Michele had a couple doctor appointments today so I got to spend the day with Marshall. We started on S. Congress looking at some fun, artsy shops. Next stop was a docent led tour of the exhibit “The Rise of Every Day Design” at the Ransom Center at the University of Texas. The exhibit showcases work by William Morris, The Arts and Crafts movement in ceramics and furniture, and architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Much of it I knew, but it was fun to hear the narrative explaining the history. Also on exhibit there is a Gutenberg Bible. So this was my second one in just a couple weeks, having seen another at the Huntington in LA. There was also a photography exhibit, including some of Arthur Miller. Evidently UT owns all his papers. Somehow this just doesn’t seem right. But UT is very, very rich so I guess they can buy whatever they want.
Next stop was lunch at the flag ship Whole Foods store. Marshall lamented that since Amazon bought them it has not been as good. It was still pretty impressive. After lunch, we headed over to Trader Joe’s, which happened to be next to the new Austin public library. The library is absolutely beautiful. There is a huge atrium that goes up six floors and on the top floor there is an outdoor garden with seating and a fantastic view of the river and city.
Before heading home we stopped back at a gift shop we had been to earlier so I could buy some beautiful earrings I had seen in the morning. The artist is Colleen Toland and they are unlike anything I own. I guess its one way I’m pushing my limits and getting out of my comfort zone.
What I learned today: 1. Mission style furniture is another name for the arts and crafts furniture style; and 2. The trees motif used in Motawi tile is a newer rendition of one used by another company much earlier in 1900s.
