- Images taken at the dock of Brooklyn Bridge 2008
Friday, 29 August 2008
St John's Church
- One of the oldest churches in Latvia, St John's Church is currently under renovation. The sad thing about this is that the interior is planned to be ultra modern, therefore taking away from the traditional aspect of Architectural design that is currently shown within the walls of the church located in the old town of Riga. I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside of this church, but I really think it will be a shame to replace the religious paintings and intricate woodwork with modern wooden beams and cream walls... I admire a lot of modern design, but I think some things should just be left as they are...it would be such a shame to see the soul and character replaced by something beige.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Zaha Hadid
- Zaha Hadid exhibit, Design Museum, London, 29th June- 25th November 2007.- Design Museum Exhibition first full scale show of Hadid's work in the UK.
- Was largest single exhibition shown by the Design Museum
HISTORY
- Born 1950 Baghdad, Iraq
- Graduated from Architectural Association, London 1977.
- Competiton winner in Hong Kong, Cardiff, Germany, Rome
- Hadid won the Pritzker Prize 2004
- Work can be found worldwide.
Simply Kim
- Images from collections by photographer Kim Holtermand- First discovered this photographer as the image shown directly above named 'A Desolate Place' is on my cousin's kitchen wall.
- Top two images from series called 'Build'
- Photographs portray a sense of tone beautifully, Holtermand is really a fantastic photographer, if you like these, check out the rest of the portfolio HERE
Monday, 11 August 2008
Wieden and Kennedy
Nokia 6220, 2008
- This ad appealed to me due to the illustration used. I was suprised that is was to showcase a phone as it almost contradicts the technology behind it. The choice to have Clair de Lune by Debussy in the background also seemed like an odd choice... however, altogether the ad works well. The mis-match combination of everything is refreshing as a lot of illustration based work at the moment is cliched and 'samey'.
Honda cog, 2003
-This ad managed to create a lot of public interest, and appealed to more than just the usual tv ad lovers. It was original, ingenuitive, and good to watch. Nobody would go and make a cup of tea while that ad was being shown...even if it was just to see what it was for.
Coke video game ad, 2007
-This was a new tact for Coke to go for, and one that I feel was definately pulled off. It again had the interest of wanting to know what the ad is for...being deceived at the beginning in thinking that it was for another run of the mill video game. Coke manages to almost reinvent itself in order to attract new audiences every year, which does well seeing as the product has changed since its original release over a hundred years ago. This ad by Wieden and Kennedy is true to this and is fun to watch.
for more info on Wieden and Kennedy go HERE
Sunday, 10 August 2008
worth waiting for...
- the intro to this piece of film is a bit boring, however, as the song progresses the video gets a LOT more interesting...deffo worth the wait.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Carphone Warehouse Ad
Zack Sultan
- Zack Sultan is an illustrator, film maker, designer and web designer.- Works as part of Heeb Magazine
- Website www.zacksultan.com
- Top image taken from one of Sultan's websites nymoon.com . What I really like about the website is the illustrative and 'Old World', worn style of the layout. The idea of the site is to show a 'collection of experimental, reflective, and imaginative projects that unfold in any media'. There is a focus on illustration, so I like to check it every few weeks to see what has been updated. I definitely would advise anyone who is interested in illustration to check it out.
- The lower two images show some of Sultan's magazine work, culminating photography and typography in order to create the most suitable tone for the article. A personal favourite is 'Joan of Shark' as I feel it captures her personality down to a tee.
- What attracts me most to Sultan's work is his variety in style and versatility. When looking through his illustrations, there are many different drawing styles and techniques, which again is shown in his other work...that actually, sometimes it is good NOT to have a one signature style with what you produce.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Iron Man Beach
-Iron Man Beach, Blundellsands, Liverpool- Created by Antony Gormley
- 100 6ft+ iron men, placed over a 2 miles stretch of sand reaching out to almost a mile from the shore
- Unsurprisingly has caused a split reaction of the locals and those visiting the beach, I think they look great, especially at sunset, fading into the horizon. Up close, they are a little ugly, but beautiful at the same time. Worth a visit.
Ground Zero
- everybody heard on the news about the devastation that resulted from the attacks on 9/11
- as difficult it was to hear about, and see the various imagery on the tv screens and front pages of all the papers, it is nothing to the overwhelming feeling that you get when you arrive at ground zero even though it has been years since it happened.
- what you can see through the small gaps in all of the netted fences is nothing but upsetting. You never can quite grasp the sheer size of it all until you are there and can see it for yourself.
- facts and figures that adorn the small boards that have been erected to not only provide information on the past, but also to inform people of the plans for the commemorative gardens that are to be built in the space. After the debate of what should fill the space, I feel the future plans are very fitting.
Central Park
- Photos taken March2008- Bottom photograph where we thought was the bit from Big Daddy where the tramp falls off the trolley into the lake?!?!
Ellis Island
-Photography showing the difference in architecture from within walking 2m in one building. Walking through the main hall past the arch windows, you immediately enter the 'medical wing' where thousands of tests were undertaken on both future residents of New York and the 'aliens' that did not meet the criteria. This area also includes a section where those who were deemed mentally ill were kept. - Walking through the medial wing feels very eerie thanks to the tiling used from floor to ceiling and the tunnelled corridors that seem everlasting. I think this would be a great setting for a horror movie!!
MoMa
- the Museum of Modern Art in central New York was one of my favourite things to visit during my stay there.
- the architecture of the building inside is so impressive, with its huge ceiling which can be seen from the ground floor, to the functional layout design of stairs and escalators being included to look like art; an example being the first image which shows a glass frame of the staircase, which unusually results in a kind of modern art depending on who is moving up and down through the levels- it definately satisfies the people watching urge!
- the exhibits and works of art are set out very well, and given plenty of room to be appreciated without looking too crowded...with my favourite being the vast and impressive Monet painting shown directly above.
- although the museum shows modern art, there is still a huge range of sculpture, photography, installments and classical art, enough to keep everyone happy at least for one floor.
- although going to an art museum might not be top of your list when visiting New York, I would recommend going (and the gift shop is amazing!)
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
St Peter's Church, Latvia
- construction began 13th century
- view shows Old City, centre of Rega and Daugava River
- said to be jinxed as it has been burnt down and rebuilt many times, first in 1666 and last on St Peter's Day in 1941 and last restored in 1973
- looking through the church, you can tell there has been many attempts at restoration at different periods of time due to the mis matched interior. A lot of money has been spent on the altar area, however there are areas that are still left to be fully restored
- the steps to the lift feel like you are about to fall off them, and the lift feels like it could snap off at any moment
- once you are up there, your breath is taken away by how beautiful the landscape is and how far you can see, from the central Art Nouveau architecture, across the river and even the dark, vast border forests that surround a large part of Latvia.
- there is a great sense of peace at the top of the tower, and you get this feeling of warmth that Rega has managed to rebuild and empower itself after its troubled history.
you can find it anywhere...
- This is an image taken when I was in Riga, Latvia a few weeks ago.- The architecture in Central Riga is very interesting, as there is a lot of regeneration and new build work that is underway or has recently been finished.
- Suprisingly, the all so difficult task of making the old and the new compliment each other is completed successfully with glass fronts and old brickwork sitting amongst each other in visual harmony. Despite having misconceptions of going to Riga and it being nothing other than industrial and full of concrete, there are many beautiful buildings that cover the Old Town...even, in my opinion, matching that of the beauty of some of the buildings in Prague. (and those ugly concrete ones from the 60's that are still left are being taken down in the very near future)
- I loved this building, and walked past it every day so I could look at it more. Although, obviously the building is under construction and some day fairly soon the wall painting will be covered up, but until that day I hope it continues to bring a smile to those who are lucky enough to walk past it!
- It is also nice to see that art manages to get everywhere, even in the most unusual places. Unfortunately I have had no luck on the internet in trying to find out the artist and year of work, so would love it if anyone who does know any more to pass on the info to me!
Julijs Feders
Fishermen's Nest 1886 oil on canvas
- Latvian Artist Julijs Feders 1838-1909
- The warm, glowing quality of this piece is amazing. Perfectly highlighted by the golden picture frame, the autumnal shades in this painting are beautiful. The subtlety of the colouring and detail shown is highly skilled and has become one of my favourites. It is nice to see that local artists can produce some fantastic work and definitely can sit comfortably with the more famous artist's work next to it.
Ivans Siskins
- Russian painter associated with the Peredvizhniki Movement
- born 1832 in Republic of Tatarstan
- studied at Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and St Petersburg Imperial Academy of Arts and later taught there after receiving honors and a gold medal
-Highly accomplished landscape painter, draftsman and printmaker, exhibiting around the World
-died 1898 in Russia
-had a minor planet 3558 Shishkin named after him in 1978 by astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravlyova
Painting shown entitled 'Forest 1883' viewed in Latvian Museum of Art
- What strikes you when you come across this painting in the gallery is how it demands your attention despite being fairly small in size and amongst a lot of other work.
- The intricacy and detail is highly skilled, even when viewed at close range. As you move further away from the painting you appreciate the sense of depth more, and you eye really does follow into the darkness, wondering what would be hidden in amongst the trees.
-The contrast of natural light and darkness is shown in this piece, giving a true representation of how everything would look if you were really there.
- I can't express how good it was to find this painting, it really does provide a little bit of excitement in amongst a lot of very dank, depressive artwork.
Sergejs Vinogradovs
Peasant Woman, 1892 oil on canvas
- Not much information can be found about this artist, but I wanted to post this painting as it was one of my favourite paintings I have seen in a long time. It is very simple, and arguably even a boring subject matter, but there is a quality about this piece of work that captures you when you are looking at it. It is fairly hidden away, at the top of another three images, in a corner of the room with large glass cabinets in front filled with ceramics, that it wouldn't be suprising if many people walked past without noticing.
- The expression on the woman's face is captivating, and although it is cliched for me to say, her face really does tell a story. When you look at this painting, you really can tell the difficult life this woman will have led, leaving her to spend her last days as a peasant.
- It is a very small painting, being roughly 30cm high, but it leaves a big impact. I was thinking about it for the rest of the day. It is a very talented painter that makes a lasting impression on someone just walking past.
Latvian Museum of Art- artists' work
- Following artists were seen at the Latvian Museum of Art July 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)