Orange Efficiency

This snapshot of a structure built in the shape of an orange was found without any information as to its location, who created it, or its purpose. I like the curved slot doorway and that the surface is pebbled just like orange rind. Ma and Pa are both smiling.

Slingshot

The simplest objects can embody excellent design. This carved wooden slingshot is particularly satisfying, being all that it needs to be but no more. The wood is smooth; it fits well in the hand and is stout enough to last. Found in North Carolina. Not signed, but it should be.

Laughing at Spirit Photography

Manipulated images have been used to deceive people for a long time. The fad of spirit photography around the turn of last century was responsible for separating a lot of gullible people from their money. Have a look at this goofy example from a real photo postcard. Below it is a leaf from an autograph book from the same era, a little doggerel from a skeptic.

Rabbits Against Snow

This image is from a real photo postcard, and was taken on today's date 98 years ago. The contrast of black rabbits against the snowy landscape is lovely, I think. It's somewhat reminiscent of the work of the contemporary photographer Masao Yamamoto.

However, there's something else going on here besides just being visually compelling. The rabbits are running, ears alert, agitated. Scratched into the negative is "Rabbit Drive 2/5/11, Near Lakeview Ore, 1811 Rabbits Killed in Pen."

The Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad, in an attempt to develop the land that its railroad served, hired a Russian man who relocated 25 Russian families to this outlying area. Rabbit drives became a regular winter occupation, with whole carloads of meat being shipped to a tamale factory in San Francisco. The enterprise gradually failed.

The postcard was mailed to someone, and the message on the back is about renting a saddle, making no mention of the photograph or the event.

Iron

Dilmus Hall Decorated Frame and Photo

Mr. Dilmus Hall of Athens, GA remains among the most under appreciated of all the American self-taught artists. His sculpture and drawings are a delight for all those fortunate enough to have experienced them. He also made yard art installations surrounding of his modest cinder block house, including the - for this viewer - seminal "Shoe that Rode the Howling Tornado," a single high heel shoe presented in a vitrine made of a salvaged aquarium, installed above his mailbox.

This Polaroid photograph of his friend is housed in a paint-decorated frame and cover glass.

Light and Dark

There was no context for this found photograph, so I have no clue of its origin. Loving black and white, or light and dark, imagery as I do, though, it was compelling. It seems to involve a long exposure time, and instead of being light reflected from a subject, the light is generated by the subject. Could it be anti-aircraft fire and tracers?