Kirsteen's Creative Corner

A blog of creative stuff I love: interior design, graphic design, art, advertising, fashion and crafts.

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Sculptural fashion

In June I was blown away when Central Saint Martin’s Graduate Fredrik Tjaerandsen’s ‘shape-shifting balloon dresses’ appeared on my Facebook news feed. 

Source: Vogue 1 July, 2019

In July ‘kinetic fashion’ was taken to the next stunning level by designer Iris van Herpen’s Paris Couture FS19-20 collection. She collaborated with kinetic artist/sculptor Anthony Howe to create dresses that were definitely more than clothing, but works of art that appear to have their own movements. Stunning. 

Source: Vogue 1 July, 2019

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The truth is worth it

I wasn’t at the Cannes Lions this year, so I’ve been looking through some of the winning and shortlisted work, and I’m so glad I have, otherwise I’d have missed this brilliant series of work by Droga 5 New York for the New York Times. 

It’s a series of short films designed to highlight the depths Times Journalists go to uncover the truth. The structure of the films with raw news clips and undercover footage, continually changing copy, haunting music and recorded snippets of conversations, put the viewer in the psyche of the journalist. For the few minutes you’re viewing, you are given a glimpse into the (often dangerous) journey they’ve been on to uncover the truth of a story. The films left me with in awe of those journalists and immediately subscribing to the New York Times! What’s more it’s awesome to see that a lot of those journalist were female. 

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Digital draw

My other half recently treated ‘us’ to the new iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. I’ll be honest I thought it was a bit of an extravagance, that was until he introduced me to Adode Sketch. I’ve no idea whether Adobe Sketch is a good programme in the scheme of things, but I enjoyed it instantly and am rather proud of the picture is enabled me to create. The pic was a combination of a photo (taken on hols by the iPad purchaser), digital line drawing and ‘painting’. 

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Pompidou I do

To celebrate saying ‘I do’ last month, we went on a short-break to Paris (again). On this trip we paid a visit to the famed Pompidou Centre. I’d been there once before in my early twenties - I recall feeling terribly chic eating at the restaurant (Brasserie George) with my authentically Parisian friend. 

This time with no local to show me around, I went for the art & architecture.

Source of photo: unknown. 

I wanted to be bowled over by the building designed by super architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, but for some reason its pipes and slightly fading exterior didn’t move me the way I’d expected, but the art was something else. 

There were lots of pieces I really liked which I’m sure will feature in future posts, but my absolutely fav was ‘IKB 3, Monochrome bleu’ by mid-century, French artist Yves Klein. 

I can imagine certain members of my family telling me ‘I’m having a laugh’ (said with flat northern vowels), ‘it’s a big blue square’ but for me it’s the most intoxicating blue,  it’s what Klein named and patented ‘International Klein Blue’. 

A lot of people share my delight in this purest of blue, Klein’s IKB 1 1960, 56 3/4 x 44 7/8 inch sold at Sotheby’s New York in 2008 for an eyewatering $17,400,000.

Like most of us, I’m don’t have that kind of money, but imagine my joy on discovering that to celebrate Klein’s 90th anniversary Ressource Peintures (makers of posh paint for your home) have made a bonafide IKB paint in collaboration with his estate. So now there’s the chance to daub my own canvas or walls with it. 

Unfortunately there are no stockists in London...trip to Paris anyone? 

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Craft and beauty

I’m not usually a big fan of beauty advertising, but my head was more than turned with this mesmerising three minute film for Japanese beauty brand Shiseido. 

It’s layered with delicious things to enjoy: an emotional story, beautiful animation, brilliant sound design combined with a sweet and haunting score.  

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LA Original

As anyone who knows me knows, I lOVE LA, and I’m fond of awesome design too. So imagine my delight at 72andSunny’s stand out logo for the entrepreneurial creative community of Los Angles, which just won a Grand Prix at the Epica Awards. 

Apparently the long bottomed L was designed ‘to indicate the space that the sprawling and diverse city provides to be creative’ - that takes some deciphering. What I think is brill is the flexibility of the logo, which allows creators to combine it with their businesses to really showcase the varied creative community of Los Angeles. 

Brand Studio CAA-GBG worked with some local businesses to create products. My fav are these embroidered phone cases by zero gravity 

Images from AdWeek/photography and art direction by Brand Studio CAA-GBG.

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Fictional archaeology

I went out to buy breakfast and stumbled upon the work of Daniel Arsham at the Perrotin gallery. I wasn’t sure whether the gallery was open to the public or only for those who had cash to splash, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see a crystallised Delorean, so I went in for a closer look. 

The Delorean is part of a collection called ‘3018′ which depicts the artists’ ‘vision of a dystopian future, as modern objects in American pop culture have been reimagined in a future setting through a decaying state’ [Highsnobiety.com Sept: 2018].

I was wowed by the work. Number one, who doesn’t love a crystal or a bound Disney character? Number two, it was a fascinating to see icons of my 80s youth reimagined as futuristic archaeology finds. 

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Oatly great

Being a consumer of the liquid white stuff (milk) I’ve never noticed Oatly before, but their new campaign has made me stop and think! 

Looking back over their previous work (see below), they’ve had a nice, slightly self-effacing tone of voice. I’m not a fan of the ‘we’re not really advertising’ approach, but the real flaw was that they didn’t tell me what Oatly is and inspire me to try it...that is until now. They’ve hit on something big with their new campaign  - I’m sure I’m not the only one for whom the penny has dropped and milk now feels all kinds of bad and wrong. It will be interesting to see the results and whether the campaign does a brand or category job. Either way, it’s rather brilliant. 

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London nights

For me there’s something magical about London at night, that glimpse you get into other people’s lives when walking or driving through the streets at night. So it’s not surprising I took myself off to the London Night’s photography exhibition at The Museum of London 

The exhibition shows some 200 works from 60 photographers; from vintage pictures of Piccadilly Circus in the 1960s to near present day images of people at Fabric. 

Above is by Rut Blees Luxemburg, A Modern Project, 1995

Nick Turpin’s captured shots of people on a London bus, through the rain and steamed up windows speaks to the (amateur) street photographer in me. 

The exhibition finishes on the 11th of November 2018 so best get your skates on if you want to catch it. 

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Feminine NYC street art

I fell in love with this little character ‘Phoebe of New York’ on a recent trip. She can be spotted hanging around lamp posts and the like on the Lower East Side and near Washington Square. 

I love the collage style, the fashion edge and the cool yet vulnerable character the artist has created.

Towards the end of my trip I had the pleasure of meeting Phoebe’s creator, artist Libby Schoettle who shared that it’s not been plain sailing getting Phoebe out in the world, particularly after being arrested one time for pasting her up! 

No photo credits. All done by me. 

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Fishy design

I’m not personally a lover of tinned fish/sea creatures, but I do love the design of these fabulous old stylee tins from Conserveria de Lisboa . Established in 1930 in Lisbon, which is where I got these tins, the company has three brands; Tricana, Minor and Parta do Mar, all of which have the most fabulous packaging. They’re all sold from the original 1930s shop, which you want to feel unique in discovering, but it’s in all the tourist guidebooks, so be prepared to share. 

Source: Top image from Eater.com, others by me. 

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I’m a big fan of Design Hotels who ‘represent and markets a curated selection of over 300 independent hotels in more than 50 countries across the globe’. Last week I found my absolute favourite in the group (that I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in) - Le Pigalle, Paris. 

What’s unique about Le Pigalle is they’ve managed to make it feel like you’re staying at a mate’s house (ok so a very cool mate with impeccable taste). 

There’s no reception desk, you walk straight into a welcoming restaurant/bar/socialising area to be greeted by a friendly member of staff, only identifiable by their Le Pigalle T-shirt. 

Rooms are unique but have a similar look - a great mix of photography and art on the walls, I got some real inspiration on how to better group together pics at home as I’m a bit rubbish at it. There’s genuine vintage furniture that gives a nice lived in feel with great variable lighting so you can change up the mood. Talking of mood, things at Le Pigalle are a little sexy in a Coco de Mer kind of way, giving more than a nod to the Pigalle area which is of course home to Le Moulin Rouge. 

The bar/lounge continues with the chilled out sexy feel with time aged furniture that you sink right into and don't want to get out of, particularly after a cocktail or two has been discreetly but efficiently brought to you from the drinks shelf. There’s no bar to speak of, but open shelves with bottles and glasses, which further contribute to the staying at a friend’s vibe. Funky but unobtrusive music plays, with the tempo apparently upping on the weekends. 

Throughout the hotel there are rewarding details like their cheeky beer mats, bottles of pre-blended cocktails and Le Labo/Pigalle collaboration bathroom products, all with illustrations by French illustrator Jean Andre

All in all, Le Pigalle is my Parisian crush and I’m dreaming up excuses to visit again. 

Source: Images from Le Pigalle website, except the second from top and bottom, they’re by me. 

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Today at Apple

As world media gets prepared to ‘gather round’ for what’s expected to be the new iPhone launch, I discover ‘Today at Apple’. Yep I’m late to the party, but I like to think fashionably so (tenuous link to what I’ll be doing at Today is Apple). I’m signed up to a session with filmmakers Kiri Leigh Zullo and Candice (Han-Wei) Lo who ‘will share their techniques as you explore photo and video creation in fashion.’ 

Source: image from Apple website. 

Today at Apple is a programme of free workshops/courses held in Apple stores across the globe. Topics range from photography, film, music, coding, art, design and more. 

Obviously as I’ve not yet attended, I don’t know how good the sessions are, but as an idea, I think it’s brilliant. Apple have clearly understood consumers’ desire for brands to be accessible, useful and to add to, rather than take away from community. All of which Today at Apple does, whilst driving people in store and no doubt creating further demand for their products. Nice work Apple. 

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Lomo love

In the early 2000s I used to carry my Lomo LC-A 35mm everywhere, but then somewhere along the line, the phase passed and my once loved camera was retired to a box under the bed that was subsequently lost in a move. 

Image from Lomography website. 

Then earlier this year, whilst looking through my bookshelf, I rediscovered an old ‘Don’t think. Just Shoot’ lomography book. I opened it, leafed through the pages and my interest was instantly reignited. A search on eBay found me a camera for under £50 and I’ve been snapping away even since.

For me it’s perfect, no pressure photography - the camera is delightfully unreliable - some pics have turned out surprisingly well, others have been a disaster, but it’s easy and fun, particularly when you adopt the ‘don't think’ philosophy. 

Pictures shot by me in Palm Spring and Los Angeles April 2018.

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4th September - 23rd September are the dates for this year’s Design Biennale at Somerset House, the theme of which is Emotional States. 40 countries, cities and territories will give their interpretation of how design influences our emotions. They’ll ‘explore big questions and ideas about sustainability, migration, pollution, energy, cities, and social equality.’

I’m most looking forward to experiencing Hong Kong’s ‘Sensorial Estates’ which will look at how smell heightens the nostalgia of memory via scratch and sniff wallpaper! 

I’m also really interested in Puerto Rico’s ‘Soft Identity Makers’ where they will ask visitors to choose images that they feel best represent their identity. The installation aims to delve into the issue of “national” identities and will invite visitors to reflect on: what they mean and represent, and how relevant they are or aren’t. A topic that fascinates me. 

Source: all images courtesy of Somerset House.org.uk

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High tides and misdemeanors

This is the work of artist Toni Hamel whom I discovered on colossal.com. I don’t know how best to describe her work, I’m personally drawn by the old fashioned  ladybird book style combined with satire and social comment. She describes it as ‘an illustrated commentary on human frailties’. 

All images from Toni Hamel. 

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King of the castle

Check out the stunning RIBA Sterling Prize winner Astley Castle. Staying there is a very special experience from the moment you walk up a mount (with your luggage in the helpfully provided wheelbarrow), cross the moat bridge and enter the iron gates - you’re in your own private castle (well for the weekend). 

It’s a breath taking combination of old and new. The historic building blending perfectly with it’s modern partner.

It’s owned by the Landmark Trust, so you too can stay there. If you’re very quick you could get a slot on the 9th July 2018, otherwise the next available one is currently 26th July 2019!

Photos from Landmark Trust, Apartment Therapy & pricemyer.com