Monday
Thinking of sunnier climates.
Bernhard Lang’s photos are proof that, when viewed from above, we are the weirdest intruders on planet earth! The human figures in his photos seem almost unreal, like colorful playmobils with no sense of their own existence. It is almost funny to see them spend their spare time under the sun or swimming carefree in a river or swimming pool. Under this perspective or indeed microscope, Lang’s work is a reminder that whatever our life and our problems may be, a zoom out picture will always reveal that we are just small creatures, nothing more than a tiny reflection of the universe.
FlyLight.
Studio Drift developed the concept for Flylight based on the precise patterns, formations and seemingly random behavioral tendencies found in a flock of birds when they fly together. The flight patterns within the flock seem arbitrary and even playful, but as the designers researched, they learnt that that this is never the case. Each move a bird makes is deliberate and with good reason; 'the birds have to keep a safe distance from each other while staying safe from possible aggressors, this makes them fly close together to form dark spots in their formation so the attacker cannot pinpoint an individual bird.' Therefore, while pleasing to the eye, the flock formations are a natural defense with which to protect the birds from their predators. The goal of Studio Drift was to translate the behavior of a flock into light patterns and demonstrate this on large light installations. The viewer is meant to experience what it would be like to watch a flock of birds from within that flock itself.
The sheer size of a Flylight is quite impressive (each Flylight consists of a minimum of 180 glass tubes), and this successfully provides the viewer with a sense of impermanence - a type of beauty that cannot be frozen or captured. Based on the movements they wanted to recreate from a flock of birds, the design team developed a system to take 'flock behavior' and translate it into 'digital DNA' to create recognizable visualization with light. Each light tube is individually controlled, and each tube can 'see' their environment through the use of sensors; they are able to interact with one another. This information is then fed into a computer simulation that drives the 'behind the scenes' electronics of the lights. No pattern ever repeats itself. With each new pattern, the ‘birds” must choose their way within the limits of the installation (the “flock”) themselves.
The sheer size of a Flylight is quite impressive (each Flylight consists of a minimum of 180 glass tubes), and this successfully provides the viewer with a sense of impermanence - a type of beauty that cannot be frozen or captured. Based on the movements they wanted to recreate from a flock of birds, the design team developed a system to take 'flock behavior' and translate it into 'digital DNA' to create recognizable visualization with light. Each light tube is individually controlled, and each tube can 'see' their environment through the use of sensors; they are able to interact with one another. This information is then fed into a computer simulation that drives the 'behind the scenes' electronics of the lights. No pattern ever repeats itself. With each new pattern, the ‘birds” must choose their way within the limits of the installation (the “flock”) themselves.
Saturday
Northern Art Prize.
The 2011 Prize and exhibition
The Northern Art Prize 2011 exhibition takes place at Leeds Art Gallery from 25 November 2011 to 19 February 2012.
Now in its fifth year, the Northern Art Prize is an annual prize for contemporary visual artists of any age or nationality, working in any media and living in the North of England. Celebrating the quality and diversity of artists working in our region, the Northern Art Prize exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery showcases the work of the four shortlisted artists Liadin Cooke, Leo Fitzmaurice, James Hugonin and Richard Rigg.
The winning artist will be selected by this year’s judges – Caroline Douglas (Head, Arts Council Collection), Tim Marlow (Broadcaster, Art Historian and Director of Exhibitions, White Cube Gallery), Simon Starling (Artist), Simon Wallis (Director, The Hepworth Wakefield) and Sarah Brown (Curator of Exhibitions, Leeds Art Gallery) – based upon the strength of the work exhibited at Leeds Art Gallery.
http://www.northernartprize.org.uk/
catching up.
A few weeks ago I visited PSL for their new Exhibition: Peering Sideways.
This exhibition ran from 10 September – 10 December 2011 bringing together artists’ groups from around the UK (London, Manchester, Wakefield). "The title Peering Sideways perhaps suggests looking askance, or taking a fresh look, at something familiar. It also hints at the artist-peers taking part in the show, which aims to examine the idea of collectivity, whether through a collaborative practice, the formation of artists’ groups, affiliation through studio membership or simply choosing peers to present their work alongside in a group format."
This exhibition ran from 10 September – 10 December 2011 bringing together artists’ groups from around the UK (London, Manchester, Wakefield). "The title Peering Sideways perhaps suggests looking askance, or taking a fresh look, at something familiar. It also hints at the artist-peers taking part in the show, which aims to examine the idea of collectivity, whether through a collaborative practice, the formation of artists’ groups, affiliation through studio membership or simply choosing peers to present their work alongside in a group format."
A collection of nouns.
Last Friday I mustered up the energy after work to head to Leeds, Miss Beresford and I went along to the closing night party of Test Space in Leeds which has been host to a week long exhibition
Presenting the collaboration of Colin Mayhew and Kerry Venus who are collectively know as Mild Peril Media.
this duo have blended illustration and graphic design to explore A collection of nouns.
I apologies for the poor quality pics but I did not have my camera with me on the night so I've had to beg borrow and steal the few images I could find.
I apologies for the poor quality pics but I did not have my camera with me on the night so I've had to beg borrow and steal the few images I could find.
Sunday
Goodyear this Year.
Another great exhibition courtesy of YSP.
Goodyear’s compelling cast of characters inhabit a strange and complex world of contradictions, existing somewhere between the macabre and mundane. Exploring themes of fear, desire, vulnerability and isolation, Goodyear invites the viewer into a dark place where human psychologies and animal behaviour collide and merge.
YSP visit.
I spent last weekend catching up with Miss Beresford, and of course a trip to the Yorkshire sculpture Park was in order, it was a lovely day out and gave me an excuse to get wrapped up warm in my new winter coat and experience the crisp cold air.
As winter sets in and the jumpers come out, there seems nothing more appropriate than the colourful juxtaposition between Donna Wilson wildlife creatures and the soft textiles she utilises to execute her vivid designs,
Scottish designer Donna Wilson brings her playful textiles to Yorkshire Sculpture Park this winter, drawing inspiration from the landscape to create an eccentric world of knitted trees and curiosities featuring her trademark patterns and colours alongside exclusive limited edition prints. Awarded ‘Designer of the Year 2010’ by Elle Decoration, Donna is known for her knitted creatures, textiles, homewares and furniture.
Donna's vision will transform the YSP Centre into a tactile enchanted garden. Traditional materials combine with her humorous touch in a magical land where woolly pompoms become leaves, knitted tubes become branches and layers of patterned rugs create a forest floor.
The Upper Space features a canopy of soft sculptural shapes covered in Donna’s striking knitted patterns, blending textures and colours alongside a range of beautiful limited edition screen-prints produced specifically for this exhibition. The Upper Concourse showcases a wall of screen-printed ceramics plates, small prints and one-off drawings in an eclectic mix of materials and patterns displayed in mix and match frames. The display in the four-metre shop window, a seasonal highlight at YSP, is an enticing scene with Donna’s unusual creatures hidden in woodland and complemented by her hand-drawn illustrations. An exclusive limited edition screen-print produced by Donna for the show will be available only at YSP, alongside a range of her products in the YSP shop such as cushions, throws and blankets, ceramics, knitted creatures, scarves, hats,
socks and gloves.
Much of Donna’s work is a celebration of traditional methods and materials combined with her distinctive style. She is committed to using UK-based manufacturers and suppliers wherever possible, keeping craftsmanship alive. Donna sources her lambswool yarns from Z. Hinchliffe and Sons in Denby Dale, and retains her Scottish roots with her smaller pieces such as the toys and scarves knitted on machines by a small family-run business in Galasheils on the Scottish border, and another lady based in Orkney has produced Donna’s ‘Cyril Squirrels’ for the last six years.
Donna graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 1999 and went on to study mixed media textiles at the Royal College of Art. She set up her company in 2003 after making odd knitted creatures for her final show at the Royal College of art. The creatures sold out and since then she has built her business designing and making a collection of curious cushions, luxurious lambswool blankets, and a variety of products for you and your home. She is passionate about creating products that people can connect with and making things that customers will treasure. Donna runs a studio and workshop in East London. Her hardworking team knit, sew, pack and send out products to individuals and design shops around the world – 25 countries at the last count. Last year Donna won the prestigious accolade of Designer of the Year 2010 in the Elle Decoration British Design Awards.
Information from http://www.ysp.co.uk/exhibitions/donna-wilson-endangered-species
Housewife training.
While todays weather went wild, I thought best to stay indoors and avoid the winds attack on my white girls afro which even in the mildest gusts is terribly unruly. I thought I'd try my hand at some baking to pass the time away and of course, create a nice option for sunday dessert.
Todays efforts were cupcakes with a buttercream icing made using a my late grandmas recipe and I must add it has turned out some tasty treats!
Tuesday
I concur.
I love film, psychology and literature. My images almost always have a sense of narrative. I like to tell a story. I love to explore the darkness of the human psyche and the fragility of human emotions and reflect these through fashion. I like to capture the issues that most people don’t like to confront or deal with such as domestic violence, child abuse, sexual fetishes, etc. My work usually always has a sense of contradiction, sometimes it is beautiful, sometimes it is disturbing, and sometimes it is both. And I like that. I love to explore new things, new imagery and new symbolism. I definitely don’t want to get stuck with one look or one kind of lighting and as a result, get too comfortable with myself. Actually, I like to discipline myself and push myself into a state of discomfort. I think my mind is sharper when I am not too relaxed or too comfortable. I work better when I am hungry (Laughs). I always try to apply the same philosophy into my work. As of now, I am still not very happy with my work. I always want to do better. In fact, I get sick of my work a week or two after I finish it.
http://www.yatzer.com/An-Le-Talks-to-Yatzer
http://www.yatzer.com/An-Le-Talks-to-Yatzer
Saturday
The wildly popular Wow! Gorillas project involved sixty leading artists and was timed to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Bristol Zoo. Running for ten weeks over the summer the initiative attracted visitors and locals alike to explore the city whilst drawing attention to the plight of gorillas in the wild.
Tom Lane (aka Ginger Monkey) and Ged Palmer, who donated their creativity for the cause at the last minute, were awarded a silver and a bronze in the Fresh Digital Awards for their hand-lettered gorilla, which also raised £5,000 at a charity auction. Now there’s the chance to witness the behind the scenes production of the artwork from workshop to street, culminating in it’s grand unveiling in Bristol’s historic Queens Square.
another project, close to completion.
With the re-opening of its sister bar Barrio North being a great success Im hoping Barrio central proves to be a hit also!
brave travellers
Take a stand against monotonous travel with Suitcase Stickers. Designed to stick to anything, they will draw attention to your bag making it easily identifiable and sure to make you some new friends.
Caution: Some of these stickers may cause offense to airport and immigration staff. But you would have figured that out whilst enjoying those cavity searches.
Adee Phelan Salon
The Cube development is the new salon of celebrated hair stylist Adee Phelan, it’s located in Birmingham. The Salon was designed by Ryan McElhinney at a cost of £1.5 million.
I love the drama behind this concept, and the idea of sitting at the grand piano while having a cut and blow dry is a strange idea, however if Elton john becomes one of Adee"s clients this could have a dual purpose!
6 months
Last Sunday was th.e six-month anniversary of the day the massive earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan’s northeast coast. Some 20,000 people are dead or missing. More than 800,000 homes were completely or partially destroyed. The disaster crippled businesses, roads and infrastructure. The Japanese Red Cross Society estimates that 400,000 people were displaced
This combination of three photos taken over a six-month period shows aftermath of the March 11, 2011 tsunami and its cleanup progress in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, in northeastern Japan. The left photo, taken March 12, 2011, shows The No. 18 Kyotokumaru fishing vessel sitting amid still smoldering debris after being swept away from a port by the tsunami. The middle photo, taken June 3, 2011, the ship staying along with collected damaged vehicles. The last photo taken Sept. 5, 2011, shows the ship sitting in the same position amid almost cleared land. Kyodo News reported that there is a movement among citizens to keep the ship as it is as a monument of the disaster. AP / Kyodo News
Salt & Pepper Pawz
Paws up for the new salt and pepper shakers!
Handcast by L&G in stoneware with a cork stopper.
Sunday
Tuesday
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