gabriel dawe.

After discovering Janet Echelman's work, I went seeking for artists doing similar things.  In my search, I discovered the very exciting work of artist, Gabriel Dawe, who also works with string.

I see Dawe's installations as an intense study of colour. He transforms string it into coloured light pulses and vibrating energy. I can imagine the experience of walking around his work and seeing moire effects and transforming colours as the visual friction of the coloured threads overlap.

Visit his website here to see more of his beautiful work . I've got my fingers crossed that he one day shows in Melbourne.

Images below reproduced from Gabriel Dawe's website with permission from the artist.

plexus 3

plexus 3- looking down the central axis

plexus 4

plexus 4

plexus 4

plexus 1

      

plexus 2 

to market, to (other) market.

The bi-annual Design "Markit" is on at Federation Square today. I normally make the effort to go and support the local designers, but frankly, I'm not quite in the mood to brave the cold or the crowds this morning. I feel a bit bad about it so please go if you can!

To satisfy my design market cravings, I decided to hit online marketplace, Etsy, instead. Below are some of my favourite pickings for the day.

I must apologize for not picking any Australian designers, of which there are many great ones, but I got a bit excited by all the international talent I hadn't seen before. The featured designers are all still small scale operators producing handmade goods so they are absolutely, still worth supporting.

Click on the image captions to be redirected to the Etsy ad. It's well worth checking out what else these Etsy stores have to offer.

for the body.

MaaPstudio's Porcelain Ring

EcoShag's The Super Chunky Jersey Scarf

Maranon's Batman Necklace

Senayakin's Triangle Ring with enamel colored cup

JoDemontis' Draped Sack Dress

Yokoo's Three Ring Chain

for the home.

RouDesign's Scupltural Vases

Simbiotekdesignlab's Cluster Coasters Hexagon Series

Studiokmo's Madrid map cutout



Jean Pelle's Bubble Chandelier

Cantilever and Press's Wolf Den Coat Rack

Kimwestad's Vase with Pebble Slip Design in Aqua

Lacasadecoto's Crochet Stool Cover

Byrdandbelle's Felt & Leather Laptop Case

alemanys 5, anna noguera

These images have been infecting the blogosphere like the black plague over the last month or so, but I love this project so much I couldn't resist the temptation to reblog it, one more time.

This 16th century house in Girona has been converted into two apartments by Spanish Architect, Anna Noguera.

It's a textural fanfare. The stone walling, the exposed timber structure, the satin finish of the black steel plates and the gauzy linen drapes are all so tantalizing. The juxtaposition of these textures even makes the flatness of the plasterboard wall seem appealing (see kitchen image).

To add to this, the muted tones of the scheme and the hints of Scarpa-esque detailing place this project firmly into my list of favourites for the year.

If you happen to be holidaying in Spain, you can actually book in to stay there. If you're interested, click here.

Project facts from Dezeen.
Images from Anna Noguera's website. Visit her website for more images & plans.

material explorations.

I've been a bit fixated on the way other designers use materials of late. Perhaps it has something to do with all the material research I've been doing at work. I'm really interested in the idea of taking something quite ordinary and pushing its boundaries to create something unique and exciting.

A great example of this is the jewellery of Italian Designer, Maria Cristina Bellucci. Her collection, "Colours" is all about exploring colour pencils. I think her investigation into this simple, everyday material is so clever. Her designs uniquely reveal different qualities of coloured pencils, exploiting colour, form and texture. Her jewellery is beautifully crafted, ensuring her ideas are well executed.

If you're in Melbourne, she happens to have some of her work at Bini Gallery on Smith St in Collingwood at the moment. Woo hoo for us! Otherwise, click here to visit her website.

All images are reproduced with the permission of Maria Cristina Belluci.

incredible brick church.

This is the Grundtvig Church in Copenhagen, Denmark. This stunning church is constructed entirely from brick, including the walls, floor and vaulted ceiling.

I love how this project explores the potentials of bricks. The bricks are so sculptural and luminous. By limiting itself to the one material, the space is minimalist but also texturally ornate. 

When I was studying, I used to have a serious aversion to brick. My my, haven't I changed my tune?

Special thanks to Stephen for sending these holiday happy snaps to my inbox.

Photographs by Stephen Javens

future fashion now.

A friend of mine is organising "Future Fashion Now," an event which showcases designs that implement social and environmental sustainability principals. I'm really excited for her and think it's a great initiative. (Go Verity!)

As part of the festival, they're running the "I made this" competition, which is open to the public. Eager to support this event, I've been trying to work out what I can enter, using my basket full of remnant fabric at home. 

I was delighted to find the examples below in my travels. What I like about both designers is their ability to work innovatively within their self-enforced constraints. Their social and environmental aspirations are not at all a hinderance but an opportunity to explore really interesting ideas and concepts.

Entries are due on Wednesday so I better quit blogging and hit my sewing machine...

Click here if you're interested in entering.

Above is Karima Shahani's final year collection for the London College of Fashion.
Karima draws from her  Indian heritage and is driven by her cultural and social sustainability agenda.
She incorporates recycled plastics in her designs and uses Indian artisans who source their materials locally.
Source: http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/KarishmaShahani

The above works are by Australian designer, Rachael Cassar who uses recycled fabrics for all her creations.
Source: http://www.rachaelcassar.com

tim & trish.

Meet my cousins Tim & Trish. The pair of them are long time photography junkies and the best of friends.  I was originally going to feature them in seperate posts, but I think there's something special about witnessing the exchange between them when you see their work side by side.


Below is a selection of work from this young, uber talented duo.

I'm in the process of buying a digital SLR. I've got my fingers crossed that this photographic skill is genetic...

To here to see more of Tim's work, visit his website and here to see more of Patricia's, click here.

tim.

patricia.

Thanks to Tim & Tish for their permission to reproduce their images.
You guys are awesome.