New and Noteworthy I te ms in th e m a r ke t p lac e c r e at e d by Pr at t A l u m n i , Fac ulty, and S t u de n t s
Ka b b a lis ti c B e a sties Ken Goldman, M.I.D. Industrial Design ’85 Sanoi, Samonglif, and Sansoni; $15 each Living in a religious kibbutz for the last 22 years inspired Goldman to design Kabbalistic Beasties, the unusual stuffed animals that he conjured up from the centuries-old tradition of guardian amulets hanging over children’s cribs. He developed the idea into plush velour dolls that offer comfort as cuddly toys. After having three prototypes produced by a factory in China, Goldman entered them in the FAO Schwartz Toy Audition in New York and found a receptive audience. Sanoi is green velour, incredibly soft, and 11” high. Samonglif is fiery orange, made of spongy plush, and 12” high. Sansoni is cobalt blue, made of nubby material, and 14” high. The dolls are recommended for three-yearold children and above. Available at FAO Schwartz.
Dog tag Watche s Matthew Burnett, Industrial Design ’07 $160 As the grandson of one of the first black horologists in the United States, Burnett recognizes the great extent to which watch design has been influenced by older generations. Steel Cake, the Brooklyn-based watch company he opened in memory of his grandfather, brings a fresh image to timepieces by combining quality with a fashion-forward flavor. A stainless steel dog tag pendant, for example, displays a small watch and is offered in black-plated metal and regular stainless steel. “Technological advances have made many young adults rely on cell phones and computers to tell time,” says Burnett. “It’s my goal to bring back the fashion appeal of watches with a new look.” Available through steelcake.com.
B e twe e n Si l e n c e a n d Li g h t : S p irit in t h e A r ch i t ect u r e o f Lo u i s I. Kah n Louis I. Kahn and John Lobell, Pratt faculty member $18.95 (Shambhala, 2008) Louis I. Kahn’s influence on American architecture during his lifetime was great, and his authority has only increased in the 33 years since his death. Kahn’s buildings included the Salk Institute, the Yale Study Center, and the Exeter Library. This classic work, now reissued with a new introduction by the author, presents stunning black-and-white photos of some of Kahn’s greatest buildings. It is one of the few books on Kahn to address his philosophy and to be written for a general audience. John Lobell, a professor in Pratt’s School of Architecture, studied at the University of Pennsylvania where Louis Kahn taught. Lobell, the author of many articles and reviews for art and architecture magazines including Artforum and Progressive Architecture, is a sensitive editor of excerpts from Khan’s writings and also provides useful commentary on Kahn’s ideas and major buildings.
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