Brixton. Rough Guide.

Typewriter.

Typewriter as an exhibit in a pub in Brixton.

This was an old typewriter hung on the wall of a pub as a piece of work done by an artist. Along with many other forms of art which people have created and then exhibited around the pub.

• It was strong, Metal, bottle dark green, black and white, Antique, old, Stern, Rustic, Patterned, Structural design, .

This old typewriter is hung on the wall in front of the main door of the pub being one of the first aspects of art that you see when you walk in. Its Green with white and black buttons in stripped line patterns. It has a very rustic old fashioned look to it, One red button on the right hand side made from a heavier metal, with two round cylinder vacuum like formed shapes at the top. There is a small newsprint yellow stained cream till roll on the left hand side. It was more of a shop till style typewriter instead of a full keyboard type.

The first things which come to mind when I look at the typewriter are:

• Steam Trains, Old fashioned sweet shops, Dark Green, Vintage, Antique, Victorian times, Neutral, Economical, World War 2, Buttons, Bottles, Scrap yard, Black and white and Metal workshops.

This typewriter could be used in a shop window as a display, in a museum as a piece of history which is to be restored for story behind it. Could also still be used as an olden day piece of technology. It has a lot of different contexts in which it could be shown and used. The way it was shown hung on the wall in a simple frame was very effective, because you want look up close at the detail which are shown in the design. It would look out of place if it was in a modern day scenario say a modern supermarket which an old style typewriter would not do the design itself any justification, but having found it in a bar which is not necessarily the right context which you would find it in, was beautifully presented in the interior design with all the antiques with other vintage objects.

Brixton. Rough Guide.

Rosies Cafe.

The Light shades in Rosies cafe

• Flower, Folded, Shapes, Round, Rose Petals, Pale colours, Lighting, Shade, light & airy, Simple, Could reflect a lot of different shadows giving off another number of shapes. Pompoms, Space, Disks, Clouds, Retro.

These flower shaped light shades which almost look like pompoms which hang from the ceiling, one is pale pink and the other is a light green colour. In their surroundings they really bring a modern day twist to this old vintage collectable cafe. They are the modern day twist in their old antique fashioned scenario.

When I think of these flower shaped light shades the first things which come to mind are:

• Shapes, Shadows, Different forms, Flowers, Petals, Elegant, Modern, Sharp, Plastic, Computer generated, 3D, Bouquets, Weddings, Simple yet very effective design.

They are made out of a very light weight bendy plastic, which has been bent into this shape to form these flower like light shades. They have a multi purpose, their not only a brilliant design concept, they are visually effective and something which is a use in the house hold.

These objects could be shown in a hallway, house, exhibition, shop, school, cafe, restaurant. They could even be just displayed in there own form as themselves. They have a lot of significance just in themselves without the aspect of them being a light shade. This lighting feature is something which can be put in a number of different contexts. These light shades might be seen out of context if you saw them in a sports centre or a supermarket because it wouldn’t do the design any justice. They should be shown in a way which shows off the design in the right way. Giving it meaning and context.

Brixton. Rough Guide.

Broccoli

• Green, rough bubbly texture, different shades of green, strong branches, Stems, leaves, Has a lot of tree like characteristics, small green bobbles, Sturdy, Sprouting and Edible .

Its a fresh useable everyday produce. Vegetables being part of your 5 a day are very important in your every day life. It can be eaten raw or cooked. It also a part of the cabbage family. A valuable food amongst Italian families. High in Vitamin C, K and A.

When I look at Broccoli, first things that come to mind:

• Healthy, Tree’s , Stalks, Bushes, Landscape, Bristles, Something you want to touch because the texture is so different and appealing. Its also a fruit which you would see in modern day supermarkets, but also something which would be sold in stall markets which brings a sense of community and family to it.

If shown in a different context it would either be in a supermarket, shop, house, photo, food, sculptural inspiration. If you were to think about broccoli and its characteristics it could be transformed into anything which could relate in one way or another due to the symbolism you can evoke from it. You could take the shape, the bunches & grouping of things to combine it into your own interpretation which has started from the idea of broccoli. Its still something which works in many ways.

It would be seen out of context if you saw a broccoli in a shop window, but then it may refer to the shop display. Healthy living, but it would be seen as out of context if it was in a swimming pool. That’s not a natural or realistic scenario for a broccoli to be placed in.

Brixton. Rough Guide.

Brixton

• Brixton was mostly wasteland until the 19th Century
• Opening of the Vauxhall bridge in 1816 improved the access into central London
• The area in front of the Tate library in Brixton was renamed ‘Windrush Square’ to mark the 50th anniversary of their arrival and community.
• Brixton was bombed in WW2, which caused a huge housing crisis which led to urban decay, which followed slum clearances and council housing.
• Electric Avenue was one of the first streets to be lit by electricity
• Brixton was once the shopping capital of south London, with 3 department stores.
• Brixton bombing in 1999 David Copeland planted a nail bomb in electric avenue, going off on a market day, targeted on the ‘Black’ community. Copeland also bombed Brick Lane and Admiral pub in Soho London.
• Brixton pound. Local currency, launched this year to boost the local economy and build a mutual support system amongst independent businesses by trying locally produced services.
• Brixton was a meeting place for the old ‘Brixton hundred of Surrey’
• Brixton means 'Beorthsige's stone', from an old english personal name and stan stone. It was recorded as Brixiestan in 1086 in the Domesday Book
• Still remains one of the most dangerous places in the UK, with Coldharbour Lane having the statistics of 3 shootings a week.
• ‘Electric Avenue’- Eddy Grant’s song. Killer on a Rampage album, referring to shopping in the UK to have electric st lighting. The song evokes poverty, violence, misery and celebration of the area’s atmosphere.
• Brixton riots, sparked by the death of a black man being held in police custody which occurred in unforeseen circumstances.

• Middle class families & City commuters love the attraction of multicultural foods
• There’s a lot of working class people, a lot of community within
• Brixton market reflects the african Caribbean community.
• The ‘Windrush generation’ was the first migration that formed the British African Caribbean community in London. They were housed in Clapham South, but the job association office was in Brixton, which was when they spread forming there own multicultural society.
• Brixton is home to 6 big housing estates

• Last surviving windmill in London
• Morleys was one the 1st independent department stores which still stands today
• The Ritzy, Coldharbor Lane is a formally independent cinema now owned by picture house cinema’s. The refurbishment was designed as the electric pavilion by E.C Homer & Lucas. One of England’s 1st purpose-built cinemas.
• Brixton O2 Academy
• Brixton also home to purpose built skatepark, named Stockwell skatepark.
• The Brixton Mosque is one of the oldest in south London with a strong community.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q5.

‘Cinderella table’ by Jeroen Verhoeven

Why has a marble table be given the name of 'Cinderella table' is what strikes me at the first glance. It was such a contrast in appearance to its given name. When you think of Cinderella you think beauty, elegance, innocence, magical, happy ending and transformation. So it almost felt as if the name was mistakenly given to the piece of design, as if it was meant for something else, but it could be a juxtaposition...

I was interested to know why this table had been given its name, so i looked further into the background and concept of this piece. To get some justification to why he had given it this name.

“With this title, the designer wished to evoke the transformation of Cinderella by her fairy godmother as a metaphor for the way in which the craft of modern computerised technology can transform mundane materials, revealing the design object within”.

Having read that information and finding out about the piece, almost showed me how his theory to the concept worked. The piece was very structurally designed, by taking an old piece of 18th century furniture and merging into a new modern computer-generated piece. Which is where the concept for these collection of pieces came from, using different materials in the process of it. It’s interesting how he uses modern day technology as the transformation aspect of the design which would relate to the ‘fairy godmother’ and the old 18th century furniture which is what his concept and idea for this design was almost created from.

So I suppose after all, the name is justified in the concept lead behind the piece, The piece was also exhibited in the ‘Enchanted Castle’ part of the exhibition which would have been the best suited part for it. Also the name it has been given does compliment the design itself in the way it is so sharply finished and polished to every little detail. It an elegant modern day transformation of a piece of 18th century antique furniture bringing it to a modern day twist.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q6.

The exhibition as whole really grabbed me. Its whole perception and range of different ideas from innocence to mortality, but they also bring a whole child like theme into it. I am going to take a lot of the design and conceptual ideas into consideration for table theatre. Looking at the different ways of structuring designs but also the patterns which they hold.

I am going to look further into Marcel Wanders designs, his designs and patterns really stand out to me. He works in a variety of different media’s which is something which really appeals to me and something I am going to carry through into my table theatre project. I also like the way his designs are so simple but effective. Using such simplistic shaped designs which reflect a modern way of thinking. He is a well known modern designer who has established a name for himself and for his designs; I think this could be a very influential designer to reflect on. His work inspired my idea of culinary objects looking at different shapes and patterns to them. Working with simple designs and colour’s, but introducing

Tord Boontje’s work is also something i am going to take into consideration the patterns and textiles which he uses in the ‘Telling Tales’ exhibition is also influential to my project. I like his patterns and how he uses to them to benefit his designs. They have a very secret garden feel to them. Its very mystical and magical, it has a very happy feel to it but also a hidden agenda underneath something which you want to process.

I am going to take a lot of the designers & designs into consideration for this project, because the exhibition on a whole was very inspiring for me. I enjoy the very child-like atmosphere to a wonderland of it.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q5.

‘Bella Bettina’ By Marcel Wanders

Why ‘Bella Bettina’? Well it’s a pretty name it’s something which stands out and relates to the piece itself, is it as creative as the actual piece itself, does it do justice to the bell?

Marcel has a series of eight uniquely decorated bells, all having the names beginning ‘Bella but following with a girls name, such as ‘Bella Bettina’, ‘Bella Belinda’, ‘Bella Barbara’ etc.. My first impression of the bell was the Disney film Notre dame and the bells in the cathedral towers. The Enchanted castle section of the exhibition is a good scenario to put the belle in because of its beautiful pattern & design. Its so detailed yet so delicate but also compliments the other pieces in the room. It has the characteristics of beauty which is juxtaposition to the Notre dame tale. The hunch back is ugly & deformed but then you put it with something so pretty, innocent and beautiful, which is related to the bells, how no matter what they look like on the outside they always sound beautiful.

Wanders himself describes these pieces

‘Girls in fancy dresses floating overhead, dressed up as silent bells absorbing the music in their ethereal dance’

These pieces do not follow his normal ways of working, he has worked on a much larger scale playing with the ‘Telling Tales’ theme. This exhibition is all about theatre, drama, illusion, mystical, magic, enchantment, terror, the abnormal, its something which plays with your mind. All the pieces these artists have designed evoke all those meanings and emotions.

The word ‘Bella’ is the definition of a feminine name, but also represents beauty in so many ways. In Italy it’s used to describe pretty girls. So in a way it’s connecting the title with the design.

Some people might disagree with the name of the design, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion, you might even disagree with the whole meaning of the design, but this is just one concept which you can either believe in or feel something completely different for it.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q4.

The way of looking at this exhibition and how it’s displayed contribute to my way of thinking for my table theatre. I am going to consider all the ideas from the designs which I have seen which have inspired me, like the design patterns from some of the chairs by Tord Boontje in the ‘Forest Glade’ section. I am very interested in the history behind the ‘Heaven and Hell’ section because it’s so dark and deceiving, but I don’t think its going to contribute the dark factor into my table theatre project. Something which I think I am going to carry through is the archeological feel I got from the taxidermy part of the exhibition. In displaying these objects as if they are artifacts which need preserving.

I am going to introduce the ‘Forest Glade’ way of displaying as well as the ‘Heaven and Hell’ combine them together maybe not with such intense themes to them, to express my table theatre project.

I want to look at cutlery which has come from a descending age and time period and combine with a lot of natural aspects. Combing the two together could give off a very historical mood mixed with culinary feel. They could work together very well expressing Colour’s and bouncing their shapes off each other, bringing different forms into one context.

We shall see what this project holds and how much the ‘Telling Tales’ exhibitions contributes to it, but so far it has been a very inspiring visit which has really focused me to progress my ideas.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q3.

The display layout of this exhibition goes through three different stages starting with, Forest glade it has a natural lighting, simple and natural designs which are split into their own sections. It’s not overcrowded so to be confusing it has a very ‘Adam and Eve’ feel to it. This section holds themes to with aspects of woodland stories, princess, fairies, and the innocence of children. It’s a very light start to the exhibition almost like the birth of a story.

Then its almost like entering another life stage with the ‘Enchanted Castle’ section which is a lot brighter, sharp with a lot of mirrors giving an optical illusion feel to it, bouncing off all the Colour’s and patterns from the designs. It’s confusing when you first look at because there is so much going on. It’s a bit of a visual overload as it is crowded with so many different patterns, shapes and objects all compressed into one space. You are not sure where to start first, which part to look at, because it’s trying to take you on so many different journeys. It also has a lot of detail within it which you have to look at closely, because you can easily be distracted by what is going on around you. Even though saying all that, I think this section works, because its trying to show the complicated twisted side which leads into...

Heaven and Hell is a complete contrast from what you are expecting after seeing all the other displays, you are not prepared to enter this other 'realm' which is so dark and disturbing, its so controversial compared to the other designs. It works as a shock to your mind, to enter this whole new idea of design. Something which you would not be expecting but has a way of opening you up to other ways of seeing exploring & connecting with the designs. The concept led behind them is something which is powerful but also has a moral theme in it. The way they have displayed is not over complicated it’s very dark with very subtle simple lighting. Its almost like a very archeological way of displaying things, they should almost all be in cabinets filed away, because of its taxidermy art work.

The overall feel to this exhibition has a very big impact on your way of looking at or exploring different design forms. They are displayed in different ways, but they are different types of designs with different characteristics to them. Its starts very simple, then gets very busy, with an ending of a deathly morgue type of view. Its all very theatrical and dramatic, it tells its own stories which you just play along with but for me it works so well together to excite and leave room for everyone to have there own interpretations of these artists designs and ideas.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q2.

Heaven and Hell: 'Damned.MGX' chandelier by Luc Merx

'Death is the sanction of everything that the storyteller can tell. He has borrowed his authority from death'

By Walter Benjamin

The ‘heaven and hell’ section in the exhibition is a lot darker and deeper from the rest. You enter a completely different atmosphere. This chandelier was actually in the hallway near the exit of the exhibition. It caught my eye because it reminded me of a graphic designer called Dominic Wilcox. He made bowls out of melting toy soldiers together and molding them into bowl like shapes, even though this chandelier is relating to tumbling bodies of falling souls which is a completely different concept. This chandelier has so many shadows and shapes to it which is created from something simple but yet it’s such a dark story behind it. Tumbling human figures in a cloud shape which was inspired by Baroque art. Even though there were also many other pieces in the heaven and hell section which were of interest. The falling of the damned really caught my eye by its simplistic structured design.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q2.

The Enchanted Castle: 'The Pyramids of Makkum' Tulip Vase by Jurgen Bey.

In the Enchanted castle the 'Tulip Vase' collection always catches my eye it has an 'Alice in wonderland feel to it. It has a more historic background to the collection which you find out when you read further into it, but from my first impression this was one of the pieces which really stood out to me. I have always had an eye for ways of stacking objects together or on-top of each other. I like all the little Chinese details on it which relate to the original Chinese porcelain blue and white decoration. As decorative as the design is, its also very simplistic in its simple form even though it's three dimensional exterior really draws you back into all the detail. Which is maybe a main focus point to these pieces? Relating to Alice in Wonderland, in my perception, has the idea of the 'queens' which is royalty relating to the meanings of the vases themselves. The ideas which I am taking from this exhibition and especially these vases and I am going to put towards my table theatre project especially the idea of stacking and building of objects.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q2.

Forest Glade: ('Linnenkasthuis') Linnen-Cupboard-House by Jurgen Bey

Where does your grandmother live, little red riding hood? A good quarter of a league further on in the wood; her house stands under the three large oak-trees, the nut trees are just below; surely you must know it; replied little red riding hood.

By Grim Brothers.

In the linen cupboard there is something about it which draws me to it. I don't know whether it’s the quilted patterns of Colour mixed with this old sanded down wood. It reminds me of an old gypsy wagon which is also why I love it. It brings the film Stardust to mind. I love how it’s related to Hansen and Gretal, the gingerbread house but also the 'big bad wolf' in little red riding hood. It has a lot of fantasy to it but it also has a lot of secrecy which is hidden within the depths of the wagon. I love the design of it, it all fits so well into itself but also has room for growth in the story or how you can interpret the story yourself. It’s strong but it also has such delicate aspects to it, with the stitching, detail and veil.

Telling Tales Exhibition V&A Friday 16th October

Q1.

Telling Tales Exhibition at the V&A

Having already visited the exhibition once in the summer, I already knew what to expect from this exhibition. It’s very magical, which is very inspiring. Visiting for the second time helped me to look closer at the context and different aspects which it holds.

On first walking into the exhibition, the atmosphere, music and whole theme sets a picture in your mind. Its outer shell is very mystical, naturally enchanted with a hint of darkness which is then revealed later on, almost like a story book. There is a lot more depth to the exhibition which is told the further you walk through. There are many different little stories for all the designs, which inspire you to go on to find out more. The exhibition covers three main scenario’s ‘Forest Glade’, ‘Enchanted Castle’ & ‘Heaven and Hell’.

It’s slightly confusing when you first walk through because it’s split into the three different sections, which display different stories. These stories are almost like the different seasons we go through. You are almost walking through a collaboration of Disney films and story tales. It starts off like beginning of life...then growing up...then death at the end. You are almost travelling through a life transition.

First initial reactions to the exhibition were: Magical, hidden, Innocence, Deception, Natural, Fake, beautiful, Horrible, inspirational, simplistic, twisted, confusing and amazing. Its been one of my favorite exhibitions which really inspires me.