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Grey Goose vodka has been recognized as No. 1 vodka* by the most prestigious international institutions Grey Goose Vodka, world’s favourite luxury vodka**, is created with one goal – to be the world’s best tasting vodka. Grey Goose is the vodka chosen for the most important and glamorous international events, such as Cannes, Oscars, Golden Globes and the Baftas film festivals. Made in Cognac, France, home to the world’s most respected experts in spirits making, Grey Goose vodka benefits from the region’s rich history of creating luxury foods, wines and spirits. The Maître de Chai (cellar master) for Grey Goose vodka ensures that every element of its production is of the highest quality. He selects 100% of the finest French wheat, the same wheat used to create delicious French pastries, and employs an exclusive fivestep distillation process to concentrate its exceptional flavor. Pure spring water naturally filtered through Champagne limestone is then blended with the spirit. Only when the spirit has reached its optimal taste is the maître de chaitruly satisfied. Grey Goose vodka is lush, smooth and rounded and melts in the mouth with a long-lasting, satisfying finish.
Grey Goose Cosmopolitan Method Combine 3 parts of Grey Goose vodka, ½ part of Cointreau, ½ prat of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime from ½ lime into a cocktail shakerwith ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
*Awarded as “The Number One Vodka” by The Luxury Institute in 2007 **Honored as “The world’s best tasting Vodka” by Beverage Institute of Chicago in 1998.
Meet the FOCers
us focers
Andy
foc is published quarterly by: Icon Publishing S.L. Deposito Legal: MA 1559-2010 CIF: B93035210 No part of foc may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Icon Publishing ®
Koni
Reedy
we are what we are
Andy Clark Publisher
L J Features Editor
The leader of the pack. Keeps us in check and demands Cadbury’s via text.
A lover of the commercial and the cheesy but, all the same, always in the know!
Koni / The Mexi”can” Designer
Ruth “Badger” Jones Photographer
Nothing this girl can’t do,except find time to get dressed!
Keeps herself busy snappin’ and gets the shot every time! Keep an eye on her though she tends to wander!
Reedy Editor
Saud Rifat Photographer
FOC’s equivalent to the white Rabbit - Anywhere, everywhere and nowhere... someone buy this girl a watch!
Busy taking a bite out of the Big Apple. Saud’s photography is jaw dropping and he would be as awesome in front of the camera as he is behind it!
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L J
Ruth
Meet the FOCers
Sweeney
Saud
Rebecca
Ian
Daisy Associate Editor
Ian Kuah Journalist
For FOC sake and for the sake of politics! Daisy tries to keep us in line - poor girl!
The pro on all things that fly, drive and float! If it isn’t approved by Ian, it won’t make the cut!
Jamie Sweeney Journalist
Caisie Dilks Journalist
Our favourite Norf Landaner! Charming, witty and a writer that Hunter.S would tip his hat to.
A true, raw talent, as long as you can keep her awake!
Caisie
PUBLISHER andy@iconpublishing.es EDITOR hayley@focmagazine.com PRESS press@iconpublishing.es DESIGN koni@focmagazine.com ADVERTISING & GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@focmagazine.com
Rebecca Cannerfelt Journalist Our Scandi based sweetheart who keeps us clued up about what’s hot, or at least keeping them warm, in Northern Europe.
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Editor’s Letter
Our magazine is born out of a desire to illustrate the global talent that surrounds us and away from the generic and mundane saturating the media. FOC is a celebration of urban subcultures and the contemporary arts. Many beliefs are merely social constructs and our capabilities are as limitless as our imagination. However, our world has limits... and there is an increasing awareness of this reality! This launch issue of FOC celebrates the creators and professionals that express themselves through aesthetic beauties that drill home the need to start compensating for some of the damage we have caused to our planet. We follow the development of the inspirational work of Jason deCaires Taylor in the deep blues of Mexico, where he demonstrates creation can not only be environmentally friendly but also life sustainable. We are inspired by artists such as JR who not only celebrates the beauty found in the favelas of Rio, but also helps to improve the quality of life for his subjects with the application of his work. We are not intending to portray ourselves as perfect eco-warriors; we just appreciate when visually exceptional design isn’t compromised by its functionality. As the boundaries of communication lessen, we take this opportunity to promote these unsung heroes and showcase the up-and-coming new talents who are making their mark on the design forum. Our cover girl Miss Led is the perfect example of a young individual bringing a new genre of art to the forefront of the design industry and we feel the necessity to support such drive and ambition.
From our award winning photographer Saud Rifat in New York, to roving reporter Rebecca Cannerfelt who keeps us up to date with everything Scandanavian, we are constantly keeping our finger on the pulse. Our London based rogue, Jamie Sweeney keeps us aware of the latest happenings with his informative and edgy editorials and our home-grown Caisie Dilks let’s her passion for style and beauty shine through in her words and reviews. I could go on and on... My largest shout out has to be to our core team. Our in-house graphic designer, Koni truly is my inspiration. The talent and strive for perfection is visible on every single page and her dedication is a true testament to her character! L-J has a passion for journalism, the like of which I have never seen before and can only be summed up as the backbone of FOC. And then there’s Andy - without whose drive and determination none of this would be possible. Principally, this publication is an open forum, a platform for the talented and, yes, the opinionated! We want your feedback – which articles you liked and the ones you didn’t. We are always keen to receive information on other raw talents you think would benefit from a bit of FOC. Bring it on! If you share our vision and wish to distribute FOC from your premises just get in touch, and if you dig the magazine as much as we do, subscription is available via our website www.focmagazine.com
Reedy |
Contents
12 THE EXHIBITIONIST: Reedy’s take on the latest trade fair in Paris and the developments in the design industry 26 UNDERWATER MUSEUM: Sustaining nature and the future of our earth with art 32 FOC ME: Exclusive interview with design idol Eric Kuster and his movements in 2011 36 TRANSFORMERS: Prepare to expect the exceptional 40 BLUEPRINT: Architects to set the bar by 50 VIRTUAL REALITY: Exploring the phenomenon of 3D rendering 58 THE VICTIM: The newest urban whispers influencing future fashion 65 RISE OF THE VALKYRIES: The latest Scandinavian happenings in fashion, architecture, design… you name it, we got it 70 GRAFIK: Rob Jones’ work and the reasons why graphic designers win Grammy awards too! 71 WORTH SELLING YOUR GRANNY FOR!: A quirky collection of revolutionary gifts and gizmos 73 MINE’S BIGGER: World exclusive of the big boys’ toy most of us can’t afford 76 THE SWEENEY: An insight into the movement of street artist JR 78 ON THE CAIS: Caisie Dilks explores how a digital generation records life with hard-impacting imagery, creating approachable pieces of art through their life experiences. 80 THE DARK ROOM: Digitalise your life with photographer Tom Chambers 86 FRONT DESK: Reviewing one hot hotel you won’t want to check out of 92 FOC IT, LET’S PARTY: Where the elite raise a glass or two! 97 INK’D: Jamie Sweeney hooks up with fellow “Landana”, Miss Led, to discover her plans for world domination EARGASMS: Giving you a taste of some of the artists who are set to dominate the stereo THROW A SICKIE: FOC’s reasons to forge a sick note
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Under the Oaks; Spring & Summer 2011
www.redcollarproject.com
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Exhibitionist
MAISON & OBJET By Reedy
©GREG. SEVAZ
There are many trade fairs throughout the world, bringing the design industry together. They enable the professionals to source new suppliers and keep their finger on the pulse as far as the transient trends in design are concerned. These shows are a platform for the manufacturers to display their development and current collections. An exemplary model of such a show is the bi-annual MAISON&OBJET trade fair located in the Parc des Exposicions on the outskirts of the French capital, in Villepinte, Ile de France. The show is a must for all professionals seeking to keep track of the latest fashions and progressions. The exhibition halls provide over 250,000-square metres of display space. The sheer size of this furniture fair attracts designers, architects and tradesmen from the world over, and consequently there is an automatic sense of competition amongst the exhibitors. There is also a sense of hierarchy between companies, each square metre of their purchased space is used to its best capabilities to attract and captivate a determined and no-nonsense flow of potential clients. As the suppliers display their metaphoric tail feathers in all their glory, this showcase creates a brief, dream-like world of interiors, each stand a micro world of textures and sheens. This was no more apparent than at this year’s first exhibition. The fashions and trends demonstrated at ©AE-THION
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Exhibitionist MAISON&OBJET only heightened this fairytale-like twist on reality that seems to be a current trend. I felt as if I had followed Alice down the white rabbit’s warren and emerged several days later full of inspiration and bursting at the seams with an understanding and saturation of all that’s new and fresh. The wonderland is made up of eight halls, divided and labelled in categories to help the visitors plan their time at the show. There is always such a strong temptation to try and cover every square metre of the exhibition, endeavouring to cram in a brief glance at everything the industry has to offer. The experts will tell you this is a school boy error, to the point that even the organisers have introduced an E-plan service on their website. With the E-plan, you can identify and select the exhibitors that interest you in advance, and save your selection so that you can come back to it and modify it as often as you need to. It enables you to look up their information in order to contact them before the show, if need be, and
felt as if I had "Ifollowed Alice down the white rabbit’s warren and emerged several days later full of inspiration
"
Natura Collection By Antolini
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Exhibitionist even allows you to add the comments you want for each stand; such as pre-arranged appointments, products you want to specifically see and much more. The justification for all this extravagance and detail is down to a simple case of human nature and how we react in a kid-like enthusiasm to bright colours, flashing lights and a dramatised reality full of distractions and fantasy. Don’t be fooled that the exhibition doesn’t take dedication and commitment from the visitors too. It is exhausting physically and socially. There’s an amount of repetitiveness in the interaction with the suppliers in order to gain catalogues, pricelists and to build up a good rapport with providers. It means long days under the florescent lights and breathing synthetic air. There is a Vegas like quality to it where, although you know that it is impermanent, you allow yourself to relish in the whimsical creations for this brief period of time. The organisers, SAFI, are true professionals. The level of organisation, professionalism and class is something that you are reminded of at each entry and exit, and at regular information points on the perimeter of each hall. There are no gimmicks. The staff’s simple dark suit uniforms with a fuchsia accent contrast with the striking spectacle, which lies beyond their guard. If you are among the honoured few, the exhibition has a member’s club that was established when the show began. Le Club has a limited number of members and boasts a list of the elite purchasers and architects in the industry. The organisers create a member’s only lounge each exhibition, inviting a specific designer or exhibitor to design the private space to best demonstrate their flare and capabilities. Within this exclusive zone, the most influential movers and shakers have a place to relax at the complimentary bar, a place to store their jackets and luggage, as well as a concierge service and a business centre with private conference rooms to conduct meetings with potential business associates.
Greg et lucas By Metylos - © Metylos
This year’s congregation of creativity displayed at MAISON&OBJET restored my faith in the creative geniuses we have in the trade and the ever-evolving, ever-improving products.
©AE-THION
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Nature By Fabrice Berrux - © dix heures dix
Exhibitionist
Carpanelli ©Greg. Sevaz
Wardrobe Jimmy By Du Bout Du Monde - © Du Bout Du Monde
I think many professionals would agree with me that there has been a noticeable lull in the creative development of products in some companies as a result of the recession, but I was pleasantly surprised this January. The exhibitors pulled out all the stops and I had a real sense that they had been hard at work, and it showed in the flare, presentation and enchantment created. The technology and the individuality behind many of the collections on the market now are admirable. I mentioned there are numerous trade fairs held every year around the world but I always enjoy the diversity of the products and companies exhibiting at MAISON&OBJET. The mélange of market leaders and independents allows designers and buyers to source everything from ceramics to cushions, sculptures to bathtubs. MAISON&OBJET encompasses all the creativity and design intuition you would dream to expect from the design capital of Europe; a truly refreshing exhibition that is definitely bookmarked in my calendar for the future.
truly refreshing "aexhibition that is definitely bookmarked in my calendar for the future.
"
Turin Slideboard By Baltus
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Exhibitionist MAISON&OBJET Scènes d’intérieur | Now! design à vivre MAISON&OBJET éditeurs MAISON&OBJET musées trade shows
Next shows From September 9 to 13, 2011 From January 21 to 25, 2012 (dates to be confirmed) Opening times First four days: 09:30am to 07:00pm. Last day: 09:30am to 06:00pm. Location Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre MAISON&OBJET badge For the five days of the show, it gives you direct access to all of the halls Online order 56€ (58€ at the show) Essential tools MAISON&OBJET catalogue Presentation of MAISON&OBJET, Scènes d’intérieur, Now! design à vivre, MAISON&OBJET éditeurs et MAISON&OBJET musées exhibitors. 33€ VAT incl. Inspirations book n°18 A true tool for reflection and design, it allows new trends to be deciphered and new sources of inspiration to be picked out. 112€ VAT incl. (130€ VAT incl.after the show). E-plan service In three steps, create your personalised itinerary, hall by hall. Take advantage of MAISON&OBJET’s special offer: 6€ VAT incl. when buying the offical catalogue of MAISON&OBJET.
Who can attend the shows? Shows are strictly reserved for professionals. A business card for international visitors must be presented in order to obtain an entrance badge for the show. You will not be allowed to access the show without any professional I.D. The show is not open to children. Where to obtain your badge For the five days of the show, the badge gives you direct access to all of the exhibitions: MAISON&OBJET, Scènes d’intérieur, Now! Design à Vivre, MAISON&OBJET éditeurs and MAISON&OBJET musées. Lady Smoon Floor Lamp 100% LED By Beau & Bien
Beijing Coffee Table By Baltus
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Glamour Bed By Ennio Arosio - Ivano Redaelli
Exhibitionist MAISON&OBJET publications Pick up your publications at the show’s information stands situated in the visitors reception areas. Book my travel Flights: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre is located about 10km from Charles De Gaulle International Airport. Book your flight early – it is a busy week and prices reflect this. MAISON&OBJET lists a special discounted rate which you can take advantage of, with KLM and AirFrance, by quoting an access code. Look out for the reservation code on the MAISON&OBJET website prior to each exhibition. It enables up to 47% discount. (The offers are available online on www.airfranceklm-globalmeetings.com)
HAUTE TENSION By Elizabeth Leriche MAISON&OBJET’s trends report
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Exhibitionist
Trains: Company: SNCF A special rate for the regular return train fare is available via MAISON&OBJET website. This offer is valid for any round trip made between the dates of the trade fair on the main line trains travelling outside Ile de France, in 1st and 2nd class. Information and reservations is available from SNCF stations, approved SNCF travel agencies and SNCF travel shops or by phone: +33 (0) 8 92 35 35 35.
Book your accommodation MAISON&OBJET recommends you to a specific selection of hotels, in Paris or close to Paris, ensuring you easy access to the exhibition centre. The hotel reservation service available via the MAISON&OBJET website allows visitors, exhibitors and journalists to reserve their stay in a referenced Parisian hotel, during the show.
To access the show By car From Paris, take the A1 or the A3 motorway towards Lille, then the A104 motorway towards Soissons and follow the signs for “Parc des Expositions Visiteurs”. By public transport From Paris, take the RER B direction Roissy Charles de Gaulle and stop at “Parc des Expositions”. From Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, take the RER B direction Paris and stop at “Parc des Expositions” (first stop after the airport). * Save time! From the Chatelet and Gare du Nord RER stations, direct « RER » express trains are at your disposal. RATP / SNCF MAISON&OBJET free shuttle service A free shuttle service is available during the show: Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport ‹ › Paris Nord Villepinte - From the three airport terminals*: Every 30 minutes, from 09:00am to 12:00am - From Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre: Every 30 minutes, from 06:00pm to 07:30pm and 05:00pm to 6:00pm on the last day. * Terminal 1: gate 8, departure level; Terminal 2D: gate 8; Terminal 2F : gallery 6.
By taxi The Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre provides taxi terminals, which allow you to easily access the show from the two main show entrances (show entrances of hall 1 and hall 5B). http://www.maison-objet.com/
Cubic Dream By Wonderable
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Sticker PARCMETRE, NATURE DECO PLAGE SA 2010/2011 – Hofpils - Fotolia
Exhibitionist
Where to stay and what to do The close proximity to Villepinte and Roissy means that the hotels are only a short complimentary shuttle service away or a single stop on the train. A variety of quality hotels are clustered near the small town of Roissy. The town benefits from the various shows that are organised and held at Parc des Exposicions, and caters for the needs of the thousands of visitors that have evenings to fill. The Place restaurant is an exhibitor’s secret that serves French and International favourites in a funky, colourful environment. It is even equipped with a massage room with two deluxe leather massage chairs, mellowing music and soft ambient lighting. It is the perfect place to wind down after a busy day at MAISON&OBJET. If you are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a few extra days in Paris after the furniture fair, then Paris central is always a charming cultural experience to be embraced. Besides the glorious depth of world music talent, you can’t go to Paris and not enjoy the Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, the Opéra, the Pompidou Centre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower – perhaps not all possible in the one trip. The Latin Quarter is the preferred choice of areas to stay in but you’ll be able to find decent hotels, bars and cafés around almost every corner. For bars and restaurants it’s always worth poking around the smaller streets for culinary gems. A must for me is to spoil myself at one of Hotel Coste’s stunning restaurants. Another recommendation is the Bound Bar in 49 Avenue George V. This popular bar is home to Paris’ young and beautiful people, where they come to enjoy a refined atmosphere, which feels exclusive and chic.
Hypnotic for Vincent Grégoire (Agence NellyRodi) ©Fillioux&Fillioux
The Place T. 01.34.29.89.80 F. 01.34.29.02.14
Gribouillage By Lucie Bourreau © Lucie Bourreau
58, avenue Charles De Gaulle 95799 Roissy en France Open Hours: 12:00-14:30 & 18:00-22:30
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Exhibitionist
DESIGN CONCEPTS In the design industry there is currently a real movement for the dreamy and the distorted. Many designers are demonstrating a sense of an internal childishness through their work. Although this playful style may not be to everyone’s taste, here are some examples of how the design world has developed a sense of humour.
Royal Fashion By Javier Martin
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Cuddly Bookshelf
Music Furniture Hats off to the La Boite Concept boys and their ingenious, multi-purpose speaker station. There’s no more need to listen to your favourite music downloads through your typical tinny laptop speakers. The compact leather and pianolacquered desk is principally a high-end dock designed specifically for laptops. With an integrated anti-vibration leather laptop plate, laptop dock, seven drivers, all exclusively designed for La Boite Concept, and a Hi-Fi sound card to improve the sound quality of your laptop, the compact desk is a dream edition to any contemporary home. Available in four different colour finishes and producing a sound like no other docking
These cuddly bookshelves named Joe are brought to you from the beautifully original French company ibride. ibride creates stunningly crafted, animal-inspired fixtures and furniture for the home. Made from high pressure laminate, this darling décor is available in iced grey or brushed black for realistic results. These pieces bring a magical touch to any room with their unique storage methods and lifelike presence. ibride offers a wide range of enchanting, novelty storage units all inspired by the beauty of nature’s creatures.
www.ibride.fr
Exhibitionist
station we have experienced, FOC magazine gives this invention two thumbs up. We gently remind the sound engineering geniuses at La Boite Concept that we have reserved the perfect place in our offices for the LD120.
www.laboiteconcept.com
No Evil Monkeys
Keytlery
This five-arm masterpiece is a stunning example of surrealism being used to give furnishings a twist. The Burlesque Giant is available in black and white, and has two themes. The macabre, gothic style of the pieces is complemented by the simple, matt colour finish. www.seletti.com
The whimsical and unusual theme makes an appearance in this 2011 collection by Seletti. The stunning cutlery series Keylery, uses traditional rustic key design and merges it with a practical element. The collection is a 24-piece set made from stainless steel that comes with a keyhole kitchen display to complete the package. www.seletti.com
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Exhibitionist
UNDERGROWTH DESIGN
Butterflies in my stomach
We fell in love with these little commemorative trinkets from Undergrowth Design. The beautiful wine glasses are hand-blown in London, and have a special message encased in a glass bubble at the bottom. The ready-made messages available for their special offer are: With love or Love you. The butterflies come in an array of light pastel colours and are hand inserted, further personalising this bespoke collection. A little tip... they are best used with light-coloured beverages since the wording and detail becomes magnified through the liquid. A Sauvignon Blanc will do nicely!
Ouch!
Blaue Bloom!
This naughty party piece was another eye-catcher. An upside-down woman with an up-turned skirt form the bowl, and her stunning pins create the spoon. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s
You can’t help imagining a Femme Fatale sipping her poison from one of these sexy glasses. The seductive sting is available in four colours and indicates the perfect measure whether shaken, not stirred or with a twist.
famous vent scene, it also features the words Eat Me on her hat. Available with gold, red or black shoes, or in a limited edition pink glaze. Ice cream just became even more fun to eat.
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www.undergrowthdesign.com
Exhibitionist
Thinking about colour By Javier Martin
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Exhibitionist
JAVIER MARTIN Javier Martin boasts a more than versatile technique. His works show a clear influence from current fashion and this sensibility for combining colour, texture and photography make this innovative artist unique in the world of contemporary art. At just 25 years old he has already exhibited in the USA and Paris, two of the Meccas of the art world, as well as at Estampa Madrid, Arte Lisboa, Baltus Miami, LA and Chicago. Blindness Monday By Javier Martin
javiermartinart.com
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CUBIC DREAM
Exhibitionist
Wonderable’s hand-made accessories for the home are a feast for the eyes. In her Wonderables collection, Carla Peters combines the clear lines of western design with age-old craft techniques from faraway lands. This way of working leads to exciting new creations, which are full of references and commentary. The mother-of-pearl patterns on the Cubic Dream series of cubes/side tables are hand-cut and embedded in 18 coats of lacquer, which are applied and sanded one by one. A beautifully unique touch to any home. www.wonderable.com
Secret Lover
Portablegarden Portable Sicis are renowned world leaders in decorative surfaces and their stunning tones and finishes have created mosaic art throughout the globe. Forever pushing their boundaries, Sicis showcased their latest venture at the Maison et Objet show in Paris. Out of a collaboration with artist, and the protégé of the infamous Gorgio Di Viricho, Carla Tolomeo “Next Art” is born. This jaw-dropping, opulent collection of decorative chairs mixes velvets, silks and a blend of Sicis’ limitless mosaic inlays. Available in diverse colour variations or personalised to the client’s specification, these “dreams of art” are almost too good to sit on!
www.sicis.it
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BACSAC is an idea that grew from the desire to grow. Designer Godefroy de Virieu and landscapers Virgile Desurmont and Louis de Fleurieu, joined forces to create an alternative method of growing, transporting, storing and displaying plants and soil. BACSAC is a new generation of flexible plant containers. Its double-walled, 100% recyclable, geo-textile fabric maintains the necessary balance between air, soil and water, and is sun and frost resistant. It’s nature in a bag! www.bacsac.fr
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By Caisie Dilks Any form of art is respected and valued by the FOC team, but surely there’s nothing better than art that looks amazing, is symbolic and actively supports and regenerates the environment at the same time? Well, that’s what Jason deCaires Taylor has achieved with the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, the Museo Subaquatico de Arte (MUSA). He has received vast international recognition for his unique work and in 2009, he embarked on his most ambitious project yet – a modern underwater art museum in The National Marine Park of Cancún, Mexico. Each year, over 750,000 people visit The National Marine Park in Cancún, putting great pressure on the existing reefs. Taylor’s aim is to draw tourists away from the natural reefs, allowing them to regenerate and develop. What better way to do this than to create an underwater museum? The MUSA now consists of more than 400 life-size sculptures creating artificial reefs for marine life to inhabit. Through his artwork, Taylor explores the inter-relationships between modern art, man and the environment. “It’s a stage, it’s environmental, an evolution, art intervention as growth or a balancing of relationships,” he explains. His exceptional work inspires the possibility for a sustainable future, showing human invention in nature as both positive and reviving. This project is unique in combining public art with environmental conservation on a really impressive scale. The Museo Subaquatico de Arte includes various different breath-taking feature sculptures, including Man on Fire, The Gardener of Hope, The Archive of Lost Dreams and The Silent Evolution. Each sculpture tells a story, for example Man on Fire is a cast from Joachim, a local Mexican fisherman – an imposing figure built at a depth of eight metres, drilled with over 75 holes and planted with live cuttings of fire coral. The man is on fire, yet unaware of his situation, highlighting our dependence and over use of limited natural resources, such as fossil fuels. Not only has Taylor created a beautifully imaginative piece of artwork, but
Man on Fire
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he has created a message visible to everyone. “If this generation continues to live by its current values, by the time I am 75 we could have lost over 80 percent of our natural reef formations. How on earth can I justify that to my grandchildren?”
walls of a gallery offers the viewer a sense of discovery and a sense of participation,” Taylor reflects. “As we all originate from the sea, I believe all humans have an intrinsic, built-in desire and fascination to return.”
The Silent Evolution forms a monumental artificial reef, and is one of the largest underwater attractions in the World, across 420 square meters and with a total weight of 180 tons. It was installed near the Machones Reef in September 2010 and displays 400 lifesize casts taken from a diverse section of society. The installation shows an assembly of people, demonstrating how we are all facing serious concerns regarding our environment and the impact we have on the natural world. Sculptures range from Rosario, an 85year old nun, to Santiago, a 3-year boy, with various occupations represented from around the globe, including an accountant, yoga instructor, fisherman, student, acrobat, carpenter and park ranger. The sculptures will be changed in their appearance over time, as coral grows and marine life establishes itself. Aesthetic control is left to nature in pure physical display of the symbolic message behind the work. “All my work is about change and forming objects that mirror the transient nature of our lives”. The manifestation of living organisms cohabitating and rooted in our being is intended to remind us of our close dependency on nature and the respect we should present it, defining an integral role in the planets future.
The location of the sculptures, off the shores of Cancún, is also strategic. Notorious for its endless facilities and lively atmosphere, as a relatively new city, Cancún is not known for its cultural activities or environmental awareness. The Silent Evolution aims to attract a new age of responsible and sustainable tourism. It hopes to define the region as both progressive and forward-thinking, forming a catalyst of social change.
The Silent Evolution is interactive, so people can swim around the sculptures exploring them in greater detail. Or for those of us who don’t want to get our hair wet, there are glass-bottomed boats. The light changes constantly in the water, new life grows, fish begin to mark out their territories, creating an underwater kingdom of man and nature entwined. “Taking art off of the white
Fortunately, The Silent Evolution is ever evolving, and the third stage of the museum will commence this year. This will involve commissioning local and international artists to contribute further sculptural installations to the museum and host special underwater cultural events celebrating the Arts and Science. The Museo Subaquatico de Arte, in my mind, is some of the most exciting artistic work I have come across. And the man behind the art is equally inspiring. Growing up in Europe and Asia with his English father and Guyanese mother inspired his passion for exploration and discovery. Much of his childhood was spent on the coral reefs of Malaysia, where he developed a profound love of the sea and a fascination with the natural world. This would later lead him to spend several years working as a scuba diving instructor in numerous locations across the globe, developing a strong interest in conservation, underwater naturalism and photography. He found other artistic influences far from the oceans.
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During his teenage years, work as a graffiti artist excited his interest in the relationship between art and the environment, producing an ambition to create art in public spaces and directing the focus of his formal art training. He graduated in 1998 from the London Institute of Arts, with a BA Honors in Sculpture and Ceramics. Later, experience in Canterbury Cathedral taught him traditional stone carving techniques, while five years working in set design and concert installations exposed him to cranes, lifting, logistics and completing projects on a grand scale. His entire life and experience have equipped him the skills, desire and drive to create the ambitious and innovative underwater projects that have given him worldwide recognition. I am in complete awe of such a purposeful art project with such breath-taking results.
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www.underwatersculpture.com
FOC me
ERIC KUSTER By L-J Photos by Paul Barbera
L-J
Eric Kuster is one of the most glamorous interior designers the world knows. His designs are sexy, luxurious and dynamic, ranging from boutique hotels and villas, to nightclubs. He talks exclusively to FOC regarding his projects, his inspirations and the future trends for 2011.
L-J
E.K That’s one of the hardest questions I am ever
asked. The Jimmy Woo nightclub and lounge in Amsterdam was one of my favourite to design, as I was able to express my creativity and also it was a bit of a challenge. The ceiling alone is decorated with 12,000 bulbs, which illuminates the club and completely brings the room to life. Also there is a house in Thailand, which I feature in my new book Metropolitan Luxury Volume II, which is another of my favourites.
How did you initially get into design?
E.K My career began in fashion designing; this
L-J
What has been your favourite creation?
was my original passion. However, a friend of mine started a company in exterior textiles, so I began working there, which developed my skills as a designer and my creativity.
L-J
How long have you been in this industry?
E.K My biggest inspiration is Tom Ford, the
Who is your favourite designer or who inspires you? fashion designer. His work is much like mine; it isn’t experimental, just creative and classic. We both want to create a beautiful environment for the client; he does it through fashion and I create it through generating an atmosphere. The furniture obviously has to be comfortable for the client, but I like to add a sexy touch to it, the same way that Tom does with his clothes.
E.K I have worked in this industry for 23 years
now. I have never been professionally trained as an interior designer. My skills developed from working my way up the ranks, starting at a textile printing company. I actually saw myself working in the fashion industry from a very young age, but I am very hands-on in my creations today, and that all stemmed from working my way up from the bottom.
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FOC me
L-J
biggest "My inspiration is
What’s your favourite part about conceptualising a design?
Tom Ford... His work is much like mine; it isn’t experimental, just creative and classic "
E.K The beginning and end of a design would have to be my favourites. The initial meeting with the clients is the most exciting, as there is no telling what they are going to ask for. This part of creating the concept is great because the majority of my clients are self-made and appreciate being involved throughout. My clients are also such positive people because they have had to work hard for their money, and they enjoy the finished project as much as I do. The energy people give off when you reveal their finished creation is one of the greatest things about my job.
L-J
What are your biggest accomplishments as a designer?
L-J
How have your designs developed? Have you always envisioned your designs the way they are now or has your style developed through your experiences and travels?
E.K
I believe travelling is a very important part of developing my ideas. You see different types of creativity all over the world, and this enriches my personal culture. People’s perceptions and design ideas worldwide are so diverse that it’s a great way to gain a new perspective and develop my tastes.
L-J
You mentioned your new book earlier Metropolitan Luxury Volume II - how does this differ to Volume I?
E.K Receiving compliments from the client is the
most humbling part of being a designer. I also count this as being my main accomplishment. Most of my clients have started from the bottom and have moved their way up through hard work and dedication, so they appreciate all of my designs.
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FOC me
E.K You can see the development of my style
L-J
throughout the two books. Volume I was written five years ago, and since then I have been blessed with bigger projects and my style has developed. The collection has become more interesting, and the budgets have grown; you can actually see the progress in my designs over the years. Volume II is more of an international book, as I have been designing all over the world in the last four years, whereas Volume I was more local. I have also developed a signature design, which you can see stamped on all of my projects. Even though I obviously have to adapt my designs to the location and client, I always like to highlight the fact that it is my design and creation.
What are your current new projects?
E.K I am currently working on a private villa in
Ibiza, which is a fantastic island; the energy there is like no other and really inspires me. Also, I am working on large villas in Dubai and Russia, so I am travelling between the locations.
L-J
Do you ever find the time to relax yourself?
E.K My motto is “work hard…play hard”. I work
for over 16 hours a day, and then when I’m not working, I am planning and brainstorming other ideas and designs. It’s like one life for me; I find it hard to distinguish between working and relaxing because they both amalgamate into one. This doesn’t bother me though, as luckily I work with such a fantastic team, they’re like family to me. I chose each and every one of them based on their integrity and drive, because you can teach anyone the raw skills, but not personality.
My motto is work "hard...play hard "
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FOC me
L-J
With all the travelling you do, what is your favourite place to be?
that even three years after designing for them I can still call them friends is a great achievement. This way, I always feel at home, and as long as I’ve got my laptop with me, then I’m home.
E.K Places with high energy levels are my favour-
ite places to work. Places such as Ibiza, New York and London, where you can literally see the culture and personality of the place; this is what excites me.
L-J
L-J
What do you foresee for trends in interiors for 2011?
E.K I think quality will return to the design
What city do you find most inspirational?
world in 2011. Everyone is changing his or her lifestyle to become greener and more environmentally friendly, and I believe that the interior world will follow suit. Clients would rather spend more on furniture and have it last for 10-20 years, than purchase cheap and have to keep replacing.
E.K I would have to say Istanbul or Dubai; I just
love the desert and the relaxing, but also the positive affect it has on me. Also, anywhere where my friends and family are; I am fortunate to have clients all over the world and have such a close affinity with them. The fact
ERIC KUSTER www.erickuster.com
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Transformers
EXPECT THE EXCEPTIONAL Photos by sparrowphotography.net
QUAY PROPERTY GROUP
Transforms Luxury Marbella Property When a client instructed Quay Property Group to open up the living spaces of a high-end apartment, situated in an exclusive Marbella development, the subtext of the design and build brief was clear: modernise my home and make it feel as privileged as its value demands. A number of broad, bold strokes were chosen to frame myriad complementary improvements, all under the direct supervision of experienced property developer and company founder, John May. Out went the wall between the lounge and kitchen, the latter being rejuvenated with state-of-the-art German-supplied white gloss worktops and fittings. Sliding frameless glass doors and folding glass screens replaced the dated patio doors and
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Transformers
windows, adding 30 percent to the internal footprint and allowing the whole apartment to be opened up to the outside on warm Marbella days.
" Our style is constantly
evolving with the introduction of new materials and technologies "
To emphasise the new spacious look, Quay Property Group utilised the wrap-around terrace to visually extend the inside. Extrapolating floor, wall and ceiling detail and decoration to the limits created seamless lines between the apartment’s old internal footprint and the newly reclaimed terrace. A part of the terrace was used to create a signature bathroom with a raised platform for the double walk-in shower area and stand-alone bath, extending the master bedroom. Designed to open up into the extended terrace area too, this new bathroom further blurred the demarcations between living spaces, allowing the owners to enjoy the sense of bathing in the lounge.
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Transformers
Meanwhile, a natural, luxurious Pebble Tec finish in Caribbean Blue reinvigorated the newly extended plunge pool, which was reframed in hardwood decking.
dernity was underpinned with the addition of an audio-visual home intelligent control system, lending a luxurious final flourish to this bold and ambitious project.
Working closely with world-renowned interior designer Eric Kuster, who chose a variety of neutral colours and furnishings to create a warm but modern living area, Quay Property Group emphasised the hearth as the central focus of the space by doubling it in size and installing a stunning, raised, single-strip, gel flame fireplace.
As with any Quay Property Group design, this rejuvenated apartment lives up to John May’s company motto: expect the exceptional. If you would like a design and build quotation from Quay Property Group to improve your home, contact them: Marbella: +34 951 319 728 London: +44 0800 112 3027 info@quaypropertygroup.com www.quaypropertygroup.com
The tired, old, gloss marble floors were ground to a stunning and contemporary flat matt finish, and the mood of homely mo-
" That’s what we strive to do as a business; create one-off pieces for the client "
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LUXURY HOME BUILDER
Mellior Vasari La Alzambra Local 3-1 Puerto Banús - Marbella - 29660 Spain +34 951 319 728 UK +44 0800 112 3027 info@quaypropertygroup.com
www.quaypropertygroup.com
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“Formed in 2007 by experienced property developer John May, Quay Property Group is a luxury building contractor for clients in Marbella and London.”
Blueprint
Creative Spaces The ideals and images conjured by the thought of a typical recording studio is four grey padded walls and a stationary microphone‌.drab and dull! However, Hughes Umbanhower Architects have thought outside the box and have created an inspirational, creative space for the eccentric artists of today. They have pushed the boundaries to ensure that this is the perfect backdrop for talent to record their future hits, from the decadent halls right to the vintage private lounges, and FOC looks on in awe. The Eastwest Recording Studios building was originally constructed in the 1930s as an open plan, concrete wall and wood bow truss roof structure for the Cassius Grocery Store. It later became a recording studio in the 50s, and subsequently underwent numerous additions and alterations to the original structure and layout. Frank Sinatra recorded in studio 1. In studio 3, The Beach Boys recorded the epic album Pet Sounds, and The Mamas and the Papas recorded California Dreamin’ here too. Derelict, the building was rescued from the auction block by their client, Doug Rogers. Hughes Umbanhowar Architects directed a scheme in conjunction with interior designer, Philippe Starck, to strip all interior elements from the building, revealing the original structure and spirit of the construction. The only original features
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Blueprint
are the five analogue recording studios, which were kept wholly intact. The building is a series of historical, visual, experimental layers; vintage on the exterior, fresh and new on the primary layer and again vintage on the inner layer. Shiny and lush materials are contrasted with dull and weathered materials, making for a rich composition as one moves through the space, through the material and through time. The updated building program now includes a chef’s kitchen, spacious lobby, multiple private artist lounges, exterior sun terrace, conference room and programming/administrative offices. The lighting is kept to a minimum in order to reduce the awareness of exterior time, a preferred environment for musicians and their days-long recording sessions.
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Blueprint
Completed 2009 Los Angeles, California 20,500 square feet Primary components: Extensive Interior and Exterior Renovation of Concrete structure/ wood bow truss building: polished concrete, bamboo, epoxy floors, 20’ velvet curtains, leather walls, fluorescent paint, black light, carrera marble, recycled rubber wainscott, painted canvas walls. www.huum.com
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SEE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER TAKE SHAPE Become a professional interior designer with KLC’s comprehensive, vocational diploma course validated by the University of Brighton. Flexible study methods are available with the option of either an intensive one year programme or blended learning over 28 months, both supported by online study resources. KLC is the only design school to be accredited by both the British Accreditation Council (BAC) and the Open & Distance Learning Quality Council (ODQLC). Places are limited and interviews are now taking place.
TO FIND OUT MORE, CALL 020 7376 3377 OR VISIT WWW.KLC.CO.UK
Blueprint
Geometric Illusion Whoever said Tetris was boring? The guys at Hughes Umbanhower Architects have taken what everyone associates with a contemporary house; the industrial, flat and mundane residence and has proven these assumptions incorrect. The depth of the building, the height of the walls, the range of materials used and the expanse of light emphasises there is nothing boring about this inspired structure.
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Blueprint
The River Road House, completed in 2009, is a complex composition; it is reminiscent of the canvases of Georges Braque, in which geometric forms appear and disappear in a constant dance of illusion and materiality. The house comprises a series of distinct, yet interlocking rectilinear volumes conjoined by a transparent longitudinal axis. Positive volumes are balanced atop negative, creating heightened tension and intrigue. A glass-skinned throughway connects and distinguishes the two dominant volumes, or towers, capturing light and adding to the sense of interior capaciousness. Exterior glass, limestone, stucco and mahogany outline, augment and anchor what otherwise might be a cacophony of disparate forms. Whether allegro, andante or largo, the varied rhythms of the internal structure are adroitly composed. Denizens move with leisure or efficiency, depending on need and mood. Interior spaces are carefully orchestrated to conceal and reveal dramatic views to the water. Surprise and delight are amplified by skilful interior and exterior framing. In the same way, the arrangement of program and use moves inhabitants through a logical gradient from public to private space, from activity to slumber, from conviviality to introspection. At either end of the longitudinal axis that connects the two domestic partitions, separate stairways enhance circulation and provide discrete access to the three-storied parapets.
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Afternoon sun is mitigated by aluminium louvers and astute structural arrangement. The bulthaup kitchen is enhanced by a sliding window wall, which opens to an exterior courtyard, further collapsing the distinction between exterior and interior space, allowing cooling ocean breezes to breathe easily through the house. This effect further underscores the sense of spontaneous yet calculated arrangement.
Blueprint
Blue Print
Completion 2009 Sewall’s Point, Florida 12,300 sq feet Primary components: Stucco, Corten, Minnesota Limestone, Mahogany windows, sliding window wall, aluminium louvers, cork floors, river rock, carrera marble, bulthaup kitchen www.huum.com
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Blueprint
BMW Welt (c) Richard Walch, RIBA Award winner 2008
BECOMING AN ARCHITECT IN THE UK
by RIBA President Ruth Reed Architecture is a fascinating subject involving a wide range of academic, practical and vocational activities. It requires creativity, imagination, and technical and practical know-how, and encourages in-depth study of the cultural context of environments and societies. Qualifying as an architect in the United Kingdom involves a combination of academic study in a school of architecture, and professional experience within an architectural practice, taking a minimum of seven years to complete. The path to becoming an architect takes time because architecture is a wide ranging discipline based on a large body of design, technical and professional knowledge.
British Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo (c) Daniele Mattioli, RIBA Award winner 2010 When it comes to choosing a school of architecture, it is important to research the available courses thoroughly, as the approach to architectural education differs between schools. The RIBA currently validates courses at over 40 schools of architecture in the UK, but does not rank schools or issue a list of ‘best schools’; if a course is recognised by both RIBA and ARB, it has met the UK’s minimum required standards. Open days are a great time to ask current students and tutors questions about the course, and the degree shows provide an excellent idea of the focus and orientation of work in a particular school.
Many students interested in becoming an architect often ask what subjects they need to have studied before they begin their degree, and are often surprised when they learn that almost all subjects taught at secondary school level are relevant. Although it is not always necessary to study art at GCSE, students should enjoy drawing freehand and have an interest in design and making 3D work, and will usually need GCSE mathematics and English at grade C or above. Some universities may also require A level mathematics and physics.
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Blueprint
Clapham Manor School (c) Jonas Lencer, RIBA Award winner 2010
Architecture is taught in a different way to the majority of other subjects although design work, or tutorials and ‘crits’ (critiques where students present their design project work to tutors and other students) are usually conducted in a studio. Students also attend history, theory and technology lectures and computer-aided design tutorials, have essays to write, and undertake site visits.
The RIBA currently validates courses at over 40 schools of architecture in the UK
Having completed an undergraduate degree at Part 1, students go on to complete their Stage 1 Professional Experience, which is a paid placement in an architect’s office. Having completed this, students progress onto RIBA Part 2, which is a two-year full-time University degree. Students then complete a minimum of one year paid professional placement in an architectural practice, which is known as the Stage 2 Professional Experience. The final requirement before qualification is the RIBA Part 3, which candidates can choose to study with any RIBA validated course. Having gained the Part 1, 2 & 3 qualifications graduates can register as architects with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Alternative routes to qualification as an architect are available, for example, if someone is already working in practice, the RIBA Office-based Examination may be a more appropriate route. For anyone who has studied or qualified to be an architect outside the UK, qualifications need to be assessed for equivalence to the UK Parts 1 & 2 by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), and candidates will then have to undertake a Part 3 qualification once they have met the required criteria.
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Ruth Reed
Virtual Reality By L-J Artwork by U design
In an ever-changing and ever-evolving world, we need to keep up to date with the latest trends in fashion, music and now architecture. The evolution of 3D rendering is helping design businesses all over the world create vivid, tangible images that allow their clients to clearly visualise their designs before any physical work is carried out. Here, we catch up with Jason Harris, head of U Design, an interior design company, and Andrea Maggi of Estudio Arque, a company dedicated to offering elite finishes for private residences, that are using 3D rendering as a principal selling tool to its full advantage...with amazing results!
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U DESIGN www.udesign.es L-J How did you initially begin interior designing? UD I never actually studied interior designing, it somehow just hap-
pened. It was when I worked in the real estate industry and was taken to one of the show houses that I realised the interior of a house is one of the most important factors in a building. I’ve been working at UDesign for the past three years now, and my passion grows day by day.
L-J How did this evolve into the manufacturing of pieces? UD We would rarely find furniture in the specifications that we want-
ed. The colour, size, material that the client desired was so difficult to find that we began to design and make our own.
L-J What is the signature style of your furnishings? UD Our style is constantly evolving with the introduction of new
materials and technologies, but we like to combine different types of natural woods with modern materials and different textures. Our style is quite simple and contemporary, but interesting. We tend to stick to more neutral and natural colours such as grey and oatmeal, but we can tailor our designs to the clients’ needs.
L-J What are the benefits of using 3D modelling? UD The main benefit of using 3D modelling is that we are able to visualise, and to show our clients, a complete design project. It gives us the opportunity to experiment with different options of colours, furniture and materials before choosing the final design. It also eliminates any room for error, as you can see exactly how the design is going to come out. It’s really a failsafe method of ensuring that both the client and the designer are satisfied with the design before anything is made. It allows us to be much more creative as we have the ability to change anything before we begin.
L-J How has it affected the development of the business? UD It has had a huge effect on the development of the business
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because it allows us to create new designs; from individual pieces of furniture to exciting new feature wall installations. We are now able to offer our clients a one-stop solution to a full interior design package.
L-J Is 3D rendering a costly service? UD The 3D virtual design technology eliminates costly expenses that
can occur if you haven’t completely understood a client’s vision and have to make expensive amends half way through, or at the end, of the project. It also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different ideas, which will ultimately give you the best result for your budget.
L-J Do you need training? UD You need to take a one-year course on 3D rendering software, and it’s not particularly cheap. You have to see it as an investment in the business as it is such a powerful tool.
L-J Are there any negatives or limits? UD The only limits to designing in virtual 3D are your imagination
and creativity. We create the furniture, we have our own in-house upholsterers and carpenters, so there are no limitations as to what we can design and make.
L-J Have you had a good response from your clients since you introduced 3D technology?
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UD Clients are now able to not only see their home decorated before
they spend any money, but also avoid any costly mistakes, as I mentioned earlier. They are much more confident and enthusiastic about moving forward with a clear vision of how everything will look. It is such an invaluable tool in developing the business, and I predict that all interior designers will use it in the future.
L-J Are there any projects you are particularly proud of? UD Each project is different and has certain elements that give us the
opportunity to experiment with new ideas. Every time we create something unique that the client is happy with, we feel a sense of achievement. That’s what we strive to do as a business; create oneoff pieces for the client.
L-J What are you concentrating on at the moment? UD Currently we are working in Holland and Morocco on commercial projects. Also, we are designing a boutique hotel in Spain, so we are very busy at the minute. It makes us excited as it gives us the opportunity to create different pieces every time, while retaining our signature style of combining contemporary and simple textures.
L-J What are your aims and plans for 2011? UD We are looking to develop the 3D part of the company with more training, while expanding our creativity and imagination.
U DESIGN Malaga, Spain | T. +34 952 794 117 | www.udesign.es | info@udesign.es
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ESTUDIO ARQUÉ www.estudioarque.com L-J How did you start out in the design industry?
L-J How does 3D rendering work?
E.A Estudio Arqué is a fairly new company, I personally studied
E.A The process is divided in two parts: modeling and rendering.
economics in Milan but my whole family are involved in architecture and it was a natural progression. After three months of opening our showroom, we gained our first substantial contract: for a 15,000,000€ villa in construction, whose owners were looking for marble, mosaics and a full 3D presentation of the property. This really helped to put us on the map.
L-J Tell us a bit about Estudio Arqué?
L-J What are the positives of using 3D rendering? E.A The control. Everybody from the client to the builder can visualize
E.A Estudio Arqué is a company designed to follow the whole process
of sourcing, designing, control and installation of the most exclusive finishes for private houses. We use the most advanced 3D technologies to demonstrate our products in situ, to aid our clients’ decision making throughout the entire process. Our constant research for the highest qualities enabled us to establish our own stone factory in Italy and our own team of installers who are selected from the most experienced Italian artisan in order to control the project from initial concept to the finished result.
the final result and with this, avoid misunderstandings in the building process.
L-J What is the best aspect of using 3D when a client asks for your opinion?
E.A We have the space to scale in front of us, a simple opinion can be
explained with another image or a mockup that demonstrates our suggestion or design.
L-J What is your most extravagant design?
L-J How do you incorporate the textures and colours that you are suggesting to use into 3D renders?
E.A 3D renders are a real design tool for us and our clients.
In modeling you build the volumes of the space in 3D up to the detail required. For example in a bathroom, you can model the 2mm joins between tiles and even the screws of the towel rail. The rendering is the photographic process; here you add light, textures and shoot the photos.
E.A Maybe not a particular design of ours, but working on plans of
We normally decide the best finishes available in our databases and adjust the colour tones of the materials to realistically represent the materials we are suggesting to use. The client will have a designer or an architect involved in the process and we play around together to prepare the final images for the presentation.
private houses for eccentric clients has had its interesting moments! One had a hairdressing salon built into the basement and another chateau boasted a proper professional bowling alley.
L-J How has 3D rendering developed your company?
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It has given us such an advantage right from the beginning. Two
years ago we were designing 3D images for other companies, now we are using this unique set of tools to demonstrate our capabilities to our ever-growing clientele.
L-J
Is 3D software constantly developing?
E.A Yes, constantly and there is an amount of technical understanding required but nothing overly taxing
L-J
What has been the client feedback since you began using 3D?
E.A Always very positive unless, once we have created the client’s vision into 3D, they have realized they do not like their own ideas! However, we can usually suggest an alternative that makes the concept work!
L-J
Do you have a signature style that you try to incorporate into all of your designs?
E.A No, we have a collaborative approach with architects and
designers and work on both classic and contemporary designs.
L-J
What do you see as the future styles and trends in 2011?
E.A In stone, the satin finish for definite. The matt look will be a
favourite for 2011. The designs in mosaics are becoming more and more adventurous, with richer tones and deeper colours. The finishes and designs being offered by such companies as Sicis really are works of art!
ESTUDIO ARQUÉ www.estudioarque.com | info@estudioarque.com
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The Victim
ALPHA KIN
Established: Late 2009.
VISION
The whole concept is a new way of exhibiting artwork of up-and-coming artists; like wearing a piece of fabulous 1960s conceptual art. They also donate part of their sales to Operation Sunshine Charity to help poverty in Africa.
WHO ARE ALPHA KIN
Five guys from the UK who want to make a difference to fashion. Ollie Pym, the artist, and Dom Shabbo, Adam Shabbo, Nick Kennedy and Nils Mordt, the creative brains.
WHAT THEY STAND FOR
The whole concept is wearable art; their clothing line doesn’t conform to fashion trends as they follow the work of their artists for inspiration.
WHERE CAN YOU GET IT
Menswear exclusively at Selfridges and womenswear exclusively at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge. This elite collection is a limited edition of only 100 pieces.
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REGU LARLY SEEN OUT ON
The likes of Danny Cipriani (English rugby player), Ali Bastain (British soap actress), and JLS boys Marvin Humes and JB (UK boyband).
FUTURE PLANS
The second collection is in its early stages, currently being painted by Ollie. Over the next few years, they hope to have a series of artists working for Alpha Kin, all producing their own limited edition collections.
SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Besides Alexander McQueen, Alpha Kin is the first ever brand to launch into both Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. www.alphakin.com
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SODA
POP ROCKS!
Soda Pop clothing by Jessica Abou Nassar is bright, colourful and in your face! This edgy brand smashed onto the scene in 2010 with its unique attention to hard patterns, sexy shapes and fluorescent fashion. Jessica Abou Nassar has been on a mission ever since she launched her powerful, feminine concept – Soda Pop now has stores in Marbella, New York and Madrid, as well as an online store for all of you desperate to get an instant fix! To take one look at Soda Pop is to fall in love with the brand – bare skin and bright colours – what’s not to love? Jessica pays attention to significant details, including funky sunglasses, high socks and hoodies. The launch of her autumn 2011 collection “Sister Hood” has us all on the edge of our seats with our purses at the ready. Soda Pop is not for the shy or light-hearted. It takes a certain kind of attitude to pull off Soda Pop, and with the tight hot-pants, crop tops and tri-kinis, FOC love the raw hard style! www.sodapoprocks.com
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THE A PART M EN T
F OTO G RAF F RED R IK WAN N ERST ED T
M OD EL SAL LY J, M IKA S
ADV
New online store open
www.corneliawebb.com
Rise of the Valkyries
Pearl & Ivy www.pearlandivy.co.uk
CANDINAVIAN DESIGN By Rebecca Cannerfelt
BLIVANDE KLASSIKER. FUTURE CLASSICS. You could say Scandinavian design style is the Johnny Depp of the international design world – it’s cool, it’s edgy, what you see is what you get. It also has intelligent creativity, yet it never goes too far as to lose touch with the primary aim of function and practicality. The best thing about design from this part of the world, however, is that it seems to possess an inherent timeless quality, making it immune to trends. Its simplicity also always tends to hint to the future, but in a less intimidating way than, for example, Lady Gaga’s costumes. At the moment, the famous and fashionable NK department store in Stockholm (www.nk.se) is running a spring campaign called Future Classics. Each of the departments select and highlight, to customers, a few key items that they think will become clas-
sics; items that they believe will be loved now and used again by future generations. Here are the guidelines they use to make these choices: High quality Timeless style Simplicity Innovation Crafts / Technique / Signature The campaign inspired me to look into the collections of some of the most talented Scandinavian designers out there today, and to see if I could pinpoint any current signature styles that are “of the moment”, but at the same time have potential as international future classics. It was a tough assignment but someone had to do it.
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Rise of the Valkyries
FOR YOUR WARDROBE
Danish label By Malene Birger is the Scandinavian equivalent of Chloé and is very popular with the Scandinavian fashion pack. These pieces particularly caught my attention:
Acne is one of the trendiest and
coolest fashion lifestyle brands in Scandinavia. The whole spring/summer 2011 collection could be stamped with the label “future classic”, as every piece breathes timelessness, innovation and high quality. Here are a few highlights from the women’s collection:
Combining a colour such as Dijon yellow, which is going to be supertrendy this spring. The material selected for this garment gives it instant kudos. Forget the LBD, this season it’s all about the LYD (Little Yellow Dress).
Apart from looking extremely comfortable, the fabric follows the curves of the body perfectly. It is, however, the details on the chest that provide the dress with sultry edginess.
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The cut of this dress may be simple and the colour discrete, but the black contrasting zip in the front makes this dress uber cool.
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www.acnestudios.com
This cute little dress confirms that Khaki has a future in our wardrobes. The kooky block colour pockets on top of the plain khaki material make this dress iconic in its own right.
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Swedish designer Anna Holtblad has won several design awards and in her SS11 collection there were many potential nominees. Here are my choices: Cute, sexy and different. This skirt is bound to be a future classic due to its uniqueness and simplicity. Whether wearing underwear is even a possibility is an entirely different question.
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The puffy shoulders make this cardigan instantly fun. Definitely one to add to the list. www.annaholtblad.com
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www.bymalenebirger.com
Rise of the Valkyries Swedish designer, Carin Rodebjer paradoxically creates fashion that is both trendy and classic.
Danish company Georg Jensen is famous for exquisite simplicity and elegance when it comes to jewellery. Who said elegance had to be boring?
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This Vivianna watch is simply inspired. I never wear a watch, but for this stunning timepiece I could make an exception. www.georgjensen.com
This hat is simply marvellous, protecting against the sun, yet adding undeniable Scandinavian style points. It is also incredibly versatile and can easily be matched with any outfit.
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This skirt has future classic written all over it. Who knew black and white could be so exciting? www.rodebjer.com
Efva Attling is one of Scandinavia’s absolute favourite jewellery designers. Through simple and beautiful designs she manages to create entire collections of future classics, waiting to be shared with the world.
Simplicity is style with this piece from Efva. A conversation starter and what we hope will be a deal closer for the wearer. Efva creates items for both men and women. www.efvaattling.com
* FOR YOUR HOME Design House Stockholm
is a Mecca for any style junky worth his or her salt. Head to this store or go online for some playful inspiration.
Who knew heaven was only a chair away? This piece was inspired by the clouds and how it would feel to rest on one. It gets my vote due to its creativity and high quality design. Designer: Lisa WidĂŠn www.designhousestockholm.com
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Rise of the Valkyries The sleek and different design makes me think this candleholder could have pride of place in any home for many years to come. It blends in with many an interior design style, and is both functional and innovative. Designer: Pia TĂśrnell www.designhousestockholm.com
* Danish company Bolia has Scandinavians eagerly anticipating its new catalogue each season. This little coffee table has a top that you can slide to the side. The combination of the bright, white glass-fibre base with the brown, walnut wood top and interior divisions along with the fact you can hide things inside the table, makes this a must for any stylesavvy Scandinavian.
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Designer: Rikke Frost www.bolia.com
OK, so at first glance this shelf looks like something you could find at IKEA, but all of the shelves are fully adjustable, so you can allocate space just the way you like it. This gets an A+ for its practicality. Swedish Kosta Boda is one of the world’s most famous brands for glass design. Any Kosta Boda piece has future classic potential, but this one will have you laughing in agreement. This crystal skull candleholder is the perfect present for anyone you know who is too cool for the more subtle Kosta Boda collectables.
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Designer: Ludvig LĂśfgren www.kostaboda.com
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*
Under the Oaks; Spring & Summer 2011
www.redcollarproject.com
Grafik
THE WHOLE PACKAGE By Koni
In the music industry, compiling the best dozen tunes to create an album is not enough; they also have to be wrapped in a unique package. After all, it’s the image that’s being sold, not just music. In a digital era, where songs are freely downloaded, both major and independent labels have strived to push boundaries in graphics and formats to give the consumers added value: a collector’s relic instead of a file name on iTunes. Fortunately, these efforts has not been ignored. This year’s Grammy award for best artwork went to the White Stripes Under the Great White Northern, a DVD/CD box set designed by New York native and Texas resident, Rob Jones. His remarkable journey in becoming the White Stripes’ artist is as singular as the custom-made pink leather suit he wore to pick up the golden award. His first work on the band was an unauthorised poster publicising one of their concerts in Lyon, France. Needless to say, The White Stripes’ management team was not happy when they discovered the “bootlegged” artwork, but the posters made such a powerful impression on front man Jack White that he decided to hire Rob
as their official designer. Talk about sneaking in through the back door! Rob doesn’t do anything the conventional way, judging by his extravagant and eccentric style, and, of course, by the very nature of his stunning work. By manipulating antique prints, textures and a limited use of colour he evokes dramatic scenes with a surreal darkness and depth, a perfect match for the image of the White Stripes. Rob Jones has also worked on movie memorabilia posters for movies such as Star Wars, but he is recognised mainly on the music scene, collaborating with bands such as The Black Keys, Spoon, Avett Brothers, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. Sadly, it was the last Grammy for the White Stripes, as they had previously announced their split, but we certainly hope it won’t be the last for the talented Rob Jones. It’s definitely worth visiting his website to view more of his truly inspiring work and his hilariously implausible bio. www.animalrummy.com
Worth selling your granny for!
focers
GRID IT!
The Banclock
The ultimate organiser! The GRID-IT!™ system provides endless configurations for your digital devices and personal effects. Its convenient size makes it a great companion for your current laptop bag or travel case. www.cocooninnovations.com
An alarm clock and a coin bank all in one. Designed to look like the national debt ticker, it cannot be shut off in the morning unless you deposit money into it. Seemingly cruel but endlessly amusing, the Banclock makes a great motivational device! www.uncommongoods.com
D PREMIER
ALL IN ONE
The most innovative and advanced amplifier to emerge on the hi-fi scene in years, comes direct to you from France. The D-Premier is an extraordinary audio device, which is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. It is a fusion of bleeding-edge technology and free-thinking innovation, culminating in perfectly realised form and function. It embodies high-end product design and engineering at its finest, delivering a uniquely desirable audio concept. www.devialet.com
This is a new, cloud-based, digital music service. It allows users to stream music and add it into a personal music library using a range of different gadgets including Sony’s PlayStation 3, Blu-ray disc player, Bravia televisions, personal computers and smartphones. www.sony.com
ROAD TRIP
MEMORY ANDROID
Being a FOC reader, you are bound to travel now and again. So, it’s only fair that you travel in style. This is a fun cover for your passport, in the traditional classic Penguin book cover colours of orange and cream. The cover depicts the novel, On The Road, by Jack Kerouac. www.giftedpenguin.co.uk
One day, robots will do everything for us. Until then, Cox and Cox offer this android memory stick. It looks cute sitting on your desk waiting for its orders, and when you use it his little LED eyes flash red. I found it in the “young at heart” section on the website, but who cares? It is still cool! www.coxandcox.co.uk
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Quality motor yacht brokerage
Poole | Antibes | Palma | Sandbanks T: 0044 (0)1202 901721 E: info@carineyachts.com
www.carineyachts.com
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Mangusta 105’ - ₏4,250,000 Tax Not Paid
Mine’s bigger...
Trackday Car By Ian Kuah
approach that goes a step beyond that of conceptually similar cars such as the Aerial Atom or KTM X-Bow.
The Spanish winter sun beat down on the Ascari Race Resort as prospective clients waited with bated breath for the eagerly-anticipated roll out of the latest ultra-lightweight, road legal, trackday car.
BAC Director, Neil Briggs, explained that while many car enthusiasts look for positive downforce in a trackday car, the MONO is designed to have zero lift over its front and rear axles. “The problem with positive downforce in such a light car is that if you mount a kerb when you are cornering on the limit of mechanical grip, you can lose control abruptly,” he explained.
The signal is given, the pit garage door opens, and mechanics wheel out the Briggs Automotive Company Ltd (BAC) MONO, so-called because this 490kg, mostly carbon-fibre road racer is a pure single-seater.
Although BAC is a 100 percent British company, the MONO is a joint effort between its in-house engineers in Cheshire, England and the design team of Adaptive Space, who are based both in the UK and in Stuttgart, Germany. While most people have not heard of Adaptive Space, their roll call of prominent clients includes Audi, Ford, Leitz, Lufthansa and Mercedes-Benz.
Powered by a version of the naturally aspirated, four-cylinder 1,999cc Cosworth motor, rated at 265bhp at 8,500rpm, with 240Nm of torque at 7,200rpm, the MONO has a Hewland sixspeed sequential gearbox with paddle-shifters and a limited-slip differential. With a power-to-weight ratio of 540bhp/tonne that bests that of the Bugatti Veyron, the MONO has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 2.8 sec, with 0-160km/h coming up in 6.7 sec on the way to its 272km/h top speed.
In line with its multi-national design team, the MONO’s component sourcing is as pan-European as Airbus. Think AP Racing, Cosworth, Hella, Hewland, OZ Racing and Sachs, and you will get the general idea.
In engineering terms, the MONO is as minimalist as can be, but at the same time it has attractive aesthetics, and an aerodynamic
The suspension is by double wishbones with pushrod-operated
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Mine’s bigger...
dampers at each corner, and some of the suspension arms are aerofoil shaped. To facilitate fine-tuning, the Sachs Racing dampers have a wide range of bounce and rebound adjustment, as does the anti-roll bar for each axle. Because the MONO has a near 50/50 weight distribution, the engineers elected to use the same 295mm diameter, vented, cross-drilled brake disc on each wheel. That said, the front four-pot callipers of this AP Racing set-up are larger than the rears, which have a parking brake facility as required by law to register the car for use on UK roads.
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Mine’s bigger...
The minimalist cockpit is designed to be comfortable for drivers from 1.57 to 1.96m, and is constructed to the current UK National RACMSA safety standards. The detachable steering wheel helps you climb in, while the moveable pedal box and steering column make it easy to establish an ideal driving position. This roll out at Ascari Racecourse in Southern Spain is literally a first look, and the team who built the 80,000-euro (including taxes) MONO still has many more weeks of hard work ahead before their car’s credentials can be proven. So, while we were privileged to be there, impressions from behind the wheel will have to wait until the summer.
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The Sweeney
JR
An artist with a cause By Jamie Sweeney
At FOC, we appreciate beauty, creativity and freedom of expression. The transition from a single thought or feeling, onto a canvas, a wall, a building, whatever, represents this expression, and makes it visible to the world. Many of us appreciate mooching around a gallery or museum, roaming around a city glaring at the terrific feats of architecture, or skimming through a publication that gives us access to the beauty of the mind’s creation. We often do not need to leave the comfort of our own homes to do so, with initiatives such as the Google Art Project; the masses can explore museums from all corners of the globe on their computer screens. However, an unshackled, unsanctioned and uninhibited pervasive art form has been created; the powerful platform of the street – street art. For me, the Parisian street artist known as JR is at the forefront of this movement right now. His utilisation of public space allows him to exhibit his socially relevant work in “the largest art gallery in the world”. His creativity and expression are given a free reign as they
are spared the usual limitations that arenas such as galleries or museums often require. JR has recently gained great recognition for his work, including winning a US$100,000 prize from the guys at TED (a small non-profit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading), to help fund future projects in making the world a better place through his innovations.
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JR is a 25-year-old Parisian with Tunisian and Eastern European heritage, who describes himself as a hybrid “photograffeur”. He was described last year in an article by The Sunday Times as: “The hippest street artist since Banksy”. The superlatives just seem to keep coming for the lad. Organisers of TED described JR as a “true humanitarian” whose art inspires people to look at the world differently and want to work to make it better. “JR’s mind-blowing creations have inspired people to see art where they wouldn’t expect it and to create it when they didn’t know they could,” said TED prize director Amy Novogratz.“He’s putting a human face on some of the most critical social issues while redefining how we view, make and display art.”
The Sweeney
The hippest street artist since Banksy
The artist doesn’t reveal his identity or the intended meaning of his work. He embodies a pure form of guerilla art. His works, like the Ladj Ly – a photograph that captures all the tensions of the 2004 Paris suburb riots, is perhaps his most poignant, while there is a plethora of other works that are eye-opening and challenge many issues on modern society. It is his projects in some of the poorest regions of the world that have attracted such great international attention, appreciation and applause.
Israel from the West Bank. JR claims he is not political, but that he is an “artist with a cause”. His art certainly causes people to think. He has never caused more of a rumpus than he did in Israel and Palestine, where he pasted photographs of three religious worthies – a rabbi, an imam and a priest – pulling silly faces. JR put their pictures everywhere: in Ramallah, in Tel Aviv and, most famously, on the wall that separates Israel from the West Bank. He was even arrested by the Israeli army for his “meddling”.
JR’s experimenting turned Kibera, Kenya, one of Africa’s biggest slums, into a vast exhibition space. He initially visited Kibera to take photographs of its residents, and then he returned a year later to plaster their portraits on train carriages and on the roofs of their houses. By using waterproof vinyl material, he ensured his art might have a practical purpose. “By making their roofs rainproof, what we did made sense. They loved it.” JR seeks to aggrandise ordinary people. His community projects also led him to the Favelas of Rio and the conflicted region that separates
JR is certainly bold, brave and brazen, willing to be a maverick, pariah artist if it means getting his message across. His engagement and edification of the world’s poorest people is not only commendable but also artistically inspiring and interesting. Most fascinating and credit-worthy is the fact that he reinvests the profits back into his projects. Indeed, the trade in his pictures – created in third world slums, bought by affluent westerners, reinvested in the slums – makes him somewhat of a Robin Hood figure.
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www.jr-art.net
On the Cais
Life Through A Lense By Caisie Dilks Photos © Phillip Toledano From Days With My Father
What emerged was not a story of death, but a story of life. Our life together.” The result is a deeply moving photo journal depicting the love between father and son.
Being a member of the FOCers might seem like easy work – interviewing amazing artists and musicians, and getting cups of tea on demand from Andy – but believe me, it’s got its downsides. Lately I’ve started to feel like the least creative person alive! That’s why I was happy to learn that photos of your personal life experiences can potentially become some of the most interesting and relatable artwork of this century. That means my Facebook is generally a wonderful mess of art! Photo journals are becoming more and more popular without being appropriately recognised; people take photos on a regular basis without seeing the potential to create something incredible.
Phillip began posting his work online in the summer of 2008, and after just a few days the site was getting thousands of hits each day. To date, more than 1.2 million people have visited the site and posted more than 20,000 comments. Toledano reflects, “I’m not really sure why I did it. Perhaps, in some way, I just needed to unburden myself, and it was easier to do it with people I couldn’t see. I certainly didn’t expect anyone to be listening.”
In 1979, a photographer called Jamie Livingston took a Polaroid photograph every day for almost 20 years until he died, creating a library of more than 6,500 images. His work is now displayed at an exhibit at the Bertelsmann Campus Center at Bard College called “Photo of the Day”, which opened in 2007. The exhibit included photographs of every Polaroid and took up a 7 x 120-foot space.
Days with My Father eventually became a book and was published in June 2010. Phillip Toledano has recently been approached about the potential of turning his story into a film. On reflection he says, “What a kick my dad would have gotten out of that.” Since completing Days With My Father, Toledano has become a father himself, and is now recording his baby daughter’s development.
I recently came across another story like this, and it blew me away. In 2008, following the death of his mother, photographer Phillip Toledano found himself taking care of his father, who suffered from severe memory loss. He started a blog on which he posted photographs and accompanying reflections on his father’s changing state, describing it as, “A journal. An ongoing record of my father and of our relationship.” Essentially, Days With My Father is a son’s photo journal of his aging father’s last years, and the ups and downs of their lives. “I wanted to remember my father’s stories, and how he told them.
Photo journals deliver a visual impact impossible to achieve through words alone, but have the ability to speak to everyone in some way. The beautiful (and slightly scary) thing about sharing these journals online is that, especially these days, there is always someone listening. In Toledano’s words, “A photo should be like an unfinished sentence….” It’s comforting to think that images can overcome language barriers and capture moments of raw emotion and life-changing experiences forever. After seeing this I’m definitely inspired to take my camera with me wherever I go.
Book Cover
Phillip Toledano
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On the Cais
"What
emerged was not a story of death, but a story of life. Our life together "
www.dayswithmyfather.com photooftheday.hughcrawford.com
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The Dark Room
Magic
Realism By Caisie Dilks
Sacchrine Perch
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The Dark Room
TOMCHAMBERS We love it when we find an artist whose work can unite us FOC’ers in unanimous appreciation. Tom Chambers is most definitely one of those artists, and it’s not difficult to see why… Kudos Tom!
Charmers
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The Dark Room
Afternoon with Octavio -8
Tom was born and raised on a farm in the Amish county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, and has grown up surrounded by the inspiration and beauty of such a natural environment. Since 1998, Tom has devoted himself to photomontage (the process of creating a composite picture made up of many parts of photographs) to share the intriguing unspoken stories that reflect his view of the world and provoke feelings in the viewer. In 1985, Tom completed a B.F.A. from the Ringling School of Art in Florida with an emphasis in graphic design and a strong interest in photography. Currently, Tom is represented by a number of galleries in the United States and Europe. His work has been shown nationally and internationally through solo and group exhibitions, as well as in a wide range of print and online publications. If that’s not enough to impress you, Tom has received recognition for his photography through a variety of awards and gained fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts. C Photomontage is a form of artistic photography many people may
not be familiar with. Can you explain the process by which you create your images?
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T.C I initially sketch a concept or idea that I have for an image. Then, I
photograph each piece of the photomontage using a Nikon D700 or a medium format film camera, generally a Mamiya Pro TL or a Fuji Rangefinder. The greatest challenge is making sure that the light intensity and direction are similar in each of these shots. The process of creating a photomontage may take a month or more, depending how quickly I am able to get all the shots and sort through them, selecting the ones that work best together. “Pieces” of the final image may include the landscape or background, often shot in sections, as well as the sky, a human figure, an animal, or another object. The processed film is scanned at a high resolution, approximately 80 megabytes per frame. Then, I use Photoshop software with a Macintosh computer to combine each “piece”, thus creating the final image. Lastly, the photomontage is printed with archival pigment inks on cotton rag paper.
C The outcome is breathtaking and almost magical, is this balance of
reality and fantasy one you seek in all your work?
T.C Each photomontage is carefully constructed using both images
that have been planned, and those that unexpectedly enhance the story. With digital photography I desire to move beyond documen-
The Dark Room
“The power of visual
imagery stays with the viewer much longer than any written description of the image“
Ring of Fire
C Why do you think your imagery elicits such powerful feelings and
tation of the present, and seek to merge reality and dreams in musing about possibilities of the future.
emotions in the viewer?
C Where does your inspiration come from?
T.C I attempt to connect with the viewer on an emotional level
T.C I grew up on my grandfather’s farm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Not
only was I lucky enough to have an idyllic childhood romping in the farm fields, but I was also fortunate to have been influenced by the artistic talents of my grandparents. Both were classically trained artists from Philadelphia, and they continued their passion for painting throughout their lives. My grandfather, Wilson Chambers, made his living illustrating books and magazines, as well as creating grand oil paintings. The illustrative nature of my photomontages was definitely shaped by my grandfather’s artwork.
C Your photomontages have been described as unspoken stories that
reflect your view of the world. Do you agree with the saying that, “a photo speaks a thousand words”?
T.C Absolutely! The power of visual imagery stays with the viewer
much longer than any written description of the image.
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through leaving some unresolved element of the photomontage. In addition, many of my photomontages address the fragility of childhood or the delicate transition experienced by a child passing into adolescence and then adulthood. Others express the tension in the uncertain co-existence between man and his environment, a delicate balance too often ignored and damaged. Tapping into that vulnerability invites an emotional response.
C Much of your work is very unusual and unconventional. Where
do you your ideas come from for such pieces as Once Bitten Twice Shy (Rite of Passage Series), and Afternoon with Octavio (Dreaming in Reverse Series)?
T.C Writers, such as Cormac McCarthy, and film directors, such as
Guillermo del Toro, have inspired my imagery through their use of magic realism. And, I clearly believe that my photomontage fits well within the genre of magic realism. Magic realism is a term used in art and
The Dark Room
“Many of my inspirations for
photography come from musings or dreams…“
Black Dog’s Retreat
literature referring to a situation or setting in which all seems true and believable, except for one or more elements which lend an air of improbability. Many of my inspirations for photography come from musings or dreams, which I refer to as improbable dreams. In my recent Dreaming in Reverse series I employ magic realism to express the loss experienced by the indigenous Mexican people, as well as to celebrate the beauty of the Mexican culture.
C Which of the five senses would you give up, and would you say you
had a sixth sense for anything?
T.C I would be willing to give up taste, because I derive the least
enjoyment from experiencing food. I treasure the experiences that come from my other senses and that translate into imagery. Perhaps a sixth sense of intuition serves me best in picturing fleeting moments, which inspire my images.
C Do you feel your work can be an expression of your
feelings at any time?
C If you were to have your dream dinner party of six people (from
any time) who would it be?
T.C My photomontages are more a way of reflecting my view of the
world, rather than a personal daily journal.
T.C My wife, daughter, mother, and three of my four brothers. I will let
my brothers figure out who is not invited.
C If you could have any profession other than your own, what would
you choose?
C When you get to heaven’s gates, what do you hope
God says to you?
T.C Music of all genres is a regular source of inspiration for my art-
work. What a treat it would be to review and select music for music venues.
T.C Firstly, I hope that I make it to heaven’s gates, but not for quite
some time! Secondly, I hope that God says that he has some good music and old friends for me to join!
C If you were king of your country, which one law would you
change or create?
T.C Children would be given “Blue Sky Time” – time to lie in the grass
and gaze at the sky without the interference of technology. Children need time and encouragement to use their imagination.
Thank you Tom Chambers for answering FOC’s questions and for creating such beautiful pieces of artwork to brighten up our imaginations! www.tomchambersphoto.com
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Front Desk
Paradise Road
By L-J
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Front Desk
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino 4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas NV 89169 (702) 693-5000
www.hardrockhotel.com
The first thing I spot when standing at the foot of the hotel is the gigantic, fluorescent guitar. I stare in awe at the size and prominence of it, and the momentous occasion that is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas is one of the most iconic destinations for holidays, honeymoons, hen and stag parties and celebrations. I had the pleasure of playing and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, which provided stunning interiors, gorgeous design innovation and is one of the most exciting venues I have ever had the pleasure of staying at. The hotel is situated in 26 acres of the widely famous Las Vegas strip of exclusive hotels, casinos, and the site of many Hollywood Blockbuster films including the hugely popular film The Hangover (2009). First established in 1995, this premier destination entertainment resort offers somewhere to stay, party, dine, listen, relax and shop. The hotel has so much to offer – there is never a dull moment – and offers guests anything imaginable all under one roof. Having just undergone a US$750 million expansion, the Hard Rock Hotel is exciting, fulfilling and breathtaking. As an extension of the Hard Rock Cafés that are scattered all over the world, the relationship between hotel, café and concert is an amalgamation that is clear to see through all mediums. The eclectic décor, atmosphere and character that Hard Rock evokes is known throughout the world, and you instantly have an idea of what your experience is going to be before setting foot inside.
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Front Desk
Accomodation The newly built HRH Tower includes 359 standard suites, eight spa villas opening directly to the pool areas, and seven penthouses on the 16th floor offering panoramic views of the iconic Vegas strip and mountains. Located at the south end of the Hard Rock property, it has now been open for a year. Sophistication and fantasy reign supreme throughout this spacious and modern and luxury tower. An exclusive check-in service instantly greets you, with valet parking available. There are also spa facilities and services only available for HRH Tower guests. All standard suites offer a lustrous room product with an integrated wet bar, sitting area, and suite bathroom with cast iron tubs. Each suite in the Tower includes a Sound Matters Sound Bar – an AMX 12” Touch Panel music system with iPod dock and includes over 2,000 HRH owned songs and playlists for guests’ personalisation and enjoyment, as well as two 40” Sony Bravia LCD TV with DVD players. This is the absolute crown jewel of the Hard Rock Hotel, as it appeals to all needs. Each of the new tower’s 374 custom suites and penthouses range from 701 to 4,300 square feet. The Nirvana Penthouse, is designed with a Moroccan flair. The entrance leads to an outside oasis with a private soaking tub and lounge area; the ultimate in relaxation and bliss. The sleeping area consists of a white lacquer wall headboard with a custom stiletto light fixture to highlight the custom mahogany and leather sleigh bed. The ultra luxurious designer bedding and black out drapes made of raw linen silt ensure a deep rest after all the excitement. The bath area is a generous 148 square feet, showcasing black porcelain tile with Chinese marble and a custom bath vanity, in-shower seat, and cast iron “tea for two” tubs. The rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel are spacious, luxurious and host everything you desire to relax and recuperate.
OK, so here are the all-important stats of the hotel: STAY an 11-story Hard Rock Hotel tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites, not to mention the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouses MEET 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space PARTY the luxurious Vanity nightclub; Rehab, the trendsetting Sunday afternoon pool party; numerous cocktail lounges; and The Joint by Rogue concert venue, home to Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits PLAY 72,000 square feet of casino space including high limit table games, slots, blackjack, swim-up gaming and a Poker Lounge RELAX Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa; BrannonHair salon; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise and the Fitness Center DINE restaurants including Rare 120 steakhouse, the Tuscanstyle Italian eatery AGO, world-renowned Nobu, Johnny Smalls, Pink Taco and Mr.Lucky’s 24/7 diner SHOP several retail stores including the Hard Rock Store and Rocks the Jewellers
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Front Desk
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Front Desk
Vanity This is THE place to party, visited by partygoers, celebrities and socialites. The interiors are absolutely stunning and jawdroppingly glamorous. The entrance welcomes with a sparkling collage of reflective tile and antique vanity mirrors. The interior, courtesy of Mr. Important Designs, transports guests into an eclectic jewel box adorned with pearls, hand cut crystals and reflective walls of bronze fused with metallic gold. The heartbeat of the nightclub is a spectacular million dollar cyclone chandelier lit from within by 20,000 LED lights that can change colour and even broadcast images, which overlooks the entire dance floor. The 14,000 square-foot venue features two marble bars, a sunken dance floor, 50 intimate VIP booths, an outdoor terrace including five cabanas with direct access to a sky bar and a ladies’ lounge that will truly impress. The ladies’ lounge will include six individual vanity stations and two full-length three-way mirrors with staff on-hand to fix broken nails, style hair and spruce up makeup. VIP seating lines the 1,400 squarefoot sunken dance floor, while a larger centre seating area borders an onyx catwalk lined with tall lanterns. Staff in rockerstyle uniforms offer champagne menus engraved on handheld antique mirrors.
Dine You need your energy levels up to be able to keep up with the pace of the Hard Rock Hotel. There’s a vast selection of cuisines to choose from. Rare 120 steakhouse uses organic and farm-raised meats, and you can pretty much build your own meal, choosing your own sides and accompaniments. Restaurateur Agostino Sciandri owns his own restaurant; AGO, with authentic Tuscan-style Italian food that attracts A-list clientele nightly. Japanese restaurant owner and chef Nobu Matsuhisa is highly recognised throughout the world for his ground-breaking modern and authentic Japanese cuisine, and offers exotic and fresh sushi and seafood. All ingredients used throughout all eateries are of the freshest variety, and all décor incorporates crisp lines and modern edging.
Casino What do you associate with Vegas? Gambling! And the Hard Rock Hotel is certainly not short of all things to do with betting. They have an array of slots, craps, blackjack, roulette and poker lounges. They even have swim-up gaming, meaning that you don’t even have to leave the pool to enjoy the excitement of 21. Want to join the hottest players club in Las Vegas? Visit The Rockstar Club, where the points really do mean prizes. Every US$1 coin played means one point for all machines, and great discounts off food and shopping.
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Front Desk
Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa After all that partying and gambling, we all need to relax. The Reliquary Water Sanctuary & Spa inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino leaves guests relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for the limitless and provocative nights Sin City is known for. It is the ultimate place to unwind and re-energise. The centrepiece of the 25,000 foot spa is the Bath House for guests to be seen, socialise and relax in the hot thermal waters. The stylish spa with decorative mosaic tiling is reminiscent of a Turkish bath house where guests mingle in private cabana-style alcoves and lounge space. The Bath House can be turned into an entertainment area for small parties and group functions. It has 21 treat-
ment rooms; a private studio for pole dancing lessons; a fitness centre and, directly across from Reliquary, is the all-new 2,300 square-foot Brannon hair salon. So you can be as selfish as you like and completely self-indulge. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The hotel hosts everything you require under one roof; there really is no reason to leave. It is beautifully modern, eccentric and stunning. In my case, what happens in Vegas, need not stay in Vegas, because I just cannot stop talking about my visit.
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FOC It, Let’s Party
Mi casa, tu casa By Caisie Dilks
It’s more than safe to say, we love a good party! House parties aren’t a particular favourite of mine – plastic cups, bags of ice and, of course, the iPod playlist on shuffle – but nothing could be further from this than a MyHouse party. Open since 2008, SHG’s MyHouse club in Hollywood, is the epitome of luxury, with all the comforts of a home…and when I say all, I really do mean all. David Judaken’s 10,000 square-foot, multi-million-dollar lounge called MyHouse (formerly known as Garden of Eden), has a second-floor bedroom, functional kitchen, patio and hot tub. This nightlife-king is responsible for celeb hangouts such as Opera, Mood and Crimson – so we trust him when he says, “it’s perfect.”
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According to Judaken, design is a vital component of SHG’s MyHouse. “It’s all about guest retention,” he says. “The response I’ve been getting is exactly what I wanted to achieve. When guests say, ‘I’ve never felt comfortable like this in a club,’ I know they will be back.” I can imagine it would be extremely difficult not to be comfortable on the US$8.000 Mogul couches. Thanks to designer, Dodd Mitchell, stepping into MyHouse, is like stepping into a double storey Bentley with all the extras. He says, “I wanted this to have that accessible earthy feeling you get from a great house. Nightclubs by nature have an industrial vibe.”
FOC It, Let’s Party
Stars like Lindsay Lohan,
Kanye West and Leonardo
DiCaprio are amongst the cloud of celebrities to haunt
MyHouse
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FOC It, Let’s Party
The nickel-scaled ceilings, dramatic glass-lined staircase, secondfloor bedroom and practical kitchen (one of the venue’s bars) definitely take the homely-club concept to a whole new level. In the sunken living room (shag carpet included), sofas can be moved around to accommodate the guests’ needs; up close and personal for quiet conversations by the fireplace, or open and out-cast for those movers and shakers – it sure beats dancing around your coffee table at home.
It goes without saying that such luxury and comfort also brings big bills and famous faces. Stars like Lindsay Lohan, Kanye West and Leonardo DiCaprio are amongst the cloud of celebrities to haunt MyHouse. It has also been host to InStyle’s Oscar-viewing party and the Belvedere IX Vodka launch party, to name just a few. But the icing on the club-cake has got to be that they serve freshly baked cookies throughout the night. So that’s me sold, I’ll get my coat (and passport)!
“People who go out in Los Angeles are increasingly venuesavvy,” Jaduken reflects. “If you are going to change the Garden of Eden (where Judaken had a decade-long run), you better wow them. Our audience today is so much more sophisticated than they were four years ago.”
www.myhousehollywood.com
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ADV
WE MAKE IT DIFFERENT
COFFEE I BISTRO I LUNCH I CATERING I TAKE-A-WAY foc:| 96 DALAGATAN 28 I NYBROGATAN 61 I KUNGSHOLMSGATAN 16
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She’s all she’s got By Jamie Sweeney
Joanna Henly, (aka Miss Led) is an award-winning live painter and illustrator. Miss Led has grabbed the industry by the scruff of the neck and everyone has taken notice. Her distinctive, nuanced style celebrates a mélange of disciplines, from portraiture to graffiti, and has all the playful and puckish trimmings to be iconic, impish and impressive. I had the pleasure of meeting her in sunny North London for a pint and a chat, and I soon found out that we have lots in common. We both love author Gabriel García Marquez and our favourite brand of crisps is Space Raiders – I knew at once we were going to get along swimmingly… J So Miss Led, how did you get started in this industry? M.L I didn’t plan to be an illustrator. I just started drawing from MySpace profiles. I loved the MySpace concept when it first exploded. I would draw people’s profile pictures, people I didn’t know but who were special and on the cusp of something amazing. It was very much about that individual’s style and attitude. It was a conceptual thing for me, self-effacing, with the whole “rule of the artist” idea out of the window.
I like the celebration of self-projection. Making a private moment public is so compelling for me; it’s a juxtaposition I suppose. I’ve always been interested in portraiture, style, and fashion. From the very beginning of this crazy journey, I would spend six to eight hours sending my portraits to people’s profiles all around the world. I wanted to make sure as many people as possible saw my work. J You’ve been described as the “First Lady” of street art, how does it feel to be kicking men’s asses in a field that is essentially male dominated? M.L When it’s happening it’s great; I get such a buzz from competing in tournaments and winning. However, I am not the first female in this business, Lucy McLauchlan, for example, has been doing a great job for many years before me. I don’t know, perhaps it’s the way I style myself that inspired the term “lady”. I think being a female has been good for me in this industry. It gives me more of an opportunity to stand out. I’ve also been in the right places at the right time. J Ledster, you are no shrinking violet, what is the most rascally thing you’ve ever done? M.L Getting banned from the Vibe Bar Garden on Brick Lane for climbing trees; finding slices of pizza in my bag the morning after a night out; learning to ride home and around roundabouts without my hands on the handlebars of a bicycle, after consuming gallons of whiskey. I wasn’t drawing for about eight years, between 1998 and 2006, I needed something to fill the void – a buzz, stimulation, a rush, a bit of excitement. These days I get this when I’m painting. Thankfully I’m not so kamikaze now. When I wasn’t drawing, I found myself getting a little misled. J So is that where the name Miss Led comes from? M.L Yes. When I wasn’t drawing or painting, I didn’t feel that I had my own direction, my own flow. I found myself being misled. In fact, guys like you, always call me “Miss LED”, girls always call me misled, but it is supposed to be a play on words so that’s understandable. Initially, when I did a business start up course, I transferred Miss Led to be a concept of Led, like the led of a pencil. Not as many people were using pencils at that time to draw, it was more digital, but also I used led as a trajectory.
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“When I wasn’t
J If a salesman came a knocking on your front door, trying to sell you something called a “Dream DVD player”, that allows you to watch your dreams, in full DVD quality, whenever you desire. BUT, all of your friends and family had to watch it with you. Would you buy this contraption? M.L Ha Ha. No, I get myself into enough trouble as it is choosing to speak the truth over making nice at times. With my dreams I have even less control, so it’s a definite no! J You’ve had your drawings in Diesel’s flagship store; you’ve decorated Selfridge’s windows; and you’ve even designed your own Reebok trainer. What’s next? M.L I’d really like to start my own t-shirt line. Working with Topshop would be great. The artwork I’m doing now for a project with Lynx is going onto t-shirts – they will be prizes in a Lynx competition. J What are the pros and cons of being an artist in London? M.L I’m from Lllaneli in Wales, but have lived in London for 12 years now. I really like the sense of anonymity in London. I struggled for years when I first got here, I thought the roads would be paved with gold, but it’s been a lot of hard work. The attitude in London is great, but it’s dog-eat-dog. I think London can be the best launch pad for the rest of the world, but still I can’t seem to leave! J So, you’re an award-winning painter and illustrator with a penchant for portraits, which 3 people would you most like to draw a portrait of? M.L I’ve been trying for ages to create a portrait of Paloma Faith, she’s a friend of a friend, and I think she’s great. I love the amount of theatre she injects into her persona and performance. She has a very strong attitude and knows what she wants and gets it! Dakota Statton, wow, I love her style, dress and the sensuality she oozes when she performs. Karen Olsen, she has the most amazing face. J Where outside of London really floats your boat? M.L I absolutely adore Barcelona. I’ve done a couple of solo trips there over the last few years and would love to do some work there. I love the geography of the place, the architecture, the vibe, the people, the weather, everything! Berlin is also really cool, I’ve actually thought about moving there. J Your artwork has been described as distinctively playful and flirtatious; does this describe Miss Led as a person? M.L I’d say more playful than flirtatious. (She winks, cheeky.) J When will you know that you’ve ‘made it’? M.L I came out of a Fine Arts Degree with no work skills whatsoever, my parents would always tell me I could come back home, but I wanted to make my mark, (whatever that meant at the time), and didn’t want to be defeated. The parameters change, I’ve already done more than I thought I would. I’ve never been interested in forward planning or setting myself goals. There have been so many surprises in the last few years… I love surprises. I’ve always wanted to say to prospective clients “I’m booked for the next 3 months!” I did manage to do that last week… J What do you think FOC stands for? M.L Freedom of Choice
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drawing, I found myself getting a little misled
”
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M.L I’ve always been such a workaholic, I’ve never done a gap year and have never properly travelled, so I would have to travel Europe I think. J If you could have any superpower, what would it be? M.L Healing hands. My niece is three and a half years old, and when I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said, “A nurse, because I love everyone and I want to make people better,” I thought that was just amazing! I’ve worked in the past with people in rehabilitation. I love to help people and inspire them through the medium of art. I don’t know where I’d be If I didn’t have art. I feel it’s an amazing gift to be able to inspire people. I really loved working with communities, and supporting adults and children with specific needs, to help and support them to create their own art projects. Maybe inspiring people to do that is a superpower and I don’t need another one? I like empowering people to do what they love. With what I do now, it helps by taking myself and my ego, out of the equation. I feel more that I’m doing a service for others. People email me so much in response to the inspiration I have given them. I feel they keep me going when I’m struggling. I’m very lucky to have that.
“I get myself into enough
trouble as it is choosing to speak the truth over
”
making nice at times
J What three things make you most happy?
J Has Miss Led’s home got a Miss Led-style interior?
M.L Loved-ones, adventure and accomplishment J OK So Miss Led becomes a global phenomenon, a movie is being made about you, would you rather; (a) An Independent movie, fly-on-the-wall documentary style, bootleg footage of your real life, interviews with people you know...brutally honest. OR (b) Big Hollywood blockbuster, A-listers playing the roles of you and your acquaintances, the writers change some small facts to make the film better. M.L I’d choose option (a). Maybe only 10 people would watch it, but it would suit my personality more. I’d rather be judged by reality than try to be something else. J If you weren’t an artist, what do you think you would be doing now? M.L I thought I’d be a teacher. When I was at university, I applied to be an art teacher, and later down the line I did become an HNC course coordinator and art teacher. But after a while I thought, “Why am I teaching what I should be doing myself?” Also, I always wanted to be a ballerina, but I grew out of that. Oh, and I wanted to be in the Royal Navy, but I grew out of that too. If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I’d be in trouble, and have to make up another pseudonym: “Beyond Miss Led”.
M.L I think my personality mirrors the personality of my art. I’ve still got my Dukes of Hazard car from when I was 10 years old. Then I have lots of bits of street art around my house. I have Alfonse Mucha prints and Yoshomoto Nara pieces; people who inspire me adorn my walls. I’ve also got a lot of amazing old and tatty furniture that I’ve picked up from the street, (lots of furniture gets left on the street in Hackney), in my home. J We’ve seen your distinctive works on a variety of platforms, from shop windows to cars. Is there any platform you wouldn’t paint? Are there any monuments you’d love to shake up with your own style? M.L I wouldn’t paint on Tescos, as they don’t deserve it. As for monuments, I wouldn’t want to change something that already exists. I’m more about interiors, transforming the space that envelops you. I’m really looking forward to my next project that will do just that. I want to transport people back to the 1890s in an era and space of decadence and sensuality. I’m transforming two very intimate mezzanine areas in a London club. The theme will be based on the opulence of an opium den injected with theatre, dress and lots of sensual suggestion. I will create this vibe through the use of fabrics, lighting and mirrors, along with, of course, my painting on walls and ceilings. I want users of the space to be conscious of self and integrate with the playful nature of the space. J Thanks for taking the time to have a chat Miss Led, an absolute pleasure of course.
J Would you rather travel around Europe for a year painting, or spend a month mooching around the moon painting craters?
Have a gander at the new website: www.missled.co.uk.
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Eargasms
Wretch WRETCH 32 Real name: Jermaine Scott Date of Birth: 9th March 1985 Place of Birth: Tottenham, England Genre of music: Combination of grime, urban, rap, British hip-hop, reggae Label: Ministry of Sound Discography: Wretchrospective (2008), Black and White (2011) New release: Black and White due out later this year Tour dates: Currently on tour with Example Associated lyrics: My life style’s terrible wild, but you’ll never catch me on The Jeremy Kyle Show Watch out for: His performance with Diddy Dirty Money a few months ago has really put the grime genre on the map, so expect his new album to be littered with collaborations and hits Did you know: He became a father at 21, and admits having a four-year-old son has given him extra impetus to succeed
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Jessie J Eargasms
JESSIE J Real name: Jessica Cornish Date of Birth: 27th March 1988 Place of Birth: Redbridge, England Graduate of: BRIT School Genre of music: Fusion of reggae, euphoria, dance and R&B Label: Island Records Discography: Who You Are (2011) New release: Debut album Who You Are out now Tour dates: Stand Up Tour 31st March Glasgow Academy, 1st April Bristol Academy, 2nd April Birmingham Academy, 4th April Manchester Academy, 5th April London Shepherds Bush, 7th April Dublin Academy, 9th April Belfast Mandela Hall Associated lyrics: Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ money like a pimp, my B-I-T-C-H’s on my d*ck like this Watch out for: Dare Jessie J; a new MySpace portal specifically designed for her, where fans can issue her a series of challenges. The likes of Perez Hilton and Justin Timberlake have already begun setting her tasks Did you know: Jessie J has an irregular heartbeat, and suffered a minor stroke at 18. As a result, she does not smoke, drink or take drugs.
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Eargasms
High Contrast Hospital Hero By Caisie Dilks In 2011, the name High Contrast needs no introduction. Signed to Hospital Records in 2000 on the strength of his mini-disc demos, Welsh wonder Lincoln Barrett has smashed his way up the D&B music scene, and a decade after being signed, he is still at the top of his game, and a Drum & Bass superstar! His debut album True Colours released in 2002, paved the way for his arrival on to the international DJ circuit and helped him become the ‘remixer’ of choice inside and outside the drum and bass community. Autumn 2004 saw the release of the massive High Society LP, featuring the epic singles Twilights Last Gleaming and Racing Green, which Knowledge Magazine voted as one of the top three jungle albums of the last 10 years. The High Contrast success story continued throughout 2007, with the release of arguably his finest album yet: Tough Guys Don’t Dance. He rounded the year off with yet another huge remix – Axwell’s Ibiza anthem I Found You - and his DJ’ing skill saw him scoop BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the year! He continued riding his wave of success into 2008 with the remixes of Utah Saint’s Something Good, Adele’s Hometown Glory and Eric Prydz’s monster hit Pjanoo – the soundtracks to many a good night out, I might add! Sitting at the top table with the big boys in 2009, he became one of a very small number of current recording artists to have released a “Best Of” album, High Contrast Confidential. This immense double CD took in the high points of his first three albums, as well as all of his ground-breaking remixes. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that High Contrast is one to keep watching, With such a busy schedule, it’s a wonder he slowed down long enough for FOC to ask him what’s up!
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“
Autographing boobs
and bums in a club is certainly quite a
strange social
situation when you think about it! C High Contrast is a name my iTunes knows only too well
”
C If you could have any other profession other than your
by now, but why did you originally choose that name?
own, what would it be?
H.C It seemed a natural fit, as it succinctly describes my basic
H.C Existential detective!
philosophy of life and approach to music; that the juxtaposition of opposite polarities seems to be the essential truth of the universe.
C As far as super powers go, would you choose to be a
wicked or well behaved super hero?
C When you were growing up, who was your biggest
H.C Immortality must be the trump card of superpowers,
musical influence?
but such a vast amount of time could eventually lead to some wickedness, if only to do something new.
H.C I had no real interest in music until I was 17, apart from
film soundtracks… Wendy Carlos’ music for A Clockwork Orange was a favourite growing up, and still is today.
C Where do you see yourself in 10 years? H.C Probably wondering where the last 10 years went, much
like now.
C Who is your favourite artist at this exact moment?
C The name of the magazine is FOC - What does your F.O.C
stand for?
H.C Right now, I’m consumed by Andrei Tarkovsky
and JS Bach!
H.C Forever-Opining Contrast.
C Ok, be honest with us now, which artist or song is your
C Which of the five senses would you give up and
guilty pleasure? What’s your most played song?
what’s your sixth sense?
H.C There are no guilty pleasures! All that entrances is just.
The most played song at the moment is Dark Fantasy by Kanye West.
H.C Seeing as our sense of smell makes up the majority of
what we perceive as taste, getting rid of taste seems to be a cunning choice to eject! My sixth sense is judging whether an old record has good samples in it just by looking at the record sleeve. (Not infallible though.)
C When you began producing Drum & Bass, did you ever
predict how huge the D&B community would become?
H.C It was already a solidly founded genre on the under-
C If you were to have your dream dinner party of six people
ground, but its wider acceptance has been a wonderful surprise. Although I never really thought or think about it in those terms, my relationship to the music I make is really a personal one.
from any time, who would you choose?
H.C Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Nietszche, Slavoj Zizek,
GK Chesterton and Jessica Rabbit.
C So I’ve been to my fair share of hospitality events, and I
C What’s your worst and favourite word?
have to ask, what is the funniest or most outrageous story that’s happened to you at a hospitality event or set?
H.C I dislike the word “cog” for reasons that are surely self-
H.C Autographing boobs and bums in a club is certainly quite
evident. I do like saying the word “crepuscular”.
a strange social situation when you think about it! C (I wouldn’t know, I promise that wasn’t me)
C When you get to heaven’s gates, what do you hope
God says to you?
H.C God: Hey, asshole, why didn’t you believe in me? I left a
manual down there and everything. Me: What, The Bible? God: No, The Beano Annual from 1987. Me: Ah.
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Throw a sickie Looking for inspiration? We have pinpointed some of the most influential and interesting exhibitions to visit over the next few months.
25 FEB-3 APRIL
4-8 April
The Architecture of Drawing ArtCentre of South Florida Gallery, USA
Hannover Messe Exhibition Grounds, 30521 Hannover, Germany
The Architecture of Drawing exhibition illustrates and examines the role of handdrawing and painting in the digital age, by two architects from two generations. The joint exhibition by Errol Barron and Jacob Brillhart, will reveal how observation influences design and will include sketchbooks, associated paintings, design drawings and architectural models that explore the inter-relationships of drawing, painting and architecture.
Hannover Messe remains the world’s leading showcase for industrial technology. The exhibition is the ideal place to obtain the latest industrial know-how. Established sixty years ago, Hannover Messe today ranks as the leading international show place for industrial technologies, materials and product ideas.
3-7 May Interior Home Madrid 2011 Feria de Madrid, 28042 Madrid, Spain Interior Home Madrid provides a unique platform for displaying various products and services in the interior and furniture industry. The exhibition offers a highly cost-effective medium for promotion of interior, exterior, furniture and other design accessories.
26-28 May Habitat Expo 2011 World Trade Centre, Mexico D.F., Mexico Habitat Expo 2011 is the only event for Mexico’s interior design, architecture and design industry. It brings together the leaders of the Mexican design world and introduces cutting-edge products. In its 10th year, Habitat promotes the culture of good design and current trends for commercial and residential sectors through presentations and discussions.
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READ & SUBSCRIBE - ONLINE 12-17 April Salone Internazionale de Mobile Strada Statale del Sempione, 20017 Milan, Italy The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is in its 50th year. Together with the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition it presents a wide and varied range of proposals. On show are A-Z domestic furnishing solutions both in terms of typology – from stand-alone pieces to coordinates, and in terms of style - from classical design to modern. It is a hub for the trendsetters of tomorrow.
www.focmagazine.com
www.societymarbella.com
9-13 September Maison&Objet Outdoor/Indoor Paris Nord Villepinte When interior design opens up its doors to international talents, and the most exclusive brands come together to create a new art of living.
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www.confetimagazine.com