Saturday 1 February 2014

Saturday 1st Feb: Paloma Faith's "Jump & Jive"




Last night Paloma Faith held a dance party to celebrate completing her new record ........ 3 albums since the first celebration party I went to at The Black Gardenia in Soho (R.I.P) for her debut single in 2009!  Massive congratulations Paloma!  Your'e as beautiful, lovely and loveable as you always have been!
Here are just a few of the hats that filled the room .......... it was wall to wall fedoras and trilbys...... head over to Paloma's instagram to see more.
(Images top to bottom:  La Touche's pic of Paloma, the two hat lovers together, the three hat brothers together - Leyman + La Touche + Seye, and me + Chuko of venue Pelicans Below Rum Shop in Dalston)
Pre-Ordeer "A Perfect Contradiction" here.

Friday 31 January 2014

Friday 31st Jan: Behind the scenes on set with Walter Hugo & Zoniel for "Travelling Mac Fred On A Q-Tip For A Tribe Called Guess"







You will have noticed the hiatus that always happens around this time of year, as it gets close to fashion week and I go to ground focusing on making rather than typing.  This season I'm doing something different by holding an exhibition instead of a presentation or pop-up.  The main focus is a mini retrospective but threaded together by a narrative of new work.  Part of this process is a collaboration with artist / photography duo Walter Hugo and Zoniel.  Here are snaps from the shoot we had earlier in the week.  Walter usually achieves his pin-hole camera portraits with apparatus that requires a large set-up but with the recent help of GlobeTrotter creating a travelling version,  he can now be mobile.  The result of Kim's styling of my archive pieces and Zoniel's reinterpretation in pigment on paper will be unveiled on Thursday evening at KKOutlet for the private view.  More info to follow..........
(photo of Josh Quinton on set by Zoniel)

Monday 27 January 2014

Monday 27th January: Short Film- A Shared Cultural Memory - A Collaboration between Actress, Eddie Peake and Nic Hamilton - Guest Post



Back in August the church of St John in Hackney welcomed an ambitious collaboration as part of their annual summer series programed by Bird on The Wire.

The performance was titled ‘A Shared Cultural Memory’, and saw three of London’s most innovative artists, each a pioneer within their different fields, working together for the first time in an attempt to create just that; through the use of experimental music, performance and art.

Music was headed up by musician and producer Actress, who’s conceptual approach to music, and somewhat dissident mentality, lent itself perfectly to such a venture. A figure who is consistently referred to as fascinating, enigmatic and complex, Actress reimagines techno’s weighty industrial beats to create a diffused version of the genre that’s both brutal and serene in equal measures. This audio in itself, resounding through the nave of the 18th century building, made for an intensely visceral experience, however the addition of performance and visuals added a ‘happening’-esque air to the event.  

The performance element came in the ethereal forms of dancers, choreographed by performance artist Eddie Peake. Peake’s innate comprehension of contemporary popular culture meant his interpretation of Actress’ soundtrack portrayed an understanding of his musical style, which ultimately resulted in a synchronisation that seemed effortless.  Since the performance, Eddie Peake has gone on to exhibit at Berlin’s Peres Projects, and collaborate with Kendrick Lamar- furthermore exploring his interest in popular music, and the possibilities of cross-genre collaboration.

An additional visual component was provided by designer Nic Hamilton, who, by combining key elements from Actress’ and Peake’s work, created hyperrealist projections depicting contrasting hard and soft factors, teaming rigid structural forms with sinuous figures.

The completed article all housed within the eerie setting of the Hackney church made for an evocative, stimulating and multidimensional experience, which has been captured beautifully in a short film, just  released over on WerkhausLtd. The film provides a new perspective of the show for those who were there, and for those who were not, a chance to experience the unique event, as well as become a part of the shared cultural memory the collective were keen to create.





Actress’ latest album Ghettoville is released through Ninja Tune today and is available for download here.

With special thanks to Werkhaus Ltd,  Bird on the Wire and the St Johns Sessions.




Words by Amy Lee
Photo by Fred