Category Archives: Art
Meet Keri Muller
Capetonian film production company, Green Renaissance, recently made this lovely video introducing Keri Muller of Simple Intrigue and her breathtaking, intricate paper creations. The clip gives a little insight into her creative process and her passion for using the written word in a very unconventional way…
Design Indaba 2013: Through Rose-Tinted Glasses
Time flashes past so unbelievably fast. It’s almost scary. Right now, to me, it feels as if Design Indaba 2013 was long ago, instead of a month ago. Nevertheless, we are keeping it alive going forward into 2013.
Marica has done her take on the Expo (read it: here) and now it is my turn to deliver my take on the Expo, highlighting a few exhibitors that stood out for me. Saying this though, by no means diminishes any of the other many exhibitors. They were without exception, totally amazing in the presentation of their products.
Design Indaba buzzes with the most astounding creative energy and the exhibition stands are mind blowing in their presentation. I really mean that!! The only pity is that due to the immense number of visitors to the stands, being able to get up close and appreciate all the details of not only the exhibition, but the product, is not always possible. And also there is that unspoken pressure brought on by the same crowds (plus the achy back and feet)… to move on. These very same missed details, I was only able to fully appreciate when I sat down to work through all the images taken by our fab photographer, Laurita Smal. All that is left to say is: KUDOS TO EACH CREATIVE EXHIBITOR. YOU GUYS ROCK AND MAKE OUR CHESTS SWELL WITH PRIDE.
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THE ABSA GALLERY: Artists participating in the exhibition were previous top 100 Absa L’Atelier entrants – some have travelled abroad whilst others have only travelled locally. They then presented the story of their travels in a small vintage suitcase, of which there were so many to view. The one that I could relate to was this one in the image – it obviously tells of an interesting time spent in Italy. So clever.
ELIZABETH GALLOWAY ACADEMY OF FASHION DESIGN: Their exhibition stand took the form of a ‘laboratory’. It was fascinating, enchanting and captivating. They had a good few design workstations going on, with fashion designers working on their craft, surrounded by the tools of their trade. I went back to their exhibition twice, just to ensure that the gorgeous little details I missed first time round, had another opportunity to be enjoyed. This exhibition spoke absolute volumes about creative flair and inspired leadership in the world of fashion design. I just could not get enough of it.
DEEP SHEEP: Their product – WOOL. Oh man – they had dem sheep dressed up as various and intriguing characters. Quirky always catches my eye and allows my imagination to develop my own story. I simply admire the ingenious imagination of marketing their product using these sheep characters. I was so sorely tempted to walk away with one of dem sheep. Particularly the gal flaunting her pearl necklace.
CERAMISTS - SANDY GODWIN & STOOR: In fact, as I sit here and write, I realise that the work of these two ceramists were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Amazing what one is attracted to and shows that there is indeed a market of each. Sandy Godwin’s work is ‘laced’ (excuse the pun) with detailed intricacies – lace work that is delicately classy and yet totally sassy. My mind could not cope with how much time such fine work must take. Stoor’s work on the other hand is more rustic and rugged looking. It is has that kinda ‘handsome rugby player’ appeal to it. When applying that antiqued, worn look to a piece of furniture, the technique requires one to rub on some dark finish to make it look as if the grit & dust has become lodged in the little nooks. Stoor has created that same type of finish to their ceramic pieces. So cool in my books.
LI EDELKOORT’S AFRICANA MEMPHIS: I am such an admirer of Li Edelkoort and this year she curated an exhibition stand (sponsored by Woolworths). Short of repeating the same ole adjectives to find expression, I have to say, it was something else. It was so different and one had to take time out to read about the arising Neo Memphis trend that Li is opening up to public awareness, to be able to appreciate the vibrancy of the display. The added value was that Africana flavour and style. If I say ‘totem’ what comes to your mind? American Indian totem poles?? Think again – the totem in this case is all about the layering of textures, colours, styles, designs and more.
Did you attend the Design Indaba 2013 Expo? If you did what or who was it that caught your eye? And if you didn’t manage to get there this year, do all you can to get there in 2014. Sell whatever of your stuff to get a ticket, but just get there. You will be blown away by the level of creativity that is to be found in South Africa.
Related articles
- Design Indaba 2013 Awesomeness (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Emulate by Tersia Fisher (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Design Indaba Conference 2013: Day 2 (thedesigntabloid.com)
Design Indaba 2013 Awesomeness
By Marica
Okay, so I know you guys and gals are just dying for some Design Indaba Expo feedback! As both Rose and I had to juggle the Design Indaba Conference, Expo, and our day job, I did the Expo circuit in a new personal best of two hours! Let me tell you something… you can only say “wow” and “that’s beautiful” so many times in the span of two hours before you head explodes at the sheer awesomeness.
The Emerging Creatives, for instance, where so super dooper talented this year that Rose and I agreed that to write one summary post for them all just won’t cut it. So in the months to come we hope to feature our favourites individually and that way keep the spirit of Design Indaba burning a little longer. But, in the meantime, here are some things I oohed and ahhed about at the Design Indaba Expo 2013…
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I thought the fashion section was especially well planned this year, particularly the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC) exhibit – don’t you just love the gold coat hanger chandeliers!
ARTYMISS: I absolutely adored the Artymiss stand… and so did everybody else – that stand was B.U.S.Y. It’s not surprising though as you could not help but notice the beautifully backlit stand from a distance. Artymiss specialises in most extraordinary whimsical laser-cut paper artwork and stationery – her attention to detail is amazing.
Another ingenious addition to the Expo this year was the food truck convoy which stood amidst strings of twinkly lights. Gourmet street food anyone – YES PLEASE!
IKHAYA: Have you very stumbled across a shop where you just want to say: “I’ll take it ALL thank you! Ring it up while I get my credit card” Well, that’s how I felt when is saw the iKhaya stand. From the adorable chest of drawers and little cabinets, to the whimsy wood and ceramic figurines and awesome pendant lights… I want it ALL!
20EIGHT: Okay so I’m a total sucker for gorgeous lighting and the Expo was dripping with abundance of beautiful lighting designs. One of my favourites: a gorgeous geometric pendant light made from lightweight concrete designed by 20Eight – they use the same concrete to make amazing jewellery and funky geometric serveware.
MAKERS OF STUFF: Then there was the Makers of Stuff (MOS) stand – a whole wall filled with beautiful pendants lights and chandeliers. It became an unintended “photo booth” as one can not walk past the amazing display without asking someone to snap a picture of you striking a pose in front of it!
NINA DU PLESSIS: I also loved the trendy wall-hung geo pendant lights and gorgeous wooden wall hooks they were hung from designed by interior designer Nina du Plessis. I never had the chance to ask Nina what the lights are made, but I’m assuming it’s some kind of concrete or earthenware.
HALDANE MARTIN: Lastly, I found the “evolution” of the Haldane Martin Source Chair quite interesting - I’m absolutely loving the newest addition, the Source Upholstered Chair with those stunning wooden legs!
{So who attended the Expo? Buy anything? Tell us about your favourites!}
Related articles
- Most Beautiful Object in South Africa 2013 Finalists! (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Design Indaba Conference 2013: Day 2 (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Some Design Indaba goodness. (leelipman.wordpress.com)
Chappies Edible Street Art
Rose and I just stumbled across these amazingly creative clips uploaded by Chappies, South Africa’s most iconic bubblegum! In January of this year Chappies, with the help of some talented creatives, created six edible street art installations all around South Africa - starting at Woodstock train station, Cape Town on the 15th and ending in Greenside, Joburg on the 21st. Each of the six installations depicted a winning fact submitted by South Africans. Rose and I could not help recollecting some fond childhood memories of many sunny days spent with mouthfuls of Chappies and filling our brains with tons of “Did You Know?” facts.
Do yourself a favour and go watch the other four installations clips: here. I absolutely LOVE these clips!
