Tuesday, 22 June 2010

CSM Graphic Design 2010 part 2








More things we liked from the CSM 2010 Graphics show.

CSM Graphic Design 2010

Seen at the CSM 2010 Graphic Design Degree Show at Nicholls and Clarke on Shoreditch High St this weekend. Lots of lovely lovely work.

Magdalena Sobczynska

Shin Park

Dias Murzabekov

Liana Kesenci

Monday, 21 June 2010



We like colour, and unsurprisingly so does Dulux.

Thursday, 17 June 2010

Stephen Gill



From old junk for sale at a market in Hackney Wick to deserted half-cleared spaces destined to become London 2012 Olympic sites, Stephen Gill is there with his camera to record it all. One of our favourites, A Series of Disappointments, is a collection of photos of discarded betting slips, each one twisted, folded or screwed up in different ways by frustrated punters at the William Hill. In his photos the essence of life is to be found in what we have left behind. Stephen Gill self-publishes collections of his own work, the latest of which, Coming Up for Air, of photos taken in 2008 and 2009 while in Japan, will be launching at Photographers Gallery with a signing on 1 July from 6pm. We are officially excited.

From Hackney Flowers


From Hackney Wick


From A Series of Disappointments


All photos Stephen Gill

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Chorus at Wapping Project




Three words: Lovely, spiritual and unexpected. It's hard to describe this work by UVA. We were expecting it to be quite a techy affair but in fact the combination of the space - the beautiful back room of the Wapping Project, the incredible sound design, and the seamless movement of the 8 pendulums which comprise this piece, make it a surprisingly emotional experience. The sound was great in fact - maybe that was the element we weren't expecting. Then a super quick journey home on the new overground! 10 Minutes to Dalston - yes love.

Monday, 7 June 2010

Antony Gormley at White Cube


We like this new-ish installation by Antony Gormley at White Cube in Mason's Yard. Entering the pitch black basement, your eyes adjust to a mass of ghostly white cubes that seem to float in space. You're encouraged to walk through the installation, even though it messes with your depth perception so you think you're going to put your foot through it. After a couple of minutes, floodlights switch on, almost blinding everyone. We all stood around blinking for a little bit, and then the lights went off. The formerly ghostly structure is now glowing at full strength, the phosphorescent paint covering it having re-charged. It reminded us a little of Martin Creed, who we love. Abstract cubist sculpture self portraits in rusted metal populate the room upstairs.
Test Sites continues until July 10.

Electric Hotel




The weather has been a bit strange lately so it was a lovely surprise to have a nice evening for the outdoor production of Electric Hotel put on by Sadlers Wells. I keep saying it was David Lynch-esque to everyone who would care to listen, and I stand by it. Film noir-ish plot devices, filthy hotel rooms, unexplained screams and impromptu mass dance routines kept us all enthralled, sat in our seats with headphones on to hear all the action going on inside a convincingly old-looking but in fact purpose built hotel building. The setting of the whole piece - one of the last few un-re-developed areas of kings cross, behind a disused gas tower - helped suspend our disbelief that perfect extra bit.