October 30, 2020

VERNAKULAR JOINS ID POP ONLINE DEBUT

Since 2011, Vernakular has been participating in pop ups at Chelsea Market with ID Pop Shop. We are one of a handful of brands that that has done the almost 100 events at ID Pop Shop. As such, we are very proud to be a part of the inaugural cast of independent designers in this exciting new e-commerce web experience.

A little about ID Pop Shop....

ID Pop Shop was born out of necessity. In 2011, faced with a lack of viable events for designers, artists, and makers, ID Pop Shop did what any creative or motivated person would do, it created its own even hosting retail pop ups before anyone even knew how to spell pop up. It was built and people came. ID Pop Shop was thriving. Everyone knew that every month a rotating cast of New York City's area's most interesting, creative, and talented independent designers would be back at Chelsea Market.

But then, the pandemic hit, threatened, and devastated New York City and the world. And with that, the retail landscape changed indefinitely. For how long, we were not sure (and the uncertainty continues). What most of us in the ID Pop family knew, was that now was the time to be creative, to experiment, and to be productive. And so, that is what we have done, and continue to do.

ID Pop Shop is committed to providing a venue and showcasing the best in independent design in the New York City area. This new e-commerce site - ID Pop Online - reunites customers with the independent designers they know and love. And just like the pop ups at Chelsea Market, our cast of rotating designers, artists, and makers will once again fascinate and inspire you.

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About Vernakular

Vernacular photography is “everyday photography.” It has a perspective that is identifiable, accessible, relatable, yet playful. This is my approach to my photography and how Vernakular (with a k) came to be. I look at things differently, something that seems mundane excites me. Vernakular represents my curiosity, imagination, point of view, and experiences. I aspire to provide a platform for the ordinary – found objects, industrial landscapes, and series photography. I am intrigued by the stories behind these subjects.

Since 2003, I have been using photography, travel, and the world around me as inspiration for functional design. In the last ten years, my emphasis has been on the well-received project, Sewers of the World, which documents the diversity and uniqueness of sewer covers I have encountered around the world. The series represents sewer covers from over 100 cities, 30 countries, and five continents (and counting!).

What fascinates me is how a sewer cover can define the city it represents, with its beauty, creativity, personality, and functionality. The image of a Detroit sewer cover was captured after a brief rainfall, the oil and water on the street combining to create a shimmery blue. The Miami Beach sewer cover was discovered with its glorious, albeit faded art deco motif. The Boston sewer cover proudly announces itself with its bold, confident lettering. The Chicago sewer's clean, formal design mimics a city steeped in architectural history. Then there are the sewer covers in Japan. The detail and aesthetics that go into some of their sewers astounds me. In Sodegaura, just outside Tokyo, as the colors of the sewers fade, they are restored and rejuvenated. Lastly, the Baltimore sewer says a lot about its inhabitants. In my shows around the U.S., Baltimore is the one that is often most requested. To some, it may be surprising, to me, it indicates civic pride.

After graduating with a degree in still photography from Ryerson University in Toronto, I began my quest to capture the uniqueness and diversity of sewer covers I encountered. I have amassed a collection of thousands of photographs of sewer covers from my travels around the world. I produce functional items, such as doormats, trivets, and coasters all featuring images of sewer covers around the world. I sell in boutiques, museum stores, pop ups, and arts and crafts shows around the country.

Raoul Calleja
April, 2022

October 30, 2020

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VERNAKULAR JOINS ID POP ONLINE DEBUT

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