THE LAB:GALLERY Presents INTERSECTION February 10-March 2, 2012
My $100 Art Collection. By John Knowles
Posted on 08. Sep, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Art at Roger Smith, Arts, Community, Hotel
In an effort to stimulate a collector’s mentality, we at the Roger Smith have initiated, under the motivation and guidance of James Knowles, an art collectors program.
Over coffee at Lily’s, with myself, Danika Druttman and James Knowles, we tossed around the idea of building a young collectors art program. To be honest the idea might have been in circulation for sometime (you never know where the origin of these things comes from). Whether we came up with it or it had been a rolling stone, nothing is new, just rearranged…
James Knowles as Ben Franklin #RogersRewards
Anyway, out of his wallet he pulls two crisp $100 bills and presents them to the both of us.
The objective is to build a body of work with the intent of capturing and stimulating a collector’s imagination. For a long time our efforts have been focused on the subject and perspective of the artist and their motivations. This new initiative takes into account the mind and eye of the collector, the stories and perspectives of the people who purchase works of art.
Sent into the summer months with an idea, we now revisit the concept with newly acquired works of art. After spending a couple weeks at the Vermont Studio Center, I returned to New York with two works from a fellow artist in residence, Ester Hasskamp.
As I canvassed her studio during the open studio visit, my eye was drawn to a small black piece of paper with a threaded outline of a blue moon and its rays. Without receiving a formal title from the artist, I call it “Blue Moon & Ray”.
The second work that caught my attention was a gravestone rubbing with the name Alice. This stimulated a funny memory that involves my sister Phoebe. Phoebe and I went to support the new Bier Garden that had just opened in our neighborhood. There was a live band that was playing one of those songs similar to “Sweet Caroline” where a full crowded bar participate in the chorus… This song, which neither of us had ever heard, has burned itself into my memory as a bar room classic and will always stimulate the question, “Who the fuck is Alice?”
“Who the fuck is Alice?”
As we begin to build our collectors’ portfolios we have a confidence that our decisions have the potential to appreciate in value with each contribution. The stories that motivate the purchase and relationships that we build with the artist become long-lasting.
This is just the beginning.
As we grow this collection, we embrace artists and collectors alike to participate. As the collector has his/her own identity and personality, so will the collection. I have created my own personal blog that will follow my contributions to the overall collection and will also be providing updates to Roger Smith Life as the project grows.
Not to make it too much of a competition, but I am interested to see what Danika brings to the table.
Cheerio.
Be well,
John Knowles
a.k.a Panman
Follow @pancity on twitter.
Other related links
My100artcollection.tumblr.com
Panmanmixtapes.tumblr.com
The Roger Smith is a hub for social media in #NYC. People. Art. Food. Wine. For 10% off our best available rooms rate: bit.ly/RSrooms
twitter: twitter.com/rshotel
fb: facebook.com/rogersmithhotel
blog: bit.ly/RSlife
web: rogersmith.com/
Why I like the “i” in Connection!
Posted on 09. May, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Arts, Community, Hotel
A conversation that I had with Nick Hifrin about the letter “i” has inspired me on a tangent. Nick, a New York artist who has been collaborating with our own Marlo Brown, was explaining to me about his creative organizational tactics with the letter “I” to represent a symbol of a connector.
He has been extracting “i”s from newspapers and using them to represent a point of connection as he builds larger systems for his music and art performances. He understands the principals of connections by building systems.
I love the logic and representation of the letter “i” as it stands out in the Roger Smith Hotel letters. As i look to connect systems and simulate the Roger Smith Hotel as a connectors network, “i” really like the metaphor.
Lets start building some connections.
If you fancy yourself a connector post a response letting me know how you connect your networks to the world.
Making further “Connections”, I am hosting an Art competition here @RShotel. I am awarding $100 to the most artistic “i” connector image that is submitted to me here on this blog. Anyone who submits will receive a $100 Rogersreward, and be part of the connector “i” series at the Roger Smith Hotel.
Simply take a picture of your “i” and send it to me in a tweet with the hashtag #makingconnections with @pancity & @rshotel. Also be sure to post a link here on the blog to be included.
Let the world know you are a connector.
Thanks for reading! Please comment, share and engage.
Transitions
Posted on 05. May, 2011 by AdamWallace in Community, Hotel
by Adam Wallace
In the fall of 2006, I came to the Roger Smith Hotel to work with John Knowles to start a video-based website for the hotel called Roger Smith News (now RogerSmithLife). The idea was to create a site that would tell stories through video about all areas of the hotel community. This was certainly an unconventional idea at the time and a forward-thinking investment by James Knowles, CEO (and artist-in-residence) of the Roger Smith. As opportunities on the Internet expanded, the hotel increased its commitment in the online space and I moved into the position of director of digital marketing.
With the combined efforts of many at the hotel including the creativity of John Knowles and his Panman Productions team, Brian Simpson’s passion for connecting with people, a cutting edge arts program run by Matt Semler, and a great community in the social media scene, we were able to build a colorful, dynamic and engaged online presence. The vision, leadership and unwavering support of James Knowles made all of this possible.
Encouraged by this amazing experience with a pioneering team, I have decided to move on to the next adventures. I am excited to watch the Roger Smith Hotel’s online presence continue to flourish. John Birdsong will take the lead on media, website work and online engagement. John Knowles will innovate and lead many of the marketing initiatives at the hotel. Ek Wongleecharoen, Matt Semler and Danika Druttman will also be very involved in the Roger Smith’s online communications.
As for me, I am exploring opportunities both in New York and San Francisco and am looking forward to all that is to come. Below you can find contact information for me and for all who are involved at the Roger Smith.
Thank you to everyone at the Roger Smith Hotel for this phenomenal opportunity. I am proud of what we have accomplished. I will always be a loyal RSH supporter and will always be one of the many “Roger Smiths”.
To all of our friends in the great community that has developed at the hotel, the Roger Smith’s commitment to you and to the online space is strong and continuing to grow. The team at the hotel is looking forward to seeing you all soon at events and around the hotel. (I can assure you that you will find me up at Henry’s Rooftop Bar for a drink this summer).
All the best,
Contacts at the Roger Smith Hotel:
For rooms questions and bookings:
Mai Yoo (mai at rogersmith.com)
For events questions and bookings:
Martha Rodriguez (martha at roger smith.com)
Online Team:
John Knowles: jknowles at panmanproductions.com
John Birdsong: jbirdsong at rogersmith.com
Matt Semler: msemler at rogersmith.com
Ek Wongleecharoen: ek at rogersmith.com
Danika Druttman: danika at rogersmith.com
My Contact Info:
Email: Adam at AdamJWallace.com
AdamjWallace.com
Twitter.com/Adwal
Facebook.com/Adwal
(917) 558 7396
Why Storytelling? James Knowles’ Thoughts
Posted on 25. Apr, 2011 by admin in Community, Hotel
(from a 2009 document)
Why?
For the love of it.
For the fun of telling a whopper of a tale.
For looking at things in a different way.
For surprising and astounding.
To understand better things before us.
To speculate.
To think.
To enliven and enrich.
Because telling stories is good for you and good for me.
Think of Treasure Island and Huck Finn and Harry Potter.
To play with our minds and yours.
Because you/we are curious, adventuresome people who love a good tale.
To delight yourself and your audience.
To play around with ideas.
To laugh.
To cajole.
To amuse.
To take a bite out of the pie of life.
10 things to take away from David Meerman Scott
Posted on 14. Feb, 2011 by JohnKnowles in Community, Hotel
1. Create and understand your buyer persona.
2. Follow the Grateful Dead. There are great marketing lessons to be learned from one of the world most iconic bands.
3. Cultivate eccentrics.
4. Talk about the snow. Man there was a lot of snow. Keep it human. Keep it current.
5. Real-Time Marketing and PR.
6. Old Rules v. New Rules
7. Is this Popup Marketing?
8. “You are a marketing company that has a hotel!”… Lightbulb.
9. Beware of the snap!
10. Communicate with your buyer persona.
Having David speak with us has transformed our marketing identity at the Roger Smith Hotel. We are beginning to look at our business in new light with a focus on persona rather than product. Personally, I look to be a utility. How can I help you? I aim to connect with more people within the thought leader positions, the trend setters, the brands that are looking to expand their reach, and the people who actively participate in their communities. There are opportunities popping all over the place. Come share in the glory!
Voicenote DMScott RS Consulting by Panman
If you are still paying attention, now is the time to act. I look forward to engaging with you. Reach out. Become part of the Roger Smith Culture. How can I help you?
Thanks
John Knowles
Director of Innovation
The Roger Smith Poetry Dinner With Brian Johnstone
Posted on 10. Feb, 2011 by danikadruttman in Art at Roger Smith, Arts, Events
By Danika Druttman
Brian Johnstone has been a good friend of ours, from afar until now, so we are delighted to have him with us this week at The Roger Smith Hotel, on our shores for his first time.
On Wednesday evening Sculptor/Poetry Afficionado/Roger Smith Hotel President, James Knowles, hosted a dinner party in honor of our Scottish poet friend. In The Solarium on the 16th floor, our longest dinner table was set for a culinary/auditory feast for 40 passionate and spirited poets and poetry lovers alike. We asked that all who join us, come armed with a poem to read or recite either for the camera, or the table over dinner and were all thrilled to find that our guests had embraced our terms and chosen a thoughtful, elegant, diverse selection of prose to share.
We kicked off the evening with drinks, while our Director of New Media (and excellent cameraman), John Birdsong egged people to share their poems with him and those in earshot. The recitals continued through dinner with gusto, prompted by a wonderful reading of selections of his own work by the guest of honor Brian Johnstone; followed by the New York based Scottish poet Alastair Reid. People intermittently performed their selected work, of both others and their own, all between chatting, getting to know each other, and talking poetry and art.
We had poetry from all four corner of the earth, in just as many languages, by Shakespeare, Edith Sodergran (Sweden), Pablo Neruda (Chile) and Duong Tuong (Vietnam), as well as compositions by our poet friends Elizabeth Torres, Graeme Bezanson, Megin Jiminez, Alice White and Jackie Clark.
The Compilation: Poetry Dinner February 2011
Daniel Mowles, Chef De Cuisine at Lily’s Restaurant was responsible for the wonderful menu. A feast it was!
The evening’s menu
Starter
Farmhouse Butternut Squash Soup
Entrée
Beef Fillet, Thyme, Demi Glaze
Cedar Plank Salmon, Lemon Zest, Dill
Sides
Roasted Baby Carrots, Criminni Mushrooms, Fingerling Potatoes, Sprouts
Saffron Rissotto, Parmesan, Chives
Dessert
The most delicious Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream
We look forward to more celebrations of poetry and the spoken word here at The Roger Smith in 2011.
If you are interested in hearing more about our art, music and spoken word programming please click HERE
A Special Holiday Message From Roger Smith Hotel CEO James Knowles (video)
Posted on 23. Dec, 2010 by Birdsong in Community, Hotel
Season’s greetings from The Roger Smith Hotel.
: )
Icicle image by Andy Goldsworthy.
Daniel Mowles on his new menu, pickles and experience
Posted on 20. Oct, 2010 by admin in Hotel, Lily's Restaurant
Recently, James Knowles sat down with Chef De Cuisine Daniel Mowles to talk with him about his new menus, food and experience. Here a a few clips that came from their discussion in front of the green screen.
On Lily’s new menu, Daniel Mowles
Daniel and pickles
Daniel talking on the experience
Fashion Experiment: The scarf…
Posted on 14. Apr, 2010 by Editor in Community, Hotel
Mr. Knowles asked me to do a fashion experiment giving a “gift” to different RS employees and seeing their reactions. He set me out on an adventure to Seigo, a small Japanese tie store on the corner of 47th and 3rd, to buy a woman’s scarf. The boutique had a colorful collection of silk ties arranged beautifully on the walls, and only a few scarves for woman on the center table. With the help of a salesperson, I picked out a scarf with a small flower print.
Here are the reactions I got from the Roger Smith employees I interviewed. It’s interesting to see how different people have different ways of wearing a scarf!
Mai Yoo
Myserious gift for Phoebe
Mysterious gift for Daisy
Mysterious gift for Kelly
Abeer shows how to wrap the scarf the Arabic way
Review of the iPad by Adam Wallace
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by Editor in Community, Hotel
James Knowles (@barkingdognews) of the Roger Smith Hotel recently purchased the newly released iPad, which created a frenzy in the offices of RSH! Shortly after, Adam Wallace got his hands on it and ran away from the pack to play with it.
Here, Adam gives us a little introduction and review about this extraordinary machine, presenting some of its functions and apps. Check it out!
Roger Smith Hotel
501 Lexington Av. (at 47th Street)
