The past couple of months have been a very busy one for both the students and staff at the NDA. With graduation looming in July, many students decided that they didn’t want to miss out on our very first graduation ceremony and pushed themselves incredibly hard to ensure that they were able to hand in module 8 before the deadline in early June. The work produced by every student has been overwhelming and to see how much it meant to every one of them on graduation day was a pleasure to see. Read on over the next few pages to find out more about the fantastic day at Trentham Gardens.
Summertime is upon us (apparently) and this is a great time for the Interior Design industry as we lead up into some of the Autumn’s biggest UK based design shows. With Decorex, 100% Design and Grand Designs Birmingham all coming up in the next few months, it is sure to be a busy time for us all as we scout out the newest products, textiles and innovations to hit the UK Interiors industry. We’ll be there to keep ahead of the trends, will you?
Graduation 2010
Graduation 2010
Lazing on a sunny afternoon… If you ever find yourself with a lust for culture, a shoe string budget and just happen to be in the Yorkshire area then you should definitely get yourself to the Yorkshire Sculpture park. You will not be disappointed.
Crossing (vertical) By Nigel Hall
One of the main things that was so enchanting about the YSP, is it’s relaxed and gentle approach to art. Often art gallery atmospheres are perceived as cold and do not allow the viewer to interact, explore and therefore fully understand a piece, however with fields of space around each piece this felt much more family friendly and accessible to all ages. A little tip - avoid picking up a map and allow yourself to get a little lost in the moment. By doing this, the element of adventure will be far greater.
Having studied at Leeds University, the YSP has always been one of those places I wanted to visit but never got the chance to. So, when a few weekends ago, myself and Vicky felt like a grand day out, it seemed the ideal location. We hopped in the car and within 50 minutes along the M1, we were greeted at the entrance by Nigel Hall’s ‘Crossing (Vertical)’ and a curious flock of sheep who roam the grounds freely. Who would have thought that this industrial looking alien could look so at home in the English countryside? This was the first of many surprises the YSP had in store for us.
Sitting Lady Hare By Sophie Ryder
In this small slice of inspirational pie, you might be surprised to stumble across a few of art history's greatest names, including numerous works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Andy Goldsworthy, sitting comfortably next to some sculptures that are much more recent. Some so new that you can still smell the luscious cedar oil on them. One of the newer collections is ‘The Red Column’ by David Nash, which was made on site. Reminiscent of an Indian totem, this sculpture encapsulates the balance of nature in its most elemental form. The YSP also has a residential artist scheme so if you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of future works being installed or even get to take part in one of the artist-lead workshops; these include bronze casting and stone carving.
The Red Column By David Nash
For me, the highlights of the day was discovering Sophie Rider’s ‘Sitting Lady Hare’. The surrealist element to her sculptures tapped into my inner child and made me feel like Alice in Wonderland. Remember to take your camera and a sketch book as you will find yourself submerged in new forms and textures. To end our day we visited the onsite bistro which sources all local produce. I had Mediterranean vegetable and goats cheese tart, while Vicky had a sandwich of prosciutto ham and mozzarella. We both finished the meal off with tubs of home made mint choc chip ice cream, sitting in the Summerfield's with views of an array of Henry Moore bronzes. Lazing on a sunny afternoon.
Kim
Find out more www.ysp.co.uk Open daily 10-6pm | Call: 01924 832631
For as long as I can remember, the work of Pablo Picasso has always held a strange fascination for me. His works, in particular those from his Cubist and Surrealist periods, are those which never fail to draw my attention, and these bizarre, yet analytically constructed pieces are like staring through kaleidoscope glasses. So it just happened to be my lucky day when on a recent trip back up to Liverpool, the Picasso: Peace and Freedom exhibition had just opened to universal acclaim at the Tate, set in the glorious surroundings of the Albert Dock (featured as the location for the Tutor’s brief). However, it always seems to be the case that when I visit an exhibition at the Tate Liverpool, my expectations are higher than the subsequent experience, or vice versa. Nicky De Saint Phalle is an intriguing and creative sculptor whose exhibition exuded much promise, until I actually got there. On the other hand, the Gustav Kilmt show was one of the most mind blowing experiences I have ever had in a gallery. So I was hoping the Picasso exhibition could break the habit of a lifetime and hold up to its critical acclaim.
Sill Life With Skull, Leeks and Pitcher; 1945
The exhibition started on a very strange note. Hoards of Picasso enthusiasts and sceptics alike gathered around a timeline of the man himself, but it had nothing to do with his work. Instead we were treated to the ins and outs, ups and downs of Picasso’s political activism, and in particular that of his communist “tendencies”. Was this introduction priming me for something unexpected in the upper echelons of the gallery? I hoped not. We were then escorted into an lift so large, I felt like some precious cargo or painting that usually graces the inner workings of Tate Liverpool’s lift carriages. Very strange. Ushered out into the vast gallery, it was immediately evident that this exhibition was to be like no other dedicated to Picasso. The paintings themselves almost seem to take on another meaning when surrounded by so may other of the great man’s works. Usually, we view a ‘Picasso’ sat next to other great names of the Cubist and Surrealist periods; Georges Braque, Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin, to name but a few, but being able to see a vast succession of work all carefully curated into periods of Picasso’s life, it was almost like you were able to see the workings of his mind; his deepest inner thoughts. In a small conclusion, at last, an exhibition at the Tate Liverpool lived up to my pre-gallery expectations. For however great and mystifying we find the work of Picasso, this exhibition pushed forward an image of him that we never have given much of a passing thought to. Picasso the genius, the sensualist, the womaniser, the communist. What an interesting thought.
Vicky
Enclosed Spaces The Jewish Museum Berlin by Daniel Libeskind is one of the most conspicuous architectural landmarks in the city of Berlin. The building is located within the southern Friedrichstadt area which was badly damaged in the war and beyond recognition following post-war demolition. Libeskind has designed a building which embodies remembrance, melancholy, and departure. Through its designer it has become an architectural symbol of a specific Jewish discourse at the core of which is German history and the history of the city after 1933, which ended "in total catastrophe." Libeskind's intention was to express kaleidoscopically the city's lines and cracks in architectural form. The confrontation of Libeskind's Jewish Museum building with the adjoining classical building by Berlin City Architect, Mendelsohn, not only defines two highlights of 20th century architecture but also reveals the layers of a historical landscape - exemplary exposure of the relationship of Jews and Germans in this city.
www.jmberlin.de
www.daniel-libeskind.com
Daniel Libeskind
Enclosed Spaces
Daniel Libeskind
THE CHOSEN SITE The diversity of Liverpool’s history, whether it be maritime or musically, is one of the greatest and most influential throughout Great Britain, and the world. Over the past few years, and particularly with the recent redevelopment and investment brought into the city through its status as ‘European Capital of Culture 2008’, Liverpool has now returned to the influential and widely recognised city it used to be. The site chosen for the Tutor’s brief in this edition of VISION is one of the most historical, widely recognised and now contemporary places to be in Liverpool. The Albert Dock, made famous as the original setting for ‘This Morning’ has seen not only its value increase dramatically over recent years, but has brought much needed revenue to the city and it now officially hosts one of the coolest bar scenes in and around Liverpool.
History “The Albert Dock is the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in Britain -1.25 million square feet - and was built to the design of engineer/architect Jesse Hartley. Plans were submitted in 1839, approved in 1841 and the Dock was officially opened on 30 July 1846 by Prince Albert. The Albert Dock was the first enclosed, non-combustible dock warehouse system in the world and the first structure in Britain to be built entirely of cast iron, brick and stone. In 1848 the world's first hydraulic warehouse hoists were installed. The Dock was built to accommodate sailing ships with up to 1,000 tons' cargo capacity but by the turn of the century only 7% of ships using the Port were sailing ships. The Dock's days were numbered and it was finally closed in 1972.
The refurbishment of Albert Dock was carried out after plans were prepared in 1982, with work beginning in 1983 and the first phase opening in 1984 in time for the arrival of the Tall Ships Race and the International Garden Festival. The official re-opening ceremony was performed by HRH Prince Charles on 24 May 1988. The original building cost was £514,475-8s-ld. The present day insurance valuation of the buildings, however, is in excess of £250 million.” (Albert Dock. 2009)
In an effort to promote gender equality, Oxfam have teamed up with P&O Ferries for a 106 day journey from the UK to New York to create one of the world’s most wide spanning swop shops ever.
The Queen Victoria's itinerary will have 11 maiden ports of call, including Cartagena, Columbia; Halong Bay, Vietnam; and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. With extra long overnight stays in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai.
Global Swop Shop
What is a swop shop? For a small contribution you can swop like for like objects. In doing this you can widen the variety of your wardrobe and open your mind to new possibilities, colours, styles and patterns you would under normal circumstances avoid or pass by.
How will this help the cause? Due to the sheer scale of the project you may find yourself exchanging an old jacket for an Egyptian robe? Or maybe an old dress for a kimono? This process can educate, stimulate debate and also remove cultural divides. All funds raised will go toward Oxfam projects in third world countries.
Global Swop Shop
Changing rooms
Juice bar
Swop shop Exit
Entrance
Global Swop Shop
out
in
Global Swop Shop