Image from toxel.com

While roaming the Internet one day, I ran across a design website with photos of fun coffee mugs of all shapes and sizes. It made me think of our newly opened European Design exhibit, and work, and drinking coffee since that’s what I do at work–drink coffee.

I found some more interesting websites about coffee, especially ones where coffee intersects with art and design. And I thought back to the old days when our coffee arrangement here at the IMA was entirely different. Cue the harp sound effects and wavy visual for a flashback…

Back in the day, the IMA was a different place. Security was a brand new department with all its damn rules and procedures, and the staff lounge was on the Service Level (basement, for the uninitiated), now the Art Viewing room. Coffee was free and the Bunn always had a pot of Joe on the warmer, thanks to Marty Krause, our Prints and Drawings curator. You see, smoking was allowed in the break room back then, and Marty had a reserved table where he smoked his pipe, wrote on his legal pads, and answered the phone (usually calls for him).

Staff from all departments would come in at various times of the day to grab a cup of java and sit and chat with whomever was present at the time. Conversations were often lively and wide-ranging, and everyone could get to know the new security people. The officers guzzled coffee to stay alert while working 12-hour shifts.

Move to the present and we find that coffee is no longer freely supplied by the museum. As a result, various departments have their own coffee and coffee makers. In addition, departments which once lined the corridor along with the old break room have now been moved up and away, a sort of urban flight which has impacted cross-department chit chat. Add a new location for the staff lounge, a new café, and new technologies like Twitter, Facebook, and this site and you have a situation where staff is more inclined to stay in their own neighborhood, so to speak, instead of venturing out and having casual, face-to-face interactions with co-workers.

The idea of a “coffee break” was to get workers away from their activities in order to relax and refresh themselves. With a combination of economic needs (no free coffee), restructuring (department relocations), and new technologies (Twitter) the chance for workers to relax, share ideas, and entertain each other has been reduced.

Now, I find myself refilling my mug and either conversing with my own staff or returning to my desk to check email, the IMA blog, or get my political news fix. I have the luxury of being able to get out and wander the building and grounds, and speak with other folks, but too often my interactions are limited to email or meetings. I miss the days of sitting in the break room listening to travel stories, tales from the C.I.A., and hearing about who fell asleep on post. Sigh.

Image from toxel.com

From all of us here at IMA blog head quarters, we wish you a safe and happy new year!

As a gift of sorts and to make our vows public, we’d also like to treat you to some of our resolutions. Enjoy!

Daniel resolves…To be nice. Eat Twizzlers. Play soccer. Be brilliant. To follow some advice from Ghandi: Be the change that you want to see in the world. And in the words of LL Cool J: Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.

Charlie resolves…For this techie to learn the difference between modern and postmodern art.

Anne resolves…To bring more film artists to the IMA and to The Toby…Wim Wenders, anyone?

Gary resolves…To get the gambling monkey off my back.  I give it 20-1 odds.

Matt resolves…To ween myself off of fast food, join a gym, and to always remember to check things in Internet Explorer before sending out a link!

Amber resolves…To live in the now! No more worrying about the future and what it holds – just live day by day and enjoy it. Also, I need to drink less soda and take my vitamins. Baby steps…

Irvin resolves (with obligatory preface)…I’m a bad, bad horticulturist so first of all – take better care of the plants I’m overwintering. Sow more seed (but no wild oats). Photograph the gardens as they develop this year.

Phil resolves… To impress Anne Laker then together continue taking over greening the world.

And if you too want to make your resolution public, leave a comment!

Until the ’09, peace.