Airstream Bambi @ MOMA, NYC

by VINTAGE AIRSTREAM on JUNE 5, 2009

Airstream Inc.,(1960).Photo by Robin Holland.Image courtesy MOMA, NY.

While this isnt particularly new news, it does have a place here and it is particularly noteworthy that only a very, very small handful of vehicles have ever been elevated to the status of works of fine art by MOMA and placed in their permanent collection.

Industrial design taken to its highest level indeed. When your product gets placed in the Modern Museum of Art you have officially earned the right to brag a little.

Here is the original press release from Airstream:

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio, March 6 — Thor Industries, Inc. , the largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and mid-size buses, announced today that The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York had acquired from Thor an Airstream Bambi travel trailer for the Museum’s collection. Airstream, Thor’s flagship brand, is the world’s most recognized recreation vehicle, and is an icon of American design. The restored 1963 Airstream Bambi, representing the first design iteration of a model line that continues today, over 40 years later, will go on public display at MoMA on March 7. The Airstream Bambi becomes only the seventh automotive design in MoMA’s collection, joining famed designs such as the Volkswagen Beetle, the Jaguar E-Type, and the original Jeep.


“The selection of Airstream by MoMA for the collection reflects Airstream’s status as a true American icon, and further enhances Airstream’s already superior reputation for quality, innovation and design,” said Richard Riegel, Thor Industries Group President. “Airstream is recognized worldwide as a metaphor for wanderlust, adventure and freedom and as an ideal of the American family experience. We are exceptionally proud of this accolade.”

And a Few other beautiful Airstreams:

Montezuma Canyon, Utah - Cave House

Isn't this about the ultimate dream of every boy?  Come on.  It looks like a movie set.  So cool , it looks fake.

Original Link for more info

Tiny Texas Houses

http://www.tinytexashouses.com

I have always been fascinated with small houses. There is so much wasted space in modern living. Every square foot in your house costs money. It costs money to build, furnish, heat, cool, and maintain. Is less more? Or only for the single and adventurous? Wouldn't it be great to build one of these little guys on a beautiful plot of country acreage with a rain capturing and storing system, 3 or 4 200 watt solar panels on the roof, and a composting throne. Completely self sustaining and off the grid. It has a wonderful allure, doesn't it?

House watching

Scotch and I are here holding down the fort at the lentz house while they are in England. I will be here all next week. More later.
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New glasses, getting the shop buttoned up

I decided to try a new look when getting a new pair of specs a few weeks back. I was a little unsure of them at first but they have grown on me. Other than that I am just finishing up the compressed air system in the garage. I had problems with wiring and smoked a motor on a compressor so ended up piggybacking 2 together and them piped them both into a dryer to remove any moisture and oil that made its way from the pump. Auto paint is urethane based and cannot mix with oil or water. So basically it ruins a paintjob if any gets through. Hope this setup works. More later.
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The Shop Project -

Stuff....

Work, cars, project dreams, the usual. I have been having very strong aspirations lately of building my own home. After research the most affordable and environmentally friendly way to build a structure these days is to use recycled shipping containers. While they don't have the asthetics of a traditional home, they can have a nice modernist appearance is done correctly.





The US imports 3.5 million more of these every year than we export back out. I have found them locally for about $1600 each. They are 8x40 , 320sq feet each. The first picture showing a 4 container arrangement would provide for a comfortable 2 bedroom two story. I am working with a friend in architecture on possible floorplans and other construction ideas.