Tom Bonauro is an amazing and multi-talented designer you’d probably like to know about, if you don’t already. I met Tom when we worked together on some Levi’s 501 Jeans advertising projects many years ago, and later on, a much less commercial project, some bus graphics for a pro-bono project encouraging teens to get out and Rock the Vote for MTV. Anyone remember that? We then collaborated on a SCI-Arc Fall 1995 Lecture Series Poster. Tom’s graphic design work, including the poster project we produced together, is in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Be sure and check out Tom’s online portfolio to see some of these projects, along with lots more of his wonderful graphic designs.

Tom’s work has been published in a variety of high-profile books and publications, including; I.D., Print, Paper, Vanity Fair, Interview, Communications Arts, Blueprint, and Dwell (featuring a gorgeous home he previously owned when we were neighbors in Sausalito). I sat down with Tom recently in his new, and incredibly beautiful San Francisco home, to catch up and talk about his current projects, including his new my new artist’s book, ‘The Third Stage of Matter‘.

Above, a page from Tom’s new book, ‘The Third Stage of Matter‘.

More to come on the book later this week.

Tom shared, “where I live and work has become an experiment in visual and spacial relationships - a kind of laboratory that contains aesthetic specimens. I identify with the character in Huysman’s book ‘Against Nature‘ who creates an all inclusive sensory engaging environment to interact with. It’s a practice. The place becomes a physical narrative to live with and around. There’s a fractal quality to how I operate. Irregular patterns and ideas repeat themselves from paper and film to three dimensional space. It’s like a story that continues to unfurl.”

Shooting Tom’s apartment became a fun, collaborative project between Tom and I, and we had a great visit, examining all of Tom’s beautiful and inspiring collections. Tom explained, “I especially like Victoria’s photographs which include music related items. The ’soundtrack’ is a considered element where I live. I like record covers without copy on them. they can be nice pieces of art. The Beatles (White Album) is still one of my favorite records, sonically and visually. I remember thinking how sophisticated it looked when it first came out. Blind embossed type, individually hand stamped, gray type on the inside, black and white versions of color photographs, and of course lots of white space. A ‘pop - fluxus’ piece for its time. A white vinyl version was released in the eighties. It is still one of my favorite items.” I asked Tom some of my usual Unexpected Q&A, and got some really interesting answers. I think you’re going to enjoy this visual and very musical visit.

What is your idea of a perfect day in San Francisco?
I like it when it feels like a beach town. Foggy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon.

Other than San Francisco, where would you like to live?
I like it here. But, I like history and archeology. Maybe someplace that felt like another time. Somewhere around the Mediterranean.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find it in my head, mostly when i listen to music.

When did you start getting interested in collecting music, and do you have any idea how many albums you have in your collection? What are some of your favorites?
I bought a Beach Boys record right before ‘Meet the Beatles‘ came out. So, that must have been around ‘63-64 when I started getting records. I might only have about 200 vinyl records left and about fifty 45’s. Unfortunately I traded in many albums when cd’s came out. I have a lot of music on my computer now and I’ve been listening to cassette tapes that I made from records. I need a new turntable for my bed room. I love going to sleep with a record on. Some of my favorites are: The Beatles (White Album), Revolver, Rubber Soul. Patti Smith: Radio Ethiopia, Horses. Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced. Van Morrison: Veedon Fleece. Nick Drake: Five Leaves Left. The Cure: Seventeen Seconds. Jefferson Airplane: Crown of Creation. Beck: Sea Change. The Smiths. Prince: Sign of the Times. Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde, Highway 61 Revisisted. Bon Iver: For Emma. Brian Eno: Discreet Music. Marc Bolan: Unicorn, Beard of Stars. My Morning Jacket: The Tennessee Fire. Badly Drawn Boy: The Hour of Bewilderment. Morrissey: Viva Hate. Kruder and Dorfmeister: G-Stoned. Neil Young: Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. The Doors. John Frusciante: To Record Only Water For Ten Days. The Young Bloods: Elephant Mountain. Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers. Ween: Pure Guava. Nico: Chelsea Girl. George Harrison: All Things Must Pass.

Which museums and galleries has your work been shown in?
SFMOMA, The British Design Museum, Pratt Institute, Oakland Museum, Printed Matter, Feature Gallery, The San Francisco Center for the Book, Quotidian Gallery, Cranbrook, and L.A.C.E.

What are some of your favorite local shops?
Mac, The Curiosity Shoppe, Flora Grubb, William Stout Books, Amoeba Music, Miette, and Diptyque.

Do you have a favorite artistic collaboration?
‘Even Cowgirls Get The Blues‘, film titles with Gus van Sant, ‘Inbetween‘, stage and performance piece with cellist Joan Jeanrenaud, ‘Gnomon‘, a site specific installation at SFMOMA with architects Bruce Tomb and John Randolph, and the ‘Free Love’, music video with ‘ Voice Farm‘ (Charly Brown and Myke Riley).

Who would you like to sit down to drinks with?
This is like a wish and if we’re having drinks then we’re having a conversation, so i would pick some one far out, to speak with, like the sufi shams or william blake. blake said that god touched his forehead. i would like to hear more about that over some good drinks.

What is your biggest interior design nightmare?
Wires/cords.

Did you attend art or design school?
No.

Who are some of your favorite artists?
Fra Angelico, brancusi, herbert bayer, andy warhol, caravaggio, cindy sherman, gaudi, damien hirst, stanley kubrick, de chirico, william blake, antonioni, robert hawkins, carlo scarpa, chris johanson, raymond pettibone, marcel duchamp, the fluxus, gerrit rietveld, ed ruscha, tadanori yokoo, and kurt schwitters.

What’s your favorite feature in your home?
Now that it’s spring, the backyard. I also like the bathtub.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
I still use my polaroid when i can. it’s great for faces. i would like to have polaroids of kate moss, marianne faithful, the kings of leon, jim morrison (if i could time travel).