Ted Scapa for Swatch

After always wearing swatch watches as a child, and then rekindling the love last year after purchasing a multicoloured striped swatch watch in manchester airport departure lounge (and now being the proud owner of 3 swatch watches), I was browsing the website looking for my next purchase.

There is currently a range of watches which have been designed by various artists (called Creart), and one of the videos detailing the work of one particular artist really caught my attention. This is the video for Ted Scapa for Swatch.

The video is really eyecatching, and the bright colours which have been used throughout make the video really fun. It is modern and fresh and really fun to watch, and everytime I watch it I notice other details which make the video even more interesting as the watch is assembled. As well as the video, I love the watches too.

Today's forecast: Cloudy, with a chance of meatballs

Last night, I went to see 'Cloudy, with a chance of meatballs' at the cinema. Having seen the trailer previously, it wasn't the storyline which made me want to see the film, it was the fact that it was being shown in 3D. Having only seen one film in 3D previously (A Bug's Life, at Disneyland aged 11), I was intrigued as to whether this would be as good as my memory told me it should be. 

So, me and my boyfriend went into the cinema (after having paid £10 each to get in- ouch), put on our glasses (very cool) and sat back to enjoy the film. Whilst I really wanted to be able to come out of the cinema and say that I was blown away by the 3D effect, and that I had literally jumped out of my seat at least once because it looked so real, unfortunately this wasn't the case. After the initial excitement at seeing something in 3D, which was an advert for another 3D film whose release is imminent, I can honestly say that I think the film would have been just as enjoyable in 2D- had it not been for the small details throughout the film which made paying the extra £5 each worth it. For example, the effect of water in 3D was really good. The bit which I appreciated the most (as sad as this will seem) was the dust particles which were seen in the air in the background as the light shone through it- the attention to detail displayed here made it worth seeing, so it wasn't just a bunch of cartoons bouncing around right in front of my face. I also enjoyed the 'The End' scene (which implies that I was looking forward to the end, which I wasn't, I just liked the scene) where confetti and the 'The End' sign really did look as if they were out of the screen, so much so that I had to stop myself reaching out to grab it. 

All in all, even though I wasn't blown away by the general action in 3D, it was made worth paying for by the small details which I hadn't anticipated. 

(The storyline for anyone who is interested: an inventor creates a machine which can turn water into food. The machine gets inadvertently sent into the sky, where it uses the water from clouds to rain food. Whilst this is originally celebrated, a mutation in the machine causes mayhem, which the inventor is then forced to fix. Oh, and theres also a bit of a love interest for the hapless inventor too.)

The terraced house turned upside down

Chimney Pot Park is located in Salford (next to the Quays), in Greater Manchester. It is an attempt by designers Urban Splash to save some of the countries most famous back to back housing from demolition. They were slated for demolition by the local council because of a lack of buyers for the properties, due to high local crime rates and unemployment. 

Urban Splash made its name in the 90s by converting unwanted inner city industrial buildings into desirable loft-style apartments. CPP was their first attempt at tackling blighted terraced housing, and they have changed everything except for the Victorian exteriors in order to keep the traditional terraced street view. Inside the houses, everything has literally been turned upside down. The bedrooms are downstairs, with living room, dining room and kitchen spread over the first floor and the mezzanine (whereabouts depends on the model of house). The small gardens have also been moved up a floor, and are now above a secure car park which spans the length of the road. The gardens are now one shared terrace garden which also spans the length of the street. The chimneys which gave the area its nickname have been replaced with protruding roof lights to bring light into the homes whilst keeping the shape of the chimneys.

This project has been successful in renovating the buildings and the area to make city centre living attractive to consumers in the 21st century, and has therefore removed the need for unnecessary demolition and rebuilding. Because of rapid depopulation in cities such as Manchester during the second half of the 20th century with people moving to more suburban areas (where there is unsustainable dependence on cars and inefficient use of land), Urban Splash is making city centre living more attractive in an attempt to correct this.

4:Secs condoms

Intended to save the user from the embarrassment of fumbling around with a condom for ages before eventually managing to get it on (by which time the mood is probably dead and gone) the 4:Secs condom and applicator literally takes 4 seconds to use (apparently!). 

Designed and sold in South Africa, the 4:Secs condoms by design company XYZ has won awards for its design and packaging. And considering the fact that in sub-Saharan Africa, one person dies from AIDS every 16 seconds, removing the stigma and embarrassment surrounding condoms can only be a step in the right direction.

Graffiti Planet

I was never one of those people who really understood the fascination with graffiti art. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't one of those who thought it was an eyesore, an intrusion on everyday organised living. I just didn't really get it, and Graffiti Planet really opened my eyes to the art that is decorating our surroundings. 

Graffiti Planet is a compilation of the best graffiti from around the world, and although half of what is included in the book isn't up my street, I can really appreciate (to my surprise) some of what is included. For example, graffiti which is just writing on the wall, whilst I can see that some of it must have taken time and skill to achieve, just doesn't appeal to me. However, graffiti art which incorporates imagery is much more interesting to me. Some of it is actually mind blowing. For starters, using spray cans to achieve such realistic images takes unbelievable skill and patience. But more importantly, I believe that they are enriching to the visual landscape. It shows diversity and expression in places where they are often unexpected. 

An excellent example shown in this book which I hadn't previously seen was Banksy's work on the West Bank Barrier in Israel (see below). Whilst this may be old news to some, I had never seen it before, and my eyes were truly opened to the exciting world of graffiti art. 

Teahouse on Stilts

Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori explores the relationship between the natural and the manmade, which he believes is one of the key issues facing civilisation in the 21st century. His buildings often incorporate living plants or trees, and attempt to find aesthetic harmony between the manmade forms and the landscapes on which they are situated. Often very simple in construction, Fujimori's Teahouse is made from plywood walls and a hand-beaten copper roof, and was designed for his own personal use in his home village in the hills of China. His work usually incorporates plants, by integrating them into the buildings rather than used in separate landscaping schemes, as a reaction against the way that they are usually considered separate in contemporary projects.

I was attracted to this idea of the Teahouse firstly because it is such a simple construction, yet is so striking in terms of appearance. The height of the Teahouse that is supported by 3 tree trunks is so unusual, and looks as if it is defying laws of physics by staying solid. It is refreshing to see architecture which goes back to basics, being different by fitting into the environment as opposed to standing out from it. The way it looks in context with the environment is stunning, as it is not imposing on the landscape yet it still stands out. It is almost as if Fujimori is trying to blend the Teahouse with nature and into the landscape, whilst still making it an attention-grabbing piece of architecture. 

Oliver Jeffers

I received a postcard this morning with Oliver Jeffers' illustration on the front, and was completely drawn into it. The illustration was of a child in a rocket, reaching out to try and catch a star. I wanted to find out more about Oliver Jeffers, so I visited his website listed on the back of the postcard and was fascinated (which, as it happens, is an interesting website in terms of design). I found that the illustration on the postcard is actually part of a picture book, called 'How to catch a star', and some of the other illustrations for the book were shown on the website, as were examples from his other picture books. 

The illustrations have been produced using watercolours on paper, which is how the muted colours have been achieved. The simple illustrations are really cute, and it is interesting how little needs to be shown to detail the story that Jeffers is trying to tell. He illustrates in an almost childlike fashion, without being condescending, with a simplicity that amounts to a spherical head, two dots for eyes and a curve for a smiling mouth. Despite this, the obvious emotion of the boy in the pictures is apparent, which makes the illustrations genuinely moving. As the boy's imagination takes him on a journey to catch a star, it is charming to see the world of the child which is not affected by the restrictions of the reality.

The Whole House Off Switch

11% of all domestic energy was consumed by devices in standby mode in 2008, which accounts for 1.5% of greenhouse gases produced by the USA. Jack Godfrey Wood is a device capable of turning off all non-essential equipment in a home using just one switch. The device can be activated for environmental reasons (to reduce energy consumption and therefore reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment) and also for safety reasons (to prevent fires, for example, by hair straighteners being left on). 

Whilst relatively simple in concept, when you stop to consider how many appliances there are in one household, and differentiating between those which require constant power (eg fridges) and those that don't, it becomes more complex. 

The majority of energy consumers currently leaving appliances on standby do so simply because they either don't realise that they are still using energy even when not being used, or because they forget (or can't be bothered turning things off at the switch). However, this one switch, if manufactured to take into consideration the possible problems for consumers, could mean that a convenient way to save energy has finally been produced, and would surely significantly reduce the amount of wasted energy we produce.

A Painted House

After having read the majority of John Grisham's legal thrillers, I was presented with 'A Painted House'. The blurb reads nothing like anything I had come to expect from Grisham, except from the mandatory unputdownable aspect of each of his books. 

The story is set in rural Arkansas in 1952, in a small unpainted house (which signifies the lower social status of the family) surrounded by cotton fields. It is told through the eyes of a young boy, Luke, who lives on the farm with his parents and grandparents, who farm the cotton year in and year out. The story begins in September, when the cotton needs picking, and Luke and his grandfather, Pappy, go out in search of hill people to farm their fields with them. A family of 7, the Spruills, agree to work on the Chandler farm for the harvest. Then the Mexicans arrive in town, and 10 of them come to the Chandler farm to work too. It is the summer holidays for seven year old Luke, so the Chandlers, the Spruills, and the Mexicans head to the fields to begin picking. 

One Saturday, on the weekly trip into town, Luke sees Hank (the oldest Spruill boy) violently fights 3 of the notorious Sisco clan, who everyone in the town fears, Hank turns on Luke to support his version of the fight. After one of the Siscos dies, a beating turns into a murder investigation. 

With the burden of the murder lying on his shoulders, Luke returns to the fields. However, one night, he hears an altercation in the Spruill camp, after which Hank leaves the camp to avoid arrest for the Sisco murder. Out of curiosity, Luke follows him home, and in advertently becomes witness to another murder. Cowboy, one of the Mexicans who has had previous altercations with Hank, has followed Hank, and brutally kills him and throws his body in the river. On his way back to the house, Cowboy is waiting for Luke and threatens to kill his mother if he mentions Hank's murder to anyone. Yet another burden is added to Luke's shoulders. 

Throughout the book, there are constant updates on Luke's uncle Ricky, who is currently fighting in the Korean War. When it emerges that he has fathered a child with Luke's neighbours (the Latchers, who are poverty-stricken sharecroppers and considered the lowest of the low), Luke and his family are brought together trying to keep another secret. And whilst all this is going on, Trot (the youngest Spruill who is unable to pick cotton due to disability) after hearing Hank make fun of Luke's unpainted house, has started painting the side of the Chandler house (which Luke eventually is forced to finish himself after Trot leaves the farm after it floods).

Surrounding these dramatic moments are snippets of ordinary life in the South, and the events which rural Arkansans regularly undertake, such as church and charity. Luke loves listening to his beloved Cardinals on the radio, and his earnings from picking cotton are being carefully saved up so he can afford a red Cardinals jacket. 

However, when a flood ruins the crops, the Chandlers are forced, due to low ground, to stop picking, both the Mexicans and the Spruills leave and the Chandler farm returns to relative normality. Having always harvested a dream to leave the farm, Luke's mother persuades her father to go North to find work, and the story ends with the 3 of them on the coach leaving the farm for a better life. 

I really enjoyed reading this book, partly because of the dramatic storyline, but also partly because it completely went against all my expectations of what the book would be like. The books begins with an innocent 7 year old boy with dreams of playing baseballs, and ends after having abruptly changed him from a young boy into a young man. The personal tone of the novel forces the reader to live the novel as it is being told, and makes me really empathise with the protagonist of the story, Luke. The story is full of dramatic twists, and although it is set in the most humble of situations, it is a truly exciting and captivating novel.

The Work Clock

Highlighting the 3 most important parts of the working day- when people start work (9 o clock), when they take their lunch break (12 o clock), and when they finish and go home (5 o clock). Genius! 

Nick Brandt Photography

I saw a snippet of the work of Nick Brandt in the Sunday Times magazine a couple of weeks ago, and my attention was immediately captured. Having travelled to Kenya this year for a holiday and safari, his photographs struck a chord with me having seen it first hand. I found a more complete portfolio of his work on the internet, at www.nickbrandt.com, and I think his photographs are absolutely fascinating. I just wish some of my photographs could have looked like this! 

ABSOLUT

After seeing flavours of ABSOLUT vodka that I didn't know existed (whilst on holiday), I decided to check out the website to see what else I'd been missing out on. And whilst I wasn't exactly blown away by the different vodkas (I was expecting more), I was impressed with the website. In aesthetics, it is slick and neat, simple and professional. In function, it is easy to navigate and contains information on everything from gin (?!) cocktails to bartender's secrets. 

Everything you need to know about alcohol on one very good-looking website.

www.absolut.com

Krzysztof Wodiczko

The wall between those who have been to war and witnessed its atrocities, and those who have not, is a difficult thing to overcome for soldiers who have returned home. 'War Veteran Vehicle', the name of this project by Krzysztof Wodiczko, beamed the words of six war veterans onto the walls of some of Liverpool's landmarks, as they struggle to readjust to life at home, which were accompanied by audio recordings of the interviews played through a PA system on the street. 

Wodiczko intended the vehicle to be used as a platform for the survivors to reach out to their commuities, to aid understanding about what they have witnessed and how they are still suffering despite no longer fighting in the war. They are fighting a different kind of war at home, with the society that sent them there in the first place. He interviewed 6 people in total, veterans of the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and the Falklands, as well as the wife of a soldier who had returned from the war. 

Wodiczko said of his work: "We're basically firing our ammunition- firing the truth, trying to create some impact, acoustic and visual." 

His work has really admirable intentions, and to even partially succeed in raising awareness about the plights of British (and other nationalities, for that matter) soldiers, in conflict and at home, will make his hard work worthwhile. The bravery and courage of the soldiers interviewed is truly humbling, and the way in which Wodiczko is drawing attention to their situation is to be commended. The sheer impact of his work is huge, due to the stark honesty of the veterans combined with the no-holds-barred presentation of their words. 

The project will run for 4 days in total (3 nights left) and will be projected onto various landmarks around the city of Liverpool between 8:30pm and 11pm.

Anne Geddes

Anne Geddes is an Australian photographer who specialises in work surrounding babies and nature. It is her focus and dedication to portraying infants in stunning photographs which makes her work so distinctive and appealing to the viewer. I particularly like her work because of the way it makes me feel- it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

What is also inspiring about Geddes’ work is the painstaking operation she goes through for each photo shoot, making the costumes for each baby and the props for the set. Her attention to detail to ensure that every last element of the photograph is perfect in both aesthetic and composition to create her perfect picture is inspirational. One example of her meticulous attention to detail is a sheet of material which Geddes wanted to have more sheen. To correct this, one person spent a week pulling out every second thread of the 10 metre long sheet of material, in order to achieve the required sheen. 

Below are some of my favourite examples of her work. 

My Town, at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park

'My Town' is a scheme developed by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in collaboration with Wakefield Young Offenders Team, where 4 young people (from the Y.O group) are encouraged to consider the positive and negative aspects about their town. Each participant was entrusted with a camera in order to record their findings. This is an opportunity which was developed in order for the young people to realise their potential and gain control over how they are perceived. I think this is a particularly interesting project because it opens up the realms of design and creativity to those who may not usually be involved. 

This project reminds me of the Create Not Hate brief from the 2009 D&AD awards, which had similar aims (realising the potential of young people), which I really enjoyed working on. 

The results from ‘My Town’ are currently on display at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park Centre Upper Space, and here are some examples.

The comeback of Postman Pat

After not seeing or hearing anything of my favourite postman since the good old days of watching cartoons, I spotted him delivering 'no monthly bills' to Freeview customers on the new Freeview advert. Not content with starring in just one, I then see him sitting on his specs (and demonstrating the need for 2 pairs as he wreaks havoc on the village) in a Specsavers advert for 2 for 1 glasses. I for one have responded much more positively to these usually annoying kind of adverts due to the inclusion of Postman Pat and, more importantly, his endorsement of the products. 

The Charm School

I can honestly say that this book is really the best book I have ever read. No exaggeration. As soon as I had finished it, I ran around the house seeing if anyone else had read it so that I could talk about it with them. To my frustration, nobody had, so I had to wait a few days anxiously gathering my thoughts about everything to do with the book so that I could maybe discuss it coherently with another human being, until finally my sister finished the book and agreed with my sentiment that it is, definitely and without a doubt, the best book she has ever read. And this isn't a statement from people who have only ever read 2 books in their whole life... as quite avid readers, it is the best book of many. But don't take our word for it, I have a copy and am quite willing to lend it out and wait for you to finish it, so that I can then bombard you with conversation regarding the excellence of this book. 

The story beings when an American tourist driving in the depths of Russia comes across a fellow American, who appears to be on the run from somebody, who tells him that he is a former soldier in Vietnam who was taken from the jungles, and forced to become a tutor at a place called The Charm School. This is a secret school in Russia where young KGB agents learn to speak, act and look american down to the finest detail, in order that they can enter America, blend in with the american people and surroundings, and spy. When 2 agents at the American Embassy in Russia become embroiled in the scandal after the tourist is found dead, the story follows them as they try to avoid the KGB and adhere to the many rules of Russia, in order to save the American soldiers who have been forced to teach at the Charm School. They also happen to fall in love, which adds another dimension to the story and makes it all the more emotional.  

Demille's expert storytelling leaves the reader totally off-guard to receive all the unexpected twists and turns integrated into the tale, and on numerous occasions I actually gasped out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who can read.

The Darwin Cocoon

The new wing of the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, which opened last week (Tuesday, to be exact), is the world's largest sprayed concrete, curved structure, and cost £78 million to build. In contrast to the traditional, Victorian building of the Natural History Museum, the 'Cocoon' looks infinitely more modern, yet not imposing. It challenges the traditional perception that people have of the Natural History Museums architecture and attempts to highlight the work of the scientists, presumably by showing the transition from traditional to contemporary in both architecture and science. 

I love the minimalist approach to the design of the new wing, and the simple smooth exterior which needs no embellishment. The sheer scale of the building adds impact to the building, and interestingly, despite its size, it manages to look effortless and light. 

On my annual trip to London in December, this is something that is definitely on my must-see list. 

A modern chair arch

A sculptural arch made entirely of Ercol chairs on display at the V&A. Upon first hearing of this, I wasn't completely blown away by it, although I was enticed by the rainbow of colours which is very aesthetically pleasing. However, after watching the video of designer Martino Gamper painstakingly spraying each individual chair with often 3 different colours to account for the overlap of each chair, I was inspired by his patience and attention to detail that he displayed. Such dedication was essential in order for the colours of the rainbow to blend, and therefore for Gamper to realise his ideas. 

Above is the original example of the chair arch (1884), which is the inspiration behind the new chair arch. His version differs from the original in that it is completely self supporting (without the need for scaffolding), and there is only one type of chair involved in the arch, which is the Ercol stacking chair (whereas the original was made up from many different types of chair). 

In my opinion, this contemporary version of the chair arch is an aesthetic and engineering masterpiece.

There's something in the water

An advert for V Water (water with vitamins and minerals, with different combinations to suit your different moods) that I saw for the first time last night at the cinema, despite it being first released in June 2007.

A great line-drawing animation, simple yet successful. Shows a day in the life of a 'man' (for lack of a better word) where any problem that arises is simply rectified to make 'his' day ultimately better (no seats on the bus and the bus is transformed into a double decker, a small house stretched into a big house). The audience is really drawn into the advert, wanting to know what the product is which could have such a profound effect on their lives (and mental wellbeing)! Not too keen on the product itself, but the animation in this advert is neat, imaginative and inspirational.

If only life really was this easy to change!

RAGE

Starring (amongst others): Jude Law, Lily Cole, Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard.

A film set in a New York fashion house on the even of Fashion Week, showing intimate interviews filmed on a mobile phone by a schoolboy for a school project (which are then secretly posted on the internet). Preparations for a major show are interrupted by a death on the catwalk (a model is strangled by her scarf) which turns into a murder investigation. The story of Rage unfolds over 7 days, with a 'talking-head' style of filming shot on blue screen (with background colours continually changing for each interviewee).  

What is most intriguing about the release of this film is that it has first been released straight onto mobile phones (beginning on monday 21 sept), releasing one episode per day for 7 days The film is shot on a mobile phone, hence the mobile phone premiere.  As well as this, the film will be shown for one night only at selected cinemas across the country (on thursday 24 sept), with the opportunity for a question and answer session after the film where the audience is encouraged to text in (or twitter) questions to the cast or director. How unusually exciting! And then, the one I've got to wait for (because I don't have an iPhone or have tickets to a cinema premiere), on monday 28 sept, the internet release (which I can't actually wait for). 

Despite my excitement for the film, it is the revolutionary method of release that Sally Potter has adopted which is really interesting. Film release on a mobile phone?! 

In a statement, Potter and producers Christopher Sheppard and Andrew Fierberg said, "We always wanted to incorporate new-media platforms into our release strategy and to find a novel approach to bringing Rage to both new and traditional film audiences."

By releasing the film in a way which reflects what is happening on screen, she has added another dimension to the film. The unorthodox release of the film has created such a buzz surrounding the film, and I for one am eagerly awaiting its internet release.

The trailer: 

The Swiss Army Knife

As Victorinox, the maker of the Swiss Army knife, celebrates 125 of cutting edge design, I have to wonder if a more useful piece of design exists, or in fact, has existed EVER. For someone like me, who hates the thought of ever being caught unprepared, or needing something that I just don't happen to have in that monster of a handbag of mine, the Swiss Army knife answers all my calls.  

Victorinox has been supplying the Swiss Army with knives since 1891, and legally protected the design and name of the multi-tooled 'Swiss Officer's and Sports' knife in 1897. American servicemen started to buy the knives after WWII, which gave the knives the global recognition they deserve. Amongst its more recent fans are NASA (who supply every astronaut with a knife in their flight kit) and the Museum of Modern Art, who has had a model in its collection since 1968. 

There are 360 different models of Swiss Army Knife, containing devices such a scissors,  bottle openers, tweezers, nail files and can openers. Each knife can contain between 5 and 80 different functions, which is a LOT to fit into such a small space. The design ethos of the company is based on multi-funtionality and an endless variety of models. 

The changes between each model are slotted around one basic knife structure, with the different functions fitting into place around it. This basic design principle means that new elements are constantly being added to the range of functions, and are able to fit around the existing functions due to the innovative nature of the designers (for example, storing a mini-screwdriver inside an existing corkscrew). 

The nature of the company itself is something to be commended. Founded by Karl Elsener to provide employment in a poor part of the country, it started off with admirable intentions. It has been run by 4 generations of Elseners over 125, and in this time has never made an employee redundant due to economic reasons. In the aftermath of 9/11, when sales dropped by 30% (due to no custom in airport departure lounges), rather than lay people off, Victorinox took a hit in profits and employees went to work in other local companies (whilst Victorinox still paid their wages). 

Overall, a product and a company ethic to be greatly admired.  

Yes Man

Aside from really enjoying this film because of just how funny it is, the second time I watched it, it really made me think about whether the ‘yes’ mentality really could be as life-changing as it is in the film. And I have come to the conclusion that yes, ‘yes’ really could change your life for the better. Obviously, saying yes to absolutely everything is neither practical nor safe (using the example of giving lifts to the homeless to the middle of a forest whilst he uses up the battery on your phone), the idea of being a bit more open-minded is definitely appealing. Especially when I consider the benefits within a design context- being more open-minded will surely lead to a wider range of ideas and more scope for personal and professional development.

Considering the degree we’re all aiming for, we could all benefit from being a bit more of a Yes Man.

Rosie Hardy

Ok, we've all done it at some point. Googled ourselves. Well, when my 19 year old self did this (ie, 2 years ago), I came upon the photographer Rosie Hardy, and I was intrigued by her work that I've been following her work ever since. Every few months or so I return to her Flickr Page to see what she's been up to, and I am always amazed by the work she has produced. Above are some of my favourite examples of her photos.

Her photographs all display distinct emotion, and you can really feel the emotion within each photograph. I love the way she uses costume and make up as well to reinforce the emotion she is trying to portray, and this produces a story-like feel to each image. It almost feels as if she is in another world, like a fairy tale within each photograph. The impact that her photographs have on the audience is stark, as each image conveys such strong emotions that the audience cannot help but to feel the same. Her photographs are often quite surreal, which immediately grabs the attention of the audience, and the concepts behind her photographs are always really interesting. It is also worth mentioning that she often uses a timer to produce her work, so that she is able to be the subject of her photos. As a result, the photographs are much more raw as she is able to portray her own emotions to the camera rather than directing a model to act. This is particularly appropriate in her 365 portfolio, which contains a photograph for each day. 

I like the way she collates several photographs (presumably on Photoshop) to create such arresting images. The way in which she translates thoughts into photographs is fascinating, and the expression of self and emotion in her photographs is something to aspire to.

Smoke, and your body takes a beating.

NHS Trust (Birmingham) has launched a new viral ad aimed at hard-to-reach smokers, with some hard-hitting imagery to shock the audience into quitting. The video shows a man smoking a cigarette being beaten up by an invisible assailant. However, how effective will it be? After all, its not the first time shock tactics have been used to try and get people to quit. 

The video will be shown on mobile screens which will tour parts of Birmingham, on stands where testing for patients' lung ages and carbon monoxide levels will also be available. As well as this, the ad is also being launched virally, on websites such as YouTube, in order to reach a wider audience and exploit the networking effects on the internet. 

The campaign is being run by the Dr Foster agency, who take the opinion that because people are aware that smoking is bad for them due to constant advertising stating this, it has become old news. This advert is their attempt to give a new perspective to smokers in order to try and induce change.

When I saw the video, I was shocked at the content of it. For the majority of the minute and 4 seconds, the main was being beaten up with shocking results, and this made for really uncomfortable viewing, particularly as the assailant was invisible. Whilst the beating up part of the video could be much shortened to make the same point, I think it was a genius move making it so long, as it forces the viewer to really take into account the damage that is being done to their body due to smoking. The violence of the beating also reinforces the damage that is being done. If I smoked, I think that this advert would definitely force me to think twice before lighting up (although this may be a slightly biased comment as I already have the anti-smoking mentality anyway). 

Smoke, and your body takes a beating. Fight back. Quit now.

Shigeru Ban architecture

Shigeru Ban are a Japanese architectural company who were brought to my attention in this month's edition of Wallpaper* magazine.

 

In L'Aquila, Italy, Shigeru Ban architects have proposed the creation of a temporary concert hall in support of the local economy after the devastation it suffered after the earthquake last April. The proposed site for this concert hall is on an unused tram station. Shigeru Ban have collaborated with L'Aquila university's architecture and engineering professors and students to design the structure under the existing roof of the former station. What is most exciting about this project is that the concert hall is to be made from a recycled paper tube structure, which is not only eco-friendly, but also re-examining the potential of simple materials.

After reading about the Italian proposal, I conducted further research on the internet about Shigeru Ban, and came across at least 20 other structures made primarily from paper, dating back to 1989 (see examples below). 

Shigeru Ban aims to get rid of material prejudices, and using paper tubes within architecture is an inspiring way of using existing materials in a different way. 

 

The fourth plinth...

After following the saga of The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square for the past couple of months with some vague sense of curiosity, today I saw the highlights of Naomi McDonald, a lap dancer, taking to the plinth wearing only heels and a black pair of knickers... with a pole as an accessory.

Now whilst Naomi perhaps isn't the best example of how the plinth should be utilised (mainly because half the population don't actually want to see a half-naked woman writhing about for an hour), the idea in general for the plinth isn't actually a bad one. Whilst it is generally getting mixed reviews from the public, in my opinion it could actually be quite interesting.

The idea is that for 100 days and nights, 2,400 members of the general public will have the opportunity (for an hour each) to be involved with this piece of 'art', doing whatever they want on the plinth. Because they are just members of the public, with no experience of performing arts, this reality experiment opens up the world of 'art' to a wider audience, and makes it more accessible and inevitably more interesting. By constantly changing the 'model' on the plinth, it is instantly made more interesting because people will come back to see what has changed. I've seen Nelson's column once... and I won't be going to see it again. However, with a changing sculpture on the fourth plinth, I would definitely be more inclined to return to Trafalgar Square (if I lived anywhere near, which I don't).  And whether you like how they're spending their hour or not, it still gets you talking either way.

You might not agree with this, however it cannot be disputed that the amount of public interest and debate he has created surrounding his work is something we could all aim for. 

Hirst vs Cartrain

When I first heard of the feud between one of Britain's biggest artists ever and a teenage street artist (December 08), I was shocked at the pettiness of it all. The basis of it is this: Cartrain used images of Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull (entitled 'For The Love Of God') in collages, superimposing the image of the skull onto photos in place of the regular head. In one picture, the skull was pictured in a shopping basket next to some carrots. 

The images by Cartrain were being sold on the internet for approx £65, however when Hirst found out about the images, he demanded that all works were handed over (presumably to be destroyed), and all profits from the works be given to Hirst. Which in itself is pretty pathetic. However, when coupled with the controversy surrounding 'For The Love Of God' upon unveiling it (ex-friends of Hirst's claimed that they had come up with the idea and had been producing such works since 1993), it is not only ironic, but seems downright cheeky.

What I most enjoy about the work of Cartrain is not only that it angers the likes of Hirst, but more so, WHY  it angers him. Such a harsh, yet successful, caricature of Hirst (as seen above) has been burned into the memory of everyone who sees it, and I think this is the reason for his bad mood. 

I would like to take this opportunity to applaud Cartrain for his funny and memorable work.

Paraty house!

Two concrete boxes. Floating in the midst of trees. In a private cove in Paraty, Brazil. This is the work of architect Marcio Kogan, commissioned by a wealthy couple from Rio de Janeiro, who wanted something radical- an extreme house. Which is what this certainly is, and I love it. 

There are 2 27m long concrete boxes set back into the mountain with the only visible support being a glass staircase below. Looking as if they are suspended from the side of the mountain, especially at night, is striking and exciting in architecture. 

'Everyday that passes in my life, I like the word 'simplicity' more and more.' says Kogan, and I completely agree with this. This work shows the impact that simplicity can have, and embracing this to create such a dramatic effect is so powerful. Despite the fact that the build was techologically complex to pull off, the visual simplicity is evident and few could disagree with Kogan's statement that it is 'a work of art'.

I am a type of new bottle opener, I am a sort of door...

Design For Life, the new Apprentice-style design programme with Philippe Starck, kicked off on Monday night. The designer says his reasoning for doing the show is because there hasn't been a noticeable design revolution in the UK since the 60s, and this is his attempt to shake things up, with the winner (one of 12 hopefuls) winning a 6 month placement at Starck's studios in Paris. In order to gain a place on the show, the 12 were required to draw their own ideas for the design of their own products, which ranged from a screw-in coffin (to save room in graveyards) to a lightbulb hanging on a noose (just because). 

Am looking forward to seeing their further ideas (and how much they 'shake things up') as well as thinking of my own solutions to the briefs.  Also looking forward to seeing some more of Starck being crazy!

Ways of Seeing

After another day back at high school as part of some work experience, I was inspired to dig out my copy of 'Ways of Seeing' by John Berger after seeing it lying about in a classroom, which I first read back in sixth form as part of a photography assignment. 

One chapter in particular stood out to me, which was the chapter regarding advertising (not the chapter which was highlighted to me for my photography assignment). The idea conveyed was that advertising was based on the concept of envy- envying the model in the dress, envying your future self in the dress, envying the thought of anyone else with the dress that you don't have. I can really relate to this concept (being female) despite how long ago the book was written (1972) and am wondering how far into the future envy will be one of, if not THE, main reasons for purchasing an advertised product?