We were invited up to
Peter Knego’s home to see the latest installation. Abstract flat discs now surround a light
fixture as they once did on the PACIFIC PRINCESS…the Love Boat. Thanks to Peter, they live again as do many
other works of art, furniture, ceramics, silver, fittings, and all the small
things that caught his eye. You can see them on his site “Midship Century.”
On his site we are told, “Midship Century was
founded in 2005 by ocean liner historian and journalist Peter Knego as a
logical outlet for the container loads of materials he salvaged from a long
procession of celebrated vessels scrapped on the beach of Alang, India in
recent years. Many, such as Sun Line's STELLA SOLARIS, were fitted out with
important designer furniture and valuable artwork, while others, such as the
former Cunard Liner IVERNIA, were unchanged relics filled with mid-1950s and
early 1960s fixtures and furnishings.”
Two chairs and a
cocktail table from the SS UNITED STATES.
So much of the art work he
salvaged is flat out stunning work. From
the glorious, glowing mural in the living room to the rich images of Egypt
in the dining room, one is swept away by the art and the work it took to
salvage it all.
My favorite has always
been this large pastel work on Melamine that now lives in Peter and his
partner, Mike’s, downstairs half bath.
Detail of two panels by Enrico
Paulucci.
Lunch was perfection. I kept thinking about how brave Peter was to
climb the sides of these beached ships to find and save these bits of history
for us all. He doesn’t do well with
heights. No cruise company has shown
interest in the art or sculpture from their past, but a crowd of us who love
these old ships gathered to talk and eat.
Thank you so much for the delightful meal with cake and cookies too.
You can watch Peter
climbing onto these wonderful old liners on his latest video:
http://www.midshipcentury.com/the-sands-of-alang>The
Sands of Alang.
You can read about these historic liners:
You can follow his adventures on the more modern ships on his Facebook
page or Martin Cox’s:
Love the header photo Mage.
ReplyDeleteI often wondered what happened to everything on thos huge ships. Amazng so much is abandoned. How wonderful someone cares enough to slavage some of it.
Much of it is in storage with Peter. It's wonderful.
DeleteI had no idea. So much beauty left to rot, decay. My thrifty, daughter of depression era parents is aghast. The cost of salvage could not possibly exceed the market value. Etcetcetc. Kudos to these men and their valiant work. Thanks for all the pictures. The furniture is straight from my childhood.
ReplyDeleteI do like Peter's home.
ReplyDeletePeter has many storage rooms and his garage filled with beautiful things. I certainly agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI love those red chairs.
ReplyDeleteYes, those are super special. The United States is now a bare bones hull, but we still have a few treasures like that with us.
DeleteI sit here with my mouth gaped open -- such unbelievable beauty preserved for the future. I was awed and at the same time wondered how anyone with a conscience could bear to use such treasures. The glass pieces on the kitchen counter were eye candy for someone like myself who utterly loves art glass. Gads, what a wonderful experience you had -- and to have such a generous friend who shares your love of the big ships is a blessing. I'm afraid I would have to have someone walk around with me, gently closing my mouth every now and then... LOL true magnificence. I wonder just now whether I would be as awed if I'd ever been on a cruise. No telling... for I don't see myself taking a cruise now, or in the future. Thank you for sharing this...
ReplyDeleteHow about two days aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Top it off with a dinner in Winstons. You both would enjoy it all. :)
DeleteI love the wood! Fascinating items that have been salvaged.
ReplyDeleteWhat treasures...and how lovely he is willing to share them.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing furniture and art works. No telling what would have happened to them had not Peter saved them. Kudos.
ReplyDelete