incredible. My Cavern coat is one of my most favorite pieces in my closet. When we talked at her last Trunk Show she mentioned her next collection is “cosmos” themed- absolutely can’t wait to see it!

Current song on repeat? So many! I was just recently introduced to The Halo Benders, a Built to Spill side project. Their song Virginia Reel Around The Fountain has been on repeat for the past month. I love the sound of Calvin Johnson’s voice juxtaposed with that of Doug Martsch- so killer!

Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

Favorite YouTube clip? Gumby Banging Horses

Favorite artist? This is a really hard question because it is always changing for me. Elizabeth Murray’s constructed paintings were really influential for me. She will always be extremely important to me, as will Judy Pfaff, Frank Stella, Al Held, Julie Mehretu, Franz Ackermann, Maya Hayuk, etc, etc, ( I could keep going forever). RIGHT NOW, I can really relate to Nicola Lopez, both conceptually and visually. I feel like we are both interested in a lot the same issues and we both have a similar way of conveying the ideas of urban landscapes, maps, transit, sprawl, etc.

Guilty pleasure? Sleeping in and online shopping :/

Favorite way to spend your days off from Arcadia? PAINTING, printmaking, building, getting dirty and hanging out with my puppy dawg, Mollie.

Favorite beer? Another hard question, I really love beer, but I would have to say Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Joe Porter-I love supporting local businesses and I’m sucker for anything with coffee flavoring!

Toothpick Art

Seriously, this guy is either a genius, or he's nuts (I'm going to go with the first).  Scott Weaver spent five years composing this ever-changing toothpick sculpture, and continues to edit it currently as well.  And don't let the pictures fool you, these aren't your ordinary, grocery-store toothpicks - they're worldly toothpicks.  Weaver has friends bring him home toothpicks from their travels to Italy, Morocco, Spain, Kenya - to name a few.

All images via thisiscolossal.com

Cheers,
Alex