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HELLO
THE ART OF START
Don't search for inspiration when You have a task to do; Just start your work and you will see That it will soon find you.
Charles Ghigna ***
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noun 1. Usually, contents. a. something that is contained: the contents of a box. b. the subjects or topics covered in a book or document. c. the chapters or other formal divisions of a book or document: a table of contents.
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-Pat Perry Illustrations-
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS one
2 10 12
‘The Art of Start’ Editor’s Letter Creatives in Context
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14 24 30 40 46
A Lost Art Photography by Steven Morrill Cate Wood A glimpse into a jewellers craft Peter Yip Fashion’s newest Squeeze Joe Cruz x Art Wednesday with Un-categorized Stylists Helmut Lang & how he left fashion behind
ART
50 52 56 62 70
Salventius with Portraits & Poetry Picasso The ‘light’ and times Jakob Wagner from his viewpoint Vaettir Socially awkward greenery? Kevin Threlfall Music+Art+Kevin=...
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CONTENTS two
MUSIC
74 76 80 84
From the Archives Icons caught on camera Music’s best kept secrets Shh. They’re too good to share! Reload Sessions Peppe Fazzolari introduces us to Reload Introducing The artists you need to know
CULTURE
86 90 96 98 108 118
Cafe Culture Skinny latte and cake? Projection Artworks Innovation re-imagined.. The blogs you should be following A potential new Bookmark? Cafe Royal Books with Craig Atkinson Judging a book by it’s cover indisposable reads Those creative types which one are you?
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Subscribe
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Address Book
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Until the next time..
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CONTENTS
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ISSUE ONE
Pictured : Alexandra circa 1992. Herein lies the beginning of a life long battle with chocolate. ‘Magic is something you make.’
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A
LETTER
Hi.
When I sat down to write this letter (the first time) I had several tabs open on ‘how to write an editor’s letter’ and an array of magazines splattered across my inappropriately unorganised table. It took me a good fifteen minutes to decide whether or not to write ‘hey’ over ‘Hi’ incase I sounded like a peppy American teenager. Which, I am not by the way. That’s me over there actually, smothered in chocolate. (Take Two- I decided on ‘Hi’.)
‘A’ is a magazine aimed at you. The creative. Just because you don’t have a creative job title doesn’t mean you’re excluded either. Everybody falls into the ‘creatives’ category at one point or another. When you get up on a morning and decide what to wear, down to perfecting the finest combination of food for lunch and dinner to satisfy you just enough, and then over indulging on that chocolate you’ve been saving anyway. Check out p118 to see where you fall into this creative cycle! I feel like I have exhausted the question ‘Where do you find your inspiration from?’ when interviewing and filtering through content for this debut issue of ‘A’ but what i really want us to have by the bucket load, is inspiration. I want you to ponder over the pages, to feel inspired by photography, colours, places and ideas. I want you to sit and relax. But I also want you to sit and think. Almost like, your brain is working overtime but you don’t even know it yet, subconsciously putting together ideas for your own creative needs. Bravo your brain. Ideally I want A to feel loved. Although pristine now (I should hope!), a few months and hand-mearound’s down the line, I imagine curled edges, finger marks, folded pages adorned with sticky notes. Or, subsequently, for those perfectionists out there who want to keep A carefully tucked away on your bookshelf for a rainy day escape; that’s the dream. Why are magazines made to be disposable? I asked myself this over and over during the mammoth task of making A and began to realise that it isn’t what I wanted to happen to us. I didn’t want you to have to throw something away with last month’s latest news to make room for this months. I wanted you to have a mix of the old (Picasso’s light art p52) and the new, the classics and the futures (Reload’s artists p.84). Images and words that can stand the test of time. For at least six months anyway.. Welcome to A. Relax. Enjoy. Learn. Teach. Inspire..
Alexandra -Editor in Chief
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Creatives in Context Before you venture on this soul searching journey of creativity and inspiration dispersed across the pages of A we thought it best to put into context these ‘Creatives’ we speak so fondly of. We aim to be an inspirational sourcebook for creatives everywhere. We use this term both loosely and fiercely.. To define the Creative is one of those grey areas that seem to still, in this day and age of digital media and innovations nudging their way in at every given opportunity, hover across the threshold of professional amateur and the real deal. There is very little evidence to define what a Creative actually is. I mean factual evidence rather than a Google search. They can however be defined by job type, so you have your Artists, Designers, Musicians (all of you lovely lot..) then there are those who create on a less than obvious basis, like marketers sat at a desk thinking up campaigns day in day out, or the PR geniuses behind brand management and the like. Really being a creative is adopting more of a personality trait than anything else. It simply can’t be defined by a single choice or act you do on one single day. I remember back when I was a miniature entrepreneur, knocking on doors and selling my intricately hand painted pebbles as decorative ornaments to my bewildered neighbours for pocket money. Or, the days where I would create time capsules, where I was more concerned about the detail on the outside of the box than the content I was potentially throwing away forever, only to find they don’t actually last very well underground for all of those rain drenched years. I was always labled the creative one in the family. Old school reports would be focused on my Art teacher’s perceptions of how I would progress throughout the years. I took Art at High school and then pursued it at College. It was only then that I knew I wasn’t ‘that’ creative in the sense that I was certainly not an artist by any stretch of the imagination.
People pigeon hole you into this creative bubble where, if you sit and actively enjoy creating things for any length of time you are automatically hailed as the next Van Gogh. Little did I know that while I was doodling my younger years away I had actually developed quite the creative skill in writing. Ironic really, because writing this article about creatives wasn’t quite the walk in the park I had hoped. It’s one of those age old debates. Creatives do it for the love of creating. Not for the pay cheque, right? Yes. Also; no. It is marginally naive, borderline ignorant, to say that creatives do it for the love, only. I love to write. I also love to check my bank at the end of each month. I couldn’t write if I didn’t have an income, and so goes the vicious circle. It’s less about following the set rules and more about creating your own. The rebellion of a creative is another one of those grey areas. To rebel from society and create something innovative and new is loosely following in the footsteps of what creatives have been doing all throughout history. Ergo, you are a conformist. Are you? In a nutshell creatives are the thinkers, the doers, and the dreamers, all rolled into one very significant individual. We voice our opinions, through words, written, spoken and sung, or through art, or clothes, or photography. Creatives are all about the narrative even if they don’t quite know the story they are trying to narrate yet. Maybe they never will, but somebody out there relates and in that, you can find some comfort you are doing it right. If I am entirely honest this was one of the very last pieces to be written for A’s debut
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FEATURE
issue. I thought long and hard about the kind of people I wanted to read the magazine and in the end I decided that the creative alone was not enough for me. I don’t want just the celebrated creatives to invest in A, I want those who define themselves as ‘not having a creative bone in my body’ (yes mam, I am talking to you!) to sit and enjoy the content that has gone into making this magazine a truly universal read. The aim is to inspire, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a studio artist and begin sketching as you browse, that might mean, you decide to make a time capsule after reading what I wrote at the beginning of this article. Or, that you might check out a new Blog because you’re current internet history revolves around The Daily Mail and Facebook; religiously. Either way, I want A to act as a friend, a guide, an inspiration, and most importantly a catalyst for your future. Do or do not, there is no try. A mantra close to any Creatives heart I’m sure. You have Yoda to thank for that one. Seriously.
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A Lost Art
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photography by STEVEN MORRILL
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Grey T-Shirt - H&M
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White Vest H&M
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Grey Vest- Topshop
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CREDITS Model - Bex Lendon Jewellery- Cate Wood Hair - Alexandra Wigley Styling - Alexandra Wigley Photographer/Editing - Steven Morrill
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Cate Wood With a strong appreciation for up-cycling and a passion for finding the beauty in the unwanted, Cate’s designs offer a breath of fresh air to a saturated marketplace in which people are too eager to throw away trinkets of value because they don’t adhere to social trends and ‘vintage’ fads. Here, she tells us all about her Jewellery range and we get a glimpse into the craft of a creative reborn.. Words By Alexandra Wigley A- So Cate, how did you get into it Jewellery making and design? Cate- I remember not being particularly academic at school, I did ok but I always wanted to go to a school that had a great art department. So I went to a school that had a fantastic art department and then on to an art college in Batley. So that was the natural route for me. I wanted to do a surface pattern course, a natural route after that was to apply for universities. I was accepted at Bretton Hall in Manchester, and that’s where I did Fashion and Printed Textile design. But I was always better with three dimensional things, so I would always really enjoy setting up still life in order to paint them. Still life would be fabulous, but the painting would be lacking in something, so for me 3D, building things and making things has been the thing that’s always made me tick. The whole still life and collections is where my design came from. I had a boyfriend from Greece back in the day, and I’d go over to Greece and find dead beetles and they’d have a lovely colour and I’d keep them and pin them to the wall at home as still life. A- Rescue, Revive and Respectfully Rearrange. How did you come up with that? Cate- I think that up cycling is so huge at the minute, I try to use things that are on their way to landfill, that aren’t repairable and use them to do something respectful with them. See what I can do best in terms of repurposing those materials.
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My strength was always at collecting things that didn’t really mean anything to anyone else, where I’d pick things up off the street or on a walk, and I’d have them in a box then I’d pin them to the wall. For example, with the leather pieces; I got a load of belts that were torn with damaged buckles. I salvaged those and sent them to have them laser cut into fastenings and things. So I like to do that. A- So you see things in the small, often overlooked objects? Cate- I get overwhelmed with stuff. So it’s a way of minimising choice for me. So if I’ve got a lot of options and I go to a jewellery findings website or trinkets that you can buy for jewellery, there is so much of it that it’s just overwhelming for me. So, if I just have limited materials, a limited selection of things and findings it makes me more creative, I work with what I’ve got. A- How do you get your ideas down? Cate- I never design anything, never sit down and I don’t have any CAD skills. If I’ve done a market swoop and bought things from the market and I’ve collected lots of things then I’ll have the stuff in front of me laid out. I’ve got my mannequin and then I start to cut and pin and experiment with all the things I’ve got there. A- You are also asked to create bespoke designs?
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Cate- A lot of the pieces are made so that you can personalise things, so a lot of people ask me for particular words or shapes or materials. It might be that somebody has asked me to use a dress that there grandmother used to wear, and then wrapped that in silk and done a tassel necklace so they will approach me and ask me if I can work with a box of trinkets they send me, and then I’ll construct a piece. A- How much would you say the whole idea of collectables and vintage filters down in to your work? Cate- I was talking a while ago to my best friend at university, and she said ‘you’ve always collected, you’ve always been interested in old fabrics and that kind of nostalgia and that feeling’, and also fabrics were a lot nicer back in the day, that brings a sense of nostalgia. I am interested in that. The lines of old things interest me as much as new things. But vintage fairs and that kind of thing I’m a bit scared of because I think they can quite easily turn in to not truly vintage. And vintage is a word that I’m really tired of hearing as well. It’s a word that everybody uses, people think that you can add an extra tenner to something if you use the word vintage. I’m interested in the up cycling and the re-purposing, that’s what I’m holding on to rather than the vintage. A- Do you like to travel for inspiration? Cate- It’s been slightly different for me. I hadn’t used my creativity for a number of years, and it got to the point with the job and my life in general and where I wasn’t happy, and I just woke up one day
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-Vintage is a word I am really tired of hearing. Its a word that everybody uses, people think that you can add an extra tenner to something if you use the word vintage.
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and thought, ‘you need a change and it needs to be a big one’, and I booked an around the world ticket. So I went travelling on my own and part of the reason for that trip was to find somewhere to live. To find somewhere that would be that big change. I thought New Zealand might be the place because people had told me how fabulous it was, it might be Australia and then there wouldn’t be the language barrier, both of those places were incredible but didn’t give me what I was yearning for, and it was when I got to South America that I was just mind blown and not sure how it happened but it brought that creativity that I’d not been using, it was just burning, so when I got back I was just so up for doing something, making something and being creative again. So that was the kind of ignition.
on my own gets lonely, although I think it’s less isolating than it used to be with social media. So I thought where would be some place that would enhance what I do, and something that I love, and that was it; flowers. I’ve worked with them before, so again that’s a huge influence on my work in terms of colour and texture. A- You tend to use a similar colour palette throughout your works, is this important in carrying through your signature designs? Cate- Yeah, it’s not something that I decided to do, it’s something that happened organically. The materials that I’m drawn to and the things that I like have a history and are tarnished. To be honest sometimes I used to find things that have got a bright shiny surface and so I use Liver of Sulfur to tarnish things. But just recently I want to introduce pops of colour here and there and I think I’ll find a cool way to do that so that’s what is next.
Now, for inspiration, I love Pinterest. I’m addicted. You lose time in Pinterest but I do feel enriched when I come off. But I think because I can organise it and put it into different folders it really works. It is like a natural mood enhancer. So for me, I would say that’s my virtual place. For music; Buena Vista social club on iTunes, and then Pinterest and some Columbian coffee and I am hugely inspired.
A- You sometimes feature text and phrases in your designs, where does this come from? Cate- I like skip surfing and as I said before stuff that’s going to end up in the bin I’ll pull out, and you’ll be amazed at how many self-help books and
I also work at a great flower shop because I needed some real human interaction I find that working
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A- Where can we find your work online? Cate- I have just started to use Etsy, and then also my online shop which will be updated via my website very soon! Also on a site called Moorbi that deals with all things re-purposed and up-cycled so it’s a good fit. A- Do you exhibit? Cate- I have had work in the Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge. I really want to tighten things up to be a bit more considered. I did have an exhibition in Bath with One Two Five art school that went on for a few weeks over Christmas, and I’ve been working with a textile artist called Carole Waller who runs One Two Five. She is doing a pop up shop in Bristol so I’ll be having some work in there. A- If you weren’t doing this what kind of thing would you be doing? Cate- So for years I had jobs that weren’t creative and I know that I will never do that again, I would probably have a fabulous flower shop, probably with a tiny coffee shop that played fabulous music attached that stayed open later so that people who are finishing work could pop in for flowers, coffee and cake. That would be the dream. A- Do you have ideas for future collections that you can share with us? Cate- I love the leather work I really enjoy working with leather and I think that I will probably use a lot more laser cut discs and various other shapes. I’ll experiment with engraved leather as well but I’m also looking into ways of colouring metal with rubber paint. So maybe just having sections of chain dipped in neon yellow, and pink, or ever just a link, it is still in the planning stages but I think there is room for that in my work. It can be introduced in different ways, I used organic wax cord and there are some fabulous colours available in that so, sometimes I do a break in the chain and use wax cord but I’m just thinking further down the line if that’s the way I’d go.
-For years I had jobs that were not creative and I know that I will never do that again. things you’ll find in the bin. Sometimes I will just have a flick through and think that’s cool and I like tongue in cheek things, like I used some of the Ten Commandments in resin, so I used them in a kind of sarcastic way. But then other things that inspire or prompt are experiences or hard times, and notes that I make and I will use those words, just because they mean something to me.
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At ‘A’ we are all about inspiring others while showcasing talents that might be missed by the waves from the mainstream. Cate is one of those creatives whose passion is contagious, and after spending time with her in a little Yorkshire cafe, where the walls were adorned with locally crafted jams and the like, serving the most delicious lattes and homemade cakes, I left feeling inspired and ready to pursue ‘A’ full steam ahead. So thank you Cate!
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Peter
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Yip A Magazine aims to showcase emerging talents every step of the way and in doing so, potentially inspire and leave our readers in a state of awe and admiration for the work we include on our pages. Peter Yip is no exception the rule, quite the contrary. He represents a crucial part of the industry in Fashion Photography, and while such areas are often saturated with every Tom, Dick and Harry doing back street shoots, Peter has carved a career through sheer dedication and passion for what he does.
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Based in London, his portfolio is bursting with high fashion shoots and he often works with emerging magazines, not unlike us, to produce exclusive content. It is clear to see that he has honed his skills to develop a strong aesthetically pleasing abundance of images that will be showering the next few pages. As well as having strong talent in his craft, Peter’s dedication and down to earth persona is a breath of fresh air in an overrun industry where everybody claims to be at the top of their game. His modest and realistic approach to his work ethic is what makes him so admirable and the content so darn good! If this is the first time you’re hearing about Peter Yip, Fashion Photographer, then you are very welcome, sit back and relax while we give you the run down on the one to watch this side of the pond. As his career soars we catch up with him to walk us through a world of fashion, photography and the guy behind the camera. When did you first pick up a camera.. I started photography when I was a kid, the idea of capturing and freezing a moment that happens before your very eyes fascinated me and this interest gradually grew into a strong passion. Photography to me is a medium of which I express, some like to write, sing or paint whereas I photograph. A good image is one where someone would pause and stare; a great image is something that can move people, or even inspire others. I would be really happy if I could achieve such an impact in my lifetime. How did you break into such a saturated industry.. I told myself to keep shooting and hone your skills and always have quality work in your portfolio. You simply can’t sell bad work. Always shoot what you love and are passionate about. Stay true to your vision and
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shoot what you are inspired by. It evolves from experience, failure and experimentation. How did you decide upon Fashion Photography.. My career in photography started in Architectures & Interiors and portraits. It was an area which led into itself after I graduated with a degree in Architecture. But I was feeling slightly unsatisfied with the work due to the lack of creativity. As for fashion, I stumbled across it one day. This somehow led me into where I am now. The creativity in fashion simply excites me, being able to do something unconventional, think outside the box sometimes. Together with the influence and ideas of other talented artists (i.e. stylists, makeup, hairstylist etc.), makes shooting fashion very magical. It’s the sense of creation rather than the capture. I haven’t looked back since, but if I were to photograph something else other than fashion, it would be architecture; there is something quite therapeutic about it. Who do you look up to in the Fashion Industry.. Some of my favourite photographers are – Melissa Rodwell, Helmut Newton, Erwin Blumenfeld. I think their work is amazing but also their personal character and attitude towards the industry and craft is something that I admire and respect a lot. Do you think it’s getting more difficult for young photographers to break into the fashion industry? I honestly don’t think this industry is any more difficult than it has already been before. On one hand, there are probably more photographers and more aspiring photographers out there. But on the other hand, with the digital age, there is a much larger range of mediums which
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photographers can get in to as well as exposure through social media, internet etc., which makes getting yourself noticed easier. I feel it can also make those who can photograph, and are talented, stand out more from those who can’t.
perception of disability. Or Irving Penn photographed a nude plus size woman for Vogue called Epic Proportions, showing a large nude woman posing comfortably and reflecting her own beauty .I find stories like these ones very interesting and also inspiring.
If you could photograph anybody..
If you weren’t a photographer..
If I can photograph anyone I would really like to shoot some of the most influential photographers, such as Erwin Blumenfeld, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon etc. Getting a glimpse of the person behind the lens and an idea of who they really are, their personality, and reflecting on their work would interest me the most.
There are many things I would go in to, but very few I am actually interetsed in. If I weren’t a photographer I would probably go into either music or furniture design, these are the two other things that really interest me.
What inspires you to continue your career every day.. The desire of creation and the need of expression is what drives me to do what I do; my inspiration can be from things I see, my feelings and thoughts. On the other hand I think photography is a very powerful tool, and it could have great social impact. For example, Dazed and Confused Magazine collaborated with Alexander McQueen for a cover feature story called fashion-able with disabled models, showing a different
In photography itself, I think there is always something new to learn, new techniques, new approaches etc. But what nobody taught me before I started out was the terminology in the industry. As I had never really assisted anyone before, I ended up learning a lot of these phrases as I went along. I was lucky in that I had people I could ask along the way. Finally, any Words of Wisdom from one creative to another.. Keep shooting, keep practising. Again, you simply can’t sell bad work. Only show your best, quality over quantity. Ever heard of the expression ‘starving artist’?. Talent is definitely an important ingredient. Have a plan, to progress as a professional photographer business skills are also important.
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For example, I recently watched a documentary of Helmut Newton filmed by his wife, and he turns out to be a very lovely, sweet man. It was quite a contrast to his provocative, erotically charged photographic works.
What have you learnt about photography that you didn’t know when you started out?
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“It evolves from experience,failure and experimentation.”
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http://artwednesday.com/2014/04/16/exclusive-joe-cruz-x-art-wednesday/
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JOE CRUZ
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ON HIS WORK:
Graphic, bold colours with a mix of expressive
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mark making..’
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“The shoot was for Art Wednesday, Daniella Maiorano the creative producer their approached me and asked if I was interested in collaborating and I was pretty given free reign to do what I liked.�
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Credits: Photography: Daniella Maiorano Styling: Emelie Hulqvist & Stelios Stylianou @ Un-Categorized Make-up: Tabby Casto using Mac Pro Hair: Roger Cho using Bumble & Bumble Illustration: Joe Cruz Model: Carolina @ NEXT
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/gallery/10975/2/helmutlang-make-it-hard
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HELMUT LANG FASHION ART.
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FASHION ART
The evolution of Austrian born Fashion Designer turned Artist, as told by Alexandra Wigley
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It is deemed a luxury in life if you somehow manage to land on your feet and actually take up a career in whatever it is you told your parents you would be at five years old. I am certainly not a Pop Star, although I am still training incognito, adhering to the eternal optimist in myself. Forging a career is one mighty milestone in your life, and staying in said career is another. People change along with the times, and opinions are swayed. So when Helmut Lang hung up his fashion boots in favour of dipping his toes into the elitist art world, he left us both intrigued and optimistic that we too could take a career U-Haul no matter how late or, undeniably achieved, in the field we may be. His very first foray into the fashion playground came about when he was left feeling bemused about a severe lack of buying motivation when it came to finding the perfect jacket, and instead he took matters into his own hands to design his own version of perfection. It was then that the world caught on to his vision and the domino effect began, carving the path for a long and successful career as a fashion designer in an already overcrowded industry.
photo: elfie semotan
‘I don’t think there is such a thing as profound satisfaction. Life implies that it is sometimes good and sometimes not. But it is clearly an evolution I am quite satisfied with.’ When asked about the idea that his life is now ‘Bliss’ after shutting the door to the fashion industry and walking away from his label in 2005, Helmut denies ultimate satisfaction. Instead, he speaks like any creative with a passion, subtly mocking the idea that anything will ever be evolved enough to deem his utmost satisfaction but that he can appreciate both the good and the bad of the industry and continue to hone his craft accordingly. He certainly seems to be at ease with his new lifestyle, with no ties to the fashion calendar ruling his day to days, instead, he works to a notoriously private ethic in the unhurried world of art. His decision to walk away from fashion was widely debated, and was ultimately considered a lack of creative control with his label to be the deciding factor; however he has since stated he has no qualms about the industry he once devoted his life to, rather he relies on having a preconceived idea of a changing world.
‘I don’t think many people walk away from fashion – it’s very addictive.’ Considered a cult figure in the fashion industry, his career spanned over thirty successful years with his most influential
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http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/gallery/10975/2/helmut-lang-make-it-hard
period being the nineties, his casual denims and effortlessly cool designs captivated the modern successions of fashionista. He is also noted as being one of the first designers to fully embrace the digital era when back in 1998 he engaged the internet to showcase his AW 98/99 collection online and spawned a legion of imitators when the interactive notion caught on soon after. Not fully confined to the internet he was also the first fashion house to utilise the use of rooftops of New York taxi’s for advertising that same year. It’s not difficult to see why he was so widely received in cultivating the fashion era of the nineties yet he managed to avoid the pitfalls of success by claiming he knew he did not want to be a ‘victim’ of his achievements, rather avoiding succumbing to the manufactured cult of celebrity altogether. Much more at home in his solitary surroundings in the South of France, Helmut was neither a loner, nor rebelling from the celebrity world of fashion, he had a very close knit group of friends who embraced this world but he always positioned himself on the outside, looking in. Bruce Weber said of Lang,
‘I always felt that Helmut wasn’t really in the fashion world- He was in his own world.’
Which seems fitting for his attitude towards submerging himself in an industry that could potentially turn on him, ironically, instead, he turned on it. A loss for fashion has ultimately turned into a huge gain for the Art world, where his penchant for sculptural design and experimenting with the physicality of materials has filtered from his fashion into his artistic aesthetic. His well known ‘Make It Hard’ exhibition boasts an impressive collection of shredded material from the entirety of his fashion archives, morphed into sixteen sculptures adorned with character and history from this transitional period in his career and life. Acclaimed as a creative, Lang caters to his fans in an entirely new and interesting dimension and we are excited to see how exactly he plans to progress in this new and exciting field where his creativity can flourish and his minimal approach to fashion can filter through into new projects. He will always be hailed as a critical influence for fashion but it can’t hurt to have your talents spread among the art elite. I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next as I have a feeling he will be inspiring creatives across the border for years to come, we have not seen the end of the Austrian native yet. And we have art to thank for this. So, thank you Art. And thank you, Helmut.
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ART
Niels Kieneé Salventius Intrigue is a definitive factor in Art. We find that sometimes when you are sifting through ciberspace, it’s usually those that make you stop, just for a minute, that are the important ones. The ones to watch, so to speak. That’s exactly how I felt when I first seen Portraits for Poetry.
should contain any text. But that’s why I use it. To keep pushing me out of my comfort zone and discover new ins and outs.
Firstly, for those who don't know, introduce yourself..
I did a lot of photography on portraits of landscapes and it is so nice just to have a different kind of material, technique and system to work with! Dirty hands are such a nice result of making art!
I worked as a creative in the field of advertising, film and the entertainment industry. In 2010 I started a blog by the name salventius.com. It was my outlet for all my creativity but with a focus on 'doing one thing at a time'. How did you come up with the concept for Portraits and Poetry? One portrait asked for text. And I just listened. And since I create them all by one single line I thought they should also contain one-liners. I enjoyed making it so much. I want to keep things fresh so that I also get overwhelmed by the result. What do the images reflect? People and personalities I have met in the pastconscious and subconscious. The portraits sometimes evolve in front of my eyes. I am not making them I am meeting them. What is the message you’re trying to portray?
Do you like working with graphic art for projects such as this one?
Was use of colour an important factor in this project? Colour is always important! I often use neon. It doesn’t leave any room for imagination and that's why I like to use it. Since my one-liners (drawings) are so organic I like that as a contrast. Absolute colours. Yes that is pink. Neon pink. No doubt about it! Where can we find the Portraits and poetry project? All over the internet; mainly on my website, on behance.net/salventius and on Facebook. Some sketches for the poetry project happened while I was making my contribution to the Sketchbook Project 2014 (google it!) My book is in the digital library and also will be touring throughout the US this year. Finally, what else do you have coming up this year for us to look out for?
Are words something you find important in portraying a visual message?
I am working on some expositions but it takes so much time- time that I would rather use to make art. So I will keep filling my sites and Facebook. Today I received an email that there will be a book release in August with the use of my drawings as cover art. And I am also looking forward to doing some second time experimenting with light writing. I am also working on a small exhibition which will be taking place in October this year.
Not at all, to be honest. I don’t think a painting
www.salventius.com
I try to mix the personality with the poetry. Mixing doesn’t always mean it blends nicely. But that’s also a perfect output. The contrast of the organic lines and handwritten text is something I feel uncertain about until it is done.
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http://life.time.com/culture/pablo-picasso-draws-with-light-1949/#1
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ART
Picasso & Mili “Light Drawings”
A mere five years ago, if somebody had asked me what I knew about Picasso I could probably answer in under a minute. it’s not that I dislike his work, or that I hadn’t heard of him, because as an Art & Design student his name was often thrown around the classroom, usually with the hopes that one of us amateurs would actually be able to replicate something remotely Picassoesque and really impress our teacher. From what I do remember, he was a foreign fellow who drew particular linear paintings of musical instruments. That was quite literally the extent of my knowledge after seeing his Violin and Guitar piece in a class one day. Now though, I am much more interested to find out about these artists who managed to mould the future generations of art movement. I am by no means an artist myself. However looking at art somehow relaxes me. I was one of those children who liked to look at the pictures before reading the text. I could stare at colours on a page for hours. I think my art career started fairly early, if I remember correctly. Occupied in an airport before an early morning flight I sat with my colouring- by-numbers Crayola book. It was pure bliss. Obviously I advanced to painting by numbers, and to this day one of my self-indulgent ‘masterpieces’ hangs on my grandparents walls, complete with an 11 year old self ’s signature. Because that’s how they all did it right? Now I have a sea of information to search through with the internet and I can inform myself much easier than I could do in the past. Still though, I would put off looking at these artists portfolios time after time and choose to dig out new and upcoming photography work. It was only when I was talking to an artist myself
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that they mentioned his name and I decided to take the time to sit and get to grips with google. Now I can say I am so glad I did. Had I just went on to dismiss Picasso as a cubist artist, I would never have found his ‘Light Drawings’. There is something mesmerising about lights. I am truly like a moth to a flame when it comes to anything enchanting and glowing. Give me a Sparkler that never goes out and I am pretty much set. Quite the light artist myself (you heard right, I have the professional ability to write my name with a sparkler..) I found Picasso’s project fascinating. Not only because it was a different direction that I had never previously known him take, but because my curious self enjoys seeing the behind the scenes aspect of creating art. Everybody has that slight nosy complex to be captivated by seeing how somebody else performs. It’s human nature to investigate, and to have documented images of one of the world’s most important artists of the 20th century in action is something that has me hooked. You may or may not have already known these images existed previous to reading this. Did you know how they came about? Do you know what they were for? Me either. Let’s continue shall we. Gjon Mili, a technical prodigy and lighting innovator for LIFE magazine was the genius behind the images that showcased an experimental working day capturing the hypnotic photographs that have spanned over six decades. In 1949, Mili approached Picasso at his home in the South of France and introduced him to some of his photographs of ice skaters with small lights attached to their skates while they jumped and
amagazine.com skated in the dark. This set Picassos mind into overdrive and he jumped straight into experimenting himself. The series of photographs produced from this were forever known as Picasso’s light drawings, after he posed for a further five sessions after the initial fifteen minute experiment that mesmerised him so much so, to continue on with the project and produce over thirty images of bulls and centaurs, among other greek profiles and his signature, just for good measure. The finished images fascinated Picasso, and it is easy to see why. Had they not been photographed these moments of art, would exist only in memory. The idea that they aren’t real is completely plausible as they existed for short peaks of time, and Mili captured the essence of this in a way that reflected exactly how art should be. The creative process is largely under-appreciated and very rarely showcased is the elements that are undertaken to get to the finished product. Made with a small electric light in a darkened room, the idea of simplicity echoes though the final shots in which Gojon captured them using two cameras, capturing side view shots as well as a second shot of front view. In leaving the shutters of the cameras open he was able to catch the swirls of light in full flight. The impact of the photos for me, aside from the fascinating light arrangements is the natural environment in which the magic was created. A homely backdrop and a shirtless artist in his creative zone reflect the kind of un-pretentious attitudes of the creatives who make art for the love of making art. This was quite simply an experiment created through sheer fascination and awe of light and dark. The results are raw and unedited. Ideally, it helps that the collaborators were undeniably at the peak of their careers, as was Picasso throughout the duration of his it would seem. But what can’t be ignored is Gojon. His skill in photography and the seed that planted the idea in Picasso’s mind came directly from him and his previous works. The art itself is solely created through Picasso’s vision and ability; however the execution and actual existence of them can be credited to Mili. This team has long been considered to have produced some of the first light drawings, triggering a legion of similar work, but none quite has the same punch as the classics. The ‘Picasso draws a centaur in the air’ is the image most widely associated with this particular project but after doing some digging I found a few that don’t often receive the acknowledgement for the involvement in the project. Here at A we are all about showcasing the unknown or under considered. Everybody always sees the norm, it’s not an inside joke if everybody knows the punch line. Here, the images are those that you might not have seen previously. These ones are just between me and you. You’re welcome. Check out more images from Picasso’s Light Drawings life.time.com
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http://life.time.com/culture/pablo-picasso-draws-with-light-1949/#1
ART
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Jakob Wag-
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http://www.jakobwagner.eu/
MADEIRA
ART
German photographer Jakob Wagner likes to spend his time productively while hundreds of thousands of miles in the air. Instead of making snide remarks about the lacking quality of aeroplane food or flitting from the in-flight movie, to the in-flight radio, to the book you’ve been meaning to read for months now, he spends his time peering through a lens to soak up the skyline from his beloved window seat.
scratches or they are just too dirty from the outside to allow good photos. You must be lucky if everything comes together so that you can get some good pictures.
A fan of capturing mother nature in her finest hours, Jakob enjoys photographing weather types and producing quality moments in time with a focus on post production and exquisite landscapes.
My interest in creative expression started early.
You would think he has the best job in the world. And you probably wouldn’t be wrong. Travelling worldwide to develop his life long passion is part and parcel of his job, and with a fascinating portfolio of work expanding by the day, Jakob is only at the forefront of what is sure to be a long career in Ariel Photography.
Another very important thing is the digital postproduction. A lot of my aerials are lacking contrast and appear quite inconsiderable because of the great flying altitude and atmospheric pollution. It often takes me a lot of time of post processing (with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop) to restore the structure of the landscape.’
At 12 I started to draw and a year later i discovered Graffiti. At 16 I began to realise that I wanted to be a Photographer. During a long period of experimenting I found that with long exposure at night, things you cannot see with the naked eye could be visualised. That fascinated me and I started my Nightscapes Series. A-What’s your advice for budding photographers?
Actually I have been saving money for some time now to do a hot-air balloon flight. I think that must be the perfect way to take aerial photos.
Go into teaching first as you will learn a lot about how the business is run and what skills you’ll need beyond photography. In addition, always try doing your own thing and not be heavily influenced by others. The great thing about being a photographer is the chance to turn your hobby into a career. However, this also means that you’ll hardly have any free time. As a photographer at the beginning of your career you have to do it all by yourself. This includes accounting, customer acquisition, web presence and self-promotion.
In common airliners the conditions are unpredictable. The windows might have little
Being a photographer is a true full-time job that never really allows you to rest.
‘I was lucky to work as assistant for a few renowned photographers while they were working all around the globe. This job included a lot of time in airplanes, what I couldn`t have afforded elsewise.
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CAPE TOWN
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http://www.jakobwagner.eu/
ART
NEW YORK
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http://www.jakobwagner.eu/
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SHANGHAI
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ART
ROTTERDAM
www.jakobwagner.eu
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Vaettir Inspired by The Swiss Declaration of Plant Right’s, Vaettir is a project, masterminded from a team of poetic geniuses by taking a playful look at the nature of our relationships with plants intended as living entities. One half of the projects double team leaders, Jenny Lee caught up with A to speak about how Vaettir actually came to life. First off, how did the concept for the project come about? I participate in a workshop called Botanical Fabrications set up by Carole Collet and EDF.
This workshop was looking at how we could potentially utilise botanical methods to grow new materials/products from plants. What was your role in the production of the project, and in going forward with it? My role was conceptual designer – we came up with the concept and design of the artefacts How long did the project take to come together? About a year
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Images from Jenny Lee
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Social
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Social
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Images from Jenny Lee
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Companion
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What was the inspiration behind the name of the project? Vaettir is an old norse term which means ‘nature spirits’. Is the theme intended to be tongue in cheek entirely or do you want to promote the aspect of science behind it? The project is a poetic and humorous look at plant and human interactions – we did carry out some research from a scientific angle but most of this research hasn’t been peer reviewed so that this no consensus evidence to state that plants have feelings. We just wanted to make a point that plants enrich our lives on so many levels but we often don’t value them as much as we do with other things. Instead sometimes we think of nature as a commodity to be utilised for our own means.
Visually Vaettir is collaborated on this?
stunning
work.
Who
Amy and I designed the pieces and then collaborated with two makers Aimee Bollu and Melody Vaughn to help us craft the pieces. What did you intend the project to make the viewer feel or think about? To consider our relationships with plants and how they enrich our lives. Where can we catch the project at? Exhibition planning is in progress and is to be confirmed as soon as possible.
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Images from Jenny Lee
ART
Vanity
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Sensitive
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Images from Jenny Lee
Makers- Aimee Bollu & Melody Vaughan Technologist- Danny Thompson Illustrator- Daniel Loader Stylist- Jenny Lee Photographer- JJ Hastings
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When it comes to securing artists to feature in A, hours were endlessly spent researching gallery after gallery and social networking to find the broadest spectrum of creatives. When we came across Kevin Threlfall, a local artist featured on The Lawrence Batley Theatre website, something made us want to explore more. His colourful artwork combined linear pieces with colourful mirages of oil painted silhouettes. Titled after music, ‘Concert by the Sea’ and ‘Tiny Dancer’ were among a selection of his works that we just had to find out more about. A coffee at Queenies provided the perfect backdrop on a rainy Tuesday in Huddersfield, where we met up with the man himself to discuss Music, Marsden and all things Kevin..
A- How did you get involved with Art initially?
the moment, they’ve opened up a new shop there. Gallery 6. I’ve got some photography work there. Kevin- I’ve always had a natural ability; from an Of close up of flowers, and insects, some are more early age I was always wining art competitions. It abstract than others. was always assumed I would get into art because that was everything I was good at. I probably didn’t A- Have you always done Photography alongside try as hard as I should have with English and Maths. your Art? A- Where do you draw inspiration from?
Kevin- I’ve always done it; I’ve never thought about exhibiting my work, it’s always been more of a hobby. When I left school I went to Batley School or Art & Design, and they had dark rooms there back then. It’s quite exciting because now it’s all digital you lose something. It’s like a ritual you had to go into the dark room and you don’t know what going to happen until it comes out. It’s too easy theses day with Photoshop. Photography’s everywhere; I think it’s lost its status a bit.
Kevin- It depends what I’m working on at the time. When I did the Luddites anniversary I didn’t know much about it so I went to all the historic places just to get your mind in there I suppose. What I’m doing at the moment because I’m interested in the music side, I’m listening to a lot of music, going to gigs. Specifically jazz music at the moment so I suppose that’s my inspiration. I’ve never had any problems getting inspiration I just need to feel inspired enough to do a project. A- You have a studio The Loft Space? A- How long does a piece take? Kevin- I never keep tally on time. I tend to have my burst of working on it, and then I will say its rubbish, go away. Might be a few days later I come back again, once I’m in the mind-set. I’m not one of these people that get up, spend all day, then clocks off at night and does the same thing tomorrow. Which, I should do, because discipline is what you need. A-Do you ever find it difficult to finish pieces?
Kevin- Yeah there’s six other artists up there in Marsden, and it’s located in a bit of a textile heritage hub. It’s a big open plan room so the first third of it is an open shop area, so what we do we put up a shop people can wander round and buy. The rest of it is just a space where people can work, we set up workshop space. So I do my painting there, it’s a nice big space so I can do it, leave it come back to it two months later and carry on, I tend to have a few things on the go at once.
A- You tend to work on canvas with acrylics? Kevin- Yeah, I always think its rubbish. The hard part is to carry on going because you can’t do a Kevin- Yeah, I use other materials as well but that’s masterpiece straight away. It takes effort and time. what I’m most comfortable with. It’s fast drying, unlike oil paints, so you work fast, have mad rushes A- Where else do you have work locally? doing it and then go back and it’s quite versatile. You can add water to make watercolours and thin it Kevin- I’ve got work in Huddersfield Art Gallery at down, or you can make it super thick like oil so it’s
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Images from Kevin Threlfall
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a good medium. I still do a bit of oil painting. I like to experiment just to give me more inspiration. Sometime happy accidents happen. It depends what I’m doing, sometimes it’s good to incorporate the surroundings like using mixed media, using collage. A- How do you integrate music into your art? Kevin- I think there are parallels between music and visual art in terms of structure, rhythm and melody. You’ve got artists like Kandinsky who are very much music theory tied into their art. I don’t have a theory that I work to but it puts me in the mood of what I’m working on. So sometimes I’ll take the title of a song, or an album, that’s my starting point, and it might bear no resemblance to it in the end but it’s just being able to do anything at any point. A- Your Luddites piece gets a lot of attention. How did this come about? Kevin- I wanted to do something for the Luddites, and I knew it had to visually represent something, it couldn’t be abstract. I wanted it to be accessible. So I thought what approach do I want to take, and I decided on doing
something based on the Futurists art movement that chooses dynamic lines. I thought it was ironic to use the style of the very forward looking work. They celebrated war I think they actually liked very modern technology and modern warfare, prior to the Second World War this art movement was very excited about it. Using the Luddites in terms of, they were against technology and using the style of those that favoured technology would be quite interesting. I was also influenced by Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ it was also based on war, in fact if you look at it you’ll see if have borrowed a few motifs from that, and it’s very linear. A- What are your musical influences? Kevin- I’ve always had a wide range interest in music. Blues music, folk music, Motown. I used to like trying to find artists, it’s great with Spotify nowadays, and you can go off into whole other worlds. It’s easy to find people. I used to listen to the charts all the time, knew what the top ten was, these days though music’s just gone over my head, I don’t even know what’s number one. It seems to have gone a lot more flat in a way. It’s a lot of hype these days. Musicians just want to do the music, where the X
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ART Factor crowd just want to be famous. A-Is this where the musical influence ties in with your work? Kevin- Yeah, musicians get together and they jam and it’s a creative process. Where a bit more commercial musicians, they don’t even write their own songs, somebody else comes up with them, what they know is going to be number one. It’s not bad, some people enjoy that, but it’s not got that creative process there. People sing the songs and don’t necessarily have the connection to the song. It’s the songwriter that’s the artist I would say, and that’s what I’m interested in more. If you go back to more folk and blues, you’ve got singer songwriters that I’m much more interested in. A- Your studio is based in Marsden, where do you spend most of your time? Kevin- Probably in at the studio when I’m doing work for an exhibition. I spend some time at the LBT (Lawrence Batley Theatre), and I’ve recently opened a pop up gallery in Marsden itself, before Christmas, and it’s quite successful so we’ve kept that going but we have to commit time to be open so it’s on a rota schedule between 6 of us, then other artists that exhibit as well. I’m also involved in the Art Station which is at Huddersfield Station, where there is art work on the walls exhibited. It’s an open call out to any artists who want to get involved so that’s fun, and you get 4.6 million people pass through the station a year. It’s great in terms of giving exposure to other artists too who are primarily based in studio. A- What would you like to see develop in the Art world?
Images from Kevin Threlfall
I want to encourage more people to buy art. People think it’s only for the rich, but a lot of it is affordable, and a lot of it is a one off. People don’t have the mind-set they don’t even think they might buy the art work from the walls in places. They think, that wouldn’t go with my sofa, so they go to Ikea or somewhere. I think some people are scared as well people think it’s a bit too high brow. I think with all the conceptual art at the moment as well, it puts people off, people feel stupid when they go into a place, they want something that they’re comfortable with I suppose. It has to be presented to them that it is something that they could have. That’s what I like about the gallery in Marsden, you can see them looking through the window kind of scared. There is still that mind-set of ‘I don’t go into art galleries, I don’t know what to ask’ so people just come in and we talk to them about it. But why shouldn’t it be like that. Because people are very visual, they like things to look at, things to make them think, in other aspects of life they’ll go to watch films, they’ll listen to music but when it comes to visual art for some reason they don’t go for it. But it is trying to get the general public more interested in art, the train station you see it every days so hopefully that way it seeps into the brain that art isn’t so scary.
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www.threlfall.co.uk
http://www.nme.com/blogs/the-big-picture/iconic-music-photography-the-uncut-collection
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Peter Townshead - The Who Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan
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http://www.nme.com/blogs/the-big-picture/iconic-music-photography-the-uncut-collection
MUSIC
Jim Morrison- The Doors September 1968, Frankfurt, Germany
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Musics best kept secrets It won’t be news to you that every Glastonbury go-er, Coachella crooner, North/ South divider of Leeds & Reading festival regulars will claim to be at the very forefront of ‘new music’. None of this churned out mainstream content, played regularly through the radio airwaves. I’m talking about the more obscure the name of the band the better. Yet, the thousands that strategically plan their outfits (yes, girls, we are guilty, and no, it’s not a crime) weeks beforehand, and the boys, who unapologetically know all the words and every song to the coolest bands, all have one thing in common. They are in fact, the mainstream. They like all the same music, which, due to festival fame is no longer the best kept secret of a difficult to find youtube channel, or an up- and coming gig at your local. They are quite literally the new mainstream. As are you. If this irks you, which if you’re there for the music should not irk you in the slightest, then read on. We have managed to find some of music’s best kept secrets for you to reimmerse yourself into the coveted status of having an innate ‘I knew them before they hit the big time’ satisfaction that you oh so sneakily crave.
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MUSIC
The House of St. Barnabas // SOHO
If you take your musical festivities with a side order of culture then this is the place for you. Originally a house back in 1800’s, St Barnabas has endured a lifetime of changes from the offices of the Westminster Commissioners of Sewers, to a charitable refuge for the ‘waifs and strays of the turbid sea of human society’. It was only in 2005 that the house stopped operating as a hostel due to feasibility issues, and instead turned the space into a hub for social enterprise with charity at its core.
http://www.coolbrands.uk.com/the-house-of-st-barnabas
Fast forward and you have a long standing home for those affected by homelessness with the vision of creating futures of sustained employment to help get people back on their feet. So far, so good. What’s better than a helping house, a helping house that happens to hold Culture Series events hosting a mix of acoustic gigs partnered with engaging conversations and talks.
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While the Chapel provides an undoubtedly serene acoustic set up for emerging artists around London and the UK, the aim is to create a community by sharing and hosting music and creating a safer place for people to get involved with. Showcasing talent is becoming exceedingly easy to do via the Internet these days, a la YouTube. But ideally, if you’re a talented musician, 1 Greek Street, Soho Square is your platform waiting to happen. While the charity is the sole focus of the events space, the musical entertainment is part and parcel of what makes the House of St Barnabas so authentic, pooling in talents from the likes of Jarvis Cocker who led a performance back in 2013, this secret gem is the epitome of capturing the essence of raw, creative talent in it’s most natural form and the sweetest of locations. How often can you say you’ve performed in a private Chapel?
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Sofar Sounds // ANYWHERE
Sofar Sounds is arguably one of the best kept secrets (not so much now..) in modern day music where gigs are becoming overrun with neon face paint and tribes of indie lookalikes moshing to get pride of place squashed helplessly against a barrier, only to get yanked out by burly, disgruntled security men who would love nothing more than to be tucked up in bed.
More of a ‘secret-society’ type of venue, where the rules are you have to subscribe to their official newsletter, and go through the elitist application process in order to attend one of these mystical shows. The whole idea cements the values of showcasing emerging musicians through the music, not through fame and twisted record deals.
We’ve all been there, remote control in hand, perched center stage – stage being your living room turned music hotspot filled with your nearest and dearestputting on the performance of your career to date. Aged six.
The shows themselves are hosted worldwide everywhere from Amsterdam to York, and chances are if you haven’t heard of the performers, you soon will. They have managed to provide one of those services that won’t explode into the mainstream anytime soon, so you don’t have to worry about it going all commercial and everyone jumping on the bandwagon, for now it can just be our little secret..
sofarsounds.com
Sofar sounds is basically the parent figure to this child like anecdote. They have their shit together. Creating the perfect setting for an intimate gig in the heart of your home, all live and filled with awesomeness.
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MUSIC
CMJ Music Marathon // NEW YORK
CMJ Music Marathon 2014 will be lighting up a small space in New York City from October 21st25th showcasing some major musical talents, all the while doubling up as a resourceful conference by day, gig by night festival for budding musical entrepreneurs everywhere. Running since 1981, it has developed into one of the most important outlets for new music, giving 1,400 performers a platform across 80 nightclubs and theatres throughout New York City. Not only that, CMJ houses conference events, college days and mixers for all music types to come together over five days of non-stop entertainment.
With a back catalogue of success stories, ranging from the previously unknown Arcade Fire back in 2004, to folk superstars Mumford & Sons, circa 2009, CMJ’s presence within the industry speaks for itself in volumes. Whether you are there to perform, observe, learn or simply explore the somewhat sheltered music industry from the inside out, you will find it all, and more, with this one! What more do you want from the city that never sleeps.
http://www.cmj.com/marathon/
As for the line-up, if you are, or know any budding musicians looking for the perfect platform who
happen to be USA bound at the time of CMJ, this is your lucky day. You can apply via the website and all acts are confirmed nearer the date to make sure the catalogue is in tip top shape ready for a five day feast for the ears and soul.
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http://www.shannonsaundersofficial.com
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RELOAD SESSIONS
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MUSIC
I first came across Reload Sessions back in 2012, when I relentlessly searched for Lana Del Ray covers on YouTube, because frankly, she has an ‘interesting’ voice which I like to hear very infrequently. (Sorry Lana!) In steps Reload Sessions, a channel dedicated to showcasing the rising stars of the music industry, where each artist comes in to a studio in London to record covers of hit songs of their choice or can exclusively record sessions featuring original music. I caught up with Peppe Fazzolari to quiz him on all things YouTube and music in the digital day and age..
“Even though we are a YouTube channel and they are the artists, it's still the same creative hustle.” For those who don't know, how would you introduce Reload Sessions? Reload Sessions is a YouTube channel which tries to push new music forward but also present a twist on current popular songs either through the arrangement of the song or the instrumental set up. We've been running for about 18 months now, introducing new talent to a larger audience. How did you come up with the idea? It was a thing we always wanted to get involved with. We'd always watch music videos on YouTube and saw the rise of a couple of famous faces, Justin Bieber, Esmee Denters and eventually Conor Maynard - we have a few friends who make content on YouTube and so we thought it would be interesting to start our own channel but bring different content creators together under one channel. What is your role in Reload Sessions, who else is in the team? It's a pretty small team, which is nice, because we know exactly where we stand with each other. It started off with myself and a very good friend, Joshua Galinato, but we have brought someone else in to handle a lot of the admin side of things. We essentially run the channel, we pick what to upload, when to upload, how to film, what to film and so on. We share roles, but obviously we play to
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our strengths, so I'll handle the day to day management of the channel and setting up shoots whereas Joshua works more with digital production. How do you go about 'scouting' the artists that feature on your channel? There is no easy way to do this. In short, it's hard work. If you put in the time you'll find someone really interesting. Whether that's through YouTube, through going to live shows, or just keeping an open mind and connecting with different people. You feature a lot of acoustic on your channel, is this down to the type of artists that performs or something that you ask of them? We do ask performers to keep their set stripped down. We want to create something really intimate and personal with the artists we work with, which comes across more effectively with a stripped set up. It's also something that reduces complications and cost which lifts the probability of the shoot going ahead. The cameraman is pretty awesome at capturing the artists in full swing, do you use just the one? That's always nice to hear, thanks! Joshua and I film almost everything that appears on
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the channel, like I mentioned earlier, we are a very small but efficient team. Having just one role isn't really an option with what we do. You need to be versatile and get stuck in.
coming from.. Taking steps up the ladder, finding new ways to expand audiences and so on. There's a lot there to contextualise our conversations.
What kind of music do you listen to yourself?
We're lucky to work with good people though, it's always good to see one of our friends; someone we've featured on the channel go on to find success.
I listen to quite a range. I think as a child/ teen I went through different phases which has really shaped my tolerance and preferences as an adult. As a kid I'd listen to a lot of Sting and Annie Lennox, because my mother would play that a lot, but then I'd listen to more pop/R&B because it was the type of music kids in school would listen to. Switching between social groups at high school would influence my taste a lot too, as well as the whole 'moody' teen phase. There's a lot of music I don't listen to but I still respect the guys producing it, or the teams behind it. If you were to check my iTunes, you'd see a lot of different stuff, from John Mayer to Drake, Harry Connick Jr to Chance the Rapper. Right now though I have a few favourites, which include Tori Kelly, Nylo and The 1975 What is the studio environment like when you bring in an artist? We try to be ourselves. Obviously if you go in with a negative attitude or come across defensive then you're in the wrong industry. I think for us, we just want to create a good environment where everyone feels comfortable. We find that if you act overly professional and industry-like it can be quite off putting. Our shoots are pretty easy going. We like to create relationships with the people we work with, so it's always good talking to the performers and finding out more about them. Do you have many returning artists who you've built good relationships with now? Yeah absolutely. We have become good friends with quite a lot of them. I think it's because we understand where each other is
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What do you hope to gain from your channel? We want to be known as the place for great music showcasing different artists. Both up coming and established. We'd love to be known as a channel that gives first exposure to different artists that go on to do big things. Where do you think the music industry is headed, and how do you think channels like your own are helping music? That's a good question. I think right now the UK scene is really strong with a bunch of great artists on the rise. Sam Smith, MNEK, Ed Sheeran - Disclosure and Rudimental too. I think we help raise the profile of some of the newer performers, but we are still at a stage where we are growing. That's what we want to grow into, a channel that pushes new music and raises awareness. I think YouTube is hugely important though and you can't ignore the amount of talent found on the platform - labels and management teams are always looking out for the next big thing and as a free website, YouTube is a perfect medium to get your music our there; to get your brand out there. Finally, who should we be watching out for? We've worked with a lot of cool artists, not sure we could single out one - I don't think that would be fair on them as we have good relationships with almost everyone. Check out the channel and have a browse, let me know who you think people should watch out for!
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“We want to create a channel where you originally go to check out one song but stay
Image from Peppe Fazzolari
for 20 minutes watching dif ferent videos.�
Reload Sessions Co-founder - Peppe Fazzolari www.youtube.com/reloadsessions
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Introducing..
http://mamacolive.com/
The music industry is notoriously tough to break if you are without a sob story/ novelty factor quick fix to fame. However, we at A chose three examples of rising artists who have built their careers through raw talent and ambition, with the help of YouTube as a platform to be seen and heard. Here is the lowdown on the ones to watch for 2014..
Who? SHANNON SAUNDERS It might be said that I am a bit of a closet Shannon Saunders super fan. I was there when she covered the likes of Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream in her bedroom with strategically set up fairy lights and delicate pleasantries before and after videos almost as if she didn’t quite believe how good she was. While she had quite the online following via her YouTube channel it was back in 2010 when Shannon really started making waves, after winning a Disney completion and having a rendition of ‘I See The Light’ featured on the Tangled Soundtrack. She is currently touring her brand new EP which has a much edgier, raw side to it than her previous pop covers. Teamed with her skills on piano and guitar, Shannon is the poster child for acoustic bliss performances with her angelic pipes taking centre stage. She is a regular on Reload Sessions, and her first single Heart of Blue, which was released back in January 2013 on iTunes, cemented her future in the industry as an artist to keep a very close eye on. If you haven’t heard her sing yet, I strongly recommend you stop what you’re doing and sit in awe for the next 3-4 minutes. You are most welcome.
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Who? RIA RITCHIE
Her influences range from Beyonce to Aretha Franklin with a strong RnB/Soul vibe, yet she picked up guitar at just 17 and has since been writing and recording using her YouTube channel as a platform to be heard. Luckily for her, Brit-award winning Plan B was all ears when he came across her channel and got in touch solely due to her song writing skills which had blown him away. Her single Something About You was played consistently on Radio 1’s sister show, 1Xtra and her debut album is set to make tracks in the coming months while her EP ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’ is available to download now. She is now spending her days carefully using her publishing deal to secure as much industry momentum as possible, while song writing with the likes of Plan B and spending every waking hour on developing her career, Ria is bound to break through. Watch this space.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/
Singer/Songwriter Ria Ritchie hails from a quiet seaside town in Suffolk, and is one of those rare talents that has a pretty impressive behind the scenes little black book of musical contacts but has not yet been thrust into the limelight herself. Instead she spends her time honing her talents in the studio, and is currently signed to Roc Nation. Yes, that IS Jay Z’s label. I told you she was impressive.
http://www.last.fm/music/Josh+Barry
Who? JOSH BARRY You may or may not be thinking ‘I recognise that guy..’ You would be right in thinking this if you are a Britain’s Got Talent fan, circa 2010. He bowled in as a chirpy sixth form student from London and wowed the judges with his rendition of ‘The Temptations, My Girl’ – you’ve not lived until you’ve heard this guy sing the temptationsall the way to the semi-finals at just seventeen, and although he didn’t win, Josh has continued to quietly stir the industry for the past four years. With influences like Bob Dylan and Michael Jackson, his voice is everything that is right with music. He has previously headlined his own shows and has also supported ‘The Saturdays’ and ‘You Me At Six’. Not bad for a newbie! We are particularly fond of his cover of Impossible for Reload Sessions, and while he dominates YouTube with covers and collaborations left, right and centre, he is dropping some major hints that his original material is very near to being released as an extra treat for the ears. His Indie/Soul approach to music and poetic songwriting are a sure sign that there will be only big things to come from this guy in the very near future, and we for one can NOT wait.
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amagazine.com
Cafe Culture As humans we have a built in need to indulge in life’s little luxuries from time to time, Problem is, time to time turns into a habit pretty quickly. Enter the resurgence of the humble coffee shop. High streets are adorned with coffee shop chains, and there is even a slight mainstream mentality in the eagerness to find the best new coffee house that is your very own special little place.
to coffee shops for the quality of the coffee bean (entirely) or the reasonably priced cuppa. The experience is part and parcel of an hour or two out of a hectic day to sit in your own company, or others, and feel at home from home. The fact you are surrounded by muffins galore and the comforting smell of espresso is simply an added bonus. We tracked down some of the most enticing coffee shops we could find to show you Iced Caramel Macchiato with Soya Milk orders that there is life outside of a Starbucks.. thrive off the culture that is the working creatives place of rest and relaxation, while sitting with a ***Disclaimer. We LOVE a good grande latte book or an open laptop, in a somewhat misleading starbs. You will remain a firm favourite on our wistfully manner. The truth is, people don’t go list..
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The Soup Kitchen Who: ‘Soup Kitchen is a canteen, bar, and music venue.’ A multi-tasking genius! Where: The Northern Quarter, Manchester. £££: 4GBP for a sandwich isn’t going to break the bank. When: Serves food and coffee up until 9pm, perfect for an after work pitstop - also handy if you want to skip the coffee and move on to the stronger stuff.. Best for: Live music with regular Dj sessions from Manchester’s finest Worst for: a chilled out latte and teacake.. You’ll love it if: You are a fan of ‘not everything is as it seems’ scenarios, where it houses an intimate basement space which plays host to a whole range of musical talents, events are a regular at The Soup Kitchen for something a little different with your tea and toast. Free WiFi: Yes. “Across two floors we host live music events, club nights, film nights, comedy events and art exhibitions.” ‘Winner of Manchester Evening News City Life - Best Club 2013’
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http://argentina.enjoyurbanstation.com/en/spaces/
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U rban Station Who: ‘Enjoy working differently’ Urban station offers a new take on office spaces designed specifically to meet the needs of mobile workers! Where: Argentina, Turkey, Mexico.. £££: dependant on the services you require (it has just about everything you would ever need office wise!) and the time you spend there. Pay per stay, or there is an even a prepaid card option for the regulars! When: Monday to Friday 9am-9pm. Saturday 9am-5pm.. Sunday is your day of well earned rest. Best for: the growing trend of ‘homeworkers’ who need a flexible space as a base, away from whining babies and those who use coffee shops for social rather than work. Worst for: a catch up with friends. Neither the time nor the place people! You’ll love it if: You are after an innovative inspiring workplace, but can take your well deserved coffee break on your own time, in your own company. With rooms tailored specifically to your needs, Urban Station gives you the brainchild for the mobile worker. Free WiFi: Yes. ‘A Coffee shop-Office Hybrid: The workplace of the future?’
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http://london.ziferblat.net/
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Ziferblat Who: A social experiment gone right, in building a ‘community of people who want to use our space to create something interesting!’ Where: Shoreditch, London. £££: Everything is free inside except the time spent there, at 5p a minute you really can’t complain. When: Daily, 9am-11pm. Make yourself at home.. Best for: The londoner who wants to have their own little piece of home, hidden away in the hustle and bustle of Shoreditch. Time controlled stints of creative productivity are a given here. Worst for: specialty lattes and fresh pastries, you’re going to have to bring your own if you want all of those delicacies. You’ll love it if: you are a homebird lacking inspiration inside your four familiar walls, Being around likeminded people aids your work, you don’t have a 9-5, spend as little or as long as you like.. Free WiFi: Yes. ‘Each Ziferblat member becomes a sort of ‘micro-tenant’ of the space.’ ‘Londons first pay-per-minute Cafe!’
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Images from Projection Artworks
PROJECT I O N A R T WORKS
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Creatives are always at the forefront of innovation; this single entity is what defines the way in which they work. Constantly able to re-define the creative industry with technological advancements and curiosity they are the innovators for all that surrounds us. Projection Artworks are absolutely no exception. On the contrary, they are the leading projection specialists in the UK and boast an impressive portfolio of work that is sure to see them through many years to come. Not satisfied with being the best, they are relentless in redefining how people imagine projects, and then, bringing them to life before their very eyes. I caught up with Emily Gibson to find out more.. What is it you guys do over at Projection Artworks?
If you had unlimited funds what would be on Projection Artworks bucket list? There are some pretty high-spec, expensive projectors (over £100K) our creative team would love to get our hands on, but we don’t use them enough at the moment to buy our own. What kind of companies do you collaborate with? Are there any you’d love to collaborate with in the future? We’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the world’s most iconic brands: Nike, Coca-Cola, Heineken, JaguarLand Rover, Disney, Carlsberg, Guinness, Virgin…and many more. We’ve worked with Red Bull before but we’d love to collaborate with them again. They’re not afraid of crazy ideas and have done some really amazing work in the past. Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on?
We are Projection Artworks. We’re not just projection specialists; we’re stunt-pullers, rule-breakers and masterpiece-makers. Our mission is to push the medium of projection to its very limits, from multi-sensory 4D experiences to dramatic architectural projections, from futuristic video-walls to immersive 360°displays! We like to keep our expertise in-house, so every project is started and finished under one roof. We offer everything from concepting and storyboarding to animation, sound design, photography, compositing and technical consultancy. Can you describe the people who work for you in five words? Creative, daring, adaptable, free-thinking, tech-minded. What is the creative vibe like in the Projection Artworks offices? If we have a big project coming up it’s all hands on deck, but generally we try to keep pretty chilled. We have a showroom, an outside courtyard and a satellite office so people can have a change of scenery at work, or we have a really cool coffee shop across the road people sometimes go to. Everything is in house – all the artists and animators, so there are a lot of very creative people around. It’s definitely a fun place to be – we have a lot of fun but we work hard too.
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Everyone has their own favourite project – usually ones that they’ve worked on! But some office favourites are Guinness, which has this amazing monochrome colour palette and lots of 3D fly-throughs, and Sensodyne, where people had to hit a punch bag to knock down the walls of the Science Museum in London. What is the most difficult thing about working for something that is constantly staying ahead of the curve and the ultimate ideas think tank? There’s always new tech coming out and we all keep abreast of the latest developments. It’s a constant race to think of something new and exciting, but we’re always talking to each other and keep a database of cool ideas just in case the right brief comes along. We’re always sending links round of new tech so we’re pretty good at keeping each other up-to-date. What do you find most rewarding about your job? It’s always cool when our work gets picked up in the press, which is quite often. Our projection for the new .London domain got a front page on the Evening Standard, our project for Peugeot in Brazil got over 6 million hits on YouTube, and our installation at the O2 for Nissan got a double feature in Computer Arts. (You can even go and see this yourself – it’s in place until 2017!)
Images from Projection Artworks
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logs you should be following Blogs you should be following Blogs you should be follow
abeautifulmess.com
Image from A Beautiful Mess blog
run by Elise Larson and Emma Chapman
‘A BEAUTIFUL MESS IS ALL ABOUT CREATING A BEAUTIFUL LIFE. WE SHARE DAILY INSPIRATIONS, DIY PROJECTS AND RECIPES. WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE HOMEMADE.’ If you are ever in need of a spiffing little pick me up, I urge you to check out this lovely little space. It is the kind of online hub where you lose track of time through scrolling and write mental ‘to-do’ lists that always fall short of meeting the incredibly beautiful and inspiring needs A Beautiful Mess offers us. Featuring everything from decorating bathrooms to indulging in the most delicious blackberry margarita’s you will ever have the pleasure of tasting. Keeping it in the family, sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman are the founders of this little gem, and their attention to detail and immaculate posts are a breath of fresh air in a copy-cat cliche of outfit posts and makeup tutorials for looks you would only dare test drive on
Halloween. Instead, they focus on delivering tailored content with a spin, making tutorials easy and enjoyable for day to day tasks and DIY lifestyle posts which give you a bit of an ego boost along with the feeing you are really utilising your home goods into something unique and beautiful. Although the duo target their blog towards the female audience, there are the odd post you can find that will benefit all of you manly men out there too with Photography sections and a Recipes portfolio that will guarantee to make your mouth water. Running since 2007 this blog has more than proven itself in the blogging world and is constantly delivering, in addition to their online platform they also have a best selling photo editing app, apty named A Beautiful Mess, as well as a book and an impending second release due for August 2014.
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wing Blogs you should be following Blogs you should be following Blogs you should b
confessionsofadesigngeek.com
Image from Confessions of a design geek blog
run by Katie Treggiden
Hi Katie! When did you start your blog? April 2010 Why did you start blogging? At the time, just because I lived in a tiny flat and didn’t have space for all the leaflets I was picking up from design events. If I blogged about them, I could throw the leaflet away! As I started blogging, I discovered I was researching around the subject and learning more about design, so that was a motivation to keep going. And then just 5 weeks, confessions of a design geek was nominated for the mydeco Design Democracy Awards, so that made me up my game. In September 2010 it won Best Interior Design Blog in Great Britain, by which time I was hooked! Can you describe your blog in 3 words... Nerdy, inspiring, original
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Who would be interested in reading Confessions of a Design Geek? confessions of a design geek discovers, champions and inspires new designers, so it appeals to everyone from designers and buyers to design students and geeks like me. Are there any bogs you think WE should know about? I love ateliertally, walnut grey and brain pickings If you could live anywhere.. I would live in a mythical hamlet on the North Cornish coast, that also happened to be within an hour’s drive of London! I grew up in Cornwall and it will always feel like home – I get withdrawal symptoms if I go too long without seeing the sea! But also I love the vibrancy and creativity of London and I would never want to be too far away from that. I love the fact that you can be completely yourself in London – anything goes. I felt like a Londoner from the moment I arrived.
amagazine.com
Cafe Royal Books Craig Atkinson
When we aren’t drinking coffee and endlessly scouring YouTube for
Having acquired Cult Status, Café Royal Books founder and editor Craig Atkinson has developed a little safe haven of quality photographic content homed in expertly finished quality editions. Based in the North West, Café Royal Books homes a diverse range of photobooks capturing the scenery and everyday lifestyles of the North West and more, making you grasp that sense of nostalgia everybody likes to hold on too.
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http://www.caferoyalbooks.com/
motivational music to make us all peppy and motivated, we can usually be found procrastinating/significantly researching creatives in the deep dark depths of the World Wide Web. This can often lead to those miraculous moments where you find that one website that makes all hours of mind numbingly similar photographers worth it.
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When you started your company in 2005 what were you hoping for? I wasn't - I didn't have any intentions at all, other than to exhibit my work in a new way.
Now in 2014, do you think you have achieved what you set out to? Yes...I suppose because I wasn't setting out to do anything as such, that was easy!
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http://www.caferoyalbooks.com/
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Would you say that your books are primarily for quite a niche audience? not really, I think anyone can respond to them whether sociological, nostalgia, architectural...collectors...gifts...
What do you think differs from seeing photography in a book rather than online? Online is just the image, nothing else. The book is the object, the form, feel, smell...Online is very sterile.
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The book is an experimental exchange of out-ofcontext, repurposed text and image.’
Index is CafĂŠ Royal Books latest project, launched at Hanover project, University of Central Lancashire in Preston in April 2014. Brought to life through an open submission casting, Index removed submissions from their original context to dissolve the primary ideas for which they were created, and instead, used the book as a platform to create new combinations that could be perceived as new narratives for each image.
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http://www.caferoyalbooks.com/
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Who are the photographers that really captivate you? Araki, Moriyama, Ray Jones, Parr, Wood, Gilden, Eggleston, Evans, Bresson, Bulmer, my sons, anyone with a camera really... “I’m interested in ‘the book’ as a container or display mechanism for otherwise unrelated material; as a vehicle to creating a new narrative and as a way of disseminating and communicating information. I am also interested in using the book as a marker, in a social or historical sense and as a way of creating new audiences. Craig Atkinson.”
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http://ivyprosper.wordpress.com/
D o n t Judge a book by its cover
As Creatives we are all guilty of judging by appearance. It doesn’t make us shallow, or pretentious; in fact, it is what makes us creatives in the first place. We tend to notice the idea of the visual before we can begin to contemplate a deeper message via words and text. The narrative to us can be told through a photograph, a painting, a series of images depicting a story. So when it comes to books, we tend to navigate towards those that stand out on a shelf and make us do a double take. When it comes to making first impressions we have one shot, and we thought it would be a good idea to see which books made us want to stop and have a sneaky flick through to see who reigns supreme in the stakes of Not Judging a book by its cover. -108-
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The Kinfolk Table, Nathan Williams
The Kinfolk Table; Recipes for Small Gatherings is the first of what is sure to be many, cookbooks born from the talents at kinfolk Magazine. An enchanting mix of recipes and get togethers, Kinfolk focus on the mood at the table first, while the food is a subtle yet equally impressive afterthought. One third cookbook, one third narrative tale, and one third international adventure, Kinfolk Table is the epitome of the Wanderlaust Soul who craves cultural adventures alongside great friends and food. Editor Nathan Williams travelled worldwide in order to produce an authentic twist on your conventional cookbook, all wrapped up in an impeccably laid out photographic marvel.
“WHAT MAKES THE KINFOLK TABLE DIFFERENT? Instead of prompting you to purchase a kitchen utensil set the size of a small condo (or a fresh set of friends swanky enough to appreciate it), The Kinfolk Table puts the emphasis back into the relationships that surround eating, rather than the overly fussy details of entertaining. Let the people sharing butter around your dinner table be the foreground and superficial details such as fancy recipes and table decorations recede into the background.� Book Design by Amanda Jane Jones Photographs by Parker Fitzgerald & Leo Patrone
www.kinfolk.com Avaailable worldwide on Amazon, and Waterstones UK.
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The Kinfolk Table, Nathan Williams
http://harbr.co/kinfolk-table/
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http://www.revolution-daily.com/
amagazine.com
Decay, Nathan Troi Anderson Decay by Nathan Troi Anderson & J.K. Putnam comprises 144 pages of photography from a single viewpoint, albeit, of decay, but this is not one to miss. ‘Pure decay is the living force inherent in everything.’. With a selection of quality photographs the book focuses on the unseen decay, right down to the surface pattern of an ageing building alongside textures in their natural environments. The hardback edition comes with a complimentary royalties
disk, giving you access to 50 high-resolution images featured throughout the print edition. Published in 2008, Decay has been on the shelf a good while, so if you’ve not yet had chance to flick through a copy, now is your chance, we can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
http://grainedit.com/
Available on Amazon Worldwide.
A Love Letter to the City, Stephen Powers A Love Letter to the City is almost a motivational phrase book, just a beautifully decorated one, with colour photography and whimsical sayings fit to make the sternest of naysayers feel warm and fuzzy inside. Stephen Powers manages to make community activism and public art walk hand in hand, down the road, in blissful undefeated romance. A collective of his well-known art project A Love Letter to the City gathers all his work on paper for the first time with murals on the wall and rooftops of Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia, Dublin and South
Africa - to name a few. The book simultaneously produced notecards, ‘I paid the light bill just to see your face..’ to sell alongisde, so when you are without the hardback you can take a piece of Powers along on your travels, or if you find yourself in the not so good books of your better half. Cutesy anecdotes with a solid sense of community behind them are enough to get everybody on board, surely? Available on Amazon worldwide and Play.com.
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http://www.foyles.co.uk/
Baileys Stardust, David Bailey & Tim Marlow
Bailey’s Stardust is the newest visual extravaganza from one of the world’s most distinguished photographers of this generation. David Bailey’s photography in fashion helped define the cultural and social scenes of the sixties, and he was adored by an impressive little black book of clients who couldn’t wait to work with him, Showcasing previously unseen portraits, Bailey trawled through his archives to produce a body of work, which are 272 pages nothing short of excellence from the last half century. ‘It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer..it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary.’ Featuring a colourful array of actors, writers, musicians and more, Bailey captures portraits along his travels featured in the accompanying exhibition that ran in the National Portrait Gallery in London this Spring. Now touring across the world, it’s not one to miss. But just to entice you, the next few pages allow you a sneak peak in to what you are missing.. http://www.npg.org.uk Available from National Portrait Gallery, worldwide on Amazon, and Waterstones UK.
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Bailey's Stardust- David Bailey
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We use the ‘right’ part of our brains.. ‘I’m very creative, I’m right-brained.’ Creatives often fall victim to an abundance of preconceived ideas about the way in which we go about our daily lives, and those ‘characteristics’ that all creatives must have in order to be granted with such a prestigious title. Want to see if you can pass the test and sit with us? The Daydreamers If you’re not caught day dreaming your way through life, then you are probably not the creative we thought you were. We are constantly overusing our imaginations to interpret potential scenarios, work related or otherwise, in a bid to create our lives. It’s one of those things that we never really grew out of from infancy. It’s not that we want to be Peter Pan and spend our lives surrounded by children, but the chance to drift away in our own little bubble where life for us is peachy every single day, is not something we’re ready to walk away from just yet.. The not so 9-5er’s The thought of a nine till five office job seven days a week makes us shudder. Tying us down to a desk is not the issue here, we like our desks, we often work at our desks, under fairy lights, at 2am, with coffee cups decorating the workspace. It isn’t that we aren’t organised (we like to reiterate this, we ARE organised), we just don’t like the restriction of time. Who knows when creativity will strike? You do your best work completely out of sync with the real world, and that is okay. Your bed will appreciate you morning, noon or night. Remember that. The Souls in Solitude Solitary space is not necessarily reserved for the angst teen population who have just engaged in world war three with their parents. As creatives we sometimes need to just sit, alone, (in the dark?) with our thoughts and feelings. This links back to the whole right side of the brain is creative AND emotional. However, time away from the world and the work can do wonders for productivity, yes, you may be stereotyped as that creative loner type. But who cares. In fact, who even has to know, switch off from the digital nagging, and just be okay with being alone? The Silver-lining As eternal optimists this is more a life lesson, as creatives
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we have to learn to be resilient otherwise our careers would be indefinitely short lived and it would be back to the mediocre office job we tried so desperately to avoid. Instead, we have to take every knock back with a pinch of salt. We are now professionals at looking on the bright side of life. Because let’s face it, if we didn’t find the silver lining in situations, we wouldn’t get very far in questionably the most overcrowded judgemental industry in today’s society. Positive vibes. The Observers Creatively curious? Or just plain nosy? Either way we live to casually observe everybody who crosses our path. This can include, but not limit; Outfit observing, eavesdropping phone calls/private conversations, which beverage they order and ponder how they bagged their other halves. We claim it’s for research purposes and that we are building consumer profiles in our heads to aid the next project we undertake, but really, we just like to know things. We have an investigative nature. Perhaps that is why we create things, to control the outcome rather than just observe? The Risk takers As creatives we wouldn’t ever innovate with taking risks. The repetitive nature of such a saturated industry can be the ultimate make or break moment in deciphering how your work will integrate itself into this and stand tall. The answer is to take that risk that you have umm’d and ahhh’d about for the last 2-12 months. What is the worst that could happen? In a constantly evolving industry there is no room for complacency and if by some disastrous turn of events life doesn’t go to plan, refer back to that silver lining we cling so dearly on to. The Expressers We almost called this ‘The Show-offs’ but we are far to modest for a title so belittling. Instead, we realised what we do in fact, and do very well, is express. We express everything, from our mood via social networking/outfit choice/attitude to viewing our life as a work of art that needs to be constantly expressed to the world, constantly seeking approval, admiration and acknowledgment from other creative types. You will of course return the favour when they are in need of some TLC and a bit of an ego boost.
patperry.net
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THANKS
MOBILE TABLET DESKTOP MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief @AlexandraAMAGAZINE A ONLINE www.amagazine.com @amagazine_uk facebook.com/amagazine
With Special thanks to Rachel Ham- Graphics Designer For the amazing cover art. behance.net/rachelham Pat Perry - Artist For the permission to use his work throughout ‘A’. patperry.net DK Print- Professional Printers For bringing ‘A’ to life. dkprint.co.uk Phil - Binder/Life Saver For bringing me back from the edge by binding A into a beautifully polished work of Art! rdw.co.uk And finally, for everybody who engaged with A, in interviews, visuals and much much more. We couldn’t have done it without you all.
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http://abeautifulmess.com
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WORDS
How Do You Think By Anonymous
If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't! If you'd like to win, but you think you can't, It's almost certain you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost; For out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outclassed, you are; You've got to think high to rise. You've got to be sure of yourself Before you'll ever win the prize.
http://www.minxsociety.com/
Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man; But sooner or later the man who wins Is the person who thinks he can
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