Opus Alchymicum by Amanda Salway

Inspiration: Weather and natural disasters

Opus Alchymicum

Weather: All encompassing

interconnecting forces of chaos.

Destruction and Creation.

Humans have long sought control of this.

The consequences - devastating.

Climate is changing. More sudden. More violent.

Its infamous devastation feared.

From this tragedy can come beauty. A rebirth.

Stripped back. The process of returning to prime matter.

The opportunity to begin a new.

Through the darkness of suffering, one can find 

the germ of light.

Healing and recovery.

We travel an extraordinary journey through time

constantly changing form.

Opus Alchymicum: Process Overview 1. Images - Deweaponizing the Gun

Opus Alchymicum: Process Overview 2. Images - Alison Lambert: Emotion and Expression

Scarti-Lab (Scartissue By T.M Snc)

Scarti-Lab is a clothing brand based at the heart of Bologna, Italy that forges its own unique path away from mainstream, trend led fashion. Tony and Melissa together with a dedicated group of friends, distinctive in their own style, strive towards expressing personality and a narrative of their experiences through the clothing. Their garments have a raw aesthetic which is timeless, appealing to those who appreciate history, quality and heritage. Bologna's life style, ambiance and culture are integral to the creativity of Scarti-Lab.

 The surrounding architecture and materials, such as the worn plaster surface of a rustic wall, inspires them and they apply this awareness of materials to their fabrication and classic cut, using the finest Japanese fabrics with thorough craftsmanship handed down from generation to generation.

 The garments are meticulously researched, tested and finished with textile washes and treatments. They explore new techniques all the time and I love their tattooed rear labels on their jeans - a technique no mainstream fashion label would attempt.

Their website has beautiful images and the way they describe their work and ethos is so poetic and dynamic it's inspirational and worth the read.

Junya Ishigami: Air as Architecture at The Barbican, London

Currently the Barbican is exhibiting Junya Ishigami’s first UK installation, an architect working within the realms of art and architecture, toying with the perceptions of minimalism with an intriguing use of materials and scale. The installation was stunning. The unique space of The Curve houses a fragile structure appearing to be held together and supported by air, Ishigami describes it as ‘melting endlessly into space’ and it certainly does. The room is pure white, the structure and space at one, allowing only groups of up to five at a time to view the work (you also had to remove footwear.) It felt more intimate between the visitor and the structure viewing in small groups. It is highly difficult to see and you do really have to look hard. Why? Because what I found astounding was the scale of the structure, that of rain droplets measuring 1mm and cloud droplets measuring 0.01mm – it is bewildering to comprehend on that scale! The fragile atmosphere in The Curve is beautiful and tranquil and if I focused intently I caught glimpses of some of the 2,756 transparent threads of 'clouds' supporting the beams.

An artist statement accompanies the exhibition exploring Ishigami’s thoughts and concepts that fuel his desire to investigate and eliminate the walls between the internal and external, architecture and landscape, man and nature. But I won’t spoil it for you. The read is brilliant and thought provoking, I urge you, it is surely not one to miss. Unfortunately photography is prohibited so I haven’t got images for you, although if it is difficult to view in person I can imagine that photography would be futile. The images below are of Ishigami's previous works.

The exhibition continues until the 16th October 2011 at The Curve, Barbican.

Model research of the ultimate transparency, the boundary line between existence and non-existence. Images © design boom

'Balloon' (2007) at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo images courtesy Junya Ishigami + Associates. Images © designboom

Junya Ishigami's Japanese Pavilion at the 2008 International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. Images © designboom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sketches & Scribbles

We are always exposed to the finished product of design, whether that be in store, online, or on a catwalk, but never really see the design process. It's the inspirational photographs, sketches, mood boards, toiles and idea generation that, I think, adds depth to the final outcome and shows a designers personal flare.

Makr Sketchbook Images (from http://www.makr.com)

 

I came across Makr recently which is the title of the design projects of Jason Gregory who creates a range of goods from accessories through to furniture. On his blog he posted 'Sketchy Shit' which showed a selection of shots from his personal sketchbook. I love the energy behind the varied pencil strokes and the scribbled annotation exploring his thought process. Mistakes are also there to view which is great as proof that sometimes ideas don't work and that's OK - but don't erase them! You never know when you might need to refer back.

Images from: Top Left- Style Salvage. Top Right- Design Boom. Bottom- jacobkamara.wordpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have always adored Aitor Throup's illustrations which are beautifully executed anatomical and ergonomic explorations which reflect his design process and final product. Noted scribbles and frozen character forms in mid movement all culminate to a very unique style.

My Photographs from Tommy Nutter: Rebel on the Row

A few weeks ago I went to the Tommy Nutter exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum which displayed, amongst an archive of his clothing, a selection of documents and original sketches which show the lively nature of his aesthetic that took Savile Row by surprise.

Images from: Top Left,Right and Bottom Right- Chiu-I Wu Gallery, Bottom Left- My Photograph 

At the beginning of the summer I attended Potfest in the Park 2011 in Cumbria, an international pottery and ceramic festival. What I loved most were the designers who also had their sketchbooks on display. Chiu-I Wu was one of my favourite exhibits with her naive style and sweet illustrations that are a definite inspiration for her ceramics.

Images from: Top Left-Amazon, Top Right(Aitor Throup),Bottom Left(Mark Fast)-Laurence King, Bottom Right(Carola Euler)- Zimbio

This is a brilliant book, 'Fashion Designers' Sketchbook' by Hywel Davies exploring some of the most famous designers sketchbooks and design processes from the likes of Galliano through to Margaret Howell - a great insight and inspiration, certainly worth the purchase.

If anything, seeing how varied the techniques of drawing are from all the featured designers and how they generate ideas has encouraged me to get scribbling! It's very personal and the thought of having to impress others with your drawing ability shouldn't be of relevance. Remember, it is a belief in your own unique style of sketching that will continue to inspire.