STARTLED & AMAZED: CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY at the EXHIBITION "THE ABSURD" 2015.

 

Image above: a snapshot of a fun idea in the actual exhibition space, The Bauhaus Selfie-Booth. Where? At SYNAPEIRO, Athens, Greece, http://www.synapeiro.gr/the-absurd-2015/

Bellow :Crack The Rules- Rage Against Conformity: A general view of stand materials and finals.




 

SYNAPEIRO contemporary jewelry workshop, exhibition space, seminar hub and concept store- organizes its annual contemporary jewelry exhibition  this September 2015- again. The theme is extremely accurate regarding the times. The Absurd, as a notion, an art movement, a state of mind, a life-style and a philosophy of human existence reigns over our very eyes through the final projects of the SYNAPEIRO contributors - seminar students. The making of sensational wearable jewelry, "different" than our classic, modern iconography of body adornment, is the key-point of the exhibition. The ornament follows the paths of controversy, becomes an acute tool of spiritual awakening and larger-than life intellect. The exhibition has been organized as an infrastructure up to the standards and schemes of what we usually see in large European fairs, and it is promoting seriously great ideas and makers. An avant-garde creative team gives away imaginative, beautiful, intelligent jewelry illustrating the HERE and NOW. Parallel events include discussions over the contemporary jewelry education and professional activity in Greece and overseas , together with the support of invited jewelers-artists from Greece, Netherlands and Germany.

 

 

Above and bellow: A Panorama of the works and a fragment of the glorious Bauhaus Selfie-Booth!



 

 

 

 

The space delivers seminars in a fully equipped workshop- check in the pictures bellow Intensity Bauhaus exercises, but also the workshop interiors with its work benches and lights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friend, musician, maker and design entrepreneur Eugenia Georgiou, one of the participant jewelers presents her personal notion of the Absurd: rings, pendants and brooches echoing the Howl of...Silence!!-O(bellow).

 

 

 

 

 

Clay, silver, ring ...and Tricks with Bricks (project title in English: So brain-dead) underneath...?-

 

 

 

 

Among other interesting artists and curators, participating and supporting the event with lectures and performances through out its 4 -day period, Laurie Schram - of the Schram Sandhu creative partnership- showcased their ever so interesting line of neck pieces, brooches, rings and many other wonders made by brass and silver. Dutch- born Laurie but ex-London resident for many years, approaches minimalist aesthetics in a fresh and dynamic way that seem to be born out from a fairy-tale workshop, where Josef Albers plays a king and Gils Bakker is a Prince-Charming....which is quite Absurd?-))) Great artistic energy and perfect craftsmanship, (see bellow some shortcuts : Ear "threads" and BBB Brooch (Bend-bend-bend and this clip brooch is made!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on Synpapeiro jewelry, activities, people, events, courses, exhibitions and on contemporary jewelry projects in general - please check the following links and emails:

 

https://www.facebook.com/SynApeiro?fref=ts

synapeiro@gmail.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/EugeniaFeroussi?pnref=lhc

 

www.schram-sandhu.com

info@schrmm.com

http://www.ihm-handwerk-design.com/besucher/highlights/schmuck

 

 

 

See you out there..........................................A4D-D4A?-)

 

 

 

  

 

DESIGN AND DYSLEXIA: AN APPROACH FROM THE SOURCE...

Picture above and picture bellow from: http://danielbritton.info/195836/2165784/design/dyslexia

I still remember the days when in the halls of residence of my university- Birmingham Institute of Art and Design of Birmingham City University - many rooms were refurbished and redesigned to accommodate the needs of students suffering from epilepsy. I also remember the papers of the exams aimed at the dyslexic students - all the academic material from Theoretical studies modules were presented appropriately, so it could be fairly understood -with the contribution of- MAINLY, a lot of audio support.

This autumn 2015 though, we have another "tool"; a typeface coming up to facilitate dyslexic people and raise awareness for the type of functional specificality or perception a dyslexic person embodies and expresses. The information designer who created it, Daniel Britton, dyslexic himself, already caused quite a stir in the cultural Media with a series of dedicated articles, which follow his line of thought for developing and illustrating a very complete piece of work-a concrete font that structures and deconstructs the Word, inside and outside the dyslexic path. So easy to understand, a unique font that differs from the very complicated cognitive approaches of the past- and can get us all in and out the dyslexic universe as readers or writers, with no evident effort! A great tutorial for future designers - extremely useful for teachers, parents, children,-dyslexic and non-dyslexic- but also incredibly lucid about a notion that still remains misunderstood by a fraction of society- as a "disease" ,a "curse" or a "misfortune". Please check:

http://danielbritton.info/195836/2165784/design/dyslexia
http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/dyslexia-educational-pack/

See Ya?<3
A4D-D4A

TOP 10 AUTUMN LIST OF DESIGN MUST-HAVE PUBLICATIONS!-))

Picture above from State General Archives- Conservation department workshop in Book binding and Conservation,  Eugenidou Foundation Library, November 2014.
http://www.gak.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=NODE&cnode=46
http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=node&cnode=103

A4D-D4A presents the top 10 list of the publications you must have in mind to read after summer...Get ready for (the order is random!- but if you want the A4D-D4A  classification- or more design-worthy reading suggestions you can send a message on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/all4designandbloodymore):

Islamic Fashion, The Pepin Press, 2011, older publication but one of a kind!
Islam modest dress, worldwide overview of muslim dress, lavishly illustrated, ready-to-use designs on CD- Islamic Fashion and Dress, contains historical images of dress from several Muslim regions, examples of modern interpretations, and many pictures of modern Islamic fashion. Also included are photographs and drawings of embroidered, printed and woven decorative elements.

Advertising for People Who Don't Like Advertising (Paperback), Laurence King Publishing, 2013
Advertising for People Who Don't Like Advertising is partly a creative handbook and partly an attempt to make the world a very slightly better place. It's intended for anyone who has ever hated a web banner or zapped an ad break - made by a company- Kesselskramer- that dislikes advertising as much as anyone. Nevertheless, it makes adverts. It has worked with global brands to produce fashion collections and promoted a town with a mass wedding. It creates advertising with more human, truthful communications. Super stuff.

Utopia and urbanism, MIET, 2015
Its not the first time, as the author and architect- professor Savas Kondaratos states, that a survey on architecture, combines a thorough exploration of utopia and urban building manifestation. In this epic research-essay Mr Kondaratos goes from defining the meaning of utopia, to the first utopic-based urban infrastructures and communities and finally an illustration of different approaches in utopic and ideal architectural surroundings in theory and in reality. A true history of architecture, through the ways and techniques of an idyllic(?) society- an engaging and exciting book that every designer and scientist should possess. Available only in Greek for the time being...

Design, When Everybody Designs, MIT Press, 2015
Incredibly dificult to choose from the new-ins of the MIT Press fall catalog in design-so for a start: as the author, Ezio Manzini describes in this book, we are witnessing a wave of social innovations as these changes unfold—an expansive open co-design process in which new solutions are suggested and new meanings are created. Ever so interesting.

Yasuhisa Kohyama-The Art of Ceramics, Arnoldsche, 2015 (2nd revised edition)
Ceramic and glass sector has a new book out from the illustrious German publisher Arnoldsche- the samurai of the ceramics Yasuhisa Kohyama has his monography out now- and it is a fantastic book.Yasuhisa Kohyama’s masterly ceramics are inspired by the ancient Shigaraki, Jōmon and Yayoi ceramics of Japan. Using the distinctive Shigaraki clay and a wood-firing anagama kiln, he has created modern ceramic vessels and sculpture, which are vigorous and new, but timeless in their beauty.

History of Design, Decorative Arts and Material culture 1400-2000, BGC- Yale University Press, 2013
More than a decade in the making, out in 2013,this work, spanning six centuries of global design, is the first to offer an account of the vast history of decorative arts, design, and material culture produced in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and the Islamic world from 1400 to the present. The absolute design history reference, a truly monumental work.

Korea Now ! Craft, design, graphisme, mode, Union centrale des Arts Décoratifs, 2015
Between tradition and modernity, Korean applied arts and design are internationally acclaimed today and this book help you discover this creative explosion, through the eyes of experts from both sides of the water - in three dominant fields:
graphic design, industrial design and fashion. Killer!

Magma Sketchbook: Design & Art Direction Pocket Edition (Pocket Edition), Chronicle Books , 2015
Ideally suited for designers, graphic designers, illustrators, art directors, and anyone working within the creative industries, or studying these disciplines, or simply interested in exploring his or her creativity. Helpful and user-friendly, these sketchbooks tread that fine line between giving users practical tools and information while not interfering with their creative freedom. Anyone- citizen, student, professional designer or creative amateur- can find happiness in this little wonder.

How to Thrive in the Next Economy-Designing Tomorrow's World Today, Thames & Hudson, 2015
One of the great voices of sustainability, author John Thackara gives us a visionary yet practical guide to building a more sustainable future, by one of the leading voices of the environmental movement today. Marveling at the power of small actions to transform the bigger picture, Thackara believes that a great transition is under way. It’s the end of one civilization – but the birth of another. Out now!

Architecture Now! Vol. 10, Taschen, 2015 (September)
The 10th edition of one of the trendsetter Taschen classics, celebrates contemporary architectural stardom. Things go big here: from Frank O. Gehry’s shining Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris to Zaha Hadid’s curving Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, take a global tour through the architectural practice emerging today, and defining tomorrow.


Enjoy design-bookworms~~~~~~?-)))
Warm regards
A4D-D4A

MOST ADVENTUROUS DESIGN TV SHOW IN EUROPE AND THE WORLD?-))))

Picture above from:
http://www.filrouge-automobile.fr/2014/05/06/dinky-toys-dans-jour-de-brocante-sur-france-3/

JOUR DE BROCANTE is probably one of this TV shows who offer true, in- depth crash courses in history of objects, techniques and industrial production in Europe. Presented by Eglantine Eméyé, style icon and TV-hostess extraordinaire, JDB reveals the God of Little (and Big) Things, through the ever-so vast map of "brocantes": street markets, flea markets, car-boot-type domestic sales ("Vide- Grenier"), open markets , antique fairs and private interiors (http://en.casa-ortega.fr/), mostly in France. From antiquarian appreciation and price evaluation of unique art objects, to collectibles, artisan-contemporary furniture,  "object- quizzes" and all kinds of paraphernalia made by a human hand- the show is almost an updated version of "Histoire des techniques" by Bertrand Gille, adopted to a fun, mass-audience version for the digital era. Accurate, interesting, market savvy and  creatively wonderful, JDB will win you over- no matter what you are: a high-end Collector, a tourist, a child, a designer, an engineer or an accountant. Watch  for it weekly and dive in the magic world of Jour De Brocante!!!

Warm regards
A4D-D4A:-)))

http://www.france3.fr/emissions/jour-de-brocante
https://fr-fr.facebook.com/jourdebrocante

SUMMER COMPETITION 2015! ANSWER THE QUIZ AND WIN SURPRISE GIFTS!

 ...And the names of the designers are (the persons corresponding to the hands:-)))
1.Ann Demeulemeester
2.Michael Pangrazio
3.Paola Navone
4.Oscar Niemeyer
5.Konstantin Grcic
6.Charles and Ray Eames
7.Junya Watanabe
8.Nathalie Jean

Congrats to those who guessed it right!-)))...

A4D-D4A declares a joyful summer design contest for its fans!
1.Check carefully the  picture above, where the HANDS of 8 very important designers, makers, architects, art directors; are depicted.
2. IDENTIFY AT LEAST 3 OF THEM. (tiny bit of help: the 8 names are included in following list of designers:
Oscar Barnack
Marcel Breuer
Pierre Jeanneret
Charlotte Perriand
Ferdinard Porsche
Verner Panton
Issey Miyake
Gaetano Pesce
Shiro Kuramata
Naoto Fukasawa
Jurgen Bey
Fernando and Humberto Campana
Ingo Maurer
Michael Pangrazio
Paola Navone
Konstantin Grcic
Constantin Boym
Lily Van Der Stokker
Leo Kroll
Thierry Lasry
Alexander Wang
Charles and Ray Eames
Junya Watanabe
Nathalie Jean
Phillip Lim
Derek Lam
Maroulina (Sophia Thanopoulou)
Matali Grasset
Timo Salli
Philippe Starck
Yiannis Ghikas
Ettore Sottsass
Enzo Mari
Nicolas Cissé
Henriette W.Leth
Arline M.Fisch
Claire McCardell
Ana Mir
Patricia Urquiola
Isabel Castañer
Gils Bakker
Ann Demeulemeester
Michael Pangrazio
Paola Navone
Oscar Niemeyer
Konstantin Grcic
Charles and Ray Eames
Junya Watanabe
Nathalie Jean
Ann Demeulemeester
):-)))

3. LOG IN TO YOUR FCBK account! Go to A4D-D4A Facebook page and press Like! https://www.facebook.com/all4designandbloodymore
4. Post on the page the answers or send them with a message.
5. Wait until the 15th of August when the end of the competition is declared. They are 3 surprise prizes - in case of many people posting the correct answers, there will be a draw for the three lucky winners.
6. The 3 winners will be announced- and photos of their prizes on the 5th of September 2015 (the prizes will be sent out by post on the addresses or PO boxes indicated by the winners).

GOOD LUCK-ENJOY!!!!
AD4-D4A

MIDSUMMER NEWS #2

 

Picture above from: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/even-old-media-institutions-are-acting-like-new-media/255088/

The summer- adventurous as it seems- continues with more events, festivals and venues concerning design and its many related disciplines...A few more things to know before heading out there, scouting and globetrotting:

1. In Birmingham City University Inspired Festival is the high point of art and design calendar –" a celebration of the creative output from the University, with a wealth of end of year shows and exhibitions and all open to the public"...A very important feature regards the School of Jewellery which celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2015 with an extensive program of events throughout the year, concluding to the oh-so-very-interesting Junk – from rubbish to gold – a performative installation project at the Atrium, School of Jewellery, Vittoria Street, Birmingham B3 3PA, on the upcoming November (from 9th to 13th). Actually a series of similar "exercises" always consisted somehow the main core of the school's curriculum throughout the years. Have a look at the web addresses bellow for further information and book your visit: 

http://www.bcu.ac.uk/inspired/art-and-design
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/jewellery
http://www.bcu.ac.uk/jewellery/news-and-events/celebrating-125-years

2. Summer offers the ideal opportunity for life-long learning  and short courses. University of the Arts in London  (UAL) and Central St Martins (one of its annexes) keep up the tradition wonderfully, by giving out the " Full Monty" of a rich program of design courses to die for. Very small room for disappointment since the list is long with EVERYTHING you can imagine, every possible subject , method, technique, theory, technology and more- design from the past to the future and beyond. The quality and the educational level of the courses exceed expectations, to say the least. Check out all details and prices, as the on-going program runs throughout summer 2015:

http://www.arts.ac.uk/csm/courses/short-courses/available-courses-starting-soon/summer-school-2015/

http://www.arts.ac.uk/csm/courses/short-courses/three-dimensional-design/product-design-and-development/design-summer-school/

3.  The BMAs - Best Mobile App Awards open curtains- and the on-line media designers and developers have many categories to choose from- with the Best Mobile App Design contest deadline expiring on the 29th of August 2015. If your app is chosen as an award winner, it will be published in the BMA site and also mentioned in their international press releases and newsletters. Submit your app and enter the competition on:

https://bestmobileappawards.com/app-award-contests/2015-summer-awards/best-mobile-app-design

That's all for now?-))
Warm and sunny regards
A4D-D4A

MIDSUMMER NEWS...

Picture above from http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/60/6042/6NPB100Z/posters/old-men-talking-and-reading-the-newspaper-in-the-local-market.jpg

A small handful of things happening or about to happen- worth to note down and have a closer look:

1. Digital Design Conference DIGITIZED15 is scheduled again this year- book your tickets early for a discount! On the 25th and 26th September 2015, in Athens, under the ever-so-credible wings of the co-organizer, +Design magazine. Check more over here:
http://www.digitized.gr/
http://www.designmag.gr/digitized-15-a/11946

2. The International Hellenic University (IHU) organizes again this year the ‘Product Design Summer Camp 2015’- a great initiative of a specialized short course involving 40 hours of workshops, focusing on technical and theoretical aspects of contemporary industrial design and production. Closing doors on the 9th of July 2015,  we hope for an exhibition with the finished creations of the participants. Feast your eyes on:

http://www.ihu.edu.gr/index.php/product-design-summer-camp-2015.html

3. Arrels Foundation in Barcelona delivers an amazing idea - HOMELESSFONDS -for fundraising, through typeface design: using the handwriting of homeless people, creates typefaces under their own name, for corporate sale or personal use. Enjoy the difference- fantastic graphic design solutions from an organization helping the homeless souls of the catalan capital:

http://www.arrelsfundacio.org/en/get-involved/homelessfonts/
http://www.homelessfonts.org/

Check a 4-page article featuring with every detail Arrels work, on Shedia street mag, issue no 28- a double issue for July- August 2015- out in the streets of Athens now!!!!

http://www.shedia.gr

Be well;-)))
A4D-D4A