Imagine...Anish Kapoor

Okay so I'm a little slow on the up take but that's the beauty of sky +...so last Monday there was a new program that started called imagine and the first program was about the sculptor Anish Kapoor. The hour covered his journey on putting together his latest exhibition at the Royal Academy of the Arts. The sculptures he was making were ginormous!! Large shapes and interesting textures using the primary colour red, Anish says that red is another black. He likes you to experience his work, its all about space. Just looking at the sculptures on television they have a concave similarity which look like tunnels you want to climb into...it's not just 3D it's almost a 4D experience.

Tom Klinkowstein Workshop

Yesterday, 12th November I attended a workshop run by Tom Klinkowstein, a very inspiring man who flew in from New York. The workshop was based on a one day project on Singularity in 2029, how do we see the future in 20 years time? There was a small group of us some fashion based students, others from a graphics background and as pair fashion and graphics bounced off one another creating products/systems for the future. I was paired with a second year graphics student, Samuel and together we came up with the future product, Gi3. Gi3's were glasses which acted as a computer screen in front of your eyes and projected to other people what you wanted them to see. Tom is a very influential person who makes you think about the future and deeper about life.

FOALE & TUFFIN

FOALE & TUFFIN were a designer partnership in the 1960's who changed the style of dress and the youth of the generation. The two designers were only a minor part of the swinging 60's which is expressed in the exhibition with only low tones of 60's music. I had mixed views of the exhibition I understand the exhibition was about the lives of FOALE & TUFFIN however the ground floor really brang together the 60's, the label and the shop layout whereas the upper floor was set out like workshop with really contraversial styles of the 60's which questions the 60's stereotype.

SHOWstudio- Fashion Revolution

SHOWstudio is a website which has changed how we experience fashion through the digital age and this exhibition I felt really communicated with the audience. It was a very interactive exhibition where you could pick up the phone and listen to what Lily Cole did last night, draw on Naomi Campbell, watch a live photoshoot and even cast yourself as a model. The part of the exhibition I enjoyed the most was sitting in the mini cinema watching fashion films. The films were so inspiring, my favourite were INSENATE and FANTASIA by Nick Knight himself and Ruth Hogben, 2008.

Pan's Labyrinth

I came across the film, Pan's Labyrinth in my library search for fantasy films and even though it is in Spanish I thought it was worth a look. This film was not what I expected, but surprisingly very enjoyable. The plot was more to do with the Spanish Civil War however a fantasy plot was running alongside; not for the minds of children. There was also very violet scenes of torture and blood where even I had to look away!

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is the latest fantasy film to hit the cinema and was rated at the age 12 and above, therefore not at fantasy story for children. This has come to my attention that quite a few fantasy films now are aimed at adults. At the begining of the film the characters are attracting drunk young men and women outside a pub to watch their show which portrays they are targeting an older viewer.

The Age of Marvellous

The Age of Marvellous really inspired me, the exhibition was set out like a maze at first with black draped curtains and in every room was various creations. The creations support my fantasy trend, the darker side, the more mystical/magical tale. Within the exhibition was a range of taxidermy, animal like creatures and religious symbols.

Wonderland

The Wonderland Exhibition was based at the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. All the exhibitors were print makers from East London who had all taken on the theme of Fairytales and Myths. What I liked about the exhibition was the different use of techniques including lino print, collage, photography, screen print, monoprint and inks.

Telling Tales

'Telling Tales' is exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum and showcases furniture designed by new generation designers. The exhibition is split into three sections but only one section really took my interest, The Forest Glade. Within the Forest Glade the designers have been inspired by the themes of fairytales, myths and nature. The designers that have inspired me most are Jurgen Bey, Tord Boontje and Kelly McCallum. Tord Boontje created the 'Fig Leaf' wardrobe pictured above while Jurgen Bey designed a bed taken from Little Red Riding Hood.

Stella McCartney A/W 09

The most recent Stella McCartney advertisements back up my fairytale/fantasy trend I have discovered from seeing the 'Once Viewed From Afar' exhibition. I also like the contrast of the fantasy location with the animated 'Bambi' characters.

Once Viewed From Afar

I came across the work of Sarah Crew by chance in a little exhibition space at the back of Dover Street. Sarah Crew uses stuffed foxes in different scenarios to tackle ecological issues. What I took for Sarah's work was the idea of story-telling, I found the use of the foxes in the countryside with this little girl similar to little red riding hood almost like a fairytale.

Andrea Zittel's 'Smockshop'

The first part of my trend hunt began in the West End where I visited Andrea Zittel's 'Smockshop'. Non-commercial artists generate income from selling their designs through the 'Smockshop'. Every smock has the same basic shape however with unique designs using colours, textures and patterns on each.

What I found inspiring about the smocks is that because they all had the basic shape the garments looked customized using pens, inks and textile techniques.

Brick Lane is absolute vintage.

Brick lane is packed with little treasures. Stores including Absolute Vintage, The Vintage Store, This Shop Rocks and most recently Thrift. Thrift is a new vintage store located just off brick lane with bargains galore! During the calender months they also hold vintage parties where you get free alcohol and they show you the new stock in store...definitely an event not to be missed.