SoundSwamp

From the Vault. Words, Sounds, Pictures, and stuff I like.

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Fear Konstruktor / Barrikad - The Path To The Black Lodge (review)

Noticed this cool review of the old title: 

Peripheral Records presents The Path to the Black Lodge, a collaborative CD by Fear Konstruktor and Barrikad. To be honest, I’m not really familiar with either artist, but I’ve seen the name Fear Konstruktor around the block. Of course, as a dyed in the wool Twin Peaks fanatic, I was intrigued by the obvious references in the title and the cover art. Over the years many artists have used the cult television show as a theme or source of inspiration, so much so, that some might say that it’s been played out. However, as an obsessive fan of the show, I say give me more.

Artwise, the pair uses one of the most striking aesthetic of the series, namely the black and white zig zag pattern found on the floor of the Black Lodge, to adorn the front cover. The Black Lodge is a supernatural place where some of the most villainous spirits in Twin Peaks lore reside. On the inner cover there is a forest scene, likely where the entrance to the lodge resides. The tray insert is draped in red, another color that features prominently in the series. There’s also a line drawing to be found on of the man from another place (aka the dancing midget). If there was any doubt as to what this disc was all about, the aesthetic successfully clues the listener in. As soon as I saw it, I knew this was a Twin Peaks themed release.

On The Path to the Black Lodge, the pair manages to capture the horror and mystery of the Twin Peaks mythos in 5 tracks. Each piece spans 5-6 minutes in length and can best be described as menacing atmospheric drones layered with sci-fi esque (often heavily delayed) synthwork. Perhaps I overuse the term “sci-fi esque,” but when I hear delayed blooped and bleeped synth tones I can't help but think of being on board a space vessel surrounded by machinery that, in my mind, sounds like certain passages of this album. There’s even some moments that fleetingly remind me of the Doctor Who theme (albeit very briefly). All 5 tracks feel somewhat contiguous and follow a similar course, with some tracks having additional metal rustlings in the backdrop, which could signify the Killer Bob creeping upon another victim or Agent Cooper’s tormented dreams.

Anyone familiar with the soundtracks on any of Lynch’s work, will know that he tends to use a lot of dense (exhaust-like) atmospherics, almost like the amplified sounds of an empty room. The sounds he employs build tension and a sense of dread. What Fear Konstruktor and Barrikad have created sounds eerily like something David Lynch himself would use as a soundtrack. They, without a doubt, know how to craft soundwork that fits all too nicely into the nightmares that Lynch imprints onto our psyches.

I would love to see this album performed live in a small, intimate gathering with Twin Peaks clips projected on a screen. The live performance acting as an alternate soundtrack. Someone make it so.

From Musique Machine

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Here is the first release of my new project NIKTA released by Horror Fiction Tapes . Stay tuned for more news!!!

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Claudio Salocchi lamp - "TULPA"

Made in 1971, this table lamp was produced using the marble base, nickel strings and details and an acrylic plate. 

Claudio Salocchi was an architect and furniture designer, born in Milan in 1934. A great deal of his works and projects were exhibited through selections or invitations at the most important exhibitions, events or museums, both in italy and abroad. He has been Vice President of ADI, Associazione per il Disegno Industriale, and teached "Interior and Product Design" at the Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Prima Facoltà di Architettura "Valle Giulia". Besides he has taught at the State Professional Institute of Furniture and Furnishings in Lissone and at the School of Architecture of Milan Polytechnic.

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Recent FK mentions

Old Fear Konstruktor release was recently mentioned in Norelco Mori podcast! - http://www.norelcomori.com/podcast/episode17

Fear Konstruktor track was mentioned in podcast at Relevant BCN - http://relevantbcn.com/index.php/egg-box-radio/djs-bands-producers/item/4114-egg-box-011-parks-norge

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Rare liquor cabinet, made by Vladimir Kagan using ceramic tiles by Aleksandra Kasuba. It's 190s period. 

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This cabinet and desk was build by French artist Jan De Swart for his own use. It was used as a storage and a display for his smaller sculptures and other artefacts. 

You can find the lamp in the top shade and a locking mechanism, that was the vintage piece. 

You can have the closer look here: 

Jan de Swart was the one  of the leaders in the Mid Century Modern movement. He mostly known for his sculptures, sculptural furniture and architectural approaches. He successfully combined applied science, art and the newest technologies of the 20th century in his work. 

Here is some examples:

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"Alberto" table lamp by Luigi Massoni - the very rare one. Made in 1971 (circa).

Short information about designer:

Luigi Massoni (Milan, 1930) designer and architect, was responsible for the A&D in Cermenate (Como). After a period of training at the Collettivo di Architettura in Milan and his first professional experiences between 1953 and 1955, he began his design career by making the cocktail shaker (1957, with Carlo Mazzeri) and the Serie 5 containers, which are still in production, for Alessi (V.). Between 1957 and 1960, with C.De Carli (V.) he contributed to the professional and production renewal, participating in various events and in the foundation of the magazine “Il Mobile Italiano” (V.). In 1959, by taking into partnership a group of furniture manufacturers, he became the organiser of the foundation of Mobilia (V.) and that same year he also joined Boffi (V.) as a production coordinator and designer, creating some of the first ever modular systems for the home and kitchen. It was from this experience that, still in his capacity as designer and art director, he enhanced the image of Poltrona Frau (V.)(1968-1976); Fratelli Guzzini (V.)(1963-1976), he designed the set of bowls Bolo cubo (1962) and the dinner service Vanessa (1969);iGuzzini (V.)(1965-1976), this relationship was later revived in the early 1990s, when he also worked with Cedit, Gabbianelli (V.), Sirrah (V.) and Venini (V.).

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Let's continue with the Memphis period furniture. This time we have 5 tables set, called 'Tangram', made by Massimo Morozzi in 1983 for Cassina Furniture company. 

Tables are made using painted wood and there is a secret inside - the removable top panels for additional storage space. It's possible to combine tables in a different ways to achieve multiple structures. 

Massimo Morozzi was born in 1941 in Florence. His signature style in furniture can be described as multi-coloured. There was many different projects for multiple furniture brands featuring multi-coloured elements. He worked with Cassina, Alessi, Edra, etc. 

In 1966 Morozzi co-founded Archizoom together with Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Coretti and Paolo Deganello. 

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Ico Parisi

Domenico “Ico” Parisi - Italian designer/architect ,co-founder of Alta Quota group, who preferred to call himself as "Renaissance artist".

Parisi, who never wanted to be known only as an architect, was born in Palermo, Italy. He was the son of an art teacher. He was accomplished as an industrial designer, painter, photographer and installation artist as well. His career began in the early 1930’s in the Studio of Rationalist Architect Giuseppe Terragni.

Parisi also worked as a filmmaker.

In 1945 he organized the first of a series of contemporary furniture exhibitions in Como, and in 1947, he married Luisa Aiani, a former student of Gio Ponti and a member of the Alta Quota. In 1948, the husband-and-wife team founded the design studio La Ruota in Como.

Parisi collaborates with numerous artists including Lucio Fontana, Bruni Munari, Francesco Somaini, etc. He had a great success with his organic furniture designs and were featured in the magazines like Domus Magazine. All this work led to the multiple collaboration with well-known furniture and design companies like Cassina and Singer & Sons. 

Here is the some examples of his furniture designs + the special one at the end:

Here is the special item that was attributed as Ico Parisi creation. This is a Polyhedron Bar that was made in likely 1955 in italy in the numbers of 10 or something like this number. The wood is Mahogany. 

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This modern set of table and 4 chairs featuring optical illusion effect was created by Alessandro Mendini and Alessandro Guerriero using laminated wood. 

We can address this creation to the Memphis period of the Italian design, this one was made in 1988 in Italy for Studio Alchimia which was formed personally by Guerriero in 1976. Most of the pieces made by the Studio was produced used mostly common materials which were cheap and easily available.

This particular design features the Olimpico pattern, created by Mendini. You can take a closer look here, on chair: 

Alessandro Mendini played an important role in the Italian design development, we can characterize his work as a mix of different cultures and influences but with his own strong view and bold, bright colors, as we can see, for example, on the Groninger Museum yellow tower building. 

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Fun table lamp by Artcyrial. This 'Pigeon' lamp was created by Francois-Xavier Lalanne, who created multiple animal-inspired objects like sheep figurine for Burberry, etc. 

This one is made from glass. cooper and brass. 

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Italian double drum chandelier made using hand-blown glass rods and brass parts. 1950's 

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Deep Cut bowl by Marten Medbo - http://www.medbo.com/

2006.

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'Juker' table lamp by Tobia Scarpa. 

You can control the emitting light by moving the top shield.  

[artaksiniyablog]

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