Design Girl Returns with a Vengeance

OK - so I may have gotten ever so slightly side tracked recently, but I am now back on form and will be bitching about the usual design-y (or not so design-y) stuff around town.

For today, just to ease you back in, I am posting a few random images captured on my iPhone whilst walking around town doing my usual day to day thing.  Don't worry if the images don't make any sense - they're not supposed to.  Just enjoy the beauty of it.  I just snap at stuff sometimes because I feel like it, or because I can't quite figure it out at the time and hope to figure it out later.  Deal with it!

In no apparent order....

quack quack!

Trust me - he's well fit!

Did you miss me?

Banksy Blasts The Simpsons

Our beloved Banksy has managed to remain relatively 'undercover', whilst carrying out a very special project for the most famous animated series of all time.  Yes, Banksy has tagged his infamous style of in-your-face political activism on the credits, for none other than The Simpsons.  What a great PR stunt - it's already spreading like wildfire across the net.  You read it here first.  Spread the word!

Contraversial?  Yup.  Dark?  Of course.  Funny?  Totally.  Check this out.

Little People in our Big Bad World

  The Book 'Little People in the City' by the street artist, Slinkachu, is available to buy from Amazon.  I am only plugging this because it really is a great little book to have as a keeper for your bookshelf.  It has been recently revised and retitled to 'Big Bad City', the bilingual version - so if you fancy buying it in Dutch as well, then be my guest.

Slinkachu is a London based street artist and photographer who likes to work in miniature.  His original work started in 2006; 'The Inner City Snail; A Slow Moving Street Art Project', which involved decorating live snail shells with a creative gesture of some sort. These installations were then captured through the lens, before releasing again into nature (well street side anyway).  

No snails were harmed during the making of this artwork.  In fact, the lucky few snails are now living the life of riley as highly paid celebs in the insect world.  All good.

The more recent work of Slinkachu (the main feature of his book), has captured the imagination of many of us design fiends.  Entitled 'Little People; The Tiny Street Art Project', the artist uses railway figures (which he customises himself, using a still hand and much patience) and places them in inner city locations - sometimes using props to create a thought provoking scene, which is then captured on film (or more accurately, on digital).  Hence, the book is a collection of photography based on this.  

Up to now Slinkachu has been London based, but a recent itch has given him (and some of his friends), the urge to go sightseeing...

This month Slinkachu has also been over to Italy, to the Fame Festival, where he has been working on some installations with sound.  Check this out:

You may think that this artist likes to create mini worlds in our big bad world, to make him self feel like a giant.  I would beg to differ.  What Slinkachu, I hope will be able to do, is make us all stop.  Take notice.  Again, practice some mindful thinking.

So far, it seems that all the installations appear to be on the ground. Perhaps the artist would consider bringing his miniatures to eye level and above? After all, us grumpy Londoners rarely smile as it is, so if we see one of these installations and do smile (which we will), it may be nice to coincide that smile with the passing by of a stranger.  Just a thought.

Slinkachu is certainly one to watch out for - as are his little army of friends.  Check out the Slinkachu website to see a full profile and check out the blog to follow the 'Little People' in action.

Liberty Vs. Selfridges – My Shoes are better than your Shoes!

Some may think it’s a case of, ‘what Selfridges can do we can do better!’  It is after all shoe crazy over there on Oxford Street!  What am I talking about; you honestly don’t know?!  Come on ladies - the new shoe emporium at Selfridges has been in the making for a while now - and as if that wasn't enough, as of last week, Liberty has played its hand and has unveiled the wicked and wonderful world of Manolo Blahnik in the famous Regent Street store.

                               

Yes, indeed; having sourced through his archive to create what Liberty is calling a ‘lust worthy’ collection, this exclusive range of Manolo Blahnik is visually astounding. I'm actually predicting that there are enough die-hard Blahnik fans out there, to rinse this collection in no time at all.  I should add that there are also some fabulous accessories available, so if your purses can't quite stretch to footwear, you can take a piece of this world home through another fabulous item of beauty, such as a handkerchief, pillow or umbrella.

Personally, I am still aroused by the shoe frenzy at Selfridges.  Just in case you had forgotten my post at the end of last month, the AMAZING new Shoe Emporium at Selfridges is being unveiled this season (the final completion being this Thursday 16^th).   Liberty had no choice but to pull out its guns – I mean, come on - alongside the dribblingly fantastic and awe-inspiring exhibit of Vivienne Westwood’s shoe history (being showcased in the Ultralounge), Liberty couldn't just sit there and take a hit bashing!

Unfortunately, the Vivienne Westwood Collection merely flavours our minds with a  retrospective of the punk Queens' world of mayhem - the pieces are not for sale - but that's OK.  Even being in the same room as this collection of playful and passionate pieces of footwear, was enough for me to get to 'that place' (don't get me started).  Here is a selection of my favourite pieces.  Miaaooow!

I have to admit, I am slightly biased towards this designer, having carried out a work placement with her whilst a young and hungry fashion student.  I fell in love with her artistic endeavours back then and have folllowed her work ever since.  To me, no one will ever quite get the right mix between, sex, silhouette and rock 'n' roll like this lady.  She truly, just is....

I will end by saying, if you haven't already - check out the magical Vivienne Westwood shoe story on the Lower Ground floor at Selfridges in the Ultralounge - showing until 3rd October.  If you're more of a Manolo Blahnik kinda girl, you will love Liberty this season.  If however you’re more of a Choo girl, all I can say is ‘unclench’ - your time will come.

My sentiments exactly. 

A Design Girl Day Out - Tate Modern Massive

It was a grey day in London and I needed a bit of an oomph, so as I had some spare time (between jobs), I decided to play my 'Design Girl About Town' theme to the max (and be a little self indulgent).  Decision - to hit our fabulous Tate Modern Exhibition and spend the day enjoying it to it's full capacity.  I hit the Northern Line and exited at London Bridge, where my magical Monday began.

As always, I walked around with my eyes and ears open; being London, you never know what little hidden gems and design-y tit bits you can find.  After cutting through Borough Market (of course pretty dead today), I turned down Stoney Street before hitting the river.  Boo! I found my first little piece of street art - look familiar?!  Hmmm.

Anyway - as I continue, I then I see some questionable writing on a wall - which makes me wonder whether someone has the number of a good therapist? (No judgement - of course.)

After giggling to myself and strutting along to the rhythm of the beat (iPod naturally on full blast), I cruise along until I finally reach my destination - Tate Modern.  Ahhhh.  I haven't been for ages, so I was really quite excited.  The main exhibit 'Exposed' has been on for a while so I am glad I am finally getting round to seeing it.

So - what did I think?  Well - the idea that the camera, since it's invention, has been used to capture images of people unawares.  Some imagery was humourous, some thought provoking and some just down right dark and/or dirty.   From hidden war cameras to modern day paparazzi shots....

Poor Paris - Off to be Locked Up!

.....to our nations world famous obsession with CCTV!

My favourite piece, however, was the 'Ballad of Sexual Dependency' - a slide show, that I have to admit, really moved me. It was made up of hundreds of photographs taken by Nan Goldin over three decades and was so personal and raw and uncensored - it was all consuming and brought me to a place of 'realness'.  Documenting the unbelievably intimate lives of her friends and lovers, (and probably some random strangers that she picked up in bars across New York and Boston), the slideshow was a graphic depiction of life, love, sex, drug use, violence, death, pain, fear, vulnerability and so much more.  With an unbelievable apt soundtrack with lyrics evoking the relevant emotions, to say I was choked doesn't even cover it! Seriously, it was worth the day out just for this - Room 8 (by the way).

Following on from this - I checked out the rest of the place and forgot how much fun the free stuff at Tate Modern has to offer.

Great day at Tate Modern...

Design Girl signing off from her day of indulgence....

Before I go - look what I found on my way home....

London makes me smile too....

Roger and out.

Brooklyn Bäst's Debut Showcase

New York artist Bäst (based in Brooklyn, to be precise), has been creating his wheat-pasted images for over 10 years now - contributing to the New York and European urban art scene more cool than most cucumbers can handle.  Whilst Bäst remains another elusive character in the art world, (very like our very own Banksy), his work has been showcased at various galleries in recent years and as of 20th August, his first debut solo-exhibition is being held at Lazarides Rathbone Place Gallery.  I tell no lie!

It's all very exciting - his homage to Digital Underground's Humpty Dumpty is top notch.  If you're quick and have £250 to spare, you may be lucky enough to get hold of one of the 250 signed and limited editions.  Check it out!

One word, two syllables (and read in a long, drawn-out, high pitched tone...) AAAWE-SOME! 

Nuff said.

(Not such...) Wasted Spaces

The Smile Project is the latest project from non-profit organisation Wasted Spaces; having made it a challenge to transform vacant properties (as well as other weird and wonderful spaces), into exciting art experiences.  Their idea is to create platforms for emerging artists and cunning creative thinkers (which is what they are), to engage communities through live ‘real-space’ installations. 


Wembley has been the focal location so far, with three projects to date having livened up an otherwise dull part of London (come on – there’s no sugar coating it – we’re talking about Wembley!). Previous projects include the Hello Wall and the Wembley Wall Project – both using a huge, well - wall - (didn't see that one coming did you?).  All this with the hope to project a little joy to the local community.  Touching isn't it?  The Hello Wall was designed to allowed people to interact with the wall via Twitter  by Tweeting commands to @thehellowall, using shapes (triangles, squares, circles), commands (more, less, shake) or just say hello@thehellowall.

The Hello Wall

The Wembley Wall Project then showcased the digital work of three internationally renowed artists – David Dope, Robert Hodgin and Rafael Rozendaal.  This definitely livened up an otherwise dead wall space and brought a little wonderment to Wembley.  Thank god.

Wembley Wall Project

With so many people showing skepticism and as a result excluding themselves from the art world, it was about time someone brought a little creativity to the public direct. We all know London can be a drab place, so if we can use art and digital media to allow us to escape reality (even just for a little while), isn’t it worth a shot?  So many of us complain of having a mundane and repetitive routine (doing and seeing the same stuff day in and day out) - isn’t it a great idea to then stir things up and give us something inspiring to look at - something that makes us break away from our normal niggling thinking and even make us smile?  With the aptly named Smile Project this is what Wasted Spaces in provoking us to do (albeit subliminally) with their latest activity.   By planting random obscure installations and interventions across Wembley, the idea is simple – to make passers by 'smile' and as a result, try to liven up our somewhat cynical nation (don't get all defensive - you know exactly what I'm talking about!)

The Smile Project (Aaaah!)

I hope you all join me in a sigh of relief that this creative and thought provoking bunch are actually making the effort to snap us out of the doom and gloom, that we Londoners are famous for.  To get a real flavour of these exciting projects, check out the video clips at the Wasted Spaces website or on Vimeo and repeat after me **Sigh**