Exhibtions at MUDE

MUDE is Lisbon's Museum of Modern Design and it is housed in an old bank. Nothing has been rendered inside so it's all exposed brickwork and interesting ceilings. It is an incredible space to be in and with free entry, it is definitely worth a visit!

On the ground floor there is the permanent exhibition Unique and Multiple: Two Centuries of Design. This is a fantastic display aided by music of the time, and with a better head of knowledge after my year of contextual studies I found this a real joy to walk around. Lots of information and debates upon the boards. One that specifically took my eye was that of the design company Droog. I was already aware of them as a company but found the words written about them very fitting for my current head space: 

Droog debate the idea of luxury...cross-contaminating the borders between art and design. Developing new materials; flexible ceramics, electro-luminescent fabrics, metallic foam, elastic fibres, plastics that conduct electricity and emit light, synthetic polymers, alloys that memorise shapes...

There was also some text about Antwerp and it's links between art and fashion. I'm really keen to visit! The MHKA looks good and with Belgian beer and jazz to while away the evenings - what could be better!?

it's dynamic, young creativity and cohabiting of opposing styles and languages, together with Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Paris and New York...

This opens up a whole new dialogue for me, that of cross cultural appreciation and exploration. This is one that deserves a lengthy post of its own, but for now, a mixing of music, style, food and culture...this is what spins and excites me! To know that there is a whole world out there free to wander and discover! I am in love with adventure and the discoveries that this enables, both of self, the mind and in its ultimate avenue of creativity! Yes yes!

Quite apt then that on the first floor of MUDE there was an exhibition called Tell me what you like...and I'll tell you who you are This was based around fashion designers and their interests and inspirations that have defined their work. Interesting also that this had been inspired by the musings of Proust, whom I had bought a book on only last week! There was a Modern Classics exhibition also on the second floor and on the third, a collection called Treasures of Feira da Ladra – The beauty of anonymous design. This was brilliant! As its title suggests, this was a collection of seemingly anonymous objects that had all been picked up from junk markets - ahhh the most favourite of pastimes! There were then categories relating to man's basic actions: HIT// GRIP// TEST// SHIELD// SPREAD// RUB// MOULD// HOLD// CUT// The objects were assigned to and arranged within these categories and when they were displayed as a collective they sang as a beautifully considered assemblage. A new lease of life had been given to the objects and with the description of each action being written in both Portuguese and English I found this interesting when looking at the collective projects too. The combination of language, use, object and material, it all made for a very interesting space to contemplate.

HIT//

GRIP//

TEST//

SHIELD//

SPREAD//

RUB//

MOULD//

HOLD//

CUT//

I appreciated these words of the Goncourt Journal (1881) on entering the space too: 

The real connoisseurs in art are those who make people accept as beautiful, something everybody used to consider ugly, by revealing and resuscitating the beauty in it. Those are the only true connoisseurs, the rest are the blind slaves of the prevailing fashion

After this you move up to the fourth and final floor, which is a temporary show space. The current exhibition was showcasing the work of graphic designer Manuel Estrada. The exhibition: Where Ideas are Born. Juggler´s Sketchbooks. was beyond brilliant! Continuing with my passion for sketchbook journey and discovery, this was a whole exhibition dedicated to the art of the sketchbook as part of the creative process! Wowowow! I'm going to continue with a separate post for this because it deserves it for overall appreciation. So in closing of this one, GO VISIT MUDE - IT'S BRILLAINT! X

Who's a pretty paper?

Combining cardboard, fabric, cut, image and fold....

I've been doing lots of research recently and amongst it all 

I have come across some amazing paper makers.

Noriko Ambe is Incredible!

Just look at these beautifully hand crafted sculptures!

This book is a must! Get hold of it here

Claire Brewster uses lovely old maps

and of course there is Jennifer Collier using this too!

Mia Pearlman creates large scale sculptures

and lovely glassware too!

Mister Charlesworth for some heritage inspired craft

and Kate Farley for some lovely print and fold work

This Mafoombey acoustic space is just brilliant!

Romain Lenancker uses origami in his photos 

I like the playfullness in this one too 

Go here for more cardboard inspired designs too!

Thinking back to book art the work of Thomas Allen is very playful

sometimes it really is the simplicity which works so well

Su Blackwell plays with the idea of storytelling and fairytales

And in Fashion....

Ever needed 35 Ways to wear paper?!
This paper dress by Jolis Paons is there...

...check out Violise Lunn too

I like the idea with this origami clutch bag,

and I REALLY love this!

and seriously?! WOW WOW WOW!!
Check out the collection at Mashallah Design!

I'm hoping all of this will influence my designs for this next project:
 

Context:

The use of digital technology offers huge potential to those working in the decorative arts.

From research and development to  visualization and production digital technology can not only stream line production but also offers a huge range of new exciting techniques and processes to produce both 2D and 3D work.

You will be working on two project designed to equip you with the skills to develop work using a combination of 'the digital' and 'the hand'

As well as using software we will explore a whole variety of means that work can leave the screen and become 'real' using:

·      Laser cutting

·      Water jet cutting.

·       Digital embroidery.

·      Vinyl  transfers/ sand blasting

·      CNC

·      3D Printing.

Brief 1:

From 2D to 3D

Working from a combination of images, drawings, pattern research (you may wish to develop your work from colour/print projects). We will be developing a series of 'Vector' images/patterns/plans using illustrator and 2-design applications.

You will explore the output of these 'Vectors' a variety of methods:

·      Printing/Plotting

·      Vinyl Cutting.

·      Laser Cutting.

·      Water Jet Cutting.

·      CNC.

You are now required to develop this two dimensional work into three dimensional outcomes using appropriate material techniques and processes.

Consider:

·      Hand cutting.

·      Machine cutting.

·      sand blasting

·      Folding/twisting/bending/melting/slotting etc.

Brief 2:

3D modeling and rendering

Working from a 'real object' you have produced during the year. We will be using rhinoceros to create a digital 3D model of this object.

Initially you will explore the potential of 3D digital modeling to produce virtual three dimensional forms and structure.

You will then produce a model of your chosen object and apply appropriate digital materials to it for visualization purposes. You may also experiment with digital 3D printing and production techniques:

·      3D printing

·      CNC

Finally you will 'render' your finished model and composite it into a variety of contexts which may the develop the objects meaning/aesthetic/function.

So to start all this off we've been asked to:

make some simple paper models/cut-outs considering:

· Cutting up hand drawn or digital Patterns and folding.
· Layering cut out patterns to form structure.
· Slotting weaving bending twisting.
· Reforming your Easter eggs boxes to new and exciting object.

watch this space!

B3 Designers

I have just discovered Interior designers B3. I love their work!!! They have decked out the Exchange Hotel in Amsterdam. These rooms  are great... I want to go! Fashion meets architecture - brilliant!! (photos by Mirjam Bleeker) see all interior shots here

There's also Babel which is a bit closer to home at Clapham Junction, 

I really like the use of lampshaped and mirrors!!

And some other inspiring finds from their blog like:

Atelier by Corvin Cristian - great Industrial Style

Smith & Mills, New York..it's like you're inside a whiskey barrel!

The Riding House Cafe, London, tiles and wood and beautiful space

The menus look great in all these places too! Some possible visits over this coming year perhaps?! I've put a feed link up to their blog (left) so check it out, I will be regualarly!!!

Lustre 2011

I went along to Lustre today and saw some very beautiful and inspiring things!

Carly Dodsley caught my eye with her lovely 50s inspired ceramics. 

I even bought this set of glass tumblers from her!

Suet Yi Yip (ex NTU Decorative Arts student!!!) had some beautiful and delicate illustrations across her range of terracotta plates.  I really loved the subject of children and storytelling in her work.

dappledsky

Steve Handley's upcycled furniture was brilliant! This is just what we need to be doing with all our old chopping boards and burnt out spoons!

I loved Ellie Evans and her ephemeral textile 'keepsakes' 

kickcanandconkers

On a similar vien, Clare Hillerby had some jewellery and collage that combines metal work with ephemera and features handwriting..

Hayley Dexter had some wonderful designs across her ceramics and prints range...Very inspiring for my upcoming print project! 

all images: keramiknotebook

really like the composition on this one!

I liked the bark vessels of Jane Bevan

sustainable, organic and interesting formations

I loved the techniques used by Nicola Lidstone to create her folklore-inspired ceramic sculptures

Kate McBride's 'collaged ceramics' are not particularly my obvious taste but I like the honesty of construction in the crude nature of the seam lines in her work

Pink Confection

Similarly, Maggie Withington's ceramics aren't really my taste, but the humourous subjects and play on words remind me of Simon Drew and there is something sort of nostalgic and appealing about the kitsch-like figures she has used to create her work

Pope-purr-i 

Craig Fellows interior and fashion textiles were bold exciting

madebyhandonline

I liked  Tamasyn Gambell's deco inspired stationery

notebooks

 I found Katie Heeks miniature gardens, made from laser-cut plywood 

and vintage textiles, playful and exciting

rainforest garden

 It was great to see Hannah Lobley's work. I'm very inspired by her use of material (books and paper) and process (wood turning!)

bricks

I love Katrin Moye's ceramics too! The vintage/folkloric-like patterns are so pleasing and "I want" worthy!

dandelion cake stand

I also really liked Rebecca Wilson's light spill ceramic wall lamps

All in all it was very inspiring visit!