10.03.10
John Foster | Accidental Mysteries

Accidental Mysteries

Welcome to Accidental Mysteries, a weekly cabinet of curiosities set aside for your perusal and enlightenment. Not for the faint of heart or anyone whose head does not reach the top of my cane, here you will find objects of great mystery and design, uncovered and brought to light by the magic of the digital age. From the dusty backrooms of current and defunct museums, curiosity shops and the alchemist’s laboratory — I can say with epistemological certainty that these signs and wonders have oft been exposed after hiding amongst the populous in plain sight. Step inside to witness the gravures of yesteryear, the magnificent diagrams of failed inventions and the ontological scrawls of The Cartesian Other. Yes indeed, if you are not already in line I encourage you to do so, for the show is about to begin.





























Accidental Mysteries is an online curiosity shop of extraordinary things, mined from the depths of the online world and brought to you each week by John Foster, a writer, designer and longtime collector of self-taught art and vernacular photography. “I enjoy the search for incredible, obscure objects that challenge, delight and amuse my eye. More so, I enjoy sharing these discoveries with the diverse and informed readers of Design Observer.”

Editor's Note: All images are copyright of their original owners.


Posted in: Accidental Mysteries, Arts + Culture



Comments [15]

John...

Bravisimo!

As a long time fan of Accidental Mysteries I am so happy to see you bring your great eye to Design Observer.

I'll look forward to seeing the treasures you discover.

Cheers,
Eric
Eric Baker
10.03.10
01:34

Mr Foster,

An excellent first collection. It intrigues in similar ways to the late, and much lamented, Today collections did.

I now have something to look forward to at the weekend again.
Keep up the good work.
Mark Cotter
10.03.10
01:50

Glad to see your here. I've really missed Accidental Mysteries.
Like the layout and large images, great selection.
I'll look-in every Sunday with pleasure. Thanks, Ray
Ray Wallis
10.03.10
04:42

Eric Baker, I was a longtime fan of “Today” so the feeling is mutual. It’s really an honor to be posting with Design Observer. As for the other comments, thanks for checking in. This will be fun.
John Foster
10.03.10
05:05

Where do you find all this good stuff? That guy diving reminds me of when I did a swan dive in a bar in Buenos Aires. I wouldn't recommend it. I had a black eye and bruised chin for over a week. And for what? At least, this man did it for arts sake!
rusl
10.04.10
11:04

Excellent. Intriguing. Thank you!
Bandy Lou
10.04.10
12:28

What a great new home for Accidental Mysteries! Congrats John.
Bill Keaggy
10.04.10
02:56

Just when my TODAY withdrawal symptoms were subsiding Accidental Mysteries shows up on DO. My addiction has been aroused.

Thank You John!
Swiss
10.04.10
11:59

congrats John, I've missed Accidental Mysteries, your eye and your wit.
jan petry
10.05.10
12:19

I am so happy for you to see you hard research work at "Design Observer"
All the best. Francois ROBERT
Francois ROBERT
10.05.10
09:40

This is fantastic. It's the first time I have come across Accidental Mysteries and I will definitely be checking back again.
Amelia Johnson
10.07.10
04:14

I was so worried I'd lost you as you dropped out of my Blogger Dashboard -- but here you are again. Thanks for not disappearing completely!
Jennifer
10.07.10
06:07

Congrats John,
So excited to see you part of such an important website. Incredible pictures!!!
Best,
Jared @ Topsy Design
Jared Frank
10.08.10
12:59

John has vision, experience, intelligence and a pair of peepers which won't quit. Those of you who haven't followed his blog before are in for many a treat.
JIm Linderman (Dull Tool Dim Bulb)
10.10.10
07:27

Went to your old site and found this!! Thank you. A Big Fan!!
jink
10.11.10
10:35


Jobs | November 11