FEBRUARY 21, 1990

Full News Archive

• Headline: Supporting Young Teachers in Manhattan. Impact: The decision to keep young teachers close to their work led to an unexpected surge in ‘Teacher-Influencer’ culture. Teachers began posting daily classroom antics, leading to the eventual rise of viral education TikToks that would shape the educational landscape. Who knew that the future of pedagogy hinged on a poorly decorated apartment?. Fact: Did you know that young teachers are just like houseplants? They thrive when kept in a supportive environment, preferably one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!.
• Headline: Explore A/D Gallery's Unique Entrance. Impact: This gallery entrance, with its trendy design, kickstarted the 'Instagrammable' architecture movement. Soon, visitors were more interested in selfies than art, leading to a global crisis in art appreciation. Thanks, 1,100 Architects, for turning culture into a photo op!. Fact: Fun fact: the more angles an entrance has, the less likely people are to appreciate what's inside. Who needs art when you have angles?.
• Headline: CURRENTS: A Celebration of Public Bathing. Impact: The Miami Beach fountain, while seemingly innocent, inspired a series of bizarre public bathing trends that culminated in 'Bathing Festivals' across the U.S. The trend eventually fizzled out when it turned out that people preferred their bathing in privacy. Shocking, I know.. Fact: Did you know that public bathing was once a thing? Yeah, it turns out people prefer to scrub in solitude rather than in a communal splash zone..
• Headline: BUSINESS PEOPLE; Chemical Executive Sent to Houston Bank. Impact: Alan R. Buckwalter's ascendancy in the banking world led to a chain reaction of corporate ladder climbing that resulted in an entire generation of executives who think wearing a suit makes them smarter. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.. Fact: Ever notice how bankers are like squirrels? They both hoard things and get really excited about shiny new objects - like stock options!.
• Headline: Restoring Modest Woodworking Planes. Impact: The resurgence of interest in modest woodworking planes sparked a trend in 'vintage' woodworking that would inspire hipster furniture-making. This led to the rise of overpriced handcrafted furniture sold in artisanal shops. Thanks for ruining woodworking for everyone, collectors!. Fact: Did you know that woodworking planes were once considered essential tools? Now they’re just trendy decor for people who wouldn’t know a tenon from a mortise!.
• Headline: CURRENTS; An Inspired Mark For a Lamp. Impact: The Beauty Mark lamp inspired a new wave of minimalist lighting designs, leading to a widespread belief that less is indeed more. Unfortunately, this left many homes looking like they were staged for a real estate listing.. Fact: Did you know that lamps can have 'beauty marks'? No? Well, now you do! Next time you see a lamp, just remember: it might be more attractive than you..
• Headline: CURRENTS; Fragments as Picture Frames. Impact: Christian White’s use of 19th-century mantelpieces as picture frames launched the 'art of repurposing,' which would eventually lead to the creation of various DIY shows on television where people turned everything from cheese graters to old tires into 'art'.. Fact: Did you know that if you can't afford an actual fireplace, you can always just hang a picture frame above an empty wall and call it 'art'? Instant sophistication!.
• Headline: CURRENTS; Ever So Humble: Houses From Tires. Impact: The tire house concept led to a bizarre trend of eco-friendly architecture that involved using random junk, causing architects everywhere to rethink their material choices. Who knew that the future of housing would involve a lot of junkyards?. Fact: Did you know that you can build a house out of old tires? Just make sure your neighbors don’t mistake it for a junkyard - or do they already think that?.