WOTTONCOOL

I bought the book Imagemakers awhile back and have used it as a reference on several school projects in the past.

Recently, I took it out again to read and felt compelled to share the talent of Laura Mccafferty from the UK.

Her style and approach is unique and intriguing. I find myself lost in her pieces, trying to figure out HOW she puts everything together. Using a combination of careful planning, pen, paint, screen print, appliqué AND hand stitching, Laura puts together such intriguing illustrations.

from scenes

to fashions..

These multi-disciplinary works are available for purchase on the Laura Mccafferty website. And in the book Imagemakers, it features just five of Laura’s works which are cropped, close-up compositions that offer  suggestions of details using stitching and layering fabrics.

i wish i could sew, screen print and paint like that! (either separately OR in combination) and a Laura Mccafferty illustration would be nice as well. (:

- Sarah, drooling over her copy of Imagemakers

“Designer Gas Masks

We are in a state of perpetual war - with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In this present context, our fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption

Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied.
An extending branded myths and icons feed this fear.
Designer Gask Masks is an attempt to visualise this state of mind
Because it is only first by acknowledging
then challenging that we will be able to breathe a little easier.”

Pictures and text from diddovelema.com via sucker4clothes.wordpress.com

I know this is art, for commentary’s sake.. and I love it for that.

I can kinda understand the branded mobile phones, tennis rackets and bicycles, but can you imagine if these gas masks were to really materialise and go on sale?!

Gasp.

These are A FEW? of my favourite things?

I was looking up some photographs when I found Jeong Mee Yoon’s “The Pink Project”. Yoon was inspired by her 5-year-old daughter’s love for pink and decided to photograph all of her daughter’s favourite pink objects - be it toys, books or stationery. She went on to photograph other parents’ daughters and sons together with their favourite items.

Photos from artnet.com

W. O. W. these kids sureee are lucky. They boys even have a hint of smug on their faces! I like spending money and shopping for myself, but I love buying/making gifts too. But having a kid is like, buying stuff for one whole other person! How will I bear to spend thattt much! I can’t imagine.

But why the pink for girls and blue for boys? What about all the colours in between! You know how infants have their photographs taken right after they’ve popped out, the girls are always in pink and the boys are always in blue, and all the gifts from friends and relatives are all colour coded.

When I have my own kids, I want colours like magenta, plum, lime green, canary yellow and all the other yummy colours.

Actually, I need all these colours in my cupboard now.

I put all my clothes into to cupboard, one consists of all the clothes with black and dark colours, the other with white and light colours.

You will see that I am in dire need of a wardrobe detox when I put up pictures, haha.

I think if I laid out all my favourites they’d form a very depressing grayscale. When I have an option of colour/print v black/white, I usually opt for the latter thinking it’ll be easier to match. Hell yea, now I have a lot of things in the same colour to match.

But it’s okay, I will stock up on PRINTS and BRIGHT HAPPY COLOURS on my trip to Hong Kong, in EXACTLY A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO.

I consider myself to be rather geeky.

I don’t think that there has to be clear distinctions between art and science, in contrast the the streaming process at the end of secondary 2. SMU (not so) recently had an exhibition with the intention of bringing art to the masses to experience, in more ways than one. Titled ‘nonSENSE’, the pieces incorporated elements of sound and texture, in addition to the traditional visual elements. One particular piece is by Joshua Yang.

Joshua Yang
Trying to tie up the loose ends but leaving just enough room to breathe
Drawing installation

Photo from: http://www.smu.edu.sg/students/student_life/arts/arts2.asp

The piece takes up a significant amount of space on the wall and uses a concept called ‘line theory’ or ’superstring’. This concept is about using a continuous line to draw.

I recall the first time I came across this concept. Joshua Yang had won the Abstract Category of the UOB Painting of the Year 2005

Superstring, 2005. By Joshua Yang

Photo from: http://verticalsubmarine.multiply.com/photos/album/6/joshua_yang#

After understanding more about this artsy yet sciency piece, I used a different, but geeky nonetheless, concept for my own art piece for A Levels called ‘fractals’.

Fractals are naturally occurring self-repeating patterns that can be either geometric or naturally occurring. Too big a mouthful to swallow? Let me break it down further.

A self-repeating patterns means that when you zoom into the pattern, it looks exactly the same as the zoomed out pattern image. Geometric fractals use geometric shapes to build/create these fractal patterns.

(ignore the upper portion of this picture)

The lower portion show different fractal patterns. From basic lines (centre, the bougainvillea plant is an example of this linear fractal pattern. Look closely at the small thorny parts next time you see it), to triangles, to squares, and even with circles.

Fractals, I find, are easiest explained using circles. In the circular drawing, there are many more smaller circles inside. When any three circles meet, they create a triangular space within. Within this triangular space, you draw another circle that touches the three larger circles to create three smaller triangular spaces and you can keep repeating this processes infinitely (or until you get tired of drawing).

In the above image, I’ve also included naturally occurring types of fractals, that aren’t as structured, in the form of paint blobs that have been squished between two flat surfaces and then peeled apart.

After the hard work of peeling layers of paper with squished wet paint in the centre apart, among other things, I came up with this.

Fractals, 2006. By Sarah Swee

Its been awhile since I’ve done anything substantial. But for one of my modules, we had to do a drawing. And being inspired, yet again, by Joshua Yang, the final result was as such.

(i can’t even remember what i titled this piece, will update later), 2008. By Sarah Swee

I suppose its apt that i drew a piece from the Renaissance period whereby the marriage of art and science was widely used and applied.

I intend to translate both concepts onto shirts that I can wear, and possibly sell, if people wanted to buy them. Perhaps in two weeks time, when I don’t have as many working hours. Would you wear a shirt/tank with designs like these?

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Djurdjica Kesic seems to pluck ideas from just about anywhere and translate them into jewellry and other objects (objects! like something from a part of an installation, maybe?) that inch their way into my giant book of desirables.

Armed with a diploma in metalsmithing and degree in interior design, Djurdjica churns out fluid, organic, raw, but conceptually profound jewellry.

Take a look at these!

Vessel
Vessel ring that conceptually contains, carries, transports what is personal to one. The dimensions and form for this ring stems from the body, emerging from the contours of the hand.

Text and Images from djurdjicakesic.com

What is not to like? Change, transience, transition, transformation piques my interest. I love the transitions series.

I hated doing preparatory work when I was doing art at ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels - why can’t I just start on whatever I like and want, whenever?

But now I see that sometimes it’s the thought that goes into the pieces that makes it so - awesomely - cool

(Ashamed) Actually, I’m not sure if Djurdjica is a he/she ): Care to verify?

Pardon, the title, I simply could not resist! But this entry is nothing like F+ART

I love the idea of merging fine art, or illustration or any other form of visual art with fashion. I think many people would find that the line between these two mediums is kinda blurred anyway.

Here is Masha D’yans from Russia, who creates lovely water colours that hints strongly of graphic design and illustration qualities.

Gorgeous bleeding and clean whites

Vibrant colours and insanely delicate strokes. I also like the bold marker strokes in contrast to the texture of watercolour.

Pictures from masha.com

“Her playful, sensitive, colorful and tactile painting style draws on a plethora of inspirations including fashion, animation, calligraphy, Japanese art, nature and, of course, Russian fairy tales. Whimsical and sophisticated, her themes are evocative of a child’s imagination: euphoric abandon, everyday mystery, and the beauty of imperfection.”

I love her style, so bold, idiosyncratic, easily recognizable, but yet it allows the viewer to bring more meaning and message into her work (her works were mostly on greeting cards).

I’m so glad I got one of her works on a t-shirt (the last picture!) that I purchased from Urban Outfitters about a month ago (:

Watercolour has been a favourite of mine since my upper secondary school days. I struggled and am still struggling with the medium. It is so versatile, it gives you so much whiteness but so much character in the colours at the same time. I never fail to be in awe of new watercolour techniques. It is so so exciting to try!

Sarah here! 2 April 2008, Jo and I attended Blueprint 2008. Now, you may be wondering What EXACTLY is Blueprint about? Well, fret not. I was asking myself that too.

Blueprint is an experimental project by the DesignSingapore Council. They bring together fashion and product designers to collaborate and produce new designs, of both the fashion and product sorts, and SFF is their platform to showcase their creations. The collaborations are threaded together with its common elements: products and fashion. To make the show more seamless (and, I am assuming, to allow some of the models time to change) there was a video linking the different collaborations. Overall, the video was well executed, although the ending was somewhat disappointing.

This was the runway setting, with Ori.03s by P.C.Ee: Exit (a geometric, side table that doubles as a stool in stainless steel) stacked together in front of the main screens. Along the runway, there were Dunes by OUTOFSTOCK, angled frames with red threads that create different levels of transparency depending on line of sight. The image of the Dunes are not clear in this picture, but in the later photos, it should be somewhat clearer. Another feature was the chandelier at the end of the runway.

Chandelier by Jason Ong of JIENSHU

The chandelier provided an interesting end to the show. But more about that later! The show opened with the ‘Metamorphosis’ collection from Desmond Yang of Abyzz, in collaboration with Brian Law and Tan Sixiu.

Photo from <http://www.mica.gov.sg/pressroom/080327%20SFF.pdf>

I found this collection interesting and avant garde. The hoods with collar details were quirky but I thought the multitude of ties drowned some of the pieces. You wouldn’t want these stray ends to be dragging on the floor.

Next up, was the ONLY all-Male collection that made Jo drool (at least a little bit). The collection, Serotine (AW 2008/2009) by Chia Wie Choong of Antebellum (in collaboration with P.C. Ee of Exit)

Photo from <http://www.mica.gov.sg/pressroom/080327%20SFF.pdf>

Honestly, menswear is not my forte (yet!) Overall, the clothes moved well. The cutting was rather unorthodox: some of the pants had ‘gladiator sandal’ details at the bottom, which was very unique.

Next up was the collaboration of Nic Wong of Nicholas and Jarrod Lim of Jarrod Lim Design. The central theme revolved around the idea of the classic shirt, with an injection of quiet confidence and subtle detailing that makes ALL the difference.

This collection, was probably, my favourite collection from the Blueprint show for its wearability . (And aptly, Nicholas’ collection is titled ‘ My Favourite Shirt’ SS0 The prices for this collection starts at $129, if I am not mistaken. AND if you just so happen to have a hold of the Rapunsale flyer, you enjoy a 10% discount off regular priced items at Nicholas.

Anyway, besides the shirts, the dresses from this collection were well-cut and well-made. The way they moved down the runway… Brilliant!! I especially liked a simple black dress, paired with a thin black patent leather belt, with fabric that billowed from sleeves to bottom hem as the model floated down the runway.

(Sorry, this is the ONLY picture I have of the piece)

In contrast with Nicholas’ controlled palette, Space Oddities (SS0 by Jay Quek & Madeleine Wong of POSSE Studios, in collaboration with the group from OUTOFSTOCK, was vibrant and sporty. Their opening piece had a green scarf with pockets. (LOVE IT!!)

Another weakness of mine was their jackets.

This coat, in particular, was sheer black with somewhat of a lace detail and a delicious red lining that showed through. However, they also had cropped jackets in lime green as well. One piece did not seem to gel very well with the rest of the collection.

But all in all, the collection was fun and funky. Interesting details such as candy-coloured zip details won me over.

Last but not least was the dynamic collection of Jason Ong of Jienshu and BenWu of BenWu. Spacey, Edgy and Insane! (In an affectionate way, I mean)

The collection had models don edgy hats/helmets.

LOVE IT!!!

But did not love the bubble butt as much. :/

This Spring 2009 collection oozed ‘futuristic‘ with unconventional materials and unique cutouts. Some of the shapes were more daring…

Whereas others had an unexpected twist.

This halter vest with train was the top portion of the chandelier that was situated above the end of the runway. As the finale, the chandelier was lowered and two helpers assisted the model in putting on the garment. The execution of the finale was as smooth as it could have possibly been, assuming they only practiced once :/

Moreover, I found myself distracted by the model’s hair that was dripping wet. (Water was literally dripping down her back and onto the clothes!) I am guessing that it was a last minute decision, although I can’t understand why. Is the ‘wet’ look IN?

With that, I end my uber-long post. Thank you.

In lieu of my recent exposure to film art (I’ve been more of a visual arts person), I’m pretty excited about the 21st Singapore International Film Festival, which happens from 4-14 April 2008!

I wanted to catch the one on Annie Leibovitz, filmed by her sister, but it is sold out! There are also lots of free screenings, so do check the website and register for the shows soon.