Life in a Filofax

I must admit, and I know they are are becoming progressively outdated and old fashioned, but I love my Filofax. My sister bought me a new girly pink leather one for Christmas and I would honestly be lost without it. Not too sure if that makes me seem slightly sad!


There is, of course, a logical reason for blogging about this as I had a meeting yesterday with Chris Aadland, the collaborative photographer for the project which was really productive. We discussed and devised realistic deadlines for researching critical theorists and artists related to each chapter, deadlines for testing, and final deadlines for when the final shoot needs to be completed by. I think it is a great way to devise our time by not setting an exact date for a specific shoot, rather to set a deadline for when it needs to be completed by, that way the production schedule has a kind of spontaneity but remains very focused.

Chris and I are both very passionate and determined creatives with a clear vision for the final outcome of the book which is the most important thing. We have met on a regular basis over the past few weeks to discuss concepts and possible art directions for the entire book; however we have now devised a plan to email each other with a 800-1000 word concept/theoretical once a week, documenting ideas and reasons why and how they relate to the thesis of the book. Additionally, we will meet at least once a week to test each look, allowing time for reflection and feedback from each of our tutorials to collate together, and using this crucial feedback to ensure that shooting the final look will be as effective as possible.

Of course now my trusty Filofax is now looking much more healthy, and I'm feeling much more inspired to start creating!

 

The End of the Beginning

It is quite hard to believe that my time at University is nearing completion, the light is definitely there but I can't quite see it yet! Although talking about lights, I feel that the last few months of my student life is really going to reach a climax, and I have definitely had some light bulb moments and hopefully more to come!

I have proposed to create an interactive book based on the theory of black, exploring the aesthetics, psychology and connotations that it creates within dream states of the mind. Black is possibly the most surreal concept within art, science and psychology as it's meaning appears endless; It has a sort of timeless trend of communication and exudes a mysterious intrigue, much like the study of the conscious and unconcious realms of experience (dreams.)

I have throughly studied the concept of black within my dissertation writing, which has provided me with a platform for transferring such critical thinking into a visual format. As my dissertation topic was solely focused on black in a mainly conscious context, my next step was to produce a visual development to focus on how black can permeate into the realms of the unconscious. I did this through the medium of film, with the ink acting as a physical metaphor for the unconscious mind interacting with the conscious. The results were fascinating.

Read more about it here: Read more about it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WPB_W7MkXY&context=C37817a4ADOEgsToPDskKpkP-oklpX8umOi4UvjniF

So after making the film, I started to really think about how I can develop this concept further, into a different visual medium.  I have come to the conclusion that a physical book is vital in order to produce a series of disjointed images that chronologically tell a story to be felt both visually, physically and psychologically. It is such irony that links to the world of reality and fantasy, and will drawn upon the irony of reality and 'Surreality' within the dream state of the mind.

The book will follow 5 stages of the journey:

Closing
Ascent
Climax
Descent
Awakening

Each stage will visually document each concept to encourage the viewer to feel the images, as appose to just looking at them, and I intend to create this approach through making the book look and feel as interactive as possible. For example, giving the reader a choice of their front cover image, utilising different paper textures and finishes, and encouraging the viewer to touch, both visually and physically.

I am going to start testing 'Closing' this Friday with my collaborative partner for the project, Chris Aadland in order to figure out how our extensive visual references and critical thinking about theory can be put into practice. Images and reflection to come soon!

"Paper Gangsta"

This is the work of installation artist and photographer, Sazeli Jalal. This beauty series, titled “Paper Gangsta” was inspired by origami. I am in awe of the perfect craftsmenship of each piece, and how each image challenges the perception of beauty and fashion. I love the colour palette and the emotive expression from the model, it's all very inspiring.

'Sweet Meat'

2 spoons or 1?

Sweet Meat’ by German photographer Jasmine Schuller is a series using real meat to create these rather delicious looking desserts. I say delicious, but when looking closer I'm pretty sure I can spot a crab's claw posing as a Flake, mince meat for ice cream balls and a suspicious looking 'drizzle' that I now realise isn't strawberry. 

If anything is going to make me shed the pounds, it would be keeping this in mind when ordering desserts and opt for the fruit skewers instead.

From a creative POV though, I like it. It's unique, eye catching and reminds me a bit of Helmut Newton's 1974 shoot with Geri Hall and more recently with GaGa's meaty escapades.

All Eyes On You

St. Lucia - The Old House is Gone.

 

South African artist only known as St. Lucia, signed to HeavyRoc Music label (ironic when you have a listen) is one of those artists that when you find them, you feel like you've opened Pandora's Box or taken a trip to Diagon Alley. The song is very moving, and sends me to all sorts of creative places. There are such distinctive musical shapes and happy sounds that seem to dance about in my head every time I listen.

I guess if you can't get to a massive beach party in the Tropics, you can fake it by putting in your headphones, shutting your eyes and pretending you're one of those lucky people in that picture.

Definitely one to watch.

LARA

Sharing the same name is unfortunately the only thing Lara Stone and I have in common. She is one of my favourite models - classic beauty with a twist which always keeps me interested in her work. This is the Tom Ford A/W 2011 Beauty campaign shot by Mert & Marcus with Lara and the man himself. The ruby red and green work really well to give her that smouldering look but I can't help but notice that she looks even more beautiful with a natural palette around the eyes, lips and extra detail on the nail.
As for Tom...well he just couldn't resist.

Chanel A/W 2011 by Mr Lagerfeld

Chanel getting a bit more daring, I LIKE. The modern femme fatale.

Bat outta hell

SO! I haven't written a blog post in what seems almost a YEAR but i'm sure it's not as long as that. Seems like lately i've opted for the quick scribble on paper to jot ideas and inspiring/random stuff down rather than being bothered to switch my laptop on. I was intriqued to see what my handwriting was looking like these days!


I've done lots since I last posted, MILAN being one of the highlights. Such a beautiful city, a sort of muted London I found. By muted I mean fashion wise, definately not vocally! Very tailored, composed, neutral colours and lots of stilettos.They sure can talk the talk, and walk their stalks. I definately felt vertically challenged compared to a lot of the Italian women, but that didn't let us stop having a fab time. I've been trying to keep my finger on the pulse ever since and have even woken up a few times the last few nights to draw things in almost pitch black in the hope that i'll be able to make sense of it in the morning. It's a bit of a hit and miss game but productive all the same, or so I keep telling myself!


I've just came back from a very relaxing ten days in rural southern Spain where the ratio of goats to humans was probably around 10:1! The polar opposite to fashion capital Milano but it actually made me appreciate both a hell of a lot more I think. I ate, drank and saw a lot of weird and wonderful things but was secretly glad to come back home to civilisation, there's only so much relaxing I could do without starting to doubt my sanity.


So anyway, I'm back, for anyone that has got this far down. Let's get creative and run the world !GIRLS!
If you haven't got her album yet...make the purchase, its a real beauty. I bought it tonight and am sitting typing this with her beautiful voice in my ears - BLISS.