Sat Nov 20th: "Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty" at Somerset House

I haven't had a chance to get down to Somerset House yet for this exhibition as its been all hands on deck at my studio. But Emily went to scope out the situation to share just incase I don't manage to make it in time...........as so often regrettably happens. Here is a taster of what is apparently a fab show of René Gruau's original illustrations for Dior in varying formats. These drawn works are accompanied by actual Dior Haute Couture gowns, selected for the show by John Galliano complete with a dress of his own design in homage to Rene.
With an exhibition dedicated to fashion illustration across the river at The Design Museum its perfect happenstance to have a retrospective of the master at the same time! Between the two, there are lots of activities and events to look up and get involved in .......... including Greg Burne, Director of Big Active talking about Fashion Illustration in Advertising ................... and Stephen Jones in conversation with Colin McDowell...........Sketchbook Magazine hosting Illustration workshops and talks from Richard Nicoll, PPQ, Bora Aksu and myself with Hwyel Davies about his new book "The Fashion Designers Sketchbook".........

See both links for more details:
Somerset House
Design Museum

Friday 19th Nov: Julie Verhoeven at The House of Voltaire

It was Julie Verhoeven's turn to take over shop keeping duties at The House of Voltaire today. Dressed in the obligatory brown overall, its probably quite tempting as a customer to enquire after fork handles or four candles.........but here she is demonstrating for us her adorned tissue dispenser as part of the artist led emporium. "The House of Voltaire" is a temporary space selling a diverse selection of limited editions and original pieces by leading contemporary artists in support of Studio Voltaire. You will probably have noticed varying products appearing over blogs in the last few days such as the Richard Nicoll X Linder Sterlin t-shirt. My personal favourite besides Julie's pieces is the Matthew Darbyshire and Grace Spooner dip dyed rainbow canvas bag! You can check out all of the portfolios and editions online but I recommend popping along to the pop up shop to scope out the special pieces and potentially meet a moonlighting sales assistant /art critic. This weekend's schedule for "Are you being served" persona's are as follows:

Saturday 20 November:
Lois Stonock - All day
Victoria Siddall and Michael Landy 11am - 3pm
Alice Rawsthorn 3 - 5pm

Sunday 21 November
Charlie Porter

11 November – 4 December 2010

Upstairs at Rupert Sanderson
19 Bruton Place, Mayfair W1, London

Friday 19th Nov: Gary Card at Levis

One day over LFW Gary came by my studio to say hello ........... holding a large cardboard box which he put down and opened up. What popped out was a maquette of a polkadot denim designed interior for an installation in Levis UK London flagship store. This mini version has now been executed by Card & son (yes Gary's teamed up with the expertise of his father on this one and their surname is really Card - AMAZING!). The festive season setting was unveiled this week and open for inspection and interaction. The deceptive patterned walls are arranged into a labyrinth to become Gary's own idea of a grotto ..........an optical indigo maze complete with his own unique variation of elves.........

To see how Gary initially got involved with Levis, check out The Craftworkers project ........Levis x Gary Card page or his own blog.

Weds 17th Nov: Wearing my (S)watch

Enjoying adding to my multi-colour accessories with the white watch every day whilst trying it out for i-D and their partnership with Swatch in the New Gent project. There is still time to show your LOVE for i-D and vote for their take on the tick tock type competition where international magazines were asked to participate. i-D chose myself, Gary Card and Bryan Boy to represent for their team in the Swatch scheme. If you head over to either site you can watch the film of us divulging more............and enter to win a watch of your own by voting.

Weds 17th Nov: Havaianas

Had a meeting at Havaianas and had a go at making my own pair with bonus ladybird pin bling! Havaianas have a pop-up booth where you can do the same thing that springs up at festivals in the Summer and occasionally stints in store at Selfridges. Keep your eye out for some googly eyed Havaianas in the new toy scheme christmas window display at Selfridges........

Tues 16 Nov: Small Things - Bella Fenning, Annie Collinge & Anna Leader

Here are the other 3 photographers on show as part of the exhibition "Small Things" with Amy Gwatkin. From the top is a video clip of Bella Fenning's "Arrivals and Departures" installation, middle is Annie Collinge's American teenagers and bottom is Anna Leader's spectrum prism investigations............... right up my street!

Tues 16 Nov: Small Things - Amy Gwatkin

When Amy and I took a train trip down to Brighton to see Jason Evans exhibition in the photo biennial, we had adequate and rare time to chit chat and catch up. She told me all about her current personal project for the group show "Small Things" which had me on the edge of my National Rail upholstered seat. Amy is never one to take an easy option and instead opted to invite strangers (men) to have their portrait taken naked.............and smoking. The result is a montage of purposefully pixelated black and white voyeuristic shots, as if stills from CCTV of an illicit encounter - possibly post-coital. Ive got absolutely no idea how a girl goes about entering personal contact with an unknown man to firstly photograph him bare and secondly achieve such an intimate narrative. It takes a good while to gaze across the entire grid of mix scale screen shots and see each detail in its own right. Its bloody brilliant and Id love to see it on the wall of a larger solo show. Until then.................. catch Amy's contribution to "Small Things" at Sixty Seven A Gallery, 67a Dalston Lane, London E8 2NG until the 28th Nov. www.interiorpolitics.blogspot.com for appointments

Mon 15th Nov: The Pale Blue Door - the world of Tony Hornecker

For a limited time, Tony Hornecker's traveling restaurant returned home to London to open the pale blue door for another stint before his new artist residency at The Royal Opera House. Next month Tony's installation will be part of the celebrations launching the relocation of the Opera House to its new home in Thurrock, Essex.

"... 8 meter towers of opera singers,a machine of a hundred wheels, a skyscraper of doors,costumes flying through the sky, a canary, an old couple still in love, a sculpture of windows, a ballerina in a prism, my mum in a box and 25 performers dazzling at dizzying heights"

Tony is still auditioning parts to comprise his devised piece of work exploring opera and the industry that is behind its production..........for example he is still looking for the old couple in love........... head over to his site to find out more information.
Here are snaps from the Hillman Studio Sunday supper outing to the final night of The Pale Blue Door. Its a perfect treasure trove of treats to nestle in for an Autumnal feast and post dinner fireworks. The last time I ventured into the space was when Tony set it up in the fields of Shepton Mallet for Glastonbury Festival. I can hardly believe that his porch was the most enviable position to be for its shade and respite from the sweltering sun. Oh, how the seasons change! Since this time, the pop up restaurant has been on a road trip to the tree tops of Berlin and back. The next voyage for the destination diner is Valpairais - Chile then Buenos Aires - Argentina, Rio De Janiero - Brazil, Bogoto - Columbia.............. this set designer has certainly got it sussed........... the best way to travel the world with work is to take your own world with you.........

Sun 14th Nov: threeASFOUR Profile Weekender, Part 5 - S/S 2011, The Show - Backstage

Last but not least, here are behind the scenes shots from the set up in the silver loft by Uli Holz. I particularly love the first b/w still here, where you can see the flash of light from the reflective fabric used in the swimwear..............I can wait to one day see a collaboration of threeASFOUR with a swim brand!!!!