Antipodean anthropomorphism

Melbourne-based Japanese multi-disciplinary artist Hiroyasu Tsuri, aka Twoone, is heading to the UK with his show The Hunted Hunter’s Head.

By Twoone

Common tropes in his work include animal-headed human-bodied creatures, which make up his ongoing Psychological Portrait series.

Twoone with his work

Meanwhile Twoone’s still life, which he calls Metaphysical Landscape, will also be exhibited.

By Twoone

The Stolen Space Gallery show is made up of paintings and sculptural pieces, which are all permeated by a movement theme.

By Twoone

At the same time a second show by Melbourne-born, Berlin-based artist James Reka is taking place in the adjacent gallery at Stolen Space.
His work captures the female form in dance, albeit in a quite an abstract way.

James Rika

The show, Trip The Light – a name taken from a John Milton poem – is about dancing without inhibition.
The Hunted Hunters Head and Trip the Light run from 12 September – 5 October at Stolenspace Gallery, 17 Osborn Street, London E1 6TD

(Mon, 15 Sep 2014 | By Tom Banks )

Design Council and APDIG back debate on “design quality mark”

The Design Council and the Associate Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group have welcomed calls for a debate around a “professional quality mark” for the UK design industry.

Source: Alison’s Eyes

The call comes in a white paper, published by network MBC Group, which says a quality mark would “uphold consistent standards in a marketplace where anyone with a computer can brand themselves a ‘designer’.”
The paper proposes one solution could be a “single, iconic design quality mark which is broadly accepted as a marker of standards throughout the industry”.
It suggests that this could co-ordinate “fragmented” industry bodies; level the playing field for smaller designers who might not be able to buy into existing registers; and improve agency/client expectations.
But the authors admit “challenges” in creating this scheme, most fundamentally in “who awards and polices these new standards, and how practical is this in such a fragmented sector?” They say they are aiming to “provoke a conversation” about the proposal rather than offer anything prescriptive.
The paper has been welcomed by the Design Council, whose CEO John Mathers says: “Advances in technology are making it easier and easier for almost anyone to claim to have design skills and it is vital to uphold standards.
“The ‘Quality by Design’ white paper has prompted a debate on how we can uphold standards for the benefit of the UK and the design industry. We’re very keen to hear people’s views on the proposals, whether pro or anti, and how they would like us to take this forward. It is important to get it right and protect good designers without adding any burdensome bureaucracy.”
APDIG chair Barry Sheerman also welcomes the debate, saying: “You need to be visible to attract support financially. You need to prove why you matter.
“Other industries in the UK are more visible (for example the car industry) and that is why they get government backing, because the role they play in the economy is there for all to see. Design is less visible, but British design is valued world-wide.”
He adds: “The white paper’s call for a professional quality mark would change perceptions and help an industry which is so important to our economy and which is growing all the time.”
However, the quality mark proposal has met with a mixed reaction from designers.
Double G Studios founder Grant Gilbert says: “I don’t think people are crying out for a mark, but much would depend on how easily it would be given out: do you pay money and get a mark or are you actually awarded a mark for the work that you create?”
True North managing director Martin Carr says: “Obviously whether this kind of initiative would work would depend on the criteria for participation. The theory is absolutely sound if it creates a shortlist of quality for clients – but awarding this would depend on whose say so?”
He adds: “As a cynical Northerner I would still be worried: everyone involved would have to prioritise and the amount of effort involved in breaking down all the different agendas suggests that this has no chance of working in practice.”
Paul Bailey, co-founder of 1977 Design, says: “There are pros and cons. One of the great things about the design industry is that anyone, a young go-getter, can start up a design business – yet one of the bad things is precisely that anyone can start up a design business and call themselves a graphic designer. In architecture you have to be registered with the RIBA – we don’t have that in design.”
He adds: “Trying to put loads of structures in place for a fluid, ever-changing industry is a massive problem. It’s like trying to get a load of frogs into a box – they just keep jumping out. That is probably the biggest issue but then again is it? We want to be a dynamic industry, we want to keep changing, that’s why it’s so vibrant and so successful – so would putting limitations on it actually hinder the creative industries because part of our vitality is this dynamism?”

(Tue, 16 Sep 2014 | By Angus Montgomery )
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Trend Bible Newsletter Sept 2014

           

      

NEWSLETTER #19 Home & Interiors and Kids Lifestyle Trends   TALKS AND EVENTS Kind und Jugend 2014     As our clients prepare for Kind & Jugend 2014, we're reflecting on last year's show, sharing the emerging trends as spotted at the show and published in our Kind & Jugend 2013 Report. 'Acid Pop' was one of the most noticeable trends at the show in 2013, with the use of bold colour evident in baby transport, bedding, feeding products and furniture. From canary yellow to near-chlorophyl lime, acid yellows were everywhere, making this one of the most used unisex colours at the show. Used as a fine line of piping on bedding or a whole stroller/pushchair, there were plenty of examples of how to use this striking colour. Trend Bible will be publishing a full report on Kind und Jugend 2014. Click here to find out more.   NEWS What Home Means to Me - Helen Jamieson     In the first in our series of blog posts exploring 'What Home Means', Interior Designer Helen Jamieson shares her personal account of the concept of home, along with photographs that provide a snapshot into her life. "My home is ‘my world’, a space in which I can create a feeling, a look, a mood that reflects me and my journey - objects I like, gifts from friends, old things and new things. It’s the adult version of my wendy house. I know it’s right when friends visit and say ‘it’s so you’." - Helen Jamieson. Click here to read the full account, or share your thoughts - #WhatHomeMeans @TrendBibleLtd.   TREND UPDATE Seasonal Preview - Autumn Winter 2014/15     Originally published back in 2012, we're sharing our forecast for the coming season giving those who work much closer to the season an opportunity to get a clear picture of what to expect. Our Renaissance story (pictured above) takes reference from classical paintings, yet with a starkly modern approach. Shape and textures are abstract and driven by a minimalist aesthetic direction. "There is a shrouded, masculine, serious nature to this story that means it’s steeped in intrigue and mystery. Graphic frameworks are created from wrought iron and steel, while colour application is unusual and abstract" - Trend Bible Home & Interiors Autumn Winter 2014/15 Book Read the seasonal preview in full on on our blog.   TALKS AND EVENTS Autumn Fair 2014     At this year's Autumn Fair, our Home Trends Editor, Anri Hamilton gave an insightful seminar on how retailers can build longevity into their core ranges. Whilst it’s important to understand what changes, we believe it's equally important to analyse what stays the same, from householder attitudes and behaviours through to colour and design trends. This seminar aimed to help buyers and product developers plan core ranges and refresh established trends that continue to have commercial significance.

London Design Festival Preview: 100% Design

Show 100% Design is a veteran of the London design scene, and this year celebrates its 20^th edition.

The auditorium, designed by El Ultimo Grito

The anniversary is being marked in the kaleidoscopic show branding, created by Thomas Matthews, which features products such Thomas Heatherwick’s Spun Stool and the Cullen Dish wall light to represent zones of the show, such as Workplace and Eco.
Thomas Matthews has also worked on the show design for this year’s 100% Design.
One of the more striking elements looks to be the ‘Foam Dome’ created by vPPR Architects for the Kitchen and Bathroom hub. This will boast a mesh from which foam – made from water, soap and air – will be constantly emitted. The designers say this will create ‘a frothy, interactive breathable membrane’.

The Foam Dome, designed by vPPR Architects

The Interiors hub will feature a Maker Carousel, designed by Mette, that will feature a series of workshops and events, while the Workplace hub will feature the iAlter, designed by NBBJ, which will be ‘an active installation which will influence the nature of the space’.
Architect Daniel Libeskind, meanwhile, has created the Ice chandelier for the show entrance, made up from a series of clear glass ‘cells’.
One of 100% Designs centrepieces will be the auditorium, designed by El Ultimo Grito. This will boast a series of inflatable sculptures that will mark the perimeter of the space. The designers describe them as ‘similar to caryatides in a Greek temple’, adding, ‘in contrast to their Greek counterparts, the compositions will be decorated with vibrant graphic prints and will slowly rotate’.

Daniel Libeskind’s Ice installation

The auditorium will host a series of talks throughout the show, featuring the likes of Philippe Starck, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Ross Lovegrove and Jaime Hayon.
Among the headline exhibitors will be Heal’s, which is launching its Heal’s Discovers collection, and Vitra, which will be showing its new Home collection, featuring pieces from Barber and Osgerby and Jasper Morrison.

Part of the Heal’s Discovers collection

Elsewhere there will be a showcase of emerging brands and international pavilions from Argentina, South Africa and Shenzhen among others.
100% Design runs from 17-20 September at Earls Court, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA. For more information visit www.100percentdesign.co.uk.

(Wed, 10 Sep 2014 | By Angus Montgomery)

London Design Festival Preview: Designersblock

This year, Designersblock has upped sticks from its former home at the Southbank, crossing the river to take up residency in Clerkenwell.

Alex Garnett, Dead Sexy

The new space sees Designersblock ensconced within the beautiful Old Sessions House – a Grade II listed building that has been completely stripped back for the show.

Elli Popp, Desert Grove

As usual, Designersblock is offering a forward-thinking, bold selection of designers working in illustration, graphics, product, furniture, fashion and accessory design. Over the years we’ve found the event to show the more weird and wonderful end of the design spectrum, and this year looks set to be no different.
One piece that caught our eye is the skull (shown at the top of the story), by Alex Garnett. While the skull symbol is certainly nothing new, we like his cheeky, bottom-based take on the icon.
Another designer who looks to bare-bones anatomy for inspiration is Fay de Winter, who will be presenting her contemporary ceramics. Look out for winged dinosaurs and a small, dejected-looking Buddha.

Caroline Morgan, Loss Walk on By

Danish illustrator Caroline Morgan is taking a little slice of Scandinavia to Clerkenwell with her work: all muted colours and a simple, paper-cut feel, they narrate a Second World War story through images, quotes and poetry.

Work by Effie Koukia

We’re also looking forward to seeing Effie Koukia’s work, which merges the worlds of graffiti art, high-end cosmetics and food. Her Extract range uses neat graphics and bold flashes of hot pink to explore health, safety and sustainability issues relating to graffiti equipment.

Demetrios Christodoulou’s coatstand

Elsewhere, Demetrios Christodoulou will be showing his clever coat stand, Combas – meaning “leaning” in Greek. The device is formed of two halves that can be leaned on any wall, and closed for storage.

Laura Daza, I saw the future

Laura Daza will be showing her Colour Project, a bold experiment that looks to revive ancient pigments; while fellow Central Saint Martins MA Textile Future graduate Shubi Sachan’s pieces look to revive the use of rice husk ash, which was historically used as a cleansing agent.

Shubi Sachan, I Saw The Future

Arts charity IdeasTap will be showing the results of its design graduates awards at Designersblock from 18 – 21 September. The awards were judged by the Southbank Centre’s Adam Thow, Rory Dodd from Designersblock, theatre designer Joanna Scotcher and onedotzero founder Shane Walter.

Ideastap winner Serena Katt

Serena Katt won the Graphics & Illustration category for her picture book Sunday’s Child, which is based on the written recollections of her Grandfather, describing his childhood during the 1930s in Germany.

IdeasTap winner Beth Lewis-Williams

The winner of the Product & Furniture category was Beth Lewis-Williams, who presents her porcelain lighting collection Lights, Lithophanes and Landscapes.

The pink room at the venue

Designersblock runs from 18 – 24 September at The Old Sessions House, 22 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA

(Wed, 10 Sep 2014 | By Emily Gosling )

London Design Festival preview: the V&A

Once again forming the majestic hub of London Design Festival, the V&A is hosting a series of installations, talks, events, and in a new turn for 2014, film.

Double Space for BMW - Poetry in Motion, by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby

Over the years the Kensington-based design titan of a venue has housed some breath-taking pieces including the equally relaxing and exhausting Bouroullec Brothers’ Textile Field installation in 2011, which saw grown-ups cast aside their shoes and inhibitions to roll about on it.
In 2012, another piece that used scale and awe to wow visitors was the beautiful Prism installation by Keiichi Matsuda.
For the 2014 edition, however, it’ll be Barber Osgerby providing the ‘ahhs’ in the installations stakes.
Their kinetic piece in the Raphael Galleries is a collaboration with BMW (named Double Space for BMW), and will see two moving reflective sculptures suspended in the centre of the gallery. As the mirrors move, the Raphael Cartoons in the space will distort – along with the images of the viewers, and the sense of space in the room itself. It’ll no doubt be a sort of Instagram-magnet – the new Martin Creed balloons, and reminds us of Olafur Eliasson’s Tate Modern Turbine Hall installation The Weather Project, in which viewers delighted in viewing their own image elevated above them.

1984 cover design by David Pearson

This year’s LDF sees the return of Graphics Weekend at the V&A, which debuted last year. Here at Design Week we’ve worked with the V&A to organise the two-day programme of talks and events, which features speakers including Paula Scher, Irma Boom, Jim Sutherland and David Pearson, who will discuss his cover designs for Penguin with the publisher’s art director Jim Stoddart.

Hide and Eek book by Jim Sutherland

You can buy tickets for Scher and Boom’s talks here and here.

Paula Scher

Design Week editor Angus Montgomery will be hosting a panel session each day over the weekend, with the Saturday session focussing on how to break into the design industry and with illustrator Gordon Reid, designer Jack Renwick and Magpie co-founder Ben Christie.
Sunday sees illustrator Lizzie Mary Cullen, SomeOne co-founder Gary Holt and 1977 Design co-founder Paul Bailey chatting about how to run a design business.
Meanwhile, Design Week columnist Jon Daniel will present a Four Corners session, and Sarah Hyndman will be hosting a Type Tasting experiment. Details and timings can be found on the LDF website.

Type Tasting materials

We’re very excited about the introduction of film to this year’s LDF, especially as Design Week favourite David Lynch’s  Lost Highway will be  screened after a discussion of the design and architectural elements of the movie. Tickets for that event are available here.
Other films being screened and dissected under a design-focussed lens are CGI-packed blast Speed Racer and Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
Alongside Barber Osgerby’s piece, other V&A installations will include Zaha Hadid’s Crest, commissioned by Melia Hotels International. The sculpture will form a sort of bridge across the pool in the centre of the V&A’s John Madejski Garden – the space that was meant to house the now-shelved Drone Aviary, which was apparently dropped over worries about safety.
Of all the men in design, we imagine Terence Conran is one of the ones most likely to have his wishes granted, and he’s put this to the test in his V&A-based project, Wish List. Conran’s collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has seen him invite ten established designers work with ten emerging ones to make a piece for their mentors that they’ve ‘always wanted but never been able to find’.

Norie Matsumoto has designed this pencil sharpener for Norman Foster

These include a Sebastian Cox-designed workspace for Terence Conran himself, while Norie Matsumoto has created ‘the perfect pencil sharpener’ for Norman Foster. Amanda Levete requested an ‘extendable fruit or cheese bowl’ design from her wish-granter, Win Assakul.

Win Assakul for Amanda Levete

A rather colourful welcome to the V&A will be made to visitors using the tunnel entrance thanks to David David’s Carousel Wall. The 50m2 mural is formed from ceramic panels (thanks, Johnson Tiles!), and uses lovely colourful forms inspired by Islamic geometrics.
Michael Anastassiades has also looked eastward for his lighting piece Ama. The installation – a collaboration with Flos – is ‘reminiscent of a delicate band of pearls’, we’re told.
The V&A says, ‘The piece is a tribute to the generations of female Japanese divers who made their living diving in dangerous conditions, free-diving some 30 feet down to the ocean’s bed to harvest pearls, shells, seaweed, oysters and abalone.’
Other V&A highlights look set to be the Candela installation in the Tapestry gallery, by a  a multi-disciplinary design team which includes product designer Felix de Pass, graphic designer Michael Montgomery and ceramicist Ian McIntyre. The piece takes advantage of the space’s darkness, and draws its name from the very thing it uses to counteract the gloom – ‘a unit of luminous intensity’. Candela uses a clock-face-like interface formed from a 60-armature rotary machine. As the arms spin round, each unit charges with a brief burst of light that gradually fades away again
London Design Festival events will be at the Victoria and Albert Museum, from 13-21 September. For more information visit http://www.londondesignfestival.com/va-museum

(Mon, 8 Sep 2014 | By Emily Gosling)