Found at: - FilesTube
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Graaff-Reinet is a bit rock 'n roll
Some of you may already know I am an absolute Jim Morrison devotee. I'm not sure which came first, my fascination with him or my fascination with death valley, cowboy boots and tequila. I was sad not to be able to attend Afrika Burns this weekend. From what I have heard they are really building something amazing out of it and I look forward to going next year. I was however pretty thrilled to get to see the Valley of Desolation which is rock 'n roll in it's own way.
Karoo Taxidermy
When in Graaff-Reinet I went to the world famous Karoo Taxidermy and the owner was kind enough to show me around the workshop, showroom and factory.
I have always harbored a deep interest in taxidermy, but I guess I have always been looking at it in a scientific, artistic manner and not through a 'big game' hunters eyes. It was a morbid experience, spellbinding but not uplifting.
I was thinking of stocking some pieces in Merchants but was quite put off by the experience - especially by the pieces which freeze these poor animals into what some people might assume is comical position forever more.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Karoo Scenery
I am currently in the Karoo - which is where I source the horns for my necklaces and bags as well as all of the Ostrich skin and eggs.
The Karoo landscape is a huge inspiration for me. I am constantly amazed at how the subtle colours of the land and sky leave such a lasting impact on me. It's environment is deceivingly harsh, the sunsets are so soft and the stars endless - the extreme temperatures sneak up on you, nothing is in your face or obvious here. It is exactly this subtlety that is so alluring and affecting, it will not leave you for a long time after you have been here.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
JHB Scenery
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!
JHB Airport
Coming in for landing the Afrikaans British Airways pilot announces to us that as we are descending into the 'wild west' we had better keep our wits about us. It did amuse me that as I stepped outside of the arrivals hall someone's car backfired and everyone - locals (quicker on the draw) and tourists alike, dropped to their knees like in a Leon Schuster skit, hahaha. T.I.A.
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!
Friday, 23 April 2010
Zanele Muholi's new work at Michael Stevenson
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
USB holder for Merchants
With every Okapi bag will come a uniquely encoded USB incased in wood and brass (this only a sample piece below.) The USB's will contain information about your specific product ranging from the materials used to make it to the artisans who contributed to it's production. You will be track it's origins from all over Africa.
Okapi Display Unit
Working with shopfitting genius Clive Rae on my display unit for Okapi at Merchants. Note the light green suede on what will be one of the shelves in the unit - that will be the lining in my bags also..
Neon
Merchants has a mix of influences. Obviously Victorian and Art Nouveau, but also an element of what was happening in the other deep south (of America) at the same time. I think the two looks will work very well together as they both have colonial roots and similar influences like natural history (skulls and taxidermy) and delicate details. I have designed a neon light for the shop in the same font as the Merlotte's neon from True Blood which hints at this a little bit.
Ackeem Ngwenya for Merchants
I am working on an exclusive line on jewellery with up and coming jeweller Ackeem Ngwenya for Merchants. His work is inspired by the states of matter; liquid, solid and gas - as you can see in the photos of his earrings.
New Grass
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
