Wednesday 10 December 2008

Helena Smith: Mirage Pictures, Edinburgh

Mirage Pictures
Filmhouse Cafe, 88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh
until 4th January 2009


The Avatar 1972 - Image Copyright:Helena SmithWe've surely all come across a set of old photographs and wondered what was the story behind them. We assume there is a story simply because the photographs exist and perhaps this is a fair assumption.

But what if the images within the photographs are staged - contrived to stimulate our imagination? Can we tell the difference? Questions of perception and reality arise. What is 'real'? And if a history is 'faked' or staged does that make it any less real? After all, unless we were there when the picture was taken how can we ever really know what is behind a photo? Appearances are often deceptive and all 'truth' is transient.

L'Ennui 1968 - Image Copyright:Helena SmithHelena Smith's exhibition of photographs from her Mirage Pictures project throw some light as well as shadow on the subject of the 'real and the imagined'. The pictures are stills, publicity shots and a candid behind-the-scenes on-set peak from the lost archive of Mirage Pictures. But the 'set' is constructed not for a movie but for the photograph - for the Mirage project. Mirage Pictures is an imagined film studio and each film depicted is from the artist's imagination.

Developed from Helena's work whilst studying at Central Saint Martins College of Art this fascinating photographic project is well worth a visit. Mirage Pictures was previously exhibited at the Curzon in Soho, London last year and is currently on display at the Filmhouse Cafe, Edinburgh until 4th January 2009.

Monday 24 November 2008

One Million Beer Bottles

... and it’s a Buddhist Temple

Image Source: greenUPGRADER
From: Doug, 24Oct08, greenUPGRADER
"Thai monks from the Sisaket province have used over one million recycled glass bottle to construct their Buddhist temple. Mindfulness is at the center of the Buddhist discipline and the dedication and thoughtfulness required to build everything from the toilets to their crematorium from recycled bottles shows what creativity and elbow grease can accomplish."
Image Source: greenUPGRADER

Friday 21 November 2008

Amoeba Vs Enamore

The Enamore Collection of womenswear, lingerie and accessories has long been a source of eco fabulousness. Using recycled, organic and other sustainable fabrics, designer Jennifer Ambrose and her team have consistently turned out beautiful, unique pieces of ethical fashion that delight and inspire. So it should come as no surprise that the Enamore movies, made in conjunction with Amoeba, are just as beautiful and inspiring.



There are four short films in the series. You can watch them all when you join the Enamore Group on Facebook as well as on YouTube. bluAngel loved them and we're sure you will too. We will post the next one here shortly - enjoy!

Further Info:
Enamore / Amoeba

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Green Porno With Isabella Rossellini

I am rendered almost speechless. Disturbed? A little. My flabbergasted yet quietly impressed jaw is still on the floor. I have to share this with you, to see what you think. Wow!

Watch here: Green Porno

Warning! Some viewers may find these videos offensive as they contain scenes of a very sexual nature. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Click PAUSE or STOP, close the window... Go make some tea and calm down.

Take the quiz instead:

Monday 17 November 2008

Go Ganesha Go: Peace Made Visible

Naturalmente Roma is an art initiative, founded in 2003 by Rose-Marie Gnausch. The group are requesting expressions of interest from worldwide artists to take part in an exhibition next May celebrating peace. Entries demonstrating peace, manifest in the symbol of the elephant inspired by Hindu deity Ganesha, son of Shiva and 'Remover of Obstacles', will be shown in Cyprus with the possibility of travelling further afield thereafter. To take part apply here.

From: Go Ganesha Go
"AN INTERNATIONAL CALLING FOR ARTISTS OF ALL DISCIPLINES AND ALL MEDIUMS

Go Ganesha Go ExhibitionTopic: Elephant as symbol of PEACE
Site: Ledra Street, Cyprus
Proposed time period: May 2009


The common symbol for this project is the elephant. The elephant stands for grandeur and peacefulness, it being an animal that lives in harmony with its disparate surroundings.

Artworks in the form of elephants in all different shapes, sizes and mediums will be exhibited on Ledra Street, on both sides of the dividing line, in Spring 2009. Through its calm presence, the elephant will transcend its status as a symbol and become a real, visual and tangible experience of peace open to everyone. The works will be shown alongside the artists name, address and nationality. Thousands of different elephant figures created by people from all around the world will be testimony to a worldwide affirmation of peace."


For more information and to enter the exhibition visit Go Ganesha Go

Tuesday 11 November 2008

How Things Could Change...



From: Amnesty International
"Billions of women, men and children face levels of deprivation that undermine the right to live with dignity. Hunger, homelessness and preventable disease are not inevitable social problems or simply the result of natural disasters – they are a human rights scandal.
In 2008, we have a great opportunity to take a leap towards securing justice for people everywhere whose economic, social and cultural rights are violated."


Further Info:
Amnesty International

Monday 10 November 2008

Take The Handmade Pledge

The silly season is approaching fast and I can see your mind ticking over gift lists, wondering where to shop, what to get, how to wrap. Well, hang on just a minute dear reader!

Before you traipse your generous self and eco shopping bag down to the stores, make a cup of tea, find some paper and a pencil, have a little sit down, doodle a little, maybe nibble on some cake (I find it helps loosen the creative urge), let your mind wander and think about gifts you can make instead.

'What?' I hear you screech from down the cables of the internet highway.
'Me, little old me? Make something? From scratch? Moi? Non! Ce n'est pas possible!'

Well, my friend, protest as much as you like, but I don't believe a word of it. We can all make something. Let's think. Perhaps you can bake a cake, cook up something fruity, brew some beer, draw a pretty picture, sew and stuff a small toy, knit a bobble hat, crochet a long scarf, take a photograph or two and frame them, write a heartfelt poem on beautiful handmade paper, plant a seed in a pretty pot, carve something out of wood, make an interesting clay model, paint an abstract, colourful picture on canvas...

Perhaps there is something you used to make at school but have forgotten how? Well, look it up on the internet (that's what it's there for after all) and remind yourself how. Perhaps you've harboured dreams of being a photographer, well get out there and practice - see what you can come up with.

If you're unsure, there are heaps of places online and off-line that can offer advice and tips for everyone no matter how lacking in skills or creative inspiration you may think you are. And if you don't get it right the first time, persevere and you may even find yourself having fun along the way.

There is definitely at least one thing we can all make using our skills and resources that will make someone else smile when they receive and unwrap their gift. I guarantee it - only give it a go!

And if you really feel you can't come up with the goods, then find someone else to make it for you. Whatever you decide to do, take the pledge with us and buy handmade this year.

From: Buy Handmade
"Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing."


Further Info:
Buy Handmade

Friday 7 November 2008

Graffiti Reborn

So you think you know graffiti? You're down with Banksy. Friends think of you as an expert in street art, perhaps? Think again. Watch and learn...

Image Copyright: Reverse GraffitiThe new graffiti is here, in reverse. It's clean, literally. It's green and greenwash simultaneously. It looks great.

From: Reverse Graffiti Project
" Standing in one of the moss and dirt covered tunnels in Leeds, England, Paul Curtis, "Moose" as he calls himself, saw marks on the wall where the shoulders of unsteady drunks and the fingertips of curious children had exposed the shiny white tile. And with only a pair of socks as his tool, reverse graffiti was born.

Image Copyright: Laura Morton, Reverse GraffitiNo paint. No defacing. Moose makes his art by cleaning; removing the ills of dirt and pollution by de-defacing- wiping away dirt into large type and shapes, leaving nothing behind but a beautiful work of 'green art.'"

Image Copyright: Street Advertising ServicesFrom: Street Advertising Services
"Street Art by Street Advertising Services with Water pressure cleaning is not illegal, we are simply cleaning the streets and are not in breach of the Highway Act"

Further Info:
Reverse Graffiti / Street Advertising Services

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Get Crafty With Wardrobe Refashion

As an artist, I am blessed with a natural predilection for creating stuff from other stuff. As a woman I can lay claim to a magpie eye for shiny, pretty things, particularly haberdashery and fabrics and the patience to source and return them to the nest.

This talent (which some neanderthals may refer to as a design fault) sits very well in combination with the desire I have been cultivating over the past 10 years to lessen my impact on the planet. Thus, I have in recent years, along with many others it seems, developed an addiction to salvage, reclamation and re-design.

Wardrobe Refashion 6 Month PledgeThe hunt for perfect and potentially perfect pre-loved items is one that beats regular shopping hands down. Whether it's vintage shopping at the local market, hunting on the never ending aisles of the internet or good old charity store foraging, taking new-old finds home and turning them into something else is a magical experience that I highly recommend.

Often the new item turns out to look less than 'perfect' in the commercially-branded-made-from-new-ingredients-hot-off-the-production-line sense. This is because it isn't one of those. It is a handmade piece of me and all those who previously owned it with a history that stretches further than a faceless person in a far flung sweatshop. I can take pride in this and the kind of individual 'faults' and unique quirks that only come from free creativity.

Thinking about having a go yourself but not sure where to start? There are a growing host of sites (many of which are listed in the bluAngelAlmanac sidebar) full of information and tips for beginners as well as more advanced ideas and patterns for when you become an expert.

Jody Pearl - Reinvented Denim Jacket, Top & FrockGive yourself time and a lot of patience to discover and develop the right skills for you but don't expect to become an expert overnight. Practice, practice, practice and the art of salvage and re-creation can be yours. Think of all those surprised happy faces at holiday times and birthdays as beautiful, handcrafted, thoughtful gifts are unwrapped instead of shop-bought, homogenous items. And no more traipsing round the high street searching for perfection in the house of smoke and mirrors either!

To encourage your handmade fashion recycling, creative Nichola Prested has set up Wardrobe Refashion, a blog site where users can take the following pledge and vow not to buy new items for either 2, 4 or 6 months at a time. There is a simple list of Rules to follow and support from other users. If you have a needle and thread, some time and a desire to connect rather than disconnect through fashion - why not give it a go?

"I __________________ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__________________"

Read Nichola Prested's interview with the V&A here.

Further Info:
Wardrobe Refashion

Thursday 30 October 2008

Woooooogy: Short Experimental Film

Korean director Woooooogy surprised us with this delightfully disturbing debut piece simply entitled, Short Experimental Film. bluAngel is not entirely sure which character applies to the director's descriptions but this added sense of confusion and unpredictability makes for a very appealing film. Let us know what you think...



Further Info:
Short Experimental Film / Woooooogy on YouTube

Sunday 26 October 2008

Elephant Paints Self-Portrait

Not sure what to say about this yet, so will just let you watch...



From susty.tv on Vimeo

Monday 20 October 2008

From Catwalk To Congo - Rankin At The National Theatre

Fashion photographer Rankin's latest exhibition is a collaboration with Oxfam, sponsored by The Co-operative Bank, to raise awareness of the plight of people displaced from their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The temporary camps in Mugunga are now home to thousands as a result of the incredible violence taking place in the region.

Rankin's well-known portrait style, usually reserved for fashion industry celebrities, has been put to good use here, photographing these courageous people, suffering but not suppressed. Aptly representing the resilience of the Mugunga camp residents the name of the exhibition is Cheka Kidogo which means 'laugh a little' in Swahili.

Cheka Kidogo – A Rankin Exhibition - Photo Copyright: Andrew DaviesPhoto by Andrew Davies

From: Oxfam News Blog, 20oct08

"Rankin swaps fashion world for African war-zone
Famous for his portraits of Kate Moss, Kylie and the Queen, photographer Rankin has joined forces with Oxfam to bring the faces of those caught up in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo to London’s South Bank.

Opening tomorrow (21 October 2008), his exhibition – sponsored by the Cooperative Bank and hosted outside the National Theatre – sees Rankin’s celebrity portraiture being used with entirely different subjects – the residents of Mugunga camp, home to 17,000 people displaced by Congo’s harrowing violence."

Further Info:
Full Press Release / National Theatre

Friday 17 October 2008

Kounter Kulture, -19th Oct08, London

Wednesday 15th - Sunday 19th October 11am - 6pm
Truman Brewery - T3 and T4, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 (Wilkes St) Map
Liverpool Street Station or Bethnal Green / Old Street tube
www.opus-art.com / www.opusunderground.com
0191 213 0295

"A refreshingly edgy and exciting art fair bursts onto London’s arts scene this October. Kounter Kulture, an Opus Art production, offers a launch pad for new and established international talent. Kounter Kulture is all about the art, the artists and a sense of discovery - bringing the essence of London’s arts week back to its roots.

For those reaching stalemate with the usual suspects at Frieze, the artistic offering at Kounter Kulture provides a welcome relief. The free art fair, spread across 11,500 square feet of the Truman Brewery offers a variety of artists to fit all tastes, with areas dedicated to Urban Art, Contemporary, Recent Graduates, Chinese Contemporary and the very best from the print world. Artists include Stuart Semple, Ju$t Another Rich Kid, Miss Bugs, Pure Evil, Hush, Wang Jie, Rob Carter, Josie McCoy, Justine Smith, Will Tuck and Dave White."

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Blog Action Day - Poverty & Human Rights

Today is Blog Action Day and the topic is poverty. Poverty is a result of inequality between people. It is a result of those with power allowing themselves more substantial rights than those without. Poverty comes about when we - the human race - forget that we are all part of the same being. It thrives when we strive only to satisfy our own needs and desires regardless of the negative consequences these desires heap upon others.
Blog Action Day 08 - PovertyWithout human rights there can be no end to poverty. We have the chance to make a difference to this status quo. There is no better time than now to start acting as responsible citizens of this planet and instead of continuing to squander it's resources and take advantage of our fellow inhabitants we can make a change.

We can insist that our governments act now to limit the negative effects of climate change. We can insist on equal rights for all regardless of differences. We can stop consuming more than we need and we can make valid efforts to support systems such as fair trade. Let's do it - today!

The video below is cool. It is well designed, attractive and inspiring. Watch it and then act to make it's message a reality. Let's put these cool thoughts and ideals into practice, everywhere, for everyone...


The Universal Declaration of Human Rights from Seth Brau on Vimeo.

Video Source: An Unreliable Witness

Creative Culture and Telephone Sheep

Image source: greenUPGRADERA few months ago, over at greenUPGRADER Doug was promoting discussion around the function of art and creativity in relation to the 'green' movement and perhaps questioning how important art and design are in our current culture. The wonderful example of Jean Luc Cornec’s Telephone Sheep (pictured left) exhibited at Frankfurt's Museum für Kommunikation, 2006 was used to examine the issues.

Of course, in our view, art, design & creativity are vital components of green and eco movements both current, past and undoubtedly in the future. An appreciation of art, particularly in nature, inspires the desire to protect and support one's environment whether that environment is viewed as immediate, nationally or global. The ability to design and create also emanates from this need to protect and support as well as incorporating the desire to improve one's surroundings or situation, to solve problems and, as in all the most pertinent art, to achieve an ideal.

Even art and design which may seem superfluous or purely aesthetic on many levels rather than coming from a positive functional or progressive angle; if it captures a sense of beauty, inspires an idea, or simply makes us think about bigger questions than what we will eat for dinner, it is serving an important and necessary purpose. It almost goes without saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that 'good' art is not defined by being framed ornately and hung in a large white room; 'good' design is not only that which is proudly displayed in a museum or shop window. Positive art, design and creativity is all around and within us all the time. We only need to open our eyes.

Image source: greenUPGRADER - Copyright: Hanneorla @ FlickrI heartily agree with Doug's assertion in his post: "Work like the Telephone Sheep force us to see new uses and value to otherwise expired products. The importance of art can stretch far beyond entertaining some web surfers or museum patrons. It can spawn in any of us the ability to think with a more malleable mind. Perhaps in even a simple way on a daily basis we can look at common refuse and see further life, another form, continuing function…less waste."

By placing the objects in a totally new environment, what once were out of date communication devices, deemed unusable and deficient, are in this exhibition cleverly revived by the artist. This act or reusing, replacing and re-seeing gives the subjects an entirely new life for us, the viewer, as our view of them shifts entirely.

"The ability to see materials outside of their traditional roles is key to reducing the mass of products our society currently consumes and reusing that which surrounds us everyday to its maximum potential."

Further info:
greenUPGRADER article / Museum für Kommunikation
Photograph source: Hanneorla via Flickr

Shutting up Shop, Museum of London

Image Copyright: John Londei / Museum of LondonFrom: Museum of London - Foyer exhibitions

Shutting up Shop
2 October - 23 November 2008


"Explore the demise of the traditional local shop with this insightful photographic display of old-style London shops from the 1970s and 1980s taken by John Londei. These beautiful and moving large-scale photographs, taken with a 10'x8' plate camera, will be accompanied by recordings of interviews with some of the former owners for whom these shops were much more than just a business"

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Our Eco Shop

Image Copyright: Lisa Harland, Organic FurnishingsLisa Harland of Organic Furnishings and Sarah Baulch of Revampit are offering eco designers an opportunity to display and sell your wares in their Eco Shop near Portobello Road, West London over Christmas. Apply before Friday 17th October:

"Calling all eco designers and makers..
Would you like to be involved in running an eco friendly shop in central London on Westbourne Grove, just off Portobello Rd for a flat fee/shared rent of £60.00 per week over the Christmas period?


Image Copyright: Sarah Baulch, RevampitThen look no further, Sarah Baulch and Lisa Harland are setting up Our Eco Shop for the second year running at 303 Westbourne Grove (opposite Paul Smith) over the next two weeks. We are looking for likeminded designer-makers to be involved in opening and manning the shop for 9 weeks leading up to christmas. Rent is shared equally between all involved and all monies on each sale goes to the individual designer."

More info here

We Can Go To Sweden, Okay

This is not strictly an eco piece but it is about the thing that makes us all want to do better, live better, be better - watch:



Thanks to An Unreliable Witness

Thursday 2 October 2008

I Met The Walrus by Josh Raskin

Discovered this gem at LADG - thanks guys!



From: I Met The Walrus, YouTube, Jun08
"In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan, armed with a reel-to-reel tape deck, snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced John to do an interview about peace. 38 years later, Jerry has produced a film about it. Using the original interview recording as the soundtrack, director Josh Raskin has woven a visual narrative which tenderly romances Lennon's every word in a cascading flood of multipronged animation. Raskin marries the terrifyingly genius pen work of James Braithwaite with masterful digital illustration by Alex Kurina, resulting in a spell-binding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit, and timeless message."

Further Info:
CTV.ca

Tuesday 23 September 2008

If you go down to the V&A...

If you've not figured it out yet but are still intrigued, go down to the South Kensington / Knightsbridge area tomorrow (Wednesday 24th September 2008) area from around 6:30pm and see if you can solve the puzzle.

Clues and further details on the Facebook Group here and Enjoy!

Thursday 18 September 2008

The Charity Shop 18th - 20th Sep08, Gallery5 London

I meant to post this this morning but got distracted by the Dymaxion, apologies...

Opening today for just 3 days (er, 2 now, sorry again!) The Charity Shop is an exhibition of work for children, about children although adults and perpetual children such as us are welcome I'm sure.

Shannon Conley has collaborated with Sardine & Tobleroni (of The Monkey In The Box) for this project aimed at raising awareness of and provoking change around the global issue of children in need. The work incorporates charity shop finds (hence the title) which have been transformed by the artists to reveal new meanings related to the theme, in a very unique style.

20% of sale prices will be divided and donated to both the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust and Green Tara Trust.

Venue: Gallery 5
Address: 5 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 2EE
Open: Today with private view tonight, oh no, we've missed that...
Friday 19th Sep - 11am to 7pm / Saturday 20th Sep - 10am to 7pm
Go see. It's free!

Further Info:
The Charity Shop / West11

It's Getting Hot In Here...

The alternative?another option?You think you have it all figured out,
and then
something else crops up,
or rather, you notice something that was there all along (or was it?).

TRUST NO-ONE particularly not this one and certainly not a big armadillo... but maybe they are the ones who know everything - assuming there is anything to know?

Questions, ought to be followed by answers. If you think you have any let us know?

There may be some here, here and perhaps here

Wednesday 17 September 2008

dim3 ak7ion

...I'm placing my bets with Banksy... or something to do with Nokia... hmmmm

Shame I won't be a Londres to enjoy the spectacle...

UPDATE: Got location - huzzah! Know who it is. But still, can't be there, so check it out for me...

24th September, 18:45, London. In the spirit of mysteriousness, I will post the location nearer the time... said Alice...

Stay connected...

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Curiouser and curiouser...

... said Alice as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, crossed two fingers for luck and leapt feet first into the rabbit hole...

...blue air unwrapped it's cool arms and spread itself round about her, supporting and yet pulling Alice down through the slow motion tunnel visioned space...

...she couldn't remember landing on her feet, but somehow Alice found herself standing before a monstrously tall and impossibly narrow teak door with the word '7thsyndikate' scratched heavily into it's gnarled surface...

...glancing down, Alice noticed the bottle of green hued liquid in her hand. Carefully holding the glass stopper in place, she tipped up the bottle to read the label placed confusingly along the bottom edge. 'dim3 ak7ion' was all it said. 'Curiouser and curiouser' said Alice, not for the first time today...

Further Info:
is not available at this time

Friday 29 August 2008

Banksy's Donation

A sketch which ended up as this piece in north London was auctioned - Copyright: BBC NewsBanksy's intended donation to the Labour Party via auction of a piece of his typically witty work had to be declined due to his lack of an official identity.

But thankfully for Labour, Steve Lazarides who successfully bid £195k for the piece was kind enough to make a personal donation to the party of the bid minus the estimated value of the piece - £75k.

Thus Mr. Lazarides got to keep the piece as well as his peace of mind; Banksy got to keep his identity secret and the Labour party pocketed a tidy sum of £121k, so alls well that ends well eh!

From: BBC News, Politics, 29Aug08

"Banksy's secret costs Labour dear
Graffiti star Banksy's secret identity caused some problems for Labour's accountants, after he donated a piece of art to raise funds for the party.

The piece, Sketch for Essex Road, was the star lot at a private fundraising auction at a gallery, raising £195,000. But the party could not accept the full sum as there was no way of checking Banksy was a 'permissible lender'.

The party gave £75,000, the original valuation of the piece, to the gallery and accepted the remaining £120,000. There are various rules governing who can donate sums of more than £200 to UK political parties - for example individuals must be on a UK electoral register."

Further Info:
BBC News

Wednesday 23 July 2008

Stugbags: Recycled Print Blankets

Photo Copyright: StugbagsPhoto Copyright: StugbagsHere's a clever design idea from the Netherlands which recycles rubber print waste into bags and other funky carrying products. Stugbags salvage the rubber 'blankets' used as a backing for all sorts of graphic print items and which are then discarded by printers after use. A natural felt lining is added and hey presto - a new colourful, unique bag or laptop holder is born ready for you to carry your stuff in - brilliant! Check out the fab minimal packaging too.

Sourced from: greenUPGRADER, 22Jul08Photo Copyright: Stugbags
"“Promoting the waste=food principle”
Stug Bags use reclaimed rubber to construct their multipurpose line. Rubber printing blankets are commonly found in the offset printing business where the rubber is a coating over a compressible substance and is used to transfer ink to the printing surface. Using this material Stug then manufactures a variety of bag types Photo Copyright: Stugbagsusing natural felt lining. Each bag is unique with different ink characteristics left on the rubber surface from the last time they were used in the press."

More info: Stugbags

Tuesday 22 July 2008

Superuse: Where Recycling Meets Design

Photo Copyright: SuperuseFor some amazing recycling design ideas, inspiration and awe look no further than Superuse. From the clever-why-didn't-I-think-of-that ideas to the downright-how-can-that-possibly-work-crazy. Peruse at leisure and vote for your favourites.

"Superuse - where recycling meets design

Superuse is a online community of designers, architects and everybody else who is interested in inventive ways of recycling"

Vincent Chong @ Art In Mind

One of RecyclingCDs valued and talented artists will be exhibiting this month at the Brick Lane Gallery in London. Vincent Chong will be joining a group of other emerging and mid-career artists promoted by the gallery in this regular featured exhibition.

The show runs from 30th July until 11th August 2008 with a preview opening night on Wednesday 30th July, 6-9pm.

Venue: 196 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA / Tel: 0207 729 9721
Tube: Liverpool Street / Aldgate East

Saint Darwin's Spirituals by Vincent Chong

Further info:
Art In Mind / Brick Lane Gallery / Vincent Chong

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Battersea Power Station Renewal

Battersea Power Station Redevelopment - Copyright: Racheblue 2008
Last Saturday Ecomonkey took a trip down to Battersea Power Station to see the latest redevelopment plans by Treasury Holdings Ltd. The information centre is well organised with an impressive display of photographs, architectural drawings and plans as well as a fascinating model of the huge 38 acre site with the planned redevelopment in context.

Treasury Holdings is promoting their design as sustainable - 'A New Energy For London' which sounds great. How exactly this will be manifest is a different matter. The information contained on the Battersea-Power Station website is vague about the actual sustainable aspects to say the least. So we visited the site with a healthy dose of cynicism alongside more than a little excitement.

Battersea Power Station Redevelopment - Copyright: Racheblue 2008The £150 million plan centres around a 300 metre high chimney and 'eco-dome' which will house retail and office space as well as residential on the chimney itself! Frankly, we're unsure who would want to live on a chimney but you can't fault the developers for innovation! The 'eco-dome' will draw air up and out through the chimney enabling natural ventilation which will, according to the press release, reduce energy demand by 67%. It's a shame that the chimney looks so ugly and will dwarf the original chimneys which, in Ecomonkey's humble opinion, ought to retain a level of dominance!

Battersea Power Station - Copyright: Racheblue 2008The other main plan is to bring back the energy supply function of Battersea Power Station but this time to use renewable energy -'biofuels, waste and other renewable energy sources' using two of the current chimneys. The site will include further residential, retail, commercial and hotel as well as public space - a square, riverside walk and 6 acre park. There are also plans to extend the underground to the site.

If planning permission is granted, Treasury hope to commence building in 2012 and complete by 2020. It all sounds very ambitious and we are still not sure how much of the plan is green-wash or how realistic the sustainable aims are.

Battersea Power Station Redevelopment - Copyright: Racheblue 2008It's one thing to say the site will be 'Zero Carbon' and that the 'eco-dome' will not need air-con but surely all the houses, offices, hotel etc on the site will still consume energy and expel emissions. Will all of these buildings be powered by the site's power plant? There will undoubtedly be carbon emissions in the construction (which includes demolition and rebuilding of the existing chimneys) - have these been accounted for in the 'Zero Carbon' calculation? Will there be affordable housing or just expensive apartments to fund the development? A truly sustainable development needs to at least cater for all budgets if not focus on those at the lower end of the wage scale.

Battersea Power Station - Copyright: Racheblue 2008If the plans are fulfilled and the site does in fact become 'totally independent from reliance on public utilities', source all drinking water from an on-site borehole, harvest rainwater for grey-water recycling, collect, store and treat storm water for reuse, make good use of river transport etc. as it claims, we will be very impressed and ecstatically happy!

There is one day left for the public to visit the site and consult the plans. So to have your say get down to Battersea this weekend:
Saturday - 19th July, 10am - 6pm.
Gate 2, 188 Kirtling Street, SW8 5BN
(Tel: 0845 262 2625).
Visit the BPS website for more info.

NB: All photos are under copyright of Racheblue

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Grow Bags @ London Architecture Week

As part of the London Festival of Architecture which started at the weekend and runs until 20 July, the What If team present Grow Bag.
Is it art or a solution to a problem? Isn't that what art is? A creative solution to a problem or discussion of an issue? Hmmm, whilst you ponder that, hop on the bus to N1, WC1 or EC1 to view What If's work.

"A SOLUTION TO INNER CITY LIVING? How can we meet the demand for 'grow-your-own' within dense urban areas where available land is scarce? What-if: projects place GROW BAG installations in Hoxton Square, Store Street and Cheapside to promote the use of vacant, neglected and undefined spaces in the inner city of London for the growing of vegetables."

VACANT LOT (allotment): Chart Street, N1
GROW BAG installation 1: Hoxton Square, N1
GROW BAG installation 2: Store Street, WC1E
GROW BAG installation 3: Cheapside, EC2V
PLANT ROOM: East Road, N1

More info here

Thursday 29 May 2008

MindingThe Gap

Dearest Reader,

I hope this missive finds you well. I would like to apologise for the distinct lack of content over the past few months. This is due predominately to the state of flux brought on by leaving one side of the world for another and all that that entails. Bidding farewell to a certain way of life that had become somewhat comfortable, a wonderful group of friends both old and new, a summer that had delivered on it's promises and a beautifully stunning country with it's enchanting people - these things take a lot of time to plan and get through.

And then The Return Home - Wow! This has been and continues to be a mind blowing experience. To come back to a country you'd not for one moment stopped loving but to have been given the gift of seeing it through the new eyes of one who has spent several years away with only memories and fleeting glimpses to see her through. This is truly an amazing experience. To realise that one's allegiance to home is based on more than a pride in the familiar. To return as though to a best friend and find yourself quite unexpectedly falling in love! This is coming home! It has been wonderful and frustrating and although we're still not quite settled yet, plans are in place and gradually unfolding.

All this Dear Reader - lack of time and a base from which to work - has meant it has been difficult to post my thoughts and findings to you despite the fact that I have thought of you often and composed innumerable posts and musings to you in my meandering mind.

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive the absence and that our relationship can resume once more over the coming weeks.

With kind thoughts and best wishes,
Rache x

Thursday 28 February 2008

Banksy in the Swiss Embassy

If you go down to the car park of the Swiss Embassy you will find a space covered in the potent art work of Banksy - the renowned and talented graffitti artist.

The Guardian's Arts Correspondent, Mark Brown took a trip to check out.

Watch the video here

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Hoopla Workshop, Auckland

Those clever people at Toggle, Esther Lamb and Shelley Simpson are holding a sewing/embroidery/stitch-art workshop at Artstation this week. Designed to bring these traditional skills into the realm of modern art, Hoopla sounds like lots of fun. Here's the low-down from the organisers:

10 am - 3pm
27 February - 5 March 2008
Artstation, 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton, Auckland

$5 pp individual / $4 pp for groups
Closing afternoon tea: 3-6pm, Wednesday 5 March 2008

"Hoopla! is a week long creative workshop and exhibition that takes the traditional craft of embroidery into the realm of contemporary art...

...Participants are invited to come and create art works using stitch, embroidery hoops and a selection of fabrics, felt shapes, buttons, sequins and thread
... can either join one of the stitch workshops or visit the parlour to stitch in their own time. Adults, teenagers, children and families are welcome to participate...

Feel free to come along at any time between 10am and 1.30. We will be there to help you with creating your own artwork in stitch."

More info here

Friday 22 February 2008

The Creative Industries, Manchester, 27Feb08

The Creative Industries: Ten Years After

Walton Hall, Manchester, UK
Wednesday 27 Feb08, 9am - 6pm

Organisers:
Mark Banks, Department of Sociology/CRESC, The Open University
Justin O'Connor, Cultural and Media Industries Research Centre, University of Leeds

"The Creative Economy Programme sets out an ambitious strategy which once again places the creative industries at the heart of the UK’s economic future. The ‘UK model’ has been internationally exported, across Europe, and into territories as diverse as Australia, China and South Korea, shaping and being shaped by pre-existing policy frameworks, contributing to the rapid globalization of creative industry debate. Yet there are some hard questions to be asked and key issues to be addressed – this symposium attempts to address these issues and in doing so take forward an agenda for critical debate on the creative industries. A series of invited key speakers will address the following themes:

· the historical formation and context of 'creative' industries
· creative industry policy and the legacy of ‘New Labour’
· creative industries and local and regional development
· creative industries in comparative international contexts
· the changing politics of creativity and creative industry work
· the future policy agenda for creative industries

Speakers include: Justin O’Connor, David Hesmondhalgh (Leeds), Andy Pratt (LSE), Kate Oakley (City), Chris Bilton (Warwick), Mark Banks, Jason Toynbee (Open)"

More here
Source: Wiser Earth

Sunday 17 February 2008

One Million Peace Signs

One Million Peace Signs is a new website and blog aimed at encouraging readers worldwide to share pictures of people and places related to peace, focusing particularly on images of the traditional peace symbol.

The site authors explain:
"Snowed in on Jan. 1, 2008 in the Middle-of-Nowhere Wyoming, we decided that collecting One Million Signs of Peace for a website would be a fine New Year's Resolution. Crazy? Probably. Possible? We think so! Since then, people from all over the world have sent us their Peace Sign Photos, Peace observations, and "go for it" encouragement..."

As well as posting pictures (currently via Facebook and flickr), visitors are invited to add peace promoting events and personal peace heroes. There is also a page containing information and links about the history of the peace symbol. A thoroughly inspiring read...

One Million Peace Signs
Click links for more: website / flickr group / facebook group

Saturday 16 February 2008

My Heart Wanders - Pia Jane Bijkerk

Image Copyright: Clarence S. Bull - Underwood Photo Archives
Pia Jane Bijkerk is offering us the chance to enter creative images for her 'My Heart Wanders' book. It sounds like a beautiful idea. Read the delightful project conception story and simple entry instructions on the blog and get inspired by the delicious images!


"...And so as I travelled in search of my heart, I caught glimpses of it everywhere - little signs of it in the streets, in the landscapes, in my work, on set, in the many homes that I visited.

And then I saw it amongst you. Image Copyright: Maureen DuLong

The direction of my little wandering heart became apparent and it is my pleasure to now pull the red velvet curtains back and make welcome my first collective blog art project…"


Read more here

Tuesday 29 January 2008

NZAG Awards, Fri 1st Feb08

NZAG
The New Zealand Art Guild Feb08 competition is underway and you are invited to the awards ceremony this Friday from 6:30pm at the Bruce Mason Art Centre in Takapuna, North Shore.

I managed a sneak preview of some of the other entries and it promises to be a fabulously interesting show! Exhibition entrants will be announced on Thursday but I am - somewhat optimistically perhaps - off to write my acceptance speech for the top prize, tee hee! Hope to see you there if you can make it.

"Don't miss - Opening Night and Award Ceremony for the NZAG ART AWARDS 2008. North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams will officially open the exhibition.

When: Friday 1st Feb 6:30 pm
Where: Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland

Everyone is invited to attend what is a NZ first - a challenge based art awards. Free entry - drinks and nibbles provided."


More info here

Thursday 17 January 2008

Restitch - Sewing Skills

Copyright: Restitch - Bobbins Restitch is a small UK company run by Mary Jo Hill which recycles unwanted adult clothes into a delightful range of children's clothing. The company is committed to producing locally made goods and helping to reduce landfill by rescuing good quality cotton and corduroy clothing that would otherwise end up there.

In a Restitch press release last year, Mary expressed her concern that many young people of current generations are growing up without the skills required for even mending clothes let alone making their own or customising shop bought items. This lack of skills gives increased power to high street companies as one of only a few means of sourcing clothing.

"...most people are unable to carry out straightforward sewing tasks like repairing tears, mending holes and following simple patterns... ...today’s consumer-driven society encourages clothes to be bought and thrown away rather than made in the home and repaired.

Hill says that unless people relearn these skills they face a world where fashion is entirely dictated by large high street retailers and people are unable to regain their individuality.

In an effort to encourage greater numbers to take up sewing, Restitch is making a selection of patterns available free on its website.
“By making these easy-to-follow patterns available free and online we are hoping to show today’s generation how easy it is to make new clothes from old or unworn ones. Every person should be able to pick up a needle and thread and sew,” says Hill."


Visit the Restitch site here / Full Press Release here