STAND UP COMEDY* PERSONALS

Build out begins at Stand Up Comedy’s new 511 SW Broadway (2014) location after lease signing. A nearly 6-month process that sees the birth of a child, the move of a home, and the start of a new chapter for a small, family business.

Stand Up Comedy relocates from the east side of Portland to its current downtown location in 2015. Shortly thereafter, it retires the analog sales system of handwritten carbon sales receipts. A charming, labor intensive and error-ridden system that requires many printed materials. Every employee at the store has horrible handwriting.

SUC Clip Art (2015) for an email newsletter. A rat films a rabbit through a camcorder, while an empty cloud bubble hangs over the scene. An early work commissioned from the clip artist, who will go on to create many more memorable and head scratching images for the store.

Come Tees (CA) greets you at the store entrance on this wintery day in 2016. Rose Mackey, our then manager, is wearing a pair of the now legendary jeans. What you don’t see is the baby crawling beneath the clothing rack as Rose smiles beatifically. This day is distinct because it is during the busy holiday season and a crew of shoplifters attempted to make off with the featured merchandise.

Rowena Sartin/Iko Iko (CA) makes their Stand Up Comedy window debut (2016) with a series of home-referencing objects, namely, all manner of pillowcases made with luxurious crushed silk and utilitarian muslins. Extra long and exaggerated or converted into peplum bags, they mash up utilitarian and decorative ideas, useful or beautiful or both.

A close up image of the tags attached to the pillowcase objects made by Rowena Sartin/Iko Iko for the Stand Up Comedy windows (2016). A replica of the long, often confounding tags one finds attached to bed linens and mattresses, the artist uses this space to share thoughts on the internal questions one might ask while at rest(lessness).

In 2016, Stand Up Comedy closed its original Indexhibit website (shopstandingup.us) and launched standupcomedytoo.com. This new site, designed by Scott Ponik, retains much of the same DNA in its feeling of analog uselessness.

SUC Clip Art (2016) for an email newsletter touches on themes important to the store, namely pleasure (wine), effort (tornado), work (edits), and vice (lipstick). All linked, all life, all the time.

This image from 2017 features the classic Martiniano High Glove shoe, which has been a staple for many years in the store. The image is shot by Melissa Doran and Honey Owens, and manipulated by Scott Ponik for an email newsletter. The purpose of the email is to promote newly marked down styles. Mr. Ponik designed the newsletter with an enticement to access these lower prices at the top, and invites the receiver to scroll to the bottom where a link is offered to reap the reward.

In 2016, Stand Up Comedy closed its original Indexhibit website (shopstandingup.us) and launched standupcomedytoo.com. This new site, designed by Scott Ponik, retains much of the same DNA in its feeling of analog uselessness.

In spring 2017, the Stand Up Comedy window displays video work by Mae Elvis Kaufman for designer Suzanne Rae. The piece satirizes 80s daytime television aimed at women and their supposed interests, and presciently, the birth of multilevel marketing. All featuring Ms. Rae’s popular Feminist Kimono dress.

The Stand Up Comedy window features an installation by the jeweler Samma (2017). Delicate chains are hung to balance between shadow and light, emphasizing negative space through patterning and materiality. Photo by Melanie Flood.

Holiday decorations celebrating winter 2017 adorn the shop’s normally stark security gates. Floral designer Manu Torres is tasked with creating a harmonious seasonal message that is beautiful to view without being sentimental.

A headshot of Julia Louis-Dreyfus from one of her lesser known roles, Eileen Swift from the sitcom Day by Day (1988). This image was used by us in 2018 because Louis-Dreyfus is an actor who has been an inspirational figure to the store, starring in an objectively tedious show, that is related to a formative one (Family Ties), and a ubiquitous production company whose theme is permanently seared into the subconscious (sit Ubu sit; good dog).

SUC Clip Art (2018) for a “casual Fridays” themed newsletter, aimed at convincing subscribers that office wear should be as expressive as weekend attire.

A headshot of Julia Louis-Dreyfus from one of her lesser known roles, Eileen Swift from the sitcom Day by Day (1988). This image was used by us in 2018 because Louis-Dreyfus is an actor who has been an inspirational figure to the store, starring in an objectively tedious show, that is related to a formative one (Family Ties), and a ubiquitous production company whose theme is permanently seared into the subconscious (sit Ubu sit; good dog).

Commissioned for its opening in 2007, A-Frame signage option hand-lettered by designer/typographer Karl Nawrot.

In the spirit of the Whole Earth Catalog, prepared as a holiday special, with captions and photography reflecting the cadence and look of the iconic original (2008). An early edition of a newsletter system that would be designed on the Stand Up Comedy letterhead.

Way finding for our original one-room, 180 square foot space, showing the location of every brand and object in the store (2008).

Upon the passing of Yves Saint Laurent (2008).

All selections that emphasize misreading, with a special emphasis on architect Michael Graves’s maligned Portland Building. Featured designers were included in a second newsletter sent the following day (2008).

Created to advertise the Stand Up Comedy/Slow and Steady Wins the Race rain wear collaboration (2009). The pianist Luke Wyland, in addition to his own compositions, was tasked with playing the theme from television series The Office for as long as it was tolerated.

Moving into a new format, the newsletter is now designed as part of a system of collateral allowing one document to serve as stationary, gift certificate, price tag, postcard, and letterhead. The “B” is a shelf built to house a rotating mix of books and objects selected by persons invited to do so by SUC (2010). Inaugurated by Stuart Bailey.

“B” features a stand in by the SUC water cooler, with water cups designed by artist Natasha Wheat (2011).

As summer approaches, the notorious pacific northwest June gloom is highlighted and scorned (2011).

As summer winds down, we reflect on thoughts of pools and heat and suburban cul de sacs (2011). An example of continuous, possibly opaque narratives through communications.

An early example of presenting information using templates already established by various entities. This one may have been from Resumes for Dummies. Also serving as an anti-announcement that SUC did not have a social media presence, as the directives to Facebook/Delicious/Twitter lead to nowhere (2011).

Another take on a store map, and announcement of the second expansion of the store which allowed for an elaborate, zig zag entrance to the dressing room that required no door or curtain (2012).

A favorite edition of “B”, curated by Olivian Cha, featuring artist Nancy Lupo. The clip art in this document was particularly on point, which was unlike SUC and therefore memorable (2012).