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Buy Outside the Box: February 2009
Buyoutsidethebox.com is a website dedicated to Creative Consumerism™, which is the art and science of bringing art and fine, handmade things to the doorstep of buyers who enjoy thinking, and thus buying, outside-the-box. Ruth Mitchell, founder of the company and a seasoned journalist, keeps you up to date concerning art, travel and other relevant cultural topics.
If you've read this blog at all, you know what a proponent of the Internet I am. Not only do we use it for our business in all kinds of primary and secondary ways, we use it for personal use too. For instance, just recently, we were having a disagreement about actor Morgan Freeman's career. Look it up on the Internet, problem solved. Need a recipe, look it up, problem solved. It almost makes me giddy sometimes when I think of all the hours I used to spend in a library looking things up.
We hope we have added to your ease by providing beautiful art works, and fine handmade things on the Internet as well.
And while you can almost find anything on the Internet (ah, yes don't we love Wikipedia), there are a few things left to that you must solve with your own resources. Like where are your car keys, or your ipod ear buds, your sun glasses or that important file you needed an hour ago.
Alas, we still need our short term memory to function.--Ruth Mitchell
The day we made our way to the Arizona Biltmore for lunch it was quite blustery and there was an All Star Basketball game in town so the lobby was filled with really famous tall people, none of which we could readily identify, not being avid fans. That morning we had visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, so we were already aware that he had been consulting architect on the project.
I was a little surprised by the austerity of the place at first, but as we walked closer, the gray building came alive with Wright's famous detailing. We had just learned about Wright's "Textile blocks" that morning at Taliesin West, and they are used generously here. Another detailing, I became infatuated with was a copper roof overhang that featured cut out detailing. Familiar with Wright's design edict "form follows function" which he adopted from his former boss Lois Sullivan by the way, I'm pretty certain this design element serves the purpose of defraying runoff water.
Not wanting to blow our budget on a power lunch, we opted to eat outside in the garden, at a little cafe. It was a little chilly, but nearby we could watch as a circle of cigar smoking cronies were busy being seen, and seeing.
The only existing hotel in the world with a Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced design, The Arizona Biltmore has been an Arizona landmark since its opening on Feb. 23, 1929. Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. was the developer, and the architect of record was Albert Chase McArthur, a Harvard graduate, who had studied under Frank Lloyd Wright from 1907 - 1909 in Chicago. He hired Wright as a consulting architect.
Using indigenous materials, the "Biltmore Block," as the textile block became known, were designed by McArthur, not Wright, sculpted by Emry Kopta, a prominent southwestern sculptor, and feature a geometric pattern said to represent a freshly cut palm tree.
Some fun facts about the hotel include: the classic "White Christmas" tune was penned here by famed song composer Irving Berlin while sitting poolside, and Marilyn Monroe is said to have called it "her favorite pool."
Art is everywhere you go, including the buildings we use. Next time you find yourself in a new landscape look around and find the mystery of the art that surrounds you.--Ruth Mitchell
There is no environment where water is more prized. I speak of the desert of course. On a recent visit to the Phoenix, Arizona area, I had the privilege to experience Watsu at the beautiful Sanctuary Spa on Camelback Mountain.
Watsu I learned is a near embryonic experience that takes place in a warm water pool which is kept close to body temperature. That in itself, creates a comforting enfolding of the body as you descend chest high into the pool, which is the size of a regular hot tub. Watsu was created by therapist Harold Dull in the early 1980s, then director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage in northern California. The technique slowly evolved as he began to incorporate aspects of Zen Shiatsu into his water massage therapy.
My experience began as I was greeted by my therapist, who introduced herself simply as Jeanne. We talked briefly as she intuitively sized up my trust level, and we stepped into the pool. So, I was able to approach the experiences as I like to without building up any preconceptions. It was a bit on the chilly side that day, a nice breeze was fluttering through the bamboo of the privacy fence at this beautiful resort which has been transformed from a tennis destination to one of the toniest spas in the United States.
So as I enter the pool Jeanne gives me the option to wear ear plugs, which I don't want to do, but the thought of acquiring swimmer's ear leaves me a little paralyzed with indecision. I opt not to use the plugs, which turned out fine. While most of your face is out of water, your ears remain underwater most of the time.
I was relatively relaxed, but as the hour wore on, I stopped watching the wind feather through the bamboo and just closed my eyes. Jeanne, at times embracing me, or gently swinging me through the water, sometimes manipulating arms and legs a little or even gently swinging me by the neck, which was so gentle as not to be disturbing and actually alleviated for a while after the treatment, a nagging neck pain, which is mostly with me just about any time of day. I was
continuously supported by her as she gently stretched my body in the water in a way that would be impossible in conventional massage.
I liked it! Yes, Watsu is wonderful. It is a bit on the unconventional side, but if you are already a massage junky, you should also take Watsu to well, like a fish takes to water. We are after all aquatic animals.
No matter what you select off the menu of this fabulous spa that was recognized in 2006 as the "top resort" in the United States by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and has also been included on the Travel +Leisure "T+L 500" list, as well as the Traveler's "Gold List" and "Reader's Choice" winner since opening in 2002, you will leave there like mush. Your mind in a stupor that only complete relaxation can conjure.
Fellas' if you are looking to impress someone special, take her to the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. Wine and diner her at their incredible restaurant, Elements where Chef Beau MacMillan creates signature cuisine and seasonal menus that focus on local ingredients grown by area organic farmers and artisans.
Then order up a vinasanti in-room ritual at your casita. Take an hour massage followed by a 30 minute scrub with a choice of four restoring scents. Or check out the Sanctuary Signature Body Ritual featuring fresh coconut blended with jasmine, vetiver and gentle buffing grains to hydrate soothe and polish skin to a youthful glow. Or how about the Espresso Mud Treatment, a fragrant cleansing exfoliation using certified organic coffee beans, Japanese honeysuckle, black clay and volcanic pumice followed by a detoxifying, warming wrap and a rich, soothing body balm to complete the experience. Did I mention the Rosemary Citron Salt Scrub where you are exfoliated with mineral-rich sea salt infused with rosemary, lemon and mint, finished with an ultra-hydrating Shea butter lotion infused with aloe vera and sweet Orange.
The extreme contrast from the crisp poetic lines of the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan to Taliesin West located in Arizona’s Sonoran desert is not surprising considering the architect for both projects, Frank Lloyd Wright, was greatly influenced by Nature (he always spelled it with a capital N), and developed a style known as “organic architecture” whereby the built environment of his design blends with the natural surroundings it is placed in.
The Guggenheim, designed as a vessel for one of America’s premier museums, located on 5th Avenue, ultimately became Wright’s most iconic piece while Taliesin West is Wright’s winter camp where he shared his genius with resourceful architects willing to partake in backbreaking construction in exchange for intimacy with such greatness. He didn’t begin this odyssey in the desert until the age of 70. His genius graced the earth for nearly a century as he died at the age of 91 with dozens of projects still in the works.
I have had the privilege to visit both of these magnificent architectural masterpieces, but most recently I was at Taliesin West. This was Wright’s factory of architecture where he experimented constantly. His students were literally hands on as they built and destroyed continuously.
Coming from a family filled with architects, one story in particular, rang home a little more than close. Wright’s wife, Olga (Olgivanna), used to say she had to be careful what she said to Wright, a man who needed no more than 4 hours of sleep at night. “I mentioned that we might consider taking down a wall,” Olga was noted for having said, “and he immediately called for the boys to bring their pick axes. Well I said to him, ‘at least I thought we might have lunch first.’”
This energy is evident everywhere at Taliesin West, where teacher and student alike originally lived in tents as they sculpted a structure from the sand and rocks of the desert. Allegorical reference to the structure as a ship is everywhere, from the concrete prow walkway that faces the desert, to the canvas roof which afforded perfect natural light for drafting to the stooped entryways, both of which surely where inspired from the experience of tent living.
Anyone interested in art, should be somewhat of a student of Wright, as his built structures in my mind, where literally huge, functional sculptures. As a matter of fact, at one point in his career, Wright supported his family with income by procuring and selling Japanese art. As a matter of fact, I fell in love with the work of sculptress Heloise Crista, whose sculptures grace the grounds of Taliesin West. Be sure to check back here for more on her life and work in the future.
So, if you are anywhere near Scottsdale, Arizona, be sure to make your way to Taliesin West. It will be a life changing event!—Ruth Mitchell
When I told friends I was going to the Phoenix area, they all chimed in and said be sure and go to Sedona! Well not sure that was which way the wind would blow me, I said, "sure, if I can get there. Being that the weather was way too cold to indulge in poolside lazing, which is what my daughter and I had talked about, and of course we are way too adventurous for such idling, we rented a car and made the trek two hours north to Sedona. It was worth every bit of the trouble despite having to spend 45 minutes going the last 7 miles at the very end of our trip. They are doing some serious road remodeling as you enter town.
It didn't take us long to get a quick bite to eat at a place that reminded me of a ski hill snack bar, complete with French tourists at the next table, a stunning view of the nearby red sandstone formations and we even had a little snow on the ground. So much for getting a tan while in sunny Arizona.
Our next stop was the Chamber of Commerce to seek out a simple hike we could handle in our street shoes, which we enjoyed for an hour hiking in and then out again. The recent snow had melted for the most part, but the trail was pretty muddy. Afterwards we took a driving tour and figured out what all the fuss was about when you mention you're going to Sedona. "Be sure to watch the sunset in Sedona!" they all bark, and yes there is a reason why. The red rock formations create a stunning backdrop for the setting sun. These beautiful rocks have also served as a backdrop for some of Hollywood's classic westerns, including the 1950 Jimmy Stewart film "Broken Arrow.
We thought it might be difficult to find a decent restaurant for dinner, before heading back across the desert, and we didn't want to cross back into town for fear of the same traffic snarl we had encountered before, but thankfully we were proven wrong. A quick stop at a nearby realtor netted us the tip to try Cucina Rustica. Voila! What a treat. This ornately decorated, and award-winning restaurant has garnered a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2006 and 2007.
We feasted on Italian food and an excellent Pinot Noir. We found the Carciofo Alla Griglia, a fresh grilled artichoke served with a lemon pesto aioli, especially delicious.
There are several events that are hosted annually in the Sedona area, including: The Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival, and it is home to several notable arts organizations including the Sedona Arts Center, and Chamber Music Sedona, which sponsors a chamber music program annually from October to May.
We are always saying at our house, "if you don't want to get depressed then don't watch the news." We said this long before the current economy came crashing down around our ears. Don't take me wrong, we don't want to hide our head in the sand, but bad news seems to sell.
Now there is a study out that confirms what I've known for a long time. Bad news is a self-seeking prophesy, it tends to beget bad news. We say don't let your brain fool you, and don't buy into the economic panic. Spending right now, if you have the cash, will help someone who needs work.
Let me explain. Recent studies conducted by researchers at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon using brain imaging have identified the emotional tug of war that takes place in our brain every time we consider spending money. Apparently there are two distinct parts of our brain that determine if we’ll lay out the cash or not. When we are first exposed to something we are considering purchasing, the part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is turned on. This part of the brain is on the dopamine reward pathway, and yes, it's typically associated with things like sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. The intensity of the reaction is tied to the cognitive desire of the object. For instance a wine connoisseur comes across a vintage he has been hoping to add to his collection and this part of the brain really gets all fired up.
Then comes exposure to the price tag and the insula, which is associated with negative feelings. The insula is triggered by things like nicotine withdrawal and pictures of people in pain. In general, we try to avoid anything that makes our insula excited. Apparently, this includes spending money. Such is the checks and balances system of the brain. When all we see on the news is that our economy is crashing, our insula is heightened and we pull back. Which is a good thing if you are really overextended, but if your not, you're letting your fear define your life.
So, here's the good news you've been waiting for--get ready nucleus accumbens. The art and fine handmade items on our site, remain excellent values. Here are a few specific items, we think you will love, and yes, you have time to make someone very happy on V Day. We love you too.--Ruth Mitchell
After suffering through our own personal experiences with lack of power last week. Our brand new generator broke down! We are acutely aware that people within 50 miles of us will be without power for several more weeks to come. As always, artists have an organization they can look to for help.
Greetings from CERF.
This message is going out to arts organizations and businesses in the regions of Arkansas and Kentucky affected by the recent ice storm. We hope you and your loved ones have been able to avoid loss from the storm and we wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery.
CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the storm is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the storm, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information.
CERF’s programs include:
Grants up to $1,500; Loans up to $8,000; Booth fee waivers at craft shows; Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery. For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, please click here or contact us at:
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) PO Box 838 Montpelier, VT 05601 ph: (802) 229-2306 fx: (802) 223-6484 les@craftemergency.org www.craftemergency.org
Thank you for helping spread the word about CERF. Please contact me if you have questions.
Best wishes, Les
Les Snow Operations and Financial Services Manager Craft Emergency Relief Fund
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