For Jim!

After listening to Jim go on about Blade Runner god knows how many times I thought I'd finally watch it!

Released in 1982, directed by Ridley Scott, based on the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K Dick.

Set in 2019 in the industrial waste ground of Los Angeles. Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced back from retirement in order to hunt 6 advanced replicants that have escaped to earth. Replicants (androids) were created by the Tyrell Corporation, but were declared illegal on earth and banished to Off Earth for slave labour. The escaped replicants seek to confront their creator Eldon Tyrell in order to prolong their lives as they only have a four year life span.

Things get a bit complicated when Deckard falls for Rachel an advanced replicant with the power of memories, who doesn't know she is not human until Deckard bluntly reveals the truth.

Blade Runner explores the nature of humanity and many believe it pre-empted future events. When originally released it didn't receive much recognition as it was pitched against Steven Speilberg's E.T. It clear to see that Bade Runner was definitely ahead of its time, and that it has influenced many films such as Fifth Element and I Robot. Many people consider it to be "one of the most influential science fiction films ever made".

Kidulthood

Written By Noel Clarke, directed and produced by Menhaj Huda.

Kidulthood is a gritty, potent, evocative film set in West London. The story unfolds after a young girl; a victim of bullying commits suicide, it follows the activities if the two main characters Trife (Aml Ameen) and Alisa (Red Mandrell) and their friends on their day off school following the suicide. The film explores the happy slap culture of underage sex, drugs, pregnancy and violence. Although it may seem rather extreme for a 24 hour period the film does reflect inner city urban life, parts of it definitely reminded me of my school days.

As the story unfolds you witness Trife's turmoil, his confusion over what path to pick in life, his friends and his pregnant ex-girl friend or the dark underground life that his uncle leads of drugs and guns. Alisa's turmoil over her unplanned pregnancy also unfolds and both characters are simultaneously thrown into a whirl wind of emotions and loneliness. There is a slight voyeuristic feel when you witness the girls using sex as a bartereing tool in order to score some drugs, but again this reflects the way that sex has become a commodity and for some teenagers doesn't have an emotional value- sex is just sex, and worth whatever you can get for it.

The soundtrack is cohesive with the issues in this film, with the likes of The Streets, Wiley and Shystie being used, the grimey music reflects the issues of the urban inner city youth successfully. I think one of the most successful parts of the film is where both Trife and Alisa are walking on their own simultaneously through the dark high street, the film is slowed down and the camera angle is changed to the first person point of view. This emphasises the characters' emotions reinforcing the sense of empathy.

I think it successfully reflects some of the issues that teenagers face in today's society.

Warhol Vs Banksy

I decided to go down to London especially to see this exhibition, I really like Banksy's work and Warhol was and still is one of the masters of Pop art. Surprisingly there wasn't as much work as I expected there to be probably at a max about 40 pieces, and most of the Warhol pieces were linear drawings. Many of the newspaper reviews were conveying that Banksy wasn't much competition for Warhol, but I beg to differ. Banksy's work is a modern day twist on Warhol's images, both criticise financial transactions and engage in popular culture, but Warhol actually moved in the celebrity scenes where as Bansky remains anonymous.

Banksy has more of a humorous satirical feel. I can relate more to Banksy's work as it current and addresses present issues, be it political or social. I admire him, he's definitely 'got balls' so to speak, his work is evocative and opens up many issues for debate.

London Baby...

A few interesting pics from my recent London trip:

Remainders of billboard ads

Anti-busking signs by Southwark Council, thought these were pretty good, they'd used different quotes on each sign.


Door sign for a studio based in the OXO wharf building

from window of above studio

(above and below) building by OXO wharf

Thames Lampost

I Scream Van

Recycled food containers in cafe

Street hustle - Covent Garden

Central Illustration Agency - Covent Garden

Twisted - Covent Garden

Vitel ad in the tube station

Dare to be happy?

This cheekly little number was created by Crispin Porter + Bogusky, playful ad, makes the BMW'S and Mercedes' of this world seem very sinister!

Children helping to save children

I thought this recent Save The Children ad campaign by Johnson Banks, was really effective due to the fact they got children involved in the campaign. They produced light outlines for the text and images and got children to draw them. The copy and imagery is straight to the point and effective

Fresh from the Factory

The FAC51-Y3 limited edition trainer has been produced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hacienda club in Manchester. The commemorative trainer is a collaboration between Y3 (Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas), Peter Saville, Ben Kelly (architect who designed the original Hacienda interiors) and Joy Division/New Order bass player Peter Hook. The trainers come in a custom made six-sided Maple bottomed box; in the shape of the Hacienda dance floor, the FAC51-Y3's are also wrapped in special tissue paper covered in Kevin Cummins' photography. A 90 min DVD of a club anecdotes is also included with the trainers. Only 250 pairs will be made, first being sold at Manchester Y3 store, costing a mere £345 - ouch!

WK Side

The renowned Weiden and Kennedy creators of the world famous Just Do It slogan and successful advertising campaigns such as Honda Power of Dreams turn 25 this year. They featured in the Creative Review in July and the Christmas pudding sacks really stuck out, such a novelty idea, a definite 'why didn't I think of that moment'. They were created by the WK side team ( a project ran by the agency which takes on people for three months from outside the advertising sector). The sacks won a yellow pencil at the 2006 D&AD Awards.

Fruity

Love the new Robinsons 'Raise them on Robinsons' campaign, the adverts are the result of a collaboration between BBH and illustrator Adrian Johnson. The illustration and animation is simple, wholesome and playful reflecting the core values of the product. It is successfully aimed at mums looking to give their something good and healthy to drink, but it would also appeal to children.

Expand your mind

The Economist is well known for the simple billboard adverts displaying extremely witty copy writing, found these examples that stood from their norm. Simple yet effective - like all of their adverts; strongly conveying the simple fact that reading the Economist will expand your mind.

Ad agency: Abbot Mead and Vickers

Sirens

This is has got to be one of the most controversial music videos I have seen this year, Dizzee Rascals definitely hit the nail on head; in order to get noticed. The video has definitley evoked many debates judging by the comments left on You Tube, many about racism; personally I think its more about rebelling against the upper class- shown by the grafitti on the wall; "only cowards steal from the poor" and authority, maybe touching on institutional racism ( due to the fact that everyone chasing him is white - however fox hunting is stereotypical an upper class white sport). I find it a bit ironic though that Dizzee Rascal appears to have a fur trim on his hood, obviously showing that the video is not a protest against hunting.

I think the whole working class, uphill struggle has become a bit of a gimmick with artists such as Dizzee Rascal in order relate to the majority of the people that listen to their music.

Miles Donovan

The co founder of the Peepshow; a very talented illustrator, he has worked with the Big Issue, The Observer, New York Times, Billboard and the list goes on. His illustrations are a great example that simplicity can be very effective. I think his stencil images produced for the likes of the Observer are punchy bold and eye catching; exactly what they should be. His portfolio suggests an urban feel, with use of spray paints and his vector images of US rappers. The use of just process colours in some of images enhances the images.

Just made me think when looking at the stencil/graffiti- esque pictures, that many people disregard stencil graffiti as art but as soon as your able to sell it, it becomes illustration.

Berkowski Xmas Card

'Deface The Face-Eminem', Client: Tango/HHCL/The Face

Gangsta Gumbo - New York Times

Art is my Hustle

Came across the designer "T Magic" on The Lick on MTV, it was refreshing to see something like this on MTV breaking out of the whole MTV Base mould. His work conveys a juxtaposition of grim urban surroundings and bright colours. The T Magic websites conveys that he is a cultured, educated designer, and that he is trying to make a statement and create a culture not just a fashion fad. I hope it inspires more people from inner city urban areas to be more creative and experiment with art.

The website is interesting and would definitely appeal to urban youth.

"Culture (Culture from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate,") a set of learned beliefs, values and behaviors the way of life shared by the members of a society.
I know for most of you out there that T.Magic is fairly new but to us (The Movement), we have been doing this for about 4 years now (nearly half a decade!). T.Magic is bigger than me as a person. Its a way of living. And what I mean by that is:
Our beliefs - Creating something out of nothing, Hope for the best prepare for the worst, The Revolution is now, Success is my destiny etc.
Our values in life - Freedom, Change, Independence, Peace, Non-violence Honesty, Loyalty, Unity, Trust, Meaning, Integrity, Power, Hard working, Perfection, problem solving, Good will, Fun etc. "

Artful Dodger

An American clothing company that has exploded from the underground, now a successful clothing brand worn by celebrities,rappers and breaking out into the UK grime scene. The clothes in the collections are covered in gangland images and each garment tells a story. " Every tapestry of artwork are the words, each garment is a page and every seasonal collection is a graphical diction of the Dodger and his crew".

The Artful Dodger brand is distinctive, the clothes are an original collaboration of illustration and fashion. The website for the brand is also worth checking out, the black and white linear drawing and hand drawn fonts juxtaposed against blocks of bright colour work really well. The website has a vintage gangster feel about it and the comic book has a built in interactive feature as you have to scroll over it in order to flip the page.

Artful Dodger goes that level beyond fashion; with an eyecatching original result.

www.artfuldodgerny.com/

Chicken anyone?

Found this piece by graduate Alex Wooley when looking at Its Nice That; a response to the similarities between office workers and battery hens. Such a well executed piece, a definite double take moment.

Office Job/ Battery Hen

Tasty motor

Skoda; The Baking of...

Agency: Fallon

I know everyones probably seen this but this is by far is my favourite advert this year, the execution of this advert is amazing and the soundtrack goes so well. I just cant believe they didn't eat it, (aparently due to the studio lights it all started to go off. The car took four days to make and weighed approx 1.5 tonnes (www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/tasty-motor/ for a full list of ingredients)

Alan Fletcher: Fifty Years of Graphic Work (and play)

I was lucky enough to catch the retrospective exhibition at the Design Museum earlier this year. It really was inspiring to see how some very simple ideas can be so successful, and also not to be afraid to try things outside of your field. The exhibition had a personal feel about it, giving an insight into what Alan Fletcher was like as a person as well as a designer, definitely seemed like a hoarder of random objects.The images of his home/studio showed that he was a man who was 100% dedicated and passionate about being creative. It was clear to see how he became one of the most influential figures in graphic design. Unfortunately I wasn't aware that the Design Museum allowed cameras so I missed out on a great photo opportunity, however did take a few pics on my phone.

I think Alan Fletcher's work and books will continue to be a inspiration not only to designers but anyone with a creative mind, The Art of Looking sideways is full of insightful information, as well as weird and wonderful facts such as a spiders brain is the size of a pinprick. For me the quotes in the book are the best, they really do get you looking at thing in a different light, one of my favourites; " A person without imagination is like a teabag without hot water".

Collection of camera phone pics from the exhibition

Balances: Optimist/pessimist 1996-2006

'Technological Graveyard' 1996