ART: Nuart / Numusic Festival Norway

Last week I was lucky enough to travel to Stavanger, Norway for a work trip to Nuart/ Numusic festival. Stavanger isn't exactly a place I'd have considered travelling to normally, I'd kind of written of Scandinavia as a group of Sarah Lund's in jumpers and clogs, and Breivik hadn't exactly given Norway the best PR recently. However when it's free and and riddled with handsome street artists (oooh yes - don't believe me google HowNosm - You're welcome) I was there with ghetto gold knobs on.

Being the Bible belt of Norway Stavanger is sort of an odd location for a subversive art show, but it works. Tou Scene, the main hub of both Nuart and Numusic festival, was an old brewery and evoked that kind of 'Dalston-cool' vibe, minus the artifice. With disco balls in old beer vats and makeshift stages and dj booths erected over the brewery's 3 stories, this was the real deal, somewhere between a sexed-up youth club and a genial warehouse party.

Joining the music venue is a series of long tunnels which were handed over to some of the biggest names in street are, for them to do what they will with them. The likes of Saber, Eine, Ron English, Mobstr, HowNosm, Aakash Nihalani and Neils Shoe Meulman (who you might know from his Mos Def and Louis Vuitton collaboration about Muhammad Ali - see below) all contributed to turning Tou Scene into a sort of Nat Gal for street art (except far fucking noisier). Over the weekend Tou Scene become the centre point for this 'Cannes' of street art, where we talked graffiti, advertising, politics, smoking slippers and 'beef'.

Despite the high levels of testosterone - I thought we were going to be one member down at one point - and copious amounts of beer (the only thing we could drink for free) I found Stavanger decidedly escapist. The festival - built on ideas of unrestrained self expression, beauty and freedom - and set within the beautiful fjords of Norway (which you can tour on boat ) and crazy toy town buildings of Stavanger, was an unique experience.

Eine

I highly recommend the NuArt and NuMusic festivals to those who want to try a completely different festival vibe. By day wander the streets of Stavanger for chance encounters with ephemeral artworks, then by night nod your head or skank your heart out to the likes of The Orb, Mad Professor and CasioKids - you can't get more Scandinavian cool than that.

ART: AKA Peace

The fantastic AKA Peace exhibition, part of the Peace One Day 2012 celebrations, finally opens tomorrow at the ICA in London. Featuring brand new works from the likes of Damien Hirst, Sam Taylor-Wood(/Johnson?), Antony Gormley and Marc Quinn, and The Chapman Brothers the opening has been hotly anticipated by the art and fashion pack alike. The show sees the best names in contemporary art re-cast the AK-47 - the most recognisable and devastating worldwide killing machine - as a piece of art.
 
I'll be up-dating you on all the chat from the private view later in the week, but until then here's a look at a few of my favorite pieces from the exhibition. Of course Damien Hirst's and Taylor-Wood's piece will gather the most attention on the day but I can't help but be drawn in by some of the lesser known names exhibiting their reconstructed AK-47s.

Nancy Fouts - "Don't Touch"

First up is the London-based Nancy Fouts' "Dont Touch" which sees real rose thorns sprayed silver and attached to the gun - in suitable fairytale-like 'Fouts'ian style. Nancy has been one of my favourite contemporary artists for a while now and I always look forward to what she comes up with next - whether it's asphyxiated birds or Jesus Christ ironing boards.

Laila Shawa - Where Souls Dwell

Laila Shawa's work 'Where Souls Dwell' completely re-works the AK-47, covering the gun with things associated with beauty and glitz: Swarovski Crystals, Rhine Stones, Japanese gold powder, Feathers, and butterflies. The Gaza-born artist's piece demonstrates a sense of hope whilst also questioning the glamorization of violence in modern culture. 
 

The Chapman Brothers -Yin  

The Chapman Brother's piece sees them visit a motif of their earlier works, whilst exploring the horror of violence within the lives of children, an all too familiar sight with the use of child soldiers in wars across the world. Jake Chapman, who also curated the exhibition, never fails to amaze me with his polite and reverent manner yet shocking and often offensive art!

Tim Noble and Sue Webster - 'Fuckit! Fuckit! Fuckit!'

Finally Tim Noble and Sue Webster's 'Fuckit! Fuckit! Fuckit!' deserves a mention. Their AK-47, which has had its barrel knotted, demonstrates clear allusions towards the idea of a gun as a phallic symbol and the impotence of conflict. Asking Tim what it meant he sent me the following:

Ak47 = kill

Ak47 = man

Ak47 = testosterone

Ak47 = sex

Ak47 = impotence

Ak47 = jammed

Ak47 = ' Fuckit! ,Fuckit! ,Fuckit!!

well, quite...

Full list of artists involved:

Charming Baker, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Mat Collishaw, Jeremy Deller, Nancy Fouts, Ryan Gander, Douglas Gordon, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Gary Hume, Jim Lambie, Langlands & Bell, Sarah Lucas, Antony Micallef, Harland Miller, Tim Noble & Sue Webster, Marc Quinn, Stuart Semple, Laila Shawa, Bran Symondson, SamTaylor-Wood, Gavin Turk and Rebecca Warren.

Get down to see the exhibition before it goes to auction to raise money for Peace One Day on October 4th. AKA Peace, for Peace One Day, 26 – 30 September 2012 at the ICA, London.

ART: Kristjana S Williams

I have recently fallen madly and deeply in love with the art work of Kristjana S Williams, an Icelandic born designer, illustrator and graphic artist. Amongst her inspirations she cites Victorian engraving and the varied landscapes of her native country, both of which are evident in the rich outpouring of her vibrant and decadent work. Creating intricate scenes with mystical and exotic creatures, she simultaneously evokes a sense of the nostalgic, surreal and fantastical.

Purpura Vallis

Lear Gaukar 05

Hjartur Tre

Lear Gaukar 06

A graduate from Central St Martin’s, her illustrations first found life as part of a collection for the boutique fashion store Beyond the Valley, where Williams was also creative director for 8  years before it very recently shut up shop. The luxurious pieces which feature Williams’ illustrations also maintain a feeling of delicate elegance through the use of clean lines and silken materials. Her talent was recognised by Holland and Holland who commissioned her to create a wall mural for their Bruton Street store in 2010. As a part of the safari room her drawings captured “an imagined space on the Veldt where native species gather peacefully at dusk”.  She has also created work for the Wilderness Festival, had a show at the V&A as part of the London Design Festival, and a solo show at the Soho based graphic art gallery Outline Editions.

Collections at Beyond The Valley

Safari Room Mural for Holland and Holland

V&A Show

Collaboration with George Smith

There is definitely an element of the surreal to Williams’ illustrations, and part of my admiration is probably born out of a childhood obsession with fairy tales which transport you to another realm, as Williams’ works undoubtedly do. The colourful intricacy of the scenes Williams creates provide endless indulgence, and with a number of projects lined up for 2012 including more work for Holland and Holland, an expanding print collection at Liberty’s, and participation in Somerset House’s annual Pick Me Up exhibition, I am intrigued to see what mystical wonders Williams will bring us next.  

Hjortur

The Pick Me Up contemporary graphic art fair is on from 22 March - 1 April at Somerset House. 

DW

Life: London Party Circuit - 1-3 Feb 2012

Last week the wonderful world of PR took me to not one, not two, but three rather fabulous parties in London. First up was a friend's event at The Hoxton Pony which was a Macmillan Fundraising event held by T4s Georgie Okell. Amongst the attendees were Prof Green, Jameela Jamil, Nyx Deyn and Made in Chelsea's Ollie Locke. Yasmin performed and Rizzle Kicks played an awesome DJ set, spinning everything from Azealia Banks to the Chemical Brothers.

The Hoxton Pony is well worth a try next time you find yourself in the East End. Described by Harper's Bazaar as 'A Modernist Alice in Wonderland-esque watering hole' the bar/club brings cocktails in tea-cups alongside highly palatable DJ sets.

 

The next night I was at Pertwee Anderson & Gold gallery's latest private view for the artist Annie Morris. Morris' new works explored the tragedy of still-birth and yet I many of them enigmatically fragile and beautiful. In the past Annie has collaborated with Burberry's designer Christopher Bailey to create the famous 'peg dress'. It was no surprise then to see the likes of Sophie Dahl and Rosamund Pike at the Soho gallery, alongside a man in a huge top hat and a ferret collar.

           


Once we'd satisfied our art lust we jumped in a cab down to Sloane square to attend the Sunday Times Magazines 50th Anniversary bash at the stunning Saatchi gallery. The magazine - which was the first Sunday newspaper magazine supplement - is showcasing some of its most memorable covers since its inception in 1962. Attendees included Jeremy Clarkson, Paxo, Carol Vorderman, Gary Lineker and Sir Phillip Green amongst many others. I shared a story about an exes pubic hair with Sky's Adam Boulton, his wife Anji Hunter and Times editor Eleanor Mills - it went down a storm, unlike the original event - and I also got some juicy radio 4 gossip from a rather merry John Humphrys, which I promised not to divulge...

The biggest fashion faux-pas of the evening was easily when Philip Treacy had to introduce himself to us - we'll blame the copious amounts of wine. I opted for a LBD from FCUKs amazing sale teemed with  bright blue Kurt Geiger Bianca courts - another sale steal which had originally been going for £220.  They went down a storm, winning 'best shoes of the evening' from more than a couple of admirers, which just about justified having to teeter up and down 5 flights of stairs every time I needed to visit the little girls room. GC

Check out Annie Morris at Pertwee Anderson and Gold gallery until March 1
See the Sunday Times Magazine 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the Saatchi gallery until February 19

MUSIC: M.I.A Bad Girls Video

Anyone that has had to live with me will tell you that I'm obsessed with music videos; I still watch and copy them religiously like a teenage girl. Last week I stayed over at a male friend's (OK, yes a friend with benefits...) and subjected him to '100% Rihanna' and 'The Best of Britney' on Vevo for hours  (WM suggested this is 'single girl behaviour' - so perhaps I will limit it to 'Me' time in future).

I also fucking LOVE M.I.A, so what with her releasing her promo for 'Bad Girls' two days ago and her impending Super Bowl performance alongside Nicki Minaj and Madonna (who's video for Give Me All Your Luvin' leaves me a bit cold), I thought it was time to feature my girl.

Bad Girls sees M.I.A team up with French director Romain Gavras, who also shot the highly controversial promo for 'Born Free'. Whilst 'Bad Girls' doesnt have the same overtly political stance of the previous video, and certainly not even half of the shock value, it it still likely to draw a few raised eyebrows. Set in the Middle East - shot in Morocco - it shows street racers, immense car stunts and women with guns working ghetto fabulous hijabs; very 'if Versace did Burqas...'

The result reflects completely the high-fashion cultural mish-mash that defines M.I.A's work. This is what I love about artists like Maya, Kate Bush, Goldfrapp and 80s/90s Maddona - their videos are visual portrayals of the main event: the music. Other artists (yes sorry Lady Gaga) sometimes swamp their tracks with overdone promos.

So enjoy - I'm off to refine my 'middle east goes ghetto' look before this summer. GC

Homage to Cher

- Cher of Clueless, not Cher of Sonny & Cher (incidentally she was the first person to show her belly button on live television - although this is a fun fact, it is also a wikipedia fact, and somehow a little hard to believe. I'm certain there's some satisfied 70 year old ex-hippy who smugly holds that particular milestone).

After watching Clueless for the sixteenth time, GC and I could proudly say that we got all of the grownup jokes, nicely disguised amongst the sugary soundtrack and knee-high socks. Apart from one or two American-specific references, we could safely say we were no longer Clueless. This triumph aside, we watched Cher & Dione flit from outfit to outfit with the same eagerness as we will no doubt watch the New York fashion week catwalks, making mental notes...minus the Dominos cookies.

Here is a breakdown of our most envied, Nineties Malibu, purple clogged, Dr Seussed 'Oh I wonder if they have that in my size' looks.

Maribu Pen VS Gothic crucifix.

A perfect look for weekends or at the office. After witnessing Cher's seduction techniques my 13 year old self was certain a maribu topped pen for my school pencil case would certainly be a most effective tool in getting 'that' boy's attention. Although I can't say any 13 year old boy would be (or was) completely bowled over by the chemistry brought by the fluffy pen, I may not rule it out as a work accessory. It could play an important part in meeting the (gay) boyfriend of your dreams.

Sportswear shmortswear.

Never underestimate the potential of sportswear. If ever there was a time to rock out your gold chained cell phone purse, it's at your all-girl tennis lesson. 

Friends are your best accessory.

Not sure I have ever co-ordinated my outfit with a friend unless for fancy dress. I must strive to do this one time.

Be dynamic with your Millinery.

I wore a beret for most of my sixteenth year, whilst gaining the nickname Toad (in relation to the Mario character with a toadstool head) this did not stop me wearing it with pride. As is the only way to wear a beret. Not so sure about Dione's hat here. Although we do give her snaps for her daring knitwear.

Not so much to say about this photo apart from the fact that it includes two of my most favourite things: fairisle and cameras. And Cher manages to make a headband look sophisticated, something that I (and indeed Blair Waldorf) have failed to do.

'You'll catch a chill in your kidneys' Granny Banks, 1993

S/S 2012 is all about the midriff. My current opinion on this mirrors Tai in this picture, rather than Cher. And I can't do sit ups as they hurt my back.

Dress for Danger.

All of our favourite heroins get mugged once in a while. And it appears that muggers have no respect for their victims wardrobe, what with Carrie's strappy Manolo sandals being held at gunpoint and Cher's 'totally important designer' dress ruined in the dirt. This outfit also includes a feather boa, something that none of the Dry Shampoo Diarist's will be reviving.

Chokers and Skull Caps.  

Crochet is a big thing this summer. White or multicoloured, it'll probably be clogging up the rails of Primark in a nice viscose-type material some time in late July. Read it and weep. Also here is an example of one of the many chokers which play a huge part in the Clueless wardrobe. GC and I have agreed they are definitely on the cards for a comeback.

Finale.

Must remember to have all epiphanies in front of illuminated fountains in pastel, virginal outfits. It just makes for better photo opportunities.


WM 

LIFE: Attitude Problem

The presence and portrayal of women has been under the spotlight over the past week. With the culture minister Ed Vaizey’s call for more women on the BBC’s agenda setting Today programme, a distinct gender imbalance at the Davos meeting (just 17% of delegates were female) and the Leveson inquiry’s focus on the representation of women in the press, it is obvious that there are ingrained attitudes towards women in our society which desperately need changing.

Not too long ago I was having a conversation with a male friend and somehow the topic turned to the prosecution of rape, and his response was, ‘but a lot of women falsely accuse men of rape’. I tried to argue that just because a false rape allegation may get heavy media coverage, it does not justify the ridiculously low rate of reported rape cases which end in prosecution, or necessarily mean that every rape allegation should be treated with scepticism. I was – possibly naively – shocked that someone who was relatively intelligent, rational, and normally disapproving of violence, was ready to shrug off one of the most serious, damaging violations that can be committed. Every time someone cracks a joke about rape, or a popular TV series runs the age old ‘woman who falsely cried rape’ story line, my heart sinks, as it shows how lightly and wrongly the issue is dealt with.

Yet these attitudes exist because they are continually perpetuated and upheld by the popular media. The evidence presented to the Leveson inquiry highlighted what is pretty obvious, that images of women in the press are heavily sexualised, and reporting on rape, sexual abuse and violence towards women is sensationalised. By focusing on a victim’s appearance, clothes and actions it makes it seem that they are responsible, and that a crime like rape is an act of lust rather than what it really is, an act of violence. A woman who’s wearing a short skirt on a night out does not deserve to be attacked any more than a woman fully clothed walking home from work, and the unfortunate reality is that it happens to women in both these situations. However, due to the myths churned out by the media, people feel it is something they can shrug off, be cynical about, and possibly even get a punch line out of.

Whilst it is true that women in the UK are in a better situation than women in other parts of the world, it does not mean we can afford to be complacent, or should ever stop striving for more positive changes. The fact that Nadine Dorries’ education bill, which would have seen young girls given lessons on ‘sexual abstinence’, was even scheduled for a second reading shows the extent to which these attitudes are institutionalised. If attitudes are to change we need to challenge the forces that continually allow them to prevail.

DW 

FASHION: Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2012

I love haute couture probably because I like wearing anything that makes me stand out. Whilst I often opt for the 'less is more' look, Paris' haute couture fashion week is usually all about more is more. Here's a round up of my favourite looks last week.

Starting with the show which got most attention this year: Jean Paul Gaultier's Amy Winehouse inspired collection. Controversy aside, seeing a bit of Amy added to some JPG couture brought together two of my favourite things.

My favourite pieces probably were ones that weren't so explicitly 'Winehouse' but just edged with a bit of Amy's dishevelled sex appeal and inimitable style. London-based corset king Mr Pearl was integral to bringing Amy's revamped 50s look to the couture catwalk. 

Pop culture didn't only inspire Mr Gaultier this season, with a hint of celluloid chic taking to several runways. Maxime Simoens' collection channeled Gaspard Noe's Enter the Void, with Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci drawing inspiration from Fritz Lang's Metropolis and a Russian film called Aelita: Queen of Mars (no, us neither). 

Maxime Simoens

Givenchy

Some saw references to Lang's masterpiece in Donatella's Atelier Versace collection as well; just so you know, these dresses make the film in question seem far more exciting than we at DSD's found it to be. Versace was typically sexy and shiny, with its eyes firmly set on the red carpet. If I had to choose one piece, then I'd go all-out Versace glam and rock this little number:

Another designer whose pieces I'm sure will pop up at the Oscars in some shape or form is Elie Saab. The collection was beautifully romantic and ethereal, if perhaps a little safe. Still when you make dresses as beautiful as these we'll let you off.

Armani Prive brought things back down to earth with a collection inspired by 'metamorphosis' and heavily influenced by snakeskin. My stand-out pieces were both modelled by the stunning Michaela Kocianova.

 

Giambattista Valli's collection showcased a wide variety of couture-wear, far less obviously thematic than the other Paris shows. This beautiful printed dress stole the runway for me, bringing both colour and movement centre-stage.

I found Karl Lagerfield's futuristic Chanel collection a little ennuyeux-inducing. However, a few of his evening dresses did get me going. Dior's show was sadly lacking in the ornate theatricality of John Galliano's (slightly deranged) genius. That's not to say Bill Gaytten's collection wasn't choc-full of beautiful dresses and technical masterpieces, however, and it certainly brought some glamour to proceedings. Bouchra Jarrar developed her beautifully smart tailoring, but again it lacked in drama.

Chanel                                                           Christian Dior

My final dresses come from a design-house that I've had a long-time passion for. Valentino, now with Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri at its helm, produced the most beautiful show. Their beautifully layered lace and organza creations perfectly exuded the 'deep lightness' which the designers sought.

So there you have it; DSD's has done the hard work so you don't have to. Now go out and shop!


GC