Q&A: Johnny Strategy

Representing good ol' NY and Tokyo, we are happy to introduce Johnny Strategy in the mix! An old friend of NOM from grade school (how time flies...), he is also the profound writer of an international design blog, Spoon & Tamago.  Johnny shares his unique multicultural sensibility towards art, design, culture, and aesthetics with its primary focus from Japan, but not limited to.  Spoon & Tamago is run by a husband-and-wife team, and they also have an adorable etsy shop full of one of a kind kids items. 

What inspired you or the duo to start Spoon & Tamago?

Spoon & Tamago has undergone numerous reincarnations. It started out as a xanga blog almost 10 years ago as a personal diary. It became a wedding blog, a baby blog as well as a personal portfolio site. It wasn't until 2007 that the blog, as it's known today, began - the impetus being a mere desire to catalog images and designs that inspired me so I could go back to them later.

Who is your favorite artist or designer?
There are so many amazing designers, both dead and alive, that I admire immensely.  But taking into account the influence they have had on me both aesthetically and philosophically, I suppose there is only one that ultimately stand out: Isamu Noguchi.  It's a little obvious, I know, but Noguchi-san is just so damn good.

Working with a partner can be a challenge, let alone a spouse can be amazing or disastrous at times.  How do you guys make it work?
For us it came naturally. Perhaps because we share very similar tastes. I don't think we've found anything difficult about working together. But recently my spouse has been dedicating more and more time to her recently launched etsy shop so there has been less room to bump heads. 

What do you miss most about Tokyo?
The foooooood.

What is your favorite spot in NYC?
I'm going to have to say Zibetto Espresso Bar in midtown (6th Ave and 56th St).  I often head here before going to work for the best espresso and croissant I've had in recent memory.

If you can travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?

Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.  When it rains the salt flat is transformed into this gigantic mirror reflecting the sky.  If you've never seen pictures you have to check it out http://bit.ly/gGVYp2.  It's unworldly.  Like nothing I've ever seen before.

Your travel music playlist?

If I was to travel tomorrow it would probably include some Andrew Bird, Passion Pit, Jonsi, Broken Bells, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes, Of Montreal, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan rounded out with some Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and the ultimate escapist track - Fast Car by Tracy Chapman.

What is your travel must-have item?

That's easy.  Chapstick.

What is your motto?

Go with the wind.