Archive for the ‘art and design’ Category

While I sit here waiting for the vanish on my tiny canvases to dry, I thought I might write a little about the latest project I have involved myself in. The Canvas Project is organised by Art House Co-op, based in Brokklyn, NY.

Participants had a choice of two ways to get involved.

1. Submitting random words to be used for the project, sound familar?
2. Creating 3 artworks using provided canvases. The starting point being 3 words that were randomly sent to each of the participants.

I simply could not resist getting involved and as I am well and truly immersed in my 365wordgirl project, it seemed fitting to extended this project into the next.

The parcel must be postmarked by today and true to my usual self I am cutting the deadline close.

Here are some quick photos of the end results. As you can see I used this as an excuse to extend my 365 adventure. But it's also inspired my to paint more and rediscover some old directions in my artmaking.

My friend Cheech has an entry in the Drambuie 'The Premise' competition.

Titled 'Young Pretenders' it's entirely constructed out of cardboard. Considering it's a pop-up bar concept, I think this is a pretty awesome take on the whole idea!! Good luck my dear!!

Go vote for her here

It's been a while since I posted, I have been busy and there are a few draft posts lingering.....

Anyway..

After postponing my visit to the Olafur Eliasson exhibit at MCA, I finally got to check it out a few weeks ago. I have been to busy to blog about it, until now. The experience is still fresh in my mind and I wanna do it all over again. This is the kind of art I really love. There is no viewer or audience so to speak, every part of Eliasson's work is experienced and interacted with.

The main reason I wanted to see this exhibition was for the Lego. A huge long white table with access to 3 tonnes of pure white lego. It was bliss. There was no distraction from colour and as there were only basic blocks, my imagination ran riot given the limitations. Especially considering that I visited in the last week, so there was an extreme shortage of anything other than the 1 blocks. After fiddling around for a bit, I realised I could use this to my advantage and build something pretty cool regardless.

so here is what I built! (plus a few other shots, camera were not really welcomed that much in the exhibition unfortunately)

My 365wordgirl photos have been included in the current issue of Blanket Magazine. Issue 21 is The Rock, Paper, Scissors Issue and there is some awesome art, illustration and design included. I'm pretty chuffed to have been selected as it's a pretty cool digital zine and can be purchased here for the measly amount of $2 USD...back issues are also available.

Like RTRD often says - "Don't you think Lego was better when it was more simple?" And I guess as a fellow designer his point is that imagination thrives on limitations. Give a child a bucket of basic Lego and they will build all kinds of amazing things. (Ok...it's true Starwars Lego is awesome and we love it more than basic pieces, but....)

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I can't really say why I have never researched or looked further into one of my favourite paintings of The Art Gallery of NSW. I've stared countless times at "The Sons of Clovis II" a daunting painting by French painter Évariste Vital Luminais. Maybe the fact that I just enjoyed it for so long, was motivation to now take this further...take it to google.
I mean honestly during my teens, I can't even remember paying much attention to the information panel next to the painting...it didn't matter.

'Les enervés de Jumièges' or ' The sons of Clovis II' by Évariste Vital Luminais

Its sheer size (190.7 x 275.8cm) lends itself to be imposing on the viewer and we are transfixed on these two sons and the obviously miserable predictament they seem to be in. How could I have not been intrigued enough to find out more? I was studying art and I loved this painting. I can't remember it never being in the AGNSW.  Although it's puzzling, in hindsight, I guess it was meant to be! Right now as I 'Google' and discover facts about this work, I realise inspiration comes at the time it is supposed to. I guess the same can be said about people in your life and the connections you make. Some may say it's already written.

Regardless of why and when I delved deeper, the story behind the painting is interesting...even if it's not true.

Regent Sainte Bathilde, the wife of Clovis II was alarmed by her sons rebellion against their father (who had travelled to Jerusalem during the crusades), she had them hamstrung and sent adrift on a barged down the Seine. Legend has it that they ran aground at the abbey of Jumièges and all was reconciled with the sons and parents. So what is the purpose of this legend...I guess to show the almighty power of the King's reign and also the goodness of the church. It is my guess that this is then  the propaganda of it's time.

Apart from the story behind the painting, I was also curious as to how it came to be at AGNSW, so upon reading on the AGNSW website I have discovered it was purchased in Paris in 1886...6 years after it was painted.....the source is not known. Apparently this was not the original version which shocked onlookers in the Paris Salon in 1880.

It's difficult to imagine the shock value of a painting. We are borbarded with shocking imagery constantly. In art there is nothing that has not been done before, so can art no longer shock?? I highly doubt that a painting in this present day can shock at all. After all we have television and the internet. But pre-tv and computer age...well people believed what they sure, heard and read much more (I would like to think this is totally true, but alas there are some dumb people in the world).

So if this was not the original version,  the 'facts' on the AGNSW are a little hyped. In total there are 3 versions of this painting. Two of which reside in Rouen, France. Personally I prefer the detail in 'our' one and believe it speaks volumes ove rthe other two in terms of the gaunt appearance or the sons and also the wretched predicament they face. And regardless of it's claim on being the original or not...I'm proud to have such a painting in my city since 1886.

So although it took me more than 20 years to find out more about this painting, I am glad I did afterall. Not only was I informed of this legend, but I also discovered some pretty cool stuff on the AGNSW website and found this cool clip. Lyrics aside though...I found it a little inspiring to find this in this way as elements of it are not dissimilar  to some elements of 365wordgirl....and perhaps those elements are still in my mind. I guess we will see......

The Sons of Clovis from Jurgen on Vimeo.

One week ago today I went to bed early, so that I could awaken at 2.45am, dress and make my way to 'THE BASE', Spencer Tunick's latest installation. It took place on the steps of the opera house forecourt as well as inside the concert hall.
I still feel extremely priviledged and lucky to have been involved. It was truly a profound experience. People came from all walks of life and in all shapes and sizes, although as soon as they got their kit off, none of this mattered. In the mass naked sea of people, no-one could judge each other, we all had our flaws, we were all completely vulnerable. But as soon as we all removed our clothes, it was as though the taboo of nakedness was also removed. Clothing suddenly seemed heavy, the simple act of dressing yourself each day seemed like it was a burden. I had always believed that self expression through fashion was very important, now my thoughts were being challenged. What we chose to wear each day is so much more than just self expression. Like armour, it protects us, what we wear affects how people may see us, how others may judge us. Whether or not we wish to blend in or make a statement, express our personality or pretend to be something we are not...there are soo many layers to why we wear what we wear. And even though I will not stop expressing myself by means of fashion, I will never forget the liberating feeling of being naked (and I am not entirely sure if this same feeling will be achievable again, as I can only imagine a nudist beach or resort when no doubt have some kind of sleazy element to it)...it transcending the physical act so to speak....for 3 hours I was not bound by any notion of what others might think of me or the need armour myself. Fear is definitely conquered when you allow yourself to be vulnerable.......

I like letters.
What can I say...words and the alphabet appeal to me. In my creativity I have always incorporated some kind of typography or written word of some kind. Maybe its charm is the nostalgia I feel about first learning to read and write, fond memories of watching Sesame Street and using my Sentence Maker at school.

Even now as an artist and designer text and lettering features in my work.

At University I was always challenged by lecturers to explain why I used text and words in my art. I guess only recently has it really really made any sense. Before you can read and write, your world is made up entirely by images, sounds and feelings. So for me the appeal with typograghy and letters comes from that intial recognition of the shape and beauty of words. Some letters are more appealling than others and this can obviously be said about words also. Then introduce the vast array of fonts and you can see how I am in heaven ;]

Anyway...needless to say I was excited and beside myself to find these two cookie cutters out there in the interwebs.

WANT WANT WANT!!

Ok firstly we have these Helvetic cookie cutters and although they are not in production yet, I think  Beverley Hsu is pretty cool to have come up with them. Her calendar is quite nice too!

Luck for me the second beauty is alive and kicking in the world of online sales.  Message-in-a-Cookie sets are available at Williams-Sonoma exclusively

Make your own messages - more than awesome!! It's awesome+awesome=AWESOMER

and when these babies arrive in my mailbox...first thing I will be doing with them is making these.... (oh!! and some french swearing ones also ;] )

I am a firm believer in everyone possessing the ability to draw. We all start off as small children having an innocent and free spirit with mark making...It's primal. Mankind has always done it. The older we get the more we get told we either have talent or we don't...so chances are that if you were told throughout school that your drawings suck, you probably stopped drawing. But...just think of the amazing artists that ignored this criticism.Your marks on paper are unique..it's not about confirming...it's about expression. Yeah OK there are other ways to express yourself...of course...but making mark on paper is a simple thing we can all do daily.

I while ago I started a daily doodle thing...but I guess it was not really that structured and I kinda lost direction. Here are 3 daily doodle projects I think are really inspiring...

Lunch Bag Art A dad draws on a brown paper bag daily for his kids!!

Awesome!

Postcards to my Parents -  Carolyn Sewell of Pedestrian Typography has started a project as an anniversary present to her parents. Everyday she sends them a new postcard that she has doodled. Love it!

Natalie of Definatalie.com offers her monthly desktop calendar for free download

and here is a little doodle project via twitter LUNCHDOODLE doodle during lunch and tweet it!

So whatcha waiting for...grab a pen and get doodling!!

Amazingly detailed stencil art from Evoltaste.com of Berlin. Awesome, awesome, awesome!! I am currently in awe of this guys stencilling. I love the detail and the way in which he makes boxes of all kinds into buildings. I came across this work after seeing a post a friend had made on Facebook. Check out his flickr photostream here. Below is the finished piece.