Sunday, January 23, 2011

GREEN CUBE

Rolling Down the Windows and Noticing the Good
in people and ideas and projects

This is a category on The Arty Adventure Highway  that I am most excited about discovering.
And the first one of its type in this blog is devoted to two women who had a vision and have cultivated it in the heart of Laguna Beach on beautiful Forest Avenue. 
Owners, Sejla (as in Shay-la) and Sanja have opened a store, Green Cube, to offer a very different type of retail experience.  They call it “Buying with Purpose.”  When you walk through the door, you are greeted with never-seen-before objects of art, home accessories, furniture pieces, clothing, and a space that is vibrant, colorful, and inviting.  They are showcasing local artisans who have designed pieces with a sustainable, repurposed core.  Wanting to offer natural fibers, clean processing techniques, a piece of a story belonging to each hand made item, and a place where artists can market their work in a very special setting – and where the owners can actively promote local creativity.
Tord Boontje creates magnificent chandeliers from Tyvec – a paper-like product.  They stopped me in my tracks.  You can place them over any hanging bulb to create this gorgeous effect.
I was mesmerized by the work of artist, Aaron Kramer, who uses the bristles from street sweepers to build this amazing sculpture.  The open weave globes are made with the bristles that become the centerpiece of his work.  Aaron believes that “trash is the failure of imagination.”  I think his work is brilliant and inspiring.
Barbara de Jounge is a Laguna Beach fiber artist that designs pieces for MOMA.  This necklace is a work of art.  Airy and truly beautiful.
Local artisan and owner of The Upcycled Word, is using reclaimed and repurposed vintage bottles and frames for personal statements.  Charming.  For the desk, or the tabletop, or as an individual gift for wedding place settings and special events.  This piece has found its home with me.  I could not leave without it.
On one of my earlier posts I featured Airstream trailers, and painter Christopher Schulz has created a remarkable series from these icons.  They can be clustered together for a great impact.  It makes me want to search out that Bambi Teardrop for a home office just outside my house.


This pink acrylic chair is one-of-a-kind and hand painted by Aaron Thomas.  It is such a wow piece when you see it in person.  Sixty to seventy per cent of the acrylic he uses is repurposed. 
Sanja, the owner, has designed many stunning furniture pieces throughout the store.  I wanted to showcase this green chair – you could design a whole room around it.

This store falls into all categories – A Little Find, a Field Trip, and Noticing the Good.  Well done.
Green Cube
264 Forest Avenue,  Laguna Beach
Come back often…Bonnie
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The Welcome Post, January 7, 2011, shows a road map of what will be included in future  posts by way of The Arty Adventure Highway.  This is now part of Older Posts.







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