Ideal Live/Work Space: Asuka Hisa

For Asuka Hisa, being the education director of a museum means developing and organizing education programs that give her an opportunity to bring the ideas of creative people to the larger community. In addition to organizing programs, she is the creator of such groundbreaking programs as Wall Works, where acclaimed mid-career artists create large-scale public art projects with K-12 students; and Emerging Artists Family Workshops where one learns and makes projects with fascinating up-and-coming artists. In this interview Ms. Hisa shares her thoughts on work, space, and the good life.

“Describing my ideal live/work space is a delightful challenge. In a portable way, it will always be wherever and whenever I have the peace of mind to think and dream—I could be walking a neighborhood, riding a bike, sitting in a café, or lying in my bed.

My indispensable sidekick is a little notebook in which I scribble my notes and draw pictures. Everything that catches my fancy gets scribbled down eagerly without concern for good penmanship. I simply must write it down. This perfect pocket notebook is a portable studio for my mind to wander, brainstorm, keep tabs, and plan. This essential notebook activity comes from years of working full-time at a dynamic little museum and raising a family. When juggling deadlines, projects, and the world of loved ones (and their demands), I find personal refuge in my notebooks where, in constant-quick-small ways, I feel like I am acting on my creative impulses.

Above: Notebooks old and new. Alter-ego character.

I love being at home, working at home, but I am too seldom at home. The children are now grown (16 and 18) and I am able to be an enthusiastic peripatetic in my city; a sucker for stimulation; a voracious consumer of local experiences. In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, I am invigorated, intellectually and creatively, by my urban hikes and I certainly consider them an extension of my live/work space. I finally set up a studio at home but I have yet to really use it. I am too accustomed to considering my studio to be everywhere. Let’s quote Virginia Woolf (author of A Room of One’s Own among other incredible works) “I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in”

Above: Studio/Home, sweet, Studio/Home (Photos: Edie Kahula Pereira and Asuka Hisa)

I work at a contemporary art museum called the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Art that embraces diverse aesthetic, cultural, and ideological perspectives comes in a daily dose. Several times a day, my walk through exhibitions from the museum’s front door to my desk inspires and prompts ideas. I encourage people to visit museums on a regular basis. It works.

Above: Exhibition installation view of Michael Asher (Photo: Grant Mumford, courtesy Santa Monica Museum of Art)

In my job as the museum’s education director, I try to get my office workspace and the department’s projects to expand through multi-faceted collaborations that go beyond the walls of the institution.

Above: My desk at work

Wall Works is one of my programs that involve hundreds of K-12 students in the creation of public artwork in partnership with the museum, artists, and the community. The project requires a film shoot; studio visits with artists; coordination with schools; and a professional installation off-site. Most importantly, it gets youth to learn about art and artists in a highly participatory fashion. The projects have turned a rather colorless hallway into an inviting and lively passageway. Students are part of a bona fide public art exhibition viewed by hundreds of visitors.

Above: Zippy’s Nicknacks, Tonics, and Magical Gadgets project with Bari Ziperstein

Above: blik and me (detail) project with blik surface graphics

Above: Listen, Tell, Draw (detail) project with Kim Schoenstadt (All photos, courtesy Santa Monica Museum of Art)

A good life is created by good work, be it professional or personal. The ideal live/work space? Right here, there, and over there.”

The Playlist: Brian Greene of OfficeSupplyGeek (and Lifework)

By day, Brian Greene works in the financial services industry. But come quittin’ time, he’s OfficeSupplyGeek.com. His blog and his column here at Lifework explore the world’s office supplies (not the boring ones you find in a standard supply cabinet at work, of course—the cool stuff you can’t usually convince your boss to buy). Take a listen at the music that fills his playlist.

What do you listen to while you work? When I’m working, I can listen to just about anything. I prefer music, but I’m also more than happy to listen to some talk radio as long as it involves baseball, politics, or finance.

How do you listen? I usually listen through a speaker system or through the computer and its speakers. I usually don’t have anyone around me when I’m working, so I don’t have to worry about distracting anyone.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? My XM Radio is by far my most preferred source for music. The depth and variety of what they provide far surpasses anything else out there. I’ve actually never even owned an iPod, nor do I care to. I’ve always found my XM to be worlds better than having to download and manage my own music library.

Does music influence your work? I usually try to find different music based on the type of work I know I’ll be doing. If I am going to sit down and try to fix a technical issue on my website, or try and make some sort of enhancement to the site, I usually go for something on the fast or loud side like Rage Against the Machine. If I’m trying to write a blog post or other content, I tend to look for something a little more calm and slow like Norah Jones or Frank Sinatra.

Where do you find music recommendations? Again, I rely on my XM Radio for this. I get to hear a ton of new songs and artists just by listening, so it’s a great source.

If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? I would say if my work was a song, it would be In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly because much like the song, my work never seems to end, can get kind of confusing, but in the end, I find it really interesting and I like it.

BRIAN’S PLAYLIST

Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Pearl Jam

Yellow Ledbetter, Pearl Jam

Hunger Strike, Temple of the Dog

Come Away With Me, Norah Jones

Summer Wind, Frank Sinatra

Sheena Is a Punk Rocker, The Ramones

What a Wonderful World (Cover), Joey Ramone

In a Little While, U2

Wait and Bleed, Slipknot

Star-Spangled Banner, Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock

Always With Me, Always With You, Joe Satriani

Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan

Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine

Image: Brian Greene

Update: SAYL Chair Online

You’ve been hearing a lot about Yves Behar’s beautifully designed SAYL chair. We covered the Los Angeles launch back in October. Well, yesterday we included it on the list of designs available from our online store. I had a play with the color choices this morning…and I hate to say it but I think my favorite is all black. Is that too boring? I can just see the kids wiping their filthy mitts all over that lovely white version!

Unplggd: Pantone For the iPad and iPhone? Yes, Please.

Oh, the memories of going through Pantone swatch books and fans, trying to fine the perfect CMYK color back in the day when we worked in print and packaging. Ask any designer and they’re likely to wax poetic about their worn out and trusted color matching guide. Knowing this, one could do worse that possibly consider gifting one of these Pantone branded iPhone 4 or iPad cases for the designer in their life…

Accessory manufacturer Case Scenario is offering 9 different colours for the iPhone 4 case, our favourites being those belonging in the gray to black range, while iPad owners have 4 options of blue, red, black and gray. No word on pricing yet, but considering other Pantone brand approved licensing, both accessories should come in at a reasonable price.

(For more cool Pantone stuff that could easily find it’s way under the Christmas tree check out the rest of Gregory’s post here).

By Gregory Han

Good Taste: Kale Chips

During the week we try to keep it healthy—and given that tonight, I’m told, is a particularly riveting match-up on Monday Night Football, my husband is not necessarily on board. So here’s a compromise we can both live with: kale chips. They are loaded with antioxidants and other goodness, but are every bit as satisfying as a potato chip.

My favorite method is inspired by Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill Farm in New York. First, you’ll want to use Tuscan kale, which you’ll find under a myriad of names including cavolo nero, dinosaur kale, Lacinato kale, black kale, but is basically the one with long bumpy leaves. Rinse the leaves, dry and cut in half to remove the center stalk. Then toss them in a bowl with a tablespoon of good olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Then arrange leaves in a single layer on two baking sheets, and bake at 250 for 30 minutes or so. They are so nutty, crispy, slightly briny, and betcha can’t eat just one.

High Five

Where we were last week…

1.We Three Things Illustrator, author and publisher Leanne Shapton’s musings on three loosely connected things appear on this New York Times blog twice a month. She often covers art and design, but sometimes also fashion and food. I find her short essays completely compelling. And I want that slate gray BrickettDavda mug to perch on this desk while I work. Where to start: The post titled In my Cups.

2. Simplenote A very easy way to keep notes and lists. It syncs between your computer and your smartphone. I’ve been keeping my Christmas list here and it’s working a treat. Although I am yet to cross anything off the list! Where to start: The fact that it’s free.

3. Elements of Style Lots of fun eye candy here. Pretty interiors mixed back with fashion and homewares from stylist Erin Gates. Where to start: Great post on use of green in interiors. Nice home office at the top of the story.

4. Correiaragazzi Portuguese architects Graca Correia and Roberto Ragazzi’s website is loaded with great projects. Where to start: Check out this weekender. A tube suspended over the Cavodo River. My idea of a perfect holiday house!

5. Moleskinerie These guys make my favorite notebooks.Perfect size, right weight paper, lined or unlined and increasingly more colors to choose from. Plus that handy little elastic band that keeps them closed.This is Moleskine’s official blog. Where to start: The cool video by Dutch artist Rogier Wieland. He used their extra small planner to great effect.

Herman Miller on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

It’s a big week for us on the small screen. Extreme Home Makeover has chosen a truckload of Herman Miller furniture for their program that airs Sunday. And today Ellen gave away 425 Setu chairs! It’s Day 2 of her 12 Days of Giving and I went to the set to see what all the fuss was about…and let me tell you there was a lot of fuss.

We were kept out of the audience – it wouldn’t look good if I took a seat from a ‘real’ audience member now would it!

So I watched from the green room as Ellen had Hilary Swank guess a mystery word.

Once she’d guessed it (it was gummy bears) the audience were rewarded with a Setu chair. You can watch the show here.

It was such a thrill to be part of all that energy and well-wishing. Ellen gave away over $3000 worth of gifts to each audience member. And the audience was ecstatic. In the line to get to our cars after the show the woman in front of me turned around, wide-eyed and said “There wasn’t a second of down time. Where does she get all her energy?” I didn’t have an answer. But I knew that we were just the first show. Ellen was taping Monday’s show right after ours. Two shows back-to-back on Thursdays. Makes for an intense work week but one that gives you a bit of down time on a Friday!

Holiday Gift Guide: Jordan Awan

This is the last of our contributor’s gift guides. Jordan Awan, who is an art director at The New Yorker, and a valued member of the Lifework team, reveals his wish list.

During the holidays, this sturdy Stanley Flask ($20) should never leave your inside coat pocket. Rust and leak proof, it’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical; use it to make holiday travel bearable, or simply to enjoy an extra dose of winter cheer. Order one from DWR or head to the wonderful Brook Farm General Store in Brooklyn.

Playful and beautiful, the Eames Hang-It-All ($179) has become an essential part of both my apartment decor and my daily routine: it’s always my last stop on my way out the door and my first when I return. The Hang-It-All really does hang it all; pile on bags, coats, scarves, sweaters, hats, and anything else (if you can bear to cover it up, that is!) Designed in 1953 by Charles and Ray Eames, it’s available from the Herman Miller Store.

M&Co.’s Bodoni watch ($105) is, to me, the Platonic ideal of a watch. Designed by Tibor Kalman in 1984, it’s lightweight, comfortable, and has a perfectly proportioned face which elegantly shows off the understated Bodoni numbers. It’s as timeless as a timepiece can get. Buy it from MoMA and show your good taste.

Designed in 1951, Isamu Noguchi’s Akari table lamps ($145) are functional sculptures that look at home in any setting. The soft glow they emit is an easy way to warm up a room on a cold winter night. Buy them from MoMA or the Noguchi Museum in New York; otherwise check out all the beautiful lamps for sale in the Akari Store.

Hillside makes heirloom-quality scarves ($80); no matter how light my jacket is, on a cold day my scarf keeps me toasty. If you live in New York, head to In God We Trust for the best selection; if not, check out Hickorees, but do it quickly, before they sell out.

Unplggd: Three iPad Upgrades That Don’t Involve a Cat

Unfortunately, the iPurr iPad Stand has yet to go into production, despite strong market demand.

We’d argue the Apple iPad can only get better, more useful, when partnered with one of these accessories that build upon improving portability or the sound of your trusted tablet computer. Here are three we recommend…

SMK Link Paddock 10 Adding some audio kick to your iPad has never been this easier. Plenty of volume with two 3 watt speakers, which can bounce the sound waves off of surfaces behind the stand for better amplification. It can rotate 360 degrees. $99.99

iHome iA100ZC Alarm Clock This is not another iPad speaker dock. This one can play MP3s with its built-in Bongiovi restorative digital sound technology and wirelessly stream music over Bluetooth. Comes with alarm apps for the iPad and sleep mode that can turn the iPad off after a pre set time. $199

Booq Cobra Courier XS This bag let your iPad rest on a cushioned, plush compartment while protected all around with ballistic nylon material. Additional space for other peripherals and supplies are plenty. Front access zipper reveals pockets and internal chambers accented with Napa leather trim. $145

Main picture from flickr user Veronica Belmont, used under creative commons license

By Joel Pirela

Ideal Live/Work Space: Interior Designer Laura Clayton Baker

In April this year we took a tour of Laura Baker’s home office. As fas as I was concerned, it was pretty ideal, so I was very interested to see what she would come up with when presented with the central question of this new series: What is your ideal home office?

Laura: I’ve always gotten my best ideas sitting in coffee shops drawing in notebooks, away from the forced environment of a desk, so I’d like to find a way to free up my mind when I’m in my office. One thing I think would help would be a very large, perhaps 9’ x 9’ blackboard or whiteboard, so that I could design furniture and cabinetry full size. (See photo below).

The idea of getting to draw at that scale really appeals to me. I could stand back and really get a sense of the scale, and wouldn’t be wasting any paper to achieve that. I’d photograph the designs to document them before making working drawings. A number of years ago I visited the John Soane Museum in London. One of the many brilliant ideas Soane, who was an architect, employed, was a painting room where the paintings were hung on panels that hinged open to reveal more paintings behind (picture below). In this way he tripled his wall space. I think that would be a great way to work on presentations…different projects could be opened or closed as needed, and if the panels were magnetic or cork fabrics could be pinned onto the boards as well as drawings. I’d like the front of these panels to be painted cabinetry so it could all disappear. I’d choose a palette of whites to function as a neutral background.

This picture (below) is the fantasy version of the interior I’d like to have…it’s Frederic Mechiche’s home in Paris. I’d keep the furnishings very simple and have large work surfaces for drafting, making models, and sorting materials. I’d need lots of cabinets for samples of fabrics, building materials, books and so on. I’d be happy to have all the furniture resources scanned onto an external hard drive however.

Although this is a fantasy of what I’d like, thinking about it has made me realize that at least the blackboard idea is quite attainable, and I may start with that in my actual office.