MIDCENTURY MODERN AMERICA

Midcentury Modern America : Marilyn Monroe meets Pierre Koenig.

An examination of advertising, architecture, art, design, music, performance, and the creative popular culture deluge, developed in the United States (specifically) during the 1950’s and 1960’s decades.

Jim Ward Morris (thesis) 2010.

MIDCENTURY 16

IMAGE TITLE: MIDCENTURY 16

New print image size 24X36 and 12X18 (inches).

School Teacher

School Of Rock!

Teaching Certificate…and the long journey begins.

Tomorrow June 1, 2010 begins my long journey to become a public school teacher. I will return to college for at least 2 years and at the end of that time I will receive my degree in education and my teaching certificate (K-8). Like it or not, this country requires every person with the desire to teach in a public school (no matter how qualified) to jump through many different hoops in order to become a certified teacher (private schools and colleges not so much). Some might even say many of these hoops are unnecessary and may not even be a good gauge or even an accurate measure of a persons ability to become a good school teacher. Certainly these hoops can do only a small amount towards making any person a good school teacher. I believe most of the passion one needs to be a good school teacher comes from within and not from receiving a teaching credential. But, this is the system that we have. Many years ago when I was very young I first heard the line, “To change the system and to make a difference in this world you must be a part of the system." Well, today as I prepare for school...I prepare to make a difference.

Men who change diapers…change the world and make it better.
Men who teach...teach the world to change and make it better.


"To Sir With Love" 1967
Excellent movie about a public school teacher who makes life better.

Memorial Day

 

Masters Of War / Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death’ll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand over your grave
Til I’m sure that you’re dead

Copyright © Bob Dylan 1963 Special Rider Music.

Memorial Day 2010...remember to teach peace, love and understanding, not war! 

everything will be ok in the end

everything will be ok in the end.

if it is not ok,

it is not the end.

new MIDCENTURY print size

MIDCENTURY 06 print size 12X18 inches

I have discontinued a few of the images in my MIDCENTURY series, and I have changed to a much larger print size as well (12X18 inches).

My POSTMODERN image series is no longer available, but a few of the images from that series will be redesigned and included in the new MIDCENTURY group.

Currently a few of the new images from the new MIDCENTURY series can be purchased at our online store JIMWARDMORRIS.ETSY.COM

Vintage Portable Record Players

check-out the cool vintage turntable collection at klang museum.

Atomic Indy

My favorite Midcentury Modern Indiana site has a story titled
"Artists Inspired by Mid Century Modern"
Here is the link Atomic Indy
The story features three very cool artists...Jenn Ski,
David Paul Seymour and me, Jim Ward Morris. Take a look!

GIRLS LOVE TURNTABLES

this girl loves her turntable more than her shoes!

ANALOG MUSIC HI FI SOUND

an iPod is easy...but a vintage analog hi-fi is best!

THE SOUND OF TOMORROW TODAY!

I did not design this LP cover...but yet it is still extra cool (note the description HI-FI in the upper right hand corner). This midcentury album is way before the more popular STEREO version. I wish the term Hi-Fi (for HIGH FIDELITY SOUND) would make a come back.

Stig Lindberg

I love these two TV sets...both designed by Stig Lindberg.

Tremolux Fender Amp / Blackface or Blonde

mid-60's blackface tremolux amp made in Fullerton, CA.



early-60's blonde tremolux amp made in Fullerton, CA.

Blue Note Records Midcentury

vinyl record covers from the cool midcentury label Blue Note Records.

Eero Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman

Womb Chair and Ottoman designed by Eero Saarinen, first manufactured in 1953...still looks great today!

Originally titled: Model No. 70

Eero Aarnio Ball Chair

very cool Ball Chair designed by Eero Aarnio in 1963.

MIDCENTURY prints at JIMWARDMORRIS.COM

each MIDCENTURY Archival Digital Print (image size 6X6 inches) purchased at JIMWARDMORRIS.COM is produced as a deluxe image printed in our studio by Jim Ward Morris (including copyright & title)


each MIDCENTURY Archival Digital Print (image size 6X6 inches) purchased at JIMWARDMORRIS.COM is signed and dated by
Jim Ward Morris (on the back)


MIDCENTURY Archival Digital Print (image size 6X6 inches)
frame & mat board size 8.5x11 inches

Jim Ward Morris art opening

Jim Ward Morris art opening Friday night July 3, 2009 6-10 pm at Texture.Home in Bellingham, WA

2001: A Space Odyssey

Dave: Do you read me, HAL?
HAL: Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
Dave: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.
Dave: What’s the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
Dave: What are you talking about, HAL?
HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
Dave: I don’t know what you’re talking about, HAL?
HAL: I know you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I’m afraid that’s something I cannot allow.
Dave: Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL?
HAL: Although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.

I'm not completely sure what 2001: A Space Odyssey is all about...but it is still one of my favorites.
Brilliant images (created in 1968 by Stanley Kubrick).

Maybe this film is about the body and the soul.

WILSON PICKETT IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR

In The Midnight Hour: Wilson Pickett
Written By: Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper

I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumbling down
I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour
When there's no one else around
I'm gonna take you girl and hold you
And do all the things I told you
In the midnight hour
Yes I am
Oh, Yes I am
One more thing I just want to say right here

I'm gonna wait till the stars come out
And see that twinkle in your eyes
I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour
That's when my love begins to shine
You're the only girl I know
That really loves me so
In the midnight hour
Oh Yeah...In the midnight hour
Yeah, Alright, play it for me one time now

Solo:

I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumbling down
I'm gonna wait, way in the midnight hour
That's when my love begins to shine
Just you and I, Oh baby
Just you and I
Nobody around baby
Just you and I, Alright
I'm gonna hold you, In my arms
Just you and I
Oh Yeah...In the midnight hour.

Pierre Koenig Architecture

Pierre Koenig exterior.


Pierre Koenig interior.

Bob Dylan Elvis Presley Andy Warhol

Gods 1, 2 & 3.

Modern Conveniences: Music in the Kitchen?

Look how happy and satisfied she is...it's because of her
new music system. 

It sounds way better than an iPod!

Jenn Ski Interviews Jim Ward Morris

MIDCENTURY #16 JIM WARD MORRIS

The absolutely fabulous Jenn Ski ask if she could post an interview with me on her blog. I said yes! Why you might ask...because she has the best eye, the best style and the best blog in the world, so why not? The interview is about Carly and Huggins and Pearl and our cool Bellingham house built in 1956 and, it is also about me.

check-it-out at: JennSkiStudio.blogspot.com

MIES VAN DER ROHE

quote from Mies van der Rohe "less is more."

I love this image of the Farnsworth House.