Andersen Design Economic Evolution Discourse

Contemplating A Brave New World One of a Kind Prototype of the Emperor Penguin designed by Weston & Brenda Andersen T he reality of the world radically changing through an act of nature is difficult to comprehend even as we are living through it. We are adapted to our norms but they are shifting under our feet. How do we move forward when our norms are no longer our anchors? Political actors call for Governor’s to reopen the economy or resign, as if, reopening will bring about a return to a former normal. Reopening the economy will not cast a spell and bring back normal. In Boothbay Maine, where I live, the primary industry is hospitality, one of the hardest hit industries. Most do not want to risk their lives and those of their loved ones by exposing themselves to a virus which is still mutating and we still know little about. Wooden Mermaid Sculpture outside of house at Ocean Point, Maine The demand for re-opening eludes the calling for the reinvention of o

Originally created for Medium These  vintage prototypes  by Weston Neil Andersen, presented in the images throughout this story, tell of a love for the work process which evolved into our company,  Andersen Design Introduction I grew up in a business in a home that designs and handcrafts ceramics. For a while the business also had a production employing about 25 people in a separate location. It was found that our type of production is better suited to a smaller more intimate setting, such as a business attached to a home. However, over the course of 67 years, the size of the of the line grew too wide and large to be produced in a small studio and I envisioned that the future of production should be a network of small independently owned ceramic production studios, which could function as an interactive network. Last month my idea was an anomaly as if existing in an alternate reality, but as the world turned toward social distancing and sheltering in place, the world

One of a Kind Bowl by Weston Neil Andersen Early Fifties or Late Forties . The bowl appears to be thrown suggesting that Weston may have created it when he was in Ohio. It is decorated in a wonderfully organic abstract pattern, identifying the decorator as Weston, rather than Brenda. The white rim on the outside of the bowl is uneven giving the work a humanistic appeal .The pattern is intuitive taking on a resemblance to a hieroglyphic alphabet arising from the personal sub conscience of the creator. Story narrated by Susan Mackenzie Andersen Introduction Andersen Design is not only the products which we make, we are also a brand. Brands become characters in our collective drama. The persona played out by the Andersen Design brand in the national and global drama is that of natural American individualism. free enterprise, and microeconomics. These traits are written into our history but what does that mean in today's world ? and why does it matter if the Andersen Design

Rare One of A Kind Heron Sculpture by Weston Neil Andersen is being offered as part of our estate sale of  rare vintage work - a funding project for a new production and training facility for Andersen Design Pictured above is a very rare heron sculpture, hand decorated by Weston. It would be an engaging creative project to produce the heron as a limited edition series working in collaboration with talented artisans creating unique redititions. Alas, we do not have a fully functioning production facility. We need to fund one. We have the line and we have the brand, unique assets that came about through pursuing a work process over the course of sixty seven years. Such assets can seed creative opportunities in meaningful engaging work, for future generations. In our view it is a great economic development asset that would attract an even greater designer craftsmen community, young people, and most important provide not just jobs in meaningful and engaging work, training ceramic