Ghost Adverts

After seeing a few posts on others blogs referring to faded advertising I noticed this on Kennington Road, South London and thought I'd share it. Quite interesting to see how much times have changed and whether we may be looking back on add's from this time about certain products that just seem like blatent lies.

Crack and Shine

This is the first ever book to be produced on Londons subculture of Graffiti. For me it is a sensational book, documenting the works and speaking to some of the graffiti artists that definately inspired me to want to pursue art and design from a young age. I have always been fascinated by graffiti and I'm sure that I always will be. It always brings me a little joy to know that someone has dedicated their time to do something that they have always been told the cannot do. People who tell you that you can't do things are not always write and graffiti is a perfect example of that. Many of the graffiti artists I have met have told me that without it they would have lived a very routine lifestyle and graffiti gives them something to escape it. Many graffiti artists featured in this book are now celebrated artists so it has given them a route into that culture. This book is far more inspirational to me as it shows graffiti from where I have grown up and documents many pieces that I remember being amazed by. Many people will claim it's not art but I think if you where to read this book you may have your head turned. It contains some great photography from Will Robson-Scott, who has produced portraits of many of the featured artists, and 'Elk and Teach' who's personal collection could rival that of any professional. I was quite suprised to see it on sale at the Design Museum.

www.crackandshine.com

www.willrobsonscott.co.uk

La Haine

A great french film released in 1995 and one of my personal favourites. Shot in black and white to bring out the underworld of Paris that is definately not on any tourist maps. For 24 hours It follows three young men, Vinz, Hubert and Said who are trapped in this world of economic, ethnic and social underclass. Their friend Abdel has been hospitalised by injuries sustained from a police officer during riots, during these same riots a policeman lost his gun, the gun happens to find its way to Vinz, who craving some purpose vows that if Abdel dies in hospital then he will shot and kill a policeman to avenge him. They seem to spend their lives going round and round and getting no where. There are various storeys told to them throughout the film which reflect their own situation, something I did not pick up first time I watched the film. This gives something extra as I like being able to rewatch a film and pick up on things that may have not been so clear until you have seen the ending. It was premiered at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival to a sensational response, Matthiue Kassovitz was rewarded with the Best Director prize.

Alex Young

Found this on another blog and wanted to share it here, it's such a talented piece of work. I would love to try and create something similar myself.

Copenhagen

Cross Club

I've spent a couple of nights in this club in Prague and it is one of the most fascinating buildings I have ever been to. Decorated with scrap metal and other random miscellanious objects including windscreen wipers, table football tables and traffic lights it has created something special out of rubbish. I find this to be inspirational as creating something so incredible out of other peoples leftovers.

1000 Graphic Elements

Got a copy of this book and find it full of useful inspiration. It reflects upon the elements of design and attention to detail that can shape entire projects. It highlights the importance of getting the finer details to fall in place perfectly, getting these things write can make work come alive, getting them wrong can turn work into a failure. It's the sort of things that we may spend days stressing about until it looks perfect so it's nice to a book focused on these details. It's also full of useful resources that can be influential when considering future briefs.