Alameda Point Antiques Fair

Our regular photo-journalist and contributor Blake Kuwahara brings you a glimpse into his latest flea market discovery - The Alameda Point Antiques Fair.

Check out his article and photos below - 

April 5, 2011

Trolling through flea markets has become a favorite past time and an endless source of design inspiration. I make an extra special effort while traveling to ensure that my stay includes a weekend just so that I can fit in an outdoor market or two. However, one of the best is in right my backyard - the Alameda Point Antiques Fair. 

There are over 800 vendors that fill a huge parking lot the first Sunday of every month (weather permitting, of course- it is after all the Bay Area).

Unlike other flea markets, this one is devoted exclusively to antiques- or at least anything over 25 years old so you don't have to wade through endless rows of knockoff handbags, tube socks, and "designer" perfumes. Rather, there's an eclectic mix of French antiques that would rival a visit to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, everything midcentury modern, repurposed industrial pieces remade into furniture and accessories, lots of vintage clothing and of course, vintage sunglasses. One of the best reasons to come is to people watch. Moreover, what other flea market can boast vendors selling designer hot dogs, sushi, and gourmet pizza from a brick oven with a stunning view of the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge?

If you're in the area, it's definitely a "must-see".  

-Blake Kuwahra - TAO Contributor and Owner of Focus Group West

Check out more of Blake's photo-journey through the Alameda Point Antiques Fair after the jump:

Vivian Maier - Street Photographer

It would seem that Vivian Maier may continue to elude the captive audience that has recently discovered her talents.  If you haven't heard, Vivian Maier was a nanny in Chicago during the 1950's.  It was during that time that she took to the windy streets to take what may be considered some of the most impressive street photography images of the 1950's and 1960's.  But who was this woman who is capturing the attention of photography lovers and art critics alike?

Vivian Maier 1926-2009

Described by her employers as a "loner", Vivian Maier spent her free time doing what she did best; scouring the streets, whether knowingly or not, documenting brief but beautiful moments in time. John Maloof, who discovered a large collection of her work in 2007 has found himself spending the majority of his time archiving and cataloguing what could amount to thousands upon thousands of breathtaking images.

See his story here:

Though the mystique of who this woman was may add intriguing layers to this story, it's safe to say that her work needs no backstory or introduction.

The images she left us can speak for themselves:

Vivian Maier's work is now on exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center and more information and updates about her can be found on John Maloof's blog: Vivian Maier - Her Work Discovered

[Photo Source: Vivian Maier - Her Work Discovered]