Wooden Xylophone and Bach in the Forest

 via Invisible Designs Lab

My jaw dropped for a full 3 minutes when I saw this film featuring Bach’s Cantata 147, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” on a wooden xylophone.  It's so beautiful that it's hard to believe it's an advertisement for a Sharp Touch Wood SH-08C phone.  So to give myself peace of mind, I prefer to think of this as a gorgeous art installation that happened to have been funded by a company.  (Also, at least the phone is made of surplus wood derived from thinning trees for forest health.)  The work was designed by Invisible Designs Lab and built by Kenjiro Matsuo.  See a clip about the making of the project here and see the full piece below. 
(via excavation by spoonfuls and The 6th Floor)

 

via Invisible Designs Lab

via Invisible Designs Lab

via Invisible Designs Lab

What Else Should Be on the Island?

Hello Friends,
  I just thought that I'd start featuring things you think should be on the island, as Miles Island is meant to be shared and enjoyed by all.  Got a favorite book?  A pair of shoes?  A new favorite band?  A favorite way to enjoy a rainy day?  Let us know!

Leave your suggestions as a comment below, or email me at milesislandblog@gmail.com.  Can't wait to hear from you!

Island Grandparents Care for Plants

On Miles Island, grandparents water plants--both literally and figuratively.  I love how these flowers are being nurtured, almost like children.  Note the pack basket pot--you can take flowers along for hikes when they want a change of scenery!  Also, I should let you know that my grandmother calls this Miles Island website (quite appropriately) a 'blob', so I think that from now on I'll refer to myself as a blobber!

Megan Hildebrandt and Peter Abrami...Artists in Residence

 Megan Hildebrant and Peter Abrami are artists in residence here on the island.  This past week we were welcomed into their home for a couple days.  Note The Celebration Tree, which is for all occasions.  The day of the photoshoot was Peter's birthday... hence the P's and A's.  See more of their work at http://meganhildebrandt.blogspot.com/ and http://peterabrami.blogspot.com/ .  Thanks so much for a wonderful time Peter and Megan, hope to see you soon!

(An eye test chart)

 Much art of Peter and Megan in this home, you will see...

 

  

On the Street... Main St., Miles Island

This fine gentleman said "Thank you" after I complimented him on his hat (which has a small feather in it) and asked if I could take his photo.  I've seen him around town a bit and I'm always impressed...I knew I had to snap a shot in the sun so as to light up those classy shades of his! 

Well, have a stylish week everyone.  We'll be traveling for a few days but back and posting about the island before you know it. 

'FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft' film

via Rugenius 

 via Soulcraft

Here's a great minimentary featuring Sean Walling of Soulcraft Bikes (Top Notch Bicycle Frames), as shot by Michael John Williams, with the music of Mattson 2.  Kinda makes ya want to get into the shop, eh?  Thanks to my buddy Travis for the heads up.  Now I'm going to go for a bike ride...

Alma Pura - Lugged Fixed Gear Road

Soulcraft Convert chain tensioner

Music Thursday: The Civil Wars

 

 Photo by Jon Willis

The Civil Wars.  This band is quite new to me, although the topic of the U.S. Civil War used to be one of my favorite pastimes--not that I was into violence, though.  I played with confederate and union lead soldiers, made cannons out of clay, wrote historical fiction stories set in 1864, visited Fort Sumter, carried my wooden rubberband gun (musket) around with me most places, etc.  That was when I was about 24. 

But I digress.  The Civil Wars have certainly made a name for themselves in a relatively short amount of time, and I think you'll Joy Williams' and John Paul White's soulful harmonies.  And thankfully they're a pretty peaceful bunch.  They're coming to Madison this Friday the 15th for a free show at the Rath.  See you there!  By the way, download a free live set that they played at Eddie's Attic on their website, visit NPR for their live set on Mountain Stage or World Cafe, and buy their CD below:

 Barton Hollow (cd) Barton Hollow (mp3)

[UPDATE April 2011: I just saw The Civil Wars live and it was a wonderful, charming show.  Their harmonies were so in sync, and even their vibratos perfectly matched.  Their voices were made for each other.  Joy couldn't stop smiling--nice to see musicians having fun!]

Photo by AM