When I travel for work I usually take one small novel in hopes that I will have time to read in bed at the end of a long day. More often than not I never pick up said novel; I’m always too tired. I also usually pack several magazines in hopes that I might flip through the pages for inspiration or to take my mind off of the visuals I might be pondering. Again, more often than not, I never pick up the magazines; the advertising is too much like static.
With this last long trip for work I finally wised up and left the bulky stuff at home instead choosing to pack just one notebook and a copy of Around Fog Linen (a cross between a book and a magazine). I was very pleased with my choices.
Around Fog Linen is a beautiful and simple book published by Fog Linen Work. I have long been an admirer of this Tokyo-based shop which specializes in, you guessed it, linen products. The book itself is full of interviews and perfectly basic everyday photographs. The artists featured are some I knew about and some who were new to me . I loved reading about and seeing bits of their lives so very much. There is just enough inspiration without dipping into the realm of making one feeling overwhelmed by all of the projects one might do to perfect their home or all of the items one might buy. I don’t know about you but I really don’t like that overwhelming feeling when I am looking at a magazine or a book and everything seems so perfect, so in place and so … expensive! You won’t get that from Around Fog Linen.
And how can one not be calmed by checks, ginghams, plaids and neutral patterns? I can feel myself unwinding while looking at these photographs one more time.
It was also fun that I was one of the artists involved in this issue of Around Fog Linen and most of my photographs were taken in my old apartment. What a nice happy memory of that old place and an honor to be a part of this very special book! If you happen to pick it up I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Oh and Stephanie, don’t go out and buy a copy … this is what you’re getting for your birthday next week. Surprise!