From its origins in the Midwest in the early nineteenth century, the technique of light timber framing-also known at the time as "Chicago construction"-quickly came to underwrite the territorial and ideological expansion of the United States. Softwood construction was inherently practical, as its materials were readily available and required little skill to assemble. The result was a built environment that erased typological and class distinctions: no amount of money can buy you a better 2 x 4. This fundamental sameness paradoxically underlies the American culture of individuality, unifying all superficial differences. It has been both a cause and effect of the country's high regard for novelty, in contrast with the stability that is often assumed to be essential to architecture. American Framing is a visual and textual exploration of the social, environmental, and architectural conditions and consequences of this ubiquitous form of construction. For architecture, it offers a story of an American project that is bored with tradition, eager to choose economy over technical skill, and accepting of a relaxed idea of craft in the pursuit of something useful and new-the forming of an architecture that enables architecture.

As recently as the 1980s, frames from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were routinely thrown away, even by experienced gallery owners. The value of these antique frames is now widely recognized, and some frames command prices of $30,000 and higher -- often more than the artwork they hold. Whether you've already discovered the beauty and value of old frames, or have yet to find the hidden treasure in your own attic, the second edition of ANTIQUE AMERICAN FRAMES will bring you a wealth of up-to-the-minute information, including: -- The latest prices -- Tips for spotting a valuable frame -- Detailed descriptions of frames with identifying photos -- Historic information on period frames -- Trade secrets on cleaning and restoration -- A new chapter on collectors and collections -- More than 100 photographs, including an eight-page full color insert.

The experts at American Woodworker provide plans and instructions for making a variety of well designed, stylish picture frames in this handy manual. The step-by-step guidance ensures that woodworkers will succeed at constructing everything from a rustic picture frame to a craftsman-style frame with a simple set of tools. With workshop tips, plans for jigs that help make frames by the dozens, and a section devoted to solutions for common mistakes, this is an ideal resource for woodworkers looking for new projects or art owners wanting to frame their prized possessions themselves. Author Bio: American Woodworker is the premier magazine for woodworking. Both technical and accessible, the magazine has been in business for decades with more than 140 issues in their backlist. Randy Johnson is an editor of American Woodworker. He lives in Eagan, Minnesota.

In this book Joe Feagin extends the systemic racism framework in previous Routledge books by developing an innovative concept, the white racial frame. Now four centuries-old, this white racial frame encompasses not only the stereotyping, bigotry, and racist ideology emphasized in other theories of "race," but also the visual images, array of emotions, sounds of accented language, interlinking interpretations and narratives, and inclinations to discriminate that are still central to the frame’s everyday operations. Deeply imbedded in American minds and institutions, this white racial frame has for centuries functioned as a broad worldview, one essential to the routine legitimation, scripting, and maintenance of systemic racism in the United States. Here Feagin examines how and why this white racial frame emerged in North America, how and why it has evolved socially over time, which racial groups are framed within it, how it has operated in the past and in the present for both white Americans and Americans of color, and how the latter have long responded with strategies of resistance that include enduring counter-frames. In this new edition, Feagin has included much new interview material and other data from recent research studies on framing issues related to white, black, Latino, and Asian Americans, and on society generally. The book also includes a new discussion of the impact of the white frame on popular culture, including on movies, video games, and television programs as well as a discussion of the white racial frame’s significant impacts on public policymaking, immigration, the environment, health care, and crime and imprisonment issues.

Now it’s easier than ever to save time and money doing your own framing at home. This one-stop source demonstrates how easy it is to mat, mount, and frame art on paper and cloth, as well as three-dimensional objects. Readers will discover, step by step, how to determine measurements and proportions . . . select colors and accents for matting . . . obtain the necessary materials and equipment . . . cut the materials to size . . . mat, mount, and frame the art (including the cold, hard truth about making your own frames) . . . and glaze, install, and hang framed art. Helpful sidebars and clear illustrations make everything easy. Plus, a final chapter offers suggestions on how to turn this inexpensive and rewarding hobby into a profitable business.