Category Archives: Friends

Beck’s Canvas

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I received an invitation last night from Barbara and one a while ago from Inci, both good friends and both (ex)student Graphic Design at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam where I used to work. I can’t remember which year Barbara graduated but Inci graduated two days ago *congratulations!!!* and both invited me to their parties in Amsterdam which unfortunately I won’t be able to attend because of some obligations. Their invitations reminded me of something that was brought to my attention recently, another invitation which I received through this blog…

I’m talking about the art project Beck’s Canvas organised by Beck’s beer in collaboration with the Royal College of Art here in London. Beck’s Canvas offers talented artists a way to expose their artwork to the public using the label on Beck’s bottles as their canvas. On the evening of the 16th July, Beck’s will announce the four artists selected by a panel of judges from the Royal College of Art to showcase their art on the labels of over 27 million bottles to be distributed nationwide from August 2008. I’ve been invited to the exclusive launch of this event which will take place in exactly two weeks from now.

Beck’s have championed talented artists without compromise for over 20 years, a very interesting, unique collection and taster can be found on their website including artists such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Jake&Dino Chapman, and Tatsuo Miyajima. Beck’s Canvas marks an evolution of their ongoing support for emerging artists and their vision to bring inspiring and challenging artwork to a broader public. I’m really looking forward to attending this gallery exhibition and see the actual artwork of the four finalists on display. I hope I’ll be allowed to take some pictures and show them on here!

Watch this space after the 16th…

Summer Fair

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‘The worst-tempered people I’ve ever met were the people who knew they were wrong.’

Wilson Mizner

I went to the Summer Fair yesterday and was extremely disappointed about the whole thing. I thought it would be some really interesting design show but I didn’t see anything new or innovative just a repeat of what has already been out there. And this fair claims to be about the latest trends, well sorry… but it was all waaaaay to contemporary and just plain boring. I can’t believe people would actually be willing to pay an entrance fee for this [25 pounds I think]. I’ve seen far more interesting stuff on the internet design-wise by independent artists and/or designers and for free.

Perhaps I’ve got it all wrong, perhaps I have different standards and I dare to admit that these might be slightly high but I do recognise when hot air is being sold. I got this ‘Disneyland’ feeling *being sarcastic* while I was there so I guess my expectations were too high. Also an incident with a trader from Isleworth who seemed to have some personality issue on the edge of paranoia/aggression, made me want to leave. The other people at the stand had to make up for his behaviour by apologising about five times… I’m sure his attitude and his so not-worth-mentioning-products won’t bring him much business.

There were a few really nice stands though, there was one that showed amazing furniture and accessories handmade from natural reclaimed and recycled materials. And another that had funny metallic wind spinners, unfortunately the links to their websites don’t work so I can’t show them here. Still I was in and out in about 45 minutes and spent the rest of the day enjoying the unexpected sun and the wonderful company of my friend KB. and her partner. It was quite windy though, 28mph according to the BBC weather forecast, but it was nice to have a stroll around the area.

Back to work today… I’m gonna be sketching for a few hours for the online glove shop and will work on my own project which happens to be an online shop as well.

Best design to be found outside the building rather than inside