The Red Cardinals Visit to ducduc!

Some would say that our showroom is a pretty childish place. I mean the place is literally filled with cribs! However this Monday, the ducduc crew was treated to some visitors filled with a bit more energy than most of the “mommy-to-be” shoppers that usually frequent 524 Broadway.

 At 10 AM sharp, our doors swung open and in came the Village Preschool Center’s “Red Cardinals” class, a small army of 4 and 5 year olds eager to learn about our custom fabrics and finishes! Just kidding-they were far more interested in playing with our toys and exploring the showroom. 

I mean plenty of parents participate in “Take your kid to work day,” but our Creative Director Brady Wilcox opted for the more ambitious “Take your kid’s entire class to work day.”

Brady, whose daughter Gray is turning 5, gave a full presentation to our little guests, easily making them the most furniture-versed preschoolers in town.

It was kicked off with a quick economics lesson, courtesy of the business end of ducduc, CEO Philip Erdoes. “So why would someone start a company?” he asked the Cardinals. “To make money!” a few of them chirped back. "Perhaps they’re smarter than they," look he mumbled.

After telling the story behind the founding of ducduc, Philip passed it off Brady who took the Cardinals through a step by step design process. He explained how a play table grows from an idea in his head to something that they can store their toys in and draw on. He started with the brainstorming process, then discussed the various stages of design sketches, into a computer rendering and then gets sent to our factory to be made.

 

Afterwards, they collaboratively designed and sketched a bedroom for twins. Unfortunately Brady had to temper their request to make the walls “rainbow” color. 

We had such a great time entertaining and being entertained by the Red Cardinals! Who knows, perhaps Brady's passion for design will one day influence one of them to spread their wings and enter the interior design industry! We would definitely be open to hiring one of them. 

 

 Here is an adorable shot of Gray Wilcox, with our Director of Communications David Harris.

What's Buzzing at LACMA?

     Recently, while perusing the LA County Museum of Art, our very own David Harris came across some very mesmerizing “buzz.” But not in the form of the juicy Hollywood chatter characteristic to the area. The sound he was hearing was literally buzz: the collective drone of over 100,000 miniature toy cars circulating through a model metropolis. He had discovered artist and sculptor Chris Burden’s visionary toy-car megalopolis project “Metropolis II.” After four years of work, Burden continues to tinker with his unfinished project: a contemporary model city featuring a weaving road circuit in which cars travel up to 230 mph: Slot cars on steroids. When witnessed first hand, Metropolis II is both visually and audibly awe-inspiring, the ongoing product of a mind that is unafraid to follow an artistic vision to extreme ends.

     But beneath its impressive physical presence and complex design lives Burden’s inspiration for the piece: a sentimental outlook on childhood that is evident in his overarching philosophy as an artist. Burden has been using toys in his art since the 1970s, claiming that the tools used to inculcate children into adults are a revealing reflection of society. The manner in which children use and ultimately discard toys represents a valuable insight to the passing of time and the shifting of eras.

     Despite his lofty philosophy, one thing is for certain: Burden’s Metropolis II is a truly impressive piece of art. Unique in its perpetual exuberance, Burden successfully evokes the energy of a modern city while using pieces that are quite elementary. For a child with creative aspirations and a slot car set at home, a visit to the metropolis at LACMA could be stimulating, inspiring and maybe even life changing. Hey-at the very least it will bring Dad back to the glory days of playing with his childhood train set.

     The LA County Museum of Art is super kid friendly, and is definitely a must-see if you are looking for quality family time during a trip out west. 





Check out a brief documentary on Metropolis II below…