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

Posters from the London Underground

I was very interested by the Art On the Underground Project as posted previously, and took a look at the London Transport Museum's website. It contains an online collection of posters from the London underground that date back to 1900. However I was particularly interested by these below from the 1980's. The reason being that these posters are purely aesthetic, they are not advertising or selling anything. During the 1980's, due to increased fares, there became a drop in passenger numbers. That resulted in a decline in the demand for advertising space, and these empty spaces were covered with sheets of black paper. The idea came from this to fill the empty spaces with artwork, enriching passengers environment and their experience on the underground.

I particularly like the two posters below, due to their graphic appearance and symbolic representation of the underground. They are similar to many of the designs produced today.

 

Posters like these are still used today in projects such as Art On The Underground, and Platform for Art. They certainly grabbed my interest whilst traveling on the tube at the weekend and I think it is an interesting idea, making a dull journey a little more enjoyable. The London Underground must be one of the most effective spaces to showcase and exhibit artwork due to it's size and the volume of people traveling on it each day. A great way of getting new artists recognised and showing off Britain's modern art whilst making the underground more pleasing to the eye. Below are some of the more recent posters used. 

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. 

'Sketches' 1941-2005 Jan Kaplicky

Whilst visiting London last weekend I found time to take a look at the current exhibition at the Design Museum: 'Remembering Jan Kaplicky - Architect of the Future'. After walking for an hour from the nearest tube station, trying to find a poorly signed Design Museum, through a maze of streets, most of which in the wrong direction, I finally arrived at what turned out to be a rather disappointing exhibition. However, downstairs in the gallery's shop I found this intriguing book that had the inspiration I was looking for, that the exhibition had lacked.

'Sketches' is a unique book compiled from 60 years of Kaplicky's hand drawn sketches. These illustrations look so rare in todays digital world, their primitive, simple style is striking and full of character when compared to the far more clinical style a computer produces. They almost look as though they are quickly scribbled down as an idea has just been realised. The book consists of initial, very rough sketches and ideas, to more developed whole buildings or detailed, single elements. It is a very intimate experience to look through Kaplicky's sketches in this way, showing his chain of thought and private workings, most of which have never been made. The book is almost like a diary or log book in which the artist has developed over his lifetime and makes it feel very personal to the reader. 

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 ...

Lancaster London Rebrand

Collectiva has designed the new Identity for the Royal Lancaster Hotel, now called Lancaster London. I think this is a great example of successful rebranding. 

The previous name and logo as shown below looks tired and old fashioned, whereas the new branding conveys a sharper message and has far more impact. It has a more high end, contemporary appearance due to its subtle typeface and colour. Whilst the name emphasises the hotels positioning and gives it more resonance. Showing that sometimes a message can be expressed more effectively through simple design.

Creative Review Packaging

My copy of Creative Review came in the post today in this rather intriguing packaging.  The cardboard envelop that contains the magazine can be made into a folder to hold the monograph booklets. A very clever, interactive packaging solution and handy too as most of my monograph copies end up getting lost or finding their way to the bin. Also addressing current environmental issues, as the packaging can be re-used for something else rather than thrown away. It is the first in a series of special creative review packaging solutions that explore different materials and concepts. 

This months magazine is also worth taking a look at as it is a whole issue dedicated to graduates. 

Dreams From My Father

I am currently reading Barack Obama's autobiography. Initially worried I may have found this book heavy going, and dare I say, a little boring as I am not particularly interested in politics, it has been very pleasantly surprising. This honest and beautifully written memoir retells Obama's improbable life story; of his parents- a black African father and a white American mother, of his childhood in Indonesia, and his personal struggle for identity and belonging. 

There are two reasons this book has held my attention throughout. First being Obama's descriptions of the race-relations in America as a child. I find it unbelievable how much society has changed in one mans lifetime, from being an outcast at his own school, to President of the United States. His story is one of self-creation, an embodiment of the American dream.

Most importantly, and most relevant to this blog, is Barack Obama's ability to communicate. It has assisted him to his political position and is what makes this book such a compelling and lyrical read. Obama's eloquence illustrates the power of language, how when used well it can communicate more effectively than any image. His words have the capacity to persuade, uplift and inspire his audience. All too often written language is overlooked in design and advertising, in favour of visual language. I think it is important not to forget the potential it bears. I wish to explore this further in my research, and find examples of language used powerfully in advertising and design. 

"With the right words everything could change- South Africa, the lives of the ghetto kids just a few miles away, my own tenuous place in the world." Barack Obama, 'Dreams From My Father'.

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.

Postage Stamp Memorial

I saw this after writing my previous post and found the idea very similar. Artist Steve McQueen has created a project named Queen and Country to publish postage stamps with the faces of British soldiers who died in Iraq to commemorate their memory. The project is being supported by The Art Fund who are pushing for the stamps to be published by the Post Office and have set up an online petition. 

Steve McQueen proposed this idea after he returned from his visit to Iraq in 2003, "An official set of Royal Mail stamps struck me as an intimate but distinguished way of highlighting the sacrifice of individuals in defence of our national ideals"

Using postage stamps is an inventive medium for a memorial, that would provide a far more personal and direct experience and would engage with the public. I think this is an inspired idea, it is simple yet compassionate and most of all a sensitive way to commemorate the British soldiers that have died. I really hope this will be recognised and they will become an official set of stamps.