Book Art - the future of books?

The thought of hacking up books is a slightly disturbing image for me, that is until I saw these 'book art' sculptures. A new trend of cutting up and redesigning books into aesthetic sculptures and practical objects, such as chairs, shelves, vases and even lights. I like this idea of taking an existing object like a book and transforming it into something entirely different, changing the message of the story inside. Below are some examples that caught my eye, they all use books, but contain different messages and purposes.

Though I find the concept of taking this traditional medium and turning into something innovative and beautiful fascinating, I cant help but think it sad. The question that comes to mind - is this all that is left for books today? I love the tactile nature of books, the cover designs, even the smell. I am probably one of the few people that still has a library card. However with growing use of the internet and the introduction of e-books and online magazines, is there a future for books? 

There are obvious environmental benefits to e-books, having been looking at sustainable design, they fit into this category very well. Despite this, I cannot imagine being able to concentrate reading a story on my computer. When reading a book, you can pick it up and dip in and out when you like, this would not be so easy using a computer. I enjoy turning the pages of a book and the tangible experience that e-books could not replace. This is an issue I have found myself thinking a lot about recently, I love the medium of print, it has a uniqueness that online doesn't posses. However with environmental problems and the growth of digital medium, who knows, libraries may one day become galleries for book art. 

On a more positive note, these sculptures take something old and used and reinvent it into something new, something that can be done with anything. I particularly like the book light shades, at a glance, I didn't notice that they were made from. The rest I have chosen because they use books in an innovative and visually appealing way. 

Guess Who? The many Faces of Noma Bar

Noma Bar is an artist I have recently come across and I have taken an instant liking to his striking and genius illustrations. A collection of his work has just been published titled 'guess who: the many faces of Noma Bar'. His illustrations are of celebrities and political figures, drawn using symbols to convey the character or person. The portraits are produced from very few elements, using negative space, which gives Noma Bar a minimalist but very characteristic style. For instance, Uri Geller's face is created from a bent spoon. The symbol in the illustrations gives us a clue as to who the person is. The book is very entertaining and I find his illustrations extremely clever and graphically interesting. I cant believe how much they look like the characters they are supposed to be using so few and basic elements.

Bob Dylan

Margaret Thatcher

Uri Geller

Harry Potter

Ricky Gervais

Super Contemporary at the Design Museum

I was really impressed by the Super Contemporary exhibition showing currently at the Design Museum. A lot of detail has gone into the entire exhibition, even the branding of it. Super Contemporary is an exhibition celebrating London's creative community and it's achievements, both past and present. It explores what gives the city its reputation as a beacon for design worldwide, and shows it's creative progression until present day. The focus of the exhibition is 15 specially commissioned pieces by some of the cities most talented creatives, that address London's culture and characteristics. Around the walls of the room is a visual timeline, beginning at 1960, documenting London's creative ascent and key achievements in design. I found it particularly interesting as you can see the impact that culture has had upon design in the past as a chronological order. 

 

Neville Brody's commission was very thought provoking, it looked at the issue of a city overrun with surveillance where you are constantly being watched. His response was a self contained, sound-proof booth; a rare example of a public space that wasn't being monitored. 

The website for the Super Contemporary exhibition is also very good. They have used the interesting logo as a clever navigational tool that works very effectively in the design and to get around the website. The design echoes the layout of the exhibition which is visually striking and also easy to gain information. It gives detail of the overall exhibition and each of the 15 commissions. I find it a very effective piece of online work that compliments the exhibition well, which runs until the 4th of October, and is definitely well worth a visit. 

www.supercontemporary.co.uk

Art On The Underground

Since it is over a year that I last travelled on the London Underground, I was interested by the poster below I saw last weekend. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of London Undergrounds logo the Roundel last year, Art on the Underground commissioned 100 artists to produce new works to celebrate the logo. The artists, from recent graduates to renowned artists were asked to incorporate the Roundel into their work, and interpret what the logos mean to them today. I think the result is really effective, and a great way to celebrate this iconic logo. 

www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/

Seeing this reminds me of how successful the London Undergrounds branding is. The roundel is recognisable throughout Britain and has to an extent become a symbol for London itself and of popular culture. Designed in 1919 by Edward Johnstone, it has certainly stood the test of time. The sans serif typography, bold colours and simple design create such a strong symbolic image that the works above created for the 100th aniversary immediately remind us of the logo, even though some are ever so subtle. 

Kaplicky's Designs Live On

Architect Jan Kaplicky, known for some of the most innovative buildings the world has ever seen, died on January 14th of this year. However many of his best designs remain to be completed and may never be realised. His designs are remarkable in both their aesthetic and technical design. I like them most for their striking beauty and originality. Much of his architecture is influenced by organic forms, his design for the New National Library of the Czech Republic and the Prague Concert and Congress Centre remind me of water , even fish like forms.

Kaplicky won a competition to design the Czech New National Library, however due to controversial reaction to his proposal, plans for its realisation have been cancelled. I still find it's design extremely striking. Much like that of Concert and Congress Centre in Prague that is yet to be finished. I like the smooth, soft lines of both these buildings and the fluid forms.

Jan Kaplincky is more commonly known for his design of the Birmingham Selfridges store, which has become an architectural landmark of the city. Also the Natwest Media Centre at Lord's has been described as one of the most revolutionary buildings of the century. 

What I find even more interesting than the buildings Kaplicky has designed, is his chain of thought and the development of his work from ideas and sketches to the final form. This is evident on his company, future systems, website. 

"The world is full of beautiful things, and you have to be observant as an architect – if not, you are in trouble. Creativity is everywhere. ... The initial idea for a job comes to me literally just like that sometimes, and if that first idea is good then you are on the right track." Jan Kaplicky. This message is the purpose of this brief- to take influence and inspiration from what we see around us to broaden our creativity. 

I have found Jan Kaplicky's work extremely inspiring. The Design Museum are currently holding an exhibition of his work, his sketches and ideas, which therefore I will be visiting this weekend.

To be continued ...

Disney's Fallen Princesses

I love the concept behind artist Dina Goldstein's photography project. It places Disney's princesses in real, modern day scenarios. The happy fairytale endings are sad but realistic outcomes that address current issues affecting women today, alcoholism, fast food culture, self image problems, illnesses, to name a few. Goldstein was inspired by her three year old daughter and her fascination with princesses and desire to dress like them. 

These photographs interest me because they express the reality of our culture and society today. Conveying a sinister message by using a character that we associate with happy childhood memories, presenting a shocking contrast. I think this work also illustrates the naivety of children and the reality of growing older. Below are a few of my favorite images from the series, which are due to go on exhibition on the 15th October.