The Age of Urbanism: Jasper James City Silhouettes

// May 17th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, featured

Jasper James is a photographer who is lucky enough to have worked and lived in New York, London and Beijing, covering projects from some of the world’s largest design and advertising clients. His client list includes an impressive array of names including Ferrari, British Airways, Wallpaper magazine and Marks & Spencer however it’s a personal project of his that recently caught our eye.

A series of photographs titled ‘city silhouettes’ James mentions ‘these photos are an ongoing project shot at various locations around Asia. The number of people living in urban areas outnumbered those living in rural areas. I thought it would be interesting to shoot portraits of these city dwellers combined with the image of a cityscape’.

The resulting imagery is simply stunning to behold combining simplicity and complexity in the final compositions. Each image features a single person (or in a select few two people) facing an industrialised landscape of skyscrapers and hazy horizons. Impressively the images are made in camera with just basic adjustments in contrast and colour to achieve the end result; no retouching.

This series of photographs manages to ‘capture life in a new, and surely lasting, age of urbanism’.

View more of Jasper James’ work at here!

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Cornelia Konrads: Land Art Installations

// May 9th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, featured

There’s something rather satisfying about seeing design merge into it’s environment. Whilst high profile, bold design solutions are great fun to look at and interact with, the ‘look at me’ attitude quite often has a limited run in terms of how long the idea keeps its flare and audience interest. On the other hand there is design that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, the perfectly executed design you don’t even notice but works fantastically for that very reason. German artist Cornelia Konrads latest work Land Art Installations manages to combine both of these qualities in spectacular fashion.

The Land Art Installations reside in a selection of natural landscapes across the world. The structures seamlessly give the impression of defying gravity and use natural materials found within the chosen landscape to create a quietly perfect yet breathtaking spectacle. Rocks, branches, logs are just some of the materials used and ascend without complication into the air above despite their construction being the complete opposite.

Described as the ‘contemplative interaction between nature and man-made culture’ the pieces certainly look rather spectacular and demand attention with their architectural structure, yet somehow blend into their vicinity in a minimalist manner.

Created thoughtfully with a concept that surrounds good use of material and landscape or another generic piece of modern art? You decide.

Check out more of Konrads work here!

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No Shadow – Makoto Tojiki

// April 24th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, featured

Japanese artist Makoto Tojiki’s impressive work has been the discussion of many a critic recently. ‘No Shadow’ is an exhibition display showcasing life-sized sculptures of humans and animals that glow using the light emitted from thousands of individual LED lights.

The three dimensional sculptures made of hanging light strands demonstrate the contrast between light and shadow; also exercising low energy lighting technology.

Tojiki supposedly begins his concept process by studying the shadow created by a living organism, before constructing the massive light stand sculptures. Displayed in dark interiors, the lights appear as a solid structure from a distance but at closer glance emit a brightly lit shadow. When the rooms main lights are engaged the sculptures disappear leaving a translucent outline of the organism that was there.

Without a doubt these pieces evoke a sense of playfulness, wonder and intrigue and it’s quite hard to tear your eyes from the almost godly or extraterrestrial creatures.

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Title Design

// April 13th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, b-scene, featured

Have you ever watched a film and thought the title design was more impressive than the actual story? Title designs are one of those lovely hidden extras in which the feel can make or break a film and the audiences interest. Lets not forget the credit sequences either which can be just as impressive…

Take for example the Sherlock Holmes credit sequence. Created by Prologue Film it can’t be denied that their approach and finished piece is simply stunning. A mix of photography, texture, illustrations, calligraphy and animation it seems to push all the right buttons and is a credit to building on the edgy and fun interpretation of the classic character of Holmes.

More recently the oil-drenched sequence creation for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Blur Studio) emphasises the surreal nature of the book and film in a series of montage imagery alluding to particular moments in the trilogy that would make for striking visuals. Taking a different approach to Holmes, 3D scans and digital rendering compliment an eerie soundtrack in bringing the story to life.

Two different approaches but two fantastic outcomes. The next time you are in the cinema why not stick around that little bit longer to see if the credits hold any hidden delights?

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The power of a simple shape

// April 5th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, featured

The circular dot shape can be considered powerful symbol. When used in the context of design it can signify a clean contemporary mark in a branding exercise or vice versa at to the other end of the spectrum it could simply be a splash of paint or a fun sticker.

Well, contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama seems to have found the middle ground. We recently stumbled across her latest project titled ‘Obliteration Room’ being shown in the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA); a seriously cool interactive installation for children.

A series of rooms were painted bright white including all of the furniture, walls, ceilings, floors creating a huge exciting blank canvas. Over the course of a fortnight, children were given thousands of vibrant, coloured dot stickers to be placed in the room wherever their creativity took them. Their contributions in transforming the white space look mesmerising and the finished piece has a real vibe of happiness and resourcefulness surrounding it. After explosions of vibrant colour balanced with a simple shape? Look no further.

We think this was a fantastic exercise for children to embrace their creative side.

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What is public art?

// March 30th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, b-street, featured

What is the point of public art? …perhaps to regenerate urban areas, to create local or national pride, to aid tourism, or simply to make a statement?

The answer is all of the above.

Public art can bring people together, and can enable those who would perhaps never set foot in an art gallery to experience something new and exciting. Taking art out in the open is a way to display the work of great artists to the general public, and can bring a rich cultural mix to our environment.

The term ‘public art’ often refers to sculpture, which as a 3d form, is typically the most suitable medium for filling a public space. but it can take many forms; from a painted road, to a building covered with fabric…

‘The Urban river’ installed in the town of Drachten, Netherlands, 2007

Parlimentary building in Berlin, ‘The wrapped Reichstag’ by Cristo and Jean-Claude, 1995

It can be created as a permanent fixture to the landscape, or as a temporary installation (the latter often involving a more interactive element with the viewer). The realist sculptures of Claes Oldenburg can be seen in many major cities worldwide as permanent additions to the landscape, whilst the fourth plinth in London’s Trafalgar square regularly sees new artworks occupying its empty space amongst the permanent statues.

Flying Pins by Claes Oldenburg, Eindhoven, Netherlands, 2000

The current work occupying the fourth plinth: ‘Powerless structures, Fig.101 by Elmgreen & Dragset

Light (both artificial and natural) is also a common subject in public art displays, perhaps because it interacts so clearly with its environment, and in turn, encourages interaction with the viewer.

‘Kolonihavehus’ (or glass house) by Tom Fruin, installed in Copenhagen, 2010

Art for the masses. This is essentially what public art is; above all it is for everyone, it can aim to instill some meaning to the mundane, to brighten up everyday life, or just look nice!

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Bicycle culture

// March 27th, 2012 // View Comments // b-inspired, b-street, featured

The bicycle has been a functional, fun and accessible way to travel around for many many years. Used all over the world by people of all ages the bicycle is in essence a timeless piece of engineering and design and it would seem that more and more of a cultural following has begun to surround this humble machine.

Without diving too much down the route of cycle sports and the athletic appeal of a bicycle lets concentrate on what is on offer. Is it the freedom gained? The design and aesthetics? The combination of components and customisable nature of building something personal?

Well one great project worth looking into is ‘Artcrank’, a celebration of all things cycle, design and creative culture.

‘Artcrank is a show of bicycle-inspired poster artwork that introduces people to talented local artists and sends them home with affordable, original works of art.”

The bike themed poster exhibition started in Minneapolis, America in 2007 and has since expanded to nearly a dozen locations, adding more cycle-happy cities. Interestingly it’s creator is a Creative Director and discovered cycling was a great antidote to the stresses of his day often riding with the other designers at his company. By creating the event he has managed to successfully combine two things he really loved; bikes and design. The work and event offers a lot of insight into what a bike means to specific individuals and suggests that the cycle and the culture it cultivates could be considered to some a way of life. Crucially, above all sharing ideas.

*Images courtesy of Allan Peters and Juri Zaech

A further example of fantastic cycle art is ‘I feel good today’, a three-dimensional wall art, symbolic of creative minds coming together. Located in a popular coffee bar in Germany, interestingly the bar’s owners happen to be video producers and feel the piece represents creative minds coming together.

*Image courtesy of thecoolhunter

Another angle to consider is perhaps the craftsmanship involved with constructing something personal to the individual. It is often rare in the modern world that the opportunity of being personally involved with the design and manufacture of a product you ordered is presented to you. Well, recent short film ‘The Inverted Bike Shop’ tells the story of just such an opportunity. Their collaborative building project invites you into the design process and even asks you to immerse yourself in a bit of elbow grease working alongside their mechanics; the end result, your very own custom built bicycle. Even if not a DIY’er this opportunity of having a hands on approach is one that is appealing.

It would seem that from these outlooks the most appealing elements of cycle ownership is accessibility and sharing ideas. Perhaps that’s why creatives find them so appealing, I’m not sure but personally I find a certain thrill and sense of freedom delivered from these two wheeled contraptions. What are your thoughts?

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Little People Project

// March 21st, 2012 // View Comments // Uncategorized, b-inspired, featured

It is said that it is the little things in life that make us happy. Discovering something new with a few smiles along the way be it physical or a smile in the mind.

Artist ‘Slinkachu’ is one of these such people that are to be admired. Quietly going about their work, the conceptual ideas and thought process behind the ‘Little People Project’ make for fantastic viewing whoever you are. The project has been running several years now and involves the remodelling and painting of miniature train set characters which are arranged in various scenarios within everyday city life. The work ‘plays with the notion of surprise’ and ‘encourages city dwellers to be more aware of their surroundings’.

Set up and left for passers by to discover, whether you think work is an exercise in creativity or aimed to reflect perhaps the melancholy of living in a big city it can not be denied that these small bursts of humour are welcoming sight on the streets.

Check out more work here!

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Trunk House

// March 15th, 2012 // View Comments // Uncategorized, featured

Ever fancied escaping city life for an adventure in the outback? Architect Paul Morgan’s latest work ‘Trunk House’ seems an awfully tempting proposition.

Morgan’s design sought to achieve an element of a transparent relationship with it’s woodland surroundings and forest environment. Using forked tree branches to frame the southeast Australian building enables the build to blend almost seamlessly into the landscape and looks at sustainable, ecological builds. Inspiration for the design came from traditional aboriginal structures merged with contemporary design.

Whilst Morgan admits that a number of trees were felled to make room for the cabin, it’s great to know that to offset the carbon footprint, they were milled and cured on-site to provide panels and lining.

The project boasts aspirational qualities of living and of being in such an architectural masterpiece that offers the beauty found of living in the forest and closeness to wildlife.

It cannot be denied that this architectural wonder is a beautiful to behold. We want to know when we can move in.

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*Images courtesy of deezen.com

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Oscar Nominated ‘The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore’

// March 9th, 2012 // View Comments // Uncategorized, featured

Recently, an unexpected masterpiece won an Oscar for ‘Best short film’. ‘The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore’ is an immersive animated movie and bedtime story all rolled into one. Completely revolutionary in its field as it’s not a traditional film or storybook…but rather an iPad app.

Created by author, illustrator and animator William Joyce, his work includes top character designs for many of Pixar’s classics as well as work for Dreamworks and Disney. In collaboration with Moonbot Studios the fantastical 15-minute movie has a variety of animation techniques and styles within it and uses music instead if dialogue to capture the audiences mind. Pushing the E-book boundaries and demonstrating the need for creativity in education, the app seems to push all of the right buttons in being interactive but not overpowering in weaving a great story.

A delightful tale that will inspire many a child as well as adult. Try the experience out for yourself on the iTunes store or watch the trailer!

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