Bric-à-brac Creatures

 Many thanks to Miquel Aparici for writing and inviting me into his magical world.

Just looking at his artworks makes me happy, hope to see them in person someday! 

Miquel's wonderful recycled sculptures are assemblages of disparate vintage materials

that he collects from junkyards and antique sellers. He then catalogues, stores and 
transforms them in his workshop located inside an old industrial ship near Barcelona.

Thanks to La Factoría Plástica and pad blog for the studio photos.

A fantastic box of toys made for a lucky someone called Lucas. 

On Miquel's website you can also find his series of animals painted with coffee, 

sugar and a teaspoon. And check out his blog to get the latest news!

Mad Men & Crazy Critters - 6th episode: Hounds of Love

Edward Penfield, Harper's poster, 1897

Traditionally employed by the upper classes in coursing, hunting and racing, 

the hound's beautiful breeds were also put to good use by many commercial 

and decorative artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Steinlen, Clinique Chéron,1905

Auguste Roubille, Spratt's Patent,1909 

Lucian Zabel, Excelsior Tires,1909 

thanks to susanlenox's Vintage German Ilustration flickr set

Julius Gipkens, Heinemann's Rohrmöbel, 1912

thanks to Ștefan Lucuţ's Baubauhaus flickr set

Both Art Nouveau's love of elegant and curvilinear silhouettes 

and Art Deco's fascination with speed and all things streamlined 

found an ideal subject in these dogs' graceful and sleek bodies.

Carter Housh, McCall's Magazine cover, February 1914

from MagazineArt.org

Two posters by Ludwig Hohlwein, 1912 and 1927

thanks to Susan Lenox and Ștefan Lucuţ on flickr

Baldrich, ads for Derma-Calber dentifrice and cosmetics, 1920

thanks to Art Deco blog

Dutch poster for the 1916 Utrecht Dog Show and

Scena Illustrata cover by Paul Valentin(?), 1927

thanks to Jan Willemsen's Old Posters flickr set

In the 1920s hounds had become a popular fashion accessory, 

appearing in hundreds of photos and illustrations along with 

the pure, elongated lines of the female style of the era.

But that will be dealt with more at lenght in a future post!