art in the age of mechanical reproduction

We took a little day trip down to Philly this past weekend because NCECA had taken over the city, and even though we didn't have tickets for the actual conference, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to run around a city that had been completely taken over by ceramic art and artists. We ran through the Philadelphia Musesum of Art as well as some galleries, including the always great The Clay Studio, an especially wonderful pairing of George Nakashima furniture with ceramics from masters of the American Craft Movement at the Moderne Gallery, and the above store/gallery space of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Previously, I had only been familiar with Art in the Age in an online capacity, and it was great to finally be able to check this place out in person. It has a ton of wonderful clothing, accessories and home goods, as well as a small gallery space where we got to see Drawing Dinner, an exhibit featuring artists who have transformed found ceramic wares with their own original paintings, prints and drawings.

Another great plus for this store was ROOT, an alcoholic Root Tea that Art in the Age makes and that there had been a tasting of the night before, making the store smell absolutely incredible. Unfortunately, due to Pennsylvania's liquor laws, you can't purchase ROOT at Art in the Age and we didn't have a chance to stop by a liquor store (although we really wish we had), but if it tastes even nearly as good as it smells, I'm definitely going to have to try and get my hands on a bottle.