Knoll (nōl) vb. Knolling is simply the process of arranging objects so they are parallel or at 90-degree angles. It helps keep everything organised and when photographed creates clean, noticeable images. The term was coined in 1987 by a janitor name Andrew Kromelow who was working at Frank Gehry’s furniture making shop. The story goes that Kromelow would neatly arrange the jumble of the day’s tools at right angles on the benches as he cleaned up.
He dubbed the practice knolling because it reminded him of the right angles in Florence Knoll’s angular furniture (Gehry was designing for Knoll at the time).
Sixties chanteuse Nico looking very Chelsea in London on a parked bike. Born Christa Päffgen she was given her name by the photographer Herbert Tobias, who discovered her at 16. She went on from modeling to acting, singing and Andy Warhol’s muse in 60’s New York. Her version of Jackson Browne’s “These Days” is one of the great covers.
– some nice old engineering elevations and plans of a few of the cars built by Triumph in the seventies. I can envision the rows of draughting tables with sheets of vellum and tall stools.
Lovely development sketch by industrial designer Ian Wride. He earned his degree at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University) and has been involved in several major makes over the last decade.
– imagery by Italian graphic designer, and latter Olivetti chief designer, Marcelo Nizzoli from 1925 for Fabrique National F/N – Belgian arms manufacturers who also built motorcycles. A smooth ride indeed if the pillion lady can put on her lipstick whilst the shadowy rider tears along the lanes of Flanders
Men’s clothier Drake’s used Japanese artist Akita Sorimachi to create a number of illustrations for their advertising. Like pen and wash imagery from 50’s and 60’s magazines they evoke the seemingly relaxed sensibility of an age. The BSA Goldstar is an ideal foil for the gent in striped shirt and sleeveless vest.
Clear heavens over the Woodstock dealership at the weekend. Though there was snow piled in the edges of the parking lot the temperatures rose to the mid fifties; very unseasonably mild.
