"Today there are more artists working in more genres, using more varieties of material, and moving among more geographic locations than ever before. By exploring the networks that exist among contemporary artists and the work they create, the Biennial characterizes the state of American art today."
- [link]

I get to work at the Whitney Museum of American Art this year, during a great event called the "2008 Biennial". Its basically a time when the museum shows off hundreds of AMAZING American artists of 2day. Right now its held at the Museum as an exhibition of art along with videos and gallery talks when you can meet the artists personally!!!

It's a really great time for the museum now, and as an artist, i think its great that i can meet all these influential art makers of 2day. I was also able to make audio guides along with other kids my age that you can listen to when you go to the top floors of the museum (mine is a piece by Mitzi Peterson).

Anyway, everyone should go and check it out, if you want details just e-mail me or write on my page...

Hey all,

recently i have been doing a lot of work with MoMa (museum of modern art) and our last project were audio guides for some of thier permanent collections. They were written and recorded by us and i think they are pretty awsome...the link is below for anyone who wants to check it out! (Mine is OOF by Ed Ruche....)

Enjoy, and download cause im not sure how long they are gonna be up!!!

[link]

Hey All,
Well for a while now i have working with the nice ppl at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and one of my assignments was to write an article for the teen page (www.moma.org/redstudio).
I did a review on the Mercedez Benz building in Germany. To see more work by me and, i guess my co-workers,lol, see the webpage....enjoy!!!


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I Don’t Know Much about Cars but….
By Melissa Callender


During the MoMa Program I had the chance to visit a lot of buildings in New York. We saw the Seagram building, the Chrysler building, and with each one we also had the chance to observe and critique them as observers and as architects. Since it was one of my favorite activities, I wanted to do a review of my own to show my interest in it. When I was researching online I found a picture of the new Mercedes- Benz building in Germany. I wasn’t able to actually visit the building, but I was really interested in how it looked, and wanted to write about it. Hopefully some of the things that I learned from the program will show in my review, and maybe make you want to write your own:

I’ve never really been interested in cars, how they work, what new models came out, all my knowledge about cars basically stops at what color they are. But when I found this building it made me more interested in cars because the building wanted me to go inside it. The new Mercedes-Benz building with its aluminum and glass material covering the building in a circular form would definitely grab the attention of people on the Germany highway. It can store 160 cars in 178,000 square feet of space, including the display area. The architect Ben van Berkel likes the same thing that I like about the building, the spirals. When I saw a picture of the building it reminded me of the Guggenheim museum that I visited for an exhibition. “We wanted to make three, because then you could step in the other spiral…” says Ben about the building. I think it makes the building a lot more interesting because the people who go inside can easily travel through it. The car enthusiasts can also appreciate every part of the showroom at once (which could take about 6 hours according to the architect!).
When examining architecture, it’s important to think about how it makes you feel. Even without seeing the building up close, you can tell that it is very large compared to its surroundings and that it can’t be missed. Even though when you think of something inviting or comfortable you think about something cozy, relaxed, with warm tones. Well, this building is the opposite of all the things that I listed, so why is it a great building? I think that even though it’s big, with 100,000 tons of concrete and metal frames, it’s still inviting because of it’s visual appeal. If there was one thing that I got out of visiting buildings around NYC, it’s that things have to stand out in order for you to be drawn to them. If a building disappears, and fades away in the sidewalk you won’t notice it, this building makes it impossible to just pass by it. If you were driving along a highway in Germany, in your new Mercedes-Benz car, and all of sudden the bare concrete ground becomes a big circular building with spirals peering out onto the cars, you have to notice it. The next time I go to Germany, I think it’s safe to say that I’ll leave liking cars a little bit more.

When i said that i wanted to become a designer/architect/artist in...i guess 6th grade i strated my book collection as soon as possible, now im pretty proud of it. This year i really expanded my library of architecture and design books and i wanted to share what i thought were the best ones for anyone interested...

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10.THE ABRAMS GUIDE TO AMERICAN HOUSE STYLES
(by William Morgan)
- I like this book because it gives a general source of knoledge for anyone who wants to be an architect. Its layed out in a way that examines all the different home styles and does it in a really clear and informative way. Its a large but compact book that is really good if you need a quick reference because the text is really easy to read. It also comes with lots of pictures to go with the descriptions.

9. TASCHEN ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
- This book looks through different architectural ideas from different countries in Europe dating from the 1400s to the present. The text can be a little challenging to read because some of it is translated from its original language, but its still really informative. A big plus are the sketches that the book gives from past architects that are really detailed. And for anyone who knows books from this company knows that the layouts are always really pretty.

8.NEW YORK HOME BOOK
(by the Ashley Group)
- I really like this one because its a really simple reference tool for anyone who is a designer, architect, or someone who is just looking to redo thier home. Its easy layout lets you look up sources in a really easy way because its divided by the type of job. Each section gives you a brief description followed by a list of companies, tips, and price ranges which is why its really helpful for the average person.

7.COLOR YOUR HOME
(by Suzy Chaizzari)
- i love this book because its perfect for the designer who has creative block in picking a color scheme for a room. Its layed out in a way where you can turn to any page and find what you want, and its really portable with its "binder-like" appearance. It starts off with explaining color theory then goes into giving you hundreds of color sheme ideas with pictures of rooms to show examples.

6.TASCHEN ARCHITECTURE NOW!
(by Philip Jodidio)
- another taschen book on the list. i really like this one simply becasue its smal enough to fit into your purse but has a lot of information. The book is about 190 pages with each page dedicated to a architect and a piece of work. Its a great book to have when you want to look up an architect or a piece of famous architecture.

5.INTERIOR DESIGN:A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(by Jenny Gibbs)
- I love this book as a aspiring designer because it takes you through every single step to becoming a interior designer starting with the history of design to getting promoted at your firm. For me, the thing that i like most to see in deisgn books are really good floor plans and concept boards, and this one does, throughout the book it gives guides and examples of designs from the experts. I didnt put this book down until i finished reading every word.

4.INTERIOR DESIGN COURSE
(by Tomris Tangaz)
- this book is a lot like my #5 but without the history. It really focuses on the career of the interior designer. It also really focuses on problem solving during the actual deign process, which adds a good honesty factor to the book. My favorite parts of the book are the case studies. It gives about 8 case studies that are perfect for someone who wants ideas for projects.

3.A LIVING ARCHITECTURE
(by John Rattenbury)
- this book is perfect for a person who really admires the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. It talks about the ideas behind organic architecture and also mentions the architects and stuents that were influenced by him. The only downside is that its not something easy to take around with you becasue its huge, but just put it on your coffee table. lol

2.CANDICE OLSEN ON DESIGN
(by Candice Olsen)
- the main reasons that i love this book is becasue its by one of my favorite designers and that the book is filled with her sketches, which you know are amazing if you watch her show on HGTV. The down side for me is that its not an instructional book which is what i really wanted from her (....if anyone knows one *hint hint*) but it does give a lot her designing principles which are great.

1.ARCHITECTURE IS ELEMENTARY
(by Nathan B. Winters)
- this is my number one pick because its the book that i have been looking for!!! its basically a textbook that doesnt have the cost of one and you dont need the annoying teacher to go with it. Its a long book, but soft cover so its not to bad. The book is divided by lesson plans and there really easy to understand, and its filled by illustrations from the author. I just got this book for christmas so i havnt finished it yet, but so far its amazing!! A must have for the architecture nerd that wants to be etra prepared for college.

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If you have any questions about the books that i listed like cost or where to get them, just leave a comment. You can also leave any ideas for books that you would add to the list. I also have a few more ideas for books about art technique so maybe i'll make another list soon.