We can’t resist a nicely patterned sweater for autumn. We do recall putting up something similar to this up before and being accused to jumping the shark (something we’re accused of weekly). It’s been a year now – the usual time it takes for people to realise we’re not so crazy after all – and people’s tastes should’ve come round by now. (Opening Ceremony)

01. Why We’re Teaching ‘The Wire’ at Harvard
“”The Wire,” which depicted inner-city Baltimore over five seasons on HBO, shows ordinary people making sense of their world. Its complex characters on both sides of the law defy simplistic moral distinctions. Critics loved it. Its fans hung on every episode. We think it is more than just excellent television. Impressed by its treatment of complex issues, we developed a course at Harvard drawing on the show’s portrayal of fundamental sociological principles connected to urban inequality. Our seminar was designed for 30 students; four times that many showed up for the first class last week.”
(havardkennedyschool)

02. The Quest to Find the First Soundscape
“There will always be a large gap between our visual and audio historical records. Decades when we can see our places, but not hear them. We will never know what New York, Los Angeles, or any other city sounded like before the automobile hit the streets and electricity was commonplace.

Some things, like what it sounded like for a million Americans to live together without internal combustion engines on wheels, can be lost forever.”
(atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/09/the-quest-to-find-the-first-soundscape/62842/ )

03. Everything is a Remix (above)
“Remixing is a folk art but the techniques involved — collecting material, combining it, transforming it — are the same ones used at any level of creation. You could even say that everything is a remix.” (everythingisaremix)

04. Barbara Kruger Downtown New York
“To build excitement for the new downtown location of the Whitney, the museum commissioned three artists, GUYTON/WALKER, TAUBA AUERBACH and BARBARA KRUGER, to contribute to an ongoing public art project on the site of the future building. The artists stays true to their aesthetics but must use printed vinyl as the medium to mold and cover the fences and surrounding area on the corners of Gansevoort and Washington St.” (purplediary)

A bit late to the plate but Acq. reminded us to check for the special products which are still available from this season’s FNO festivities. Above is a great army satchel from Nigel Cabourn for Barneys. “Waxed canvas flap front army satchel with top zip, canvas web handles and adjustable canvas web shoulder strap. Two exterior flap pockets with push-tab closure and leather trim. Unlined interior.”

More looks at the Nigel Cabourn Army Satchel for FNO at Barneys after the click.

There’s no shortage of cases and stands for Apple’s iPad—we’ve featured a number of them here. Yet, some of us at Selectism choose to go caseless. (Those designers hidden in the dark labs of Cuptertino didn’t design the iPad to feel so nice in your hands for nothing.) Still, there are plenty of times when the iPad needs some additional support: when you want to watch a movie, or give it a more comfortable typing angle.

magneticNorth’s MoviePeg is a simple, nicely designed solution that’s a great iPad compliment. The MoviePeg is two pieces of molded plastic that slide onto each side of the iPad. Depending on where they’re connected, they keep the iPad at a high angle for viewing, or a lower angle for typing. The two pieces of plastic snap together for easy storage, and are small enough to keep keep nearby at all times for whenever they’re needed. The MoviePeg for iPad is available directly from magneticNorth in black, or limited edition Clockwork Orange (and we love a good Kubrick reference).

Another look at MoviePeg for iPad by magneticNorth after the click.

Gestalten is about ready to drop and deliver a new book box set on the subject of all things Eames entitled The Story of Eames Furniture. “Brimming with images and insightful text, this unique book is the benchmark reference on what is arguably the most influential and important furniture brand of our time. It reveals in unparalleled detail how Charles and Ray Eames as well as a talented team of designers worked to create pieces that still top bestseller lists. The book describes the key role played by the Eames Office’s own development and perfection of production processes for its designs as well as the significance of its relationship with manufacturers. #highlyrecommended

Available from Amazon.

More looks inside The Story of Eames Furniture Book after the click.

Here is The Fashionisto’s take on the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection for Spring 2011. “As a fusion of the 70′s and 90′s come to fruition, Marc by Marc Jacobs offered up a softer side to their man this season. Far and distant from militaristic aspirations, a slouchy approach to suiting provided an unusually casual vibe. Subscribed to a redefined school of prep, bold prints and blocks of color added personality to growing silhouettes.”

More looks at the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 after the click.

Surface to Air previews their forthcoming Spring 2011 collection for men with a wide collection of garments. All is touched in the collection offering you a chance to explore the line without too deep a commitment. Well worth a look.

More looks at the Surface to Air Men’s Spring 2011 collection after the click.

Our friend, Jou-Yie Chou, from the ACE Hotel checks in with this dispatch from the “Coastal Caravan.”

Ace Hotel decided to join Jay Carroll and the third installation of One Trip Pass for a journey down the west coast from Portland Oregon and the hotel there, to LA and out to Palm Springs. Day one we picked up the Airstream and Silverado (on loan from both companies, respectively) and set out on the road for a two weeks of hoarding a mix of art, craft, vintage and experience. Stayed at Fort Stevens State Park last night outside of the Goonies town, Astoria, OR and are now headed south. Once we get down to LA next week come check out our mobile shop. More on that later  - in the meantime check back here for notes from the road. (images: Nate Bressler)

A few more images from “A Coastal Caravan” after the click.

We’ve featured only one American cider ever here on Selectism, and that was almost one year ago. So, with Autumn on the way, we take a quick look at Farnum Hill Ciders. Located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Farnum Hll (Part of Poverty Hill Orchards) produces ciders that are dry, sharp, and fruity. These tend to hit at 6.5 to 7.5% ABV. They are also clear on their goals, “We’re rooting for more skilled apple-growers to take up the horticulture and craft of cider. Then maybe distinctive American orchard-based ciders will return to their pre-Prohibition glory and variety.”