All posts tagged the curator

German illustrator, Peggy Wolf demonstrates a tantalizing love affair of dazzling colours, abstract formations and composition play in her distinctive style of illustration which she discovered while studying Fashion Design. After being commissioned for Maxi and Kid’s wear magazine, Peggy found a new life in London, successfully working on post card designs for Boss Print and illustrations for both Spiderlilly and the magazine Ameera.

An array of painterly illustrations, collages and heart-felt silhouettes all present displays of sentimental emotion through artwork. The general aesthetics relate to Mpdclick’s forecasted trend for spring/summer 12 ‘The Curator’, presenting the idea that everyone becomes their own ‘curator’, creating their own futures and leaving a legacy through creative enterprises.

Peggy’s work rejoices in the charm of historical artifacts within family heirlooms. An ornamental aesthetic is present, reflecting eras gone by which are especially noted in Peggy’s collages built upon layers of vintage lace, period wallpaper and classically feminine women in idyllic surroundings. Antique gold, vintage royal blue and delicate pastels add to the idea of romantic restorations featuring contrasting prints and patterns for a contemporary and personal stamp on her work. The interesting mix of cartoons and photographs placed in certain surroundings help to create an almost fairytale-like story which the viewer can use their own imagination to form. A simply charming collection of endearing artwork.

Source: www.peggywolf.com

Words and images by Joyce Thornton. Joyce Thornton is a youth culture and trend expert, providing a monthly look at emerging design talent

Exciting young knitwear specialist Olwen Walsh created some distinctive, striking accessories for the RCA’s Work in Progress exhibition, which was held earlier this year.

Olwen’s decorative, experimental pieces were inspired by Japanese Samurai armour – especially their beautifully crafted helmets. This concept fits perfectly with the first direction of Mpdclick’s Curator trend which “rejoices in the charm of historical artefacts, the narratives embedded within family heirlooms and the potential for reviving and rejuvenating our surroundings while retaining a sense of reverence”. The trend also refers to “opulent costume styles from eras gone by”.   

Olwen told us, “each Samurai helmet often had combinations of textile, metal and hair adornment that had been crafted to resemble animal heads. I have played with hard materials such as rope and metal and then juxtaposed these with the softer elements of knitted textiles and ‘hair and fur-like’ yarns, twisting and coiling them into knotted forms. I wanted the collection to evoke a dark and powerful mood – almost as if the pieces were protective totems worn by a warrior, but also retaining the feeling that they were neither masculine nor feminine”.

Olwen’s original and distinctive pieces certainly conjure up an impression of power and substance. Her research inspired her use of a beautiful and unusual combination of materials; shiny copper tubes, lurex filigree and high sheen yarns, brass rings and downy hair, which all fit well within the powerful ornamental aesthetic of Curator.

For the first time, young people have taken over Britain’s museums for Takeover Day Friday November 12th. The movement, spearheaded by charity Kids in Museums, is part of the Children’s Commissioner’s annual Takeover Day. Now in its fourth year, Takeover Day gives children across the country the chance to shadow top jobs, offer their opinions on key issues and be involved in decision making alongside adults.

* Nine-year-old Scarlet Chapman became Director of Falmouth Art Gallery for the day, presenting awards and giving a speech to over 100 people as she hosted a private view in the gallery.

* At Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, a class from Medlock Primary School manned the visitor services desk, welcomed visitors and gave guided tours of the gallery. They even took over the gallery’s Twitter feed.

* At Imperial War Museum North, 30 schoolchildren took over planning and research for Remembrance Day commemorations. A delegation of six young people presented their findings to the museum Director and managers on 12 November.

Kids in Museums was taken over too by six students from Langley Academy in Slough, Berkshire – the only school in Britain to specialise in museum studies.

The year 9 students looked through nominations for this year’s Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award, judging what made a great museum experience for young people.  The students put together their own recommendations for museums based on their debate throughout the day, e.g. a teenager’s pass that rewards repeat visits to a museum with a prize.

Chloe King El-Bokhari said ‘Museums should listen more to people our age and say – come and join us and have your say, so that people can express themselves.’ 

The Kids in Museums staff team were bowled over by the suggestions the teenagers made. “Cool. Awesome. Sick. We don’t usually hear these words used by decision makers in museums. But on Takeover Day, it was teenagers telling us what museums should do, for whom, and how. It was a day for museums to listen, get involved and share thoughts and ideas with young people,” said Kids in Museums Director Dea Birkett. “This Takeover Day 2010 is just the beginning of young people being at the heart of decision making in a museum. We’re looking forward to a record breaking Museum Takeover Day 2011, with tens of thousands of young people taking part. That will be really cool.”

Mpdclick says: This is a great initiative to get kids more interested in their history and culture that surrounds them. By letting them make decisions and suggesting ways in which to get them more interested in museums, teenagers are taking hold of their future and making a difference. This is a concept brands could employ to help with market research and, additionally fashion students would make perfect takeover candidates.

Source: kidsinmuseums.org.uk

The Savoy, London, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, will reopen its doors on Sunday 10th October 2010. One of this year’s most eagerly anticipated openings, The Savoy has been undergoing the most ambitious restoration in British history. The hotel closed in December 2007 for a restoration that encompasses the entire building from the iconic entrance and the American Bar to Savoy Grill and the 268 guestrooms and suites.

“We are very excited to reopen The Savoy”, comments Kiaran MacDonald, General Manager. “It is fair to say that this project has not been without its challenges, but we are looking forward to unveiling the results of nearly 3 years of hard work and dedication. We are very aware of the place that The Savoy holds in many people’s affections and we firmly believe that the hotel will exceed people’s expectations and reclaim its position as one of the world’s great hotels.”

The new interiors have been designed by world-renowned designer, Pierre Yves Rochon who has won acclaim for his work on other landmark hotels. His plans have been realised by the general contractors, Chorus Group and architects, Reardon Smith. Chorus have overseen a team of over 1000 craftsmen and women, artists and artisans who have worked tirelessly to create interiors that are in the spirit of the hotel’s two main design aesthetics, Edwardian and Art Deco.

The Savoy’s reopening will reveal a number of notable highlights including the complete remodel of the legendary River Restaurant, the addition of a luxurious new two bedroom Royal Suite and the relaunch of 38 River Suites and Guestrooms with stunning views over the River Thames.

Mpdclick notes this grand restoration as a further nod towards the growing momentum for restoring heritage rather than creating anew, we look forward to seeing the finished product!

Please click here for further updates on the restoration.

Source: www.the-savoy.com

At the recent London Fashion Week Esthetica exhibition, we found Elin Sägen’s lovely jewellery pieces. Showing her brand Sägen for the first time in London, Sweden based Elin told us that the interest in her jewellery at the show has been phenomenal. Her pieces have already been snapped up by some influential retailers including Isetan in Japan. 

Made from retro, recycled porcelain plates and silver, her sweetly named, ‘Dining with Grandma’ jewellery collections come in two distinct looks. The first is ‘Swedish Classics’ and as the name suggests they are created using classic Swedish porcelain pieces with their distinctive graphic shapes from the 50’s and 60’s. A silver headpiece was particularly lovely from this range, with its curvy Art Nouveau aesthetic, featuring inset porcelain ovals of fresh graphic green leaves on a white ground. The second look is ‘Duchess Garden’, which in contrast is a sweet feast of kitch motifs, pretty pink roses and birds. 

Sägen, (which translates as ‘an old saga’) also produce jewellery made from vintage buttons, which Elin has collected avidly for years. The collection includes pendants, rings and headpieces and new for this season are some great bracelets. Each piece is completely unique yet affordable. Unashamedly steeped in nostalgia, Elin says, “The collection brings back memories, laughter and romance. The motifs remind me of Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house.” Elin also offers a bespoke service – she can transform unused porcelain pieces into new and wearable family heirlooms. Sägen’s success seems assured.

Sägen’s focus on restoring, recycling and re-making vintage and retro objects into contemporary jewellery pieces and products is perfectly in keeping with Mpdclick’s trend for spring/summer 2012 where closed circuit recycling shows a growing initiative for responsible production.

Contact:
Elin Sägén, elin@sagenbutik.se
www.sagenbutik.se
+46 (0)736 87 04 29
Sägen, Studio 8, Norra Vallgatan 8, 211 25 Malmö, Sweden.