Noemie Goudal

I found it difficult initially, but its very important that Noemie Goudal's photographs are viewed for what they are, photographs. I don't believe that the images are pure documentation of the installations, rather these constructions are the subject. There is a magical feel in the images, with lots of detail - the slide with paddling pool at the end, the swings, the blanket, the rope ladder. Not so sure if they are quite as strong when a human subject is included, i would much rather imagine how somebody would fit in to these conceptual landscapes. I think Goudal is involved with six shows this year, so plenty of chance to go and see.

Jens Risom

American Black Walnut, mitres and that yellow, it has to be the Rocket gallery. Yes, Jens Risom opens this week.

Werk 17 - Eley Kishimoto

Very beautiful looking publication, Werk No.17 - Eley Kishimoto. It charts the history of the super cool fashion brand, with lots of fabric swatches, all sewn and pinned together. I think this would be a very nice object to own, but a word of warning, its £42, and there are only a thousand copies, so don't sleep on it. You can get one here.

grafik RIP

All good things come to end and all that, but sounds like a new incarnation will be around soon.
Read more here.

Steve Keane

I have been looking into joining a life drawing class recently, i always enjoyed it, and found it is useful for discipline in mark making. Steve Keane goes full pelt with some Auerbach/Bacon inspired nudes but these more restrained studies interest me more. I like the way they feel so easy and natural, you instantly know the model looked exactly like that. I know this is not the essence or criteria of every good drawing but its an interesting concept; how do you make the viewer believe a drawing? and why does it register as such? These are so successful because of what is left out, not what is there, and designers should take note of this studied and considered approach too.

Emily Hussey

I found a few images of Emily Hussey's work through The Woodmill, a new, interesting looking studio/gallery space down in Bermondsey. Hussey finds beauty within everyday, basic construction materials, and i would really like to see more. So, if anyone has any more info (or images) on the artist, please let me know.

Jeanette Barnes

Great energy in the London Sites series by Jeanette Barnes (in association with Blueprint).
They look like Time Lapse drawings to me. Read all about the work here.

Ink-dot Latest

Ink-dot's latest show opens tommorow in Bristol and Steve informs me that the quality has again ratcheted up a notch this time around (and it was hardly shabby before).  There are even the first murmurings of an international ink-dot show at some point too. Go and see the show, and if you can't, remember you can still buy everything through the site. Good Luck Steve.

Cedric Ragot

An awful lot of stuff to get your head around on Cedric Ragot's site, from BlueTooth powered robots designed for Apple's ipod, to skewed mirrored tables to bar stools with integral coat/bag hooks (always a good thing). I can find something to like in every piece and the finishing is top drawer. I am looking forward to seeing more of the new collection though, which will be unveiled in October. The objects seem to be more obscure and abstract, like the weird Brain meets Tree neon light (bottom right).

YLdesign

A little cheesy, and i am not sure about its longevity as a product, but i do have soft spot for this rug from Yvette Laduk.

Pics

I don't normally do the holiday photo thing here, but i really like these images Emma took on our recent trip.

Villa Santantimo;

And the narrow streets of Montalcino, complete with an over designed, naff chair, (which i actually quite liked.)

Any Clues?

Very geeky post for the workshop heads. Any ideas on why some new (not cheap) planers blades should implode like this? No evidence of any metal staples, (or even big knots). Very strange.

James Plumb

Superb stuff from James Plumb. All the work has a certain (complex) emotional ascetic; homely but opulent, luxurious but faded. Clever and considered work.

Studio Dunn

There has been a distinct lack of pure hardwood furniture on the blog recently, so i thought i should address it.  Studio Dunn's debut collection recently won the ICFF New Designer Award and are getting a lot of design column inches presently. The piece that won the prize is obviously the Coventry Stool, but i cannot really put my finger on why? Firstly, the tapering on the legs going to far thinner than the norm, which is very nice. But then a weird thing happens, where the top of the leg meets the seat, the leg section is thicker and does not butt up perfectly, creating a slight lip. With the fear of sounding a bit dubious, the only way i can describe it is looking like a slender leg in high stockings, with the feminine shape of the seat (and the grain direction change) accentuating this. Whether this is down to imaginative detailing, production necessities or maybe some accidental experimentation, I like it a lot.

Tegolasolare

An interesting little old skool/new skool product from Tegolasolre. The latest photovoltaic technology encompassed in an ancient building component.
Nice segue into the bottom picture too, as i was lucky enough to spend a few days in Santantimo, (this villa) recently. I cannot recommend it (and Tuscany) highly enough, the landscape is just so luscious and verdant. Totally amazing.

Ambika P3

Pierre D'avoine are looking for volunteers to help with the next epic installation at the amazing P3 gallery.

Michelle Grabner

Latest Rocket Gallery Update; a couple of weeks left for the Michelle Grabner painting show. Very unusual to see such a monochramatic show at the rocket, but its still very rich and intricate work none the less.
Back to the bold with A Jens Risom furniture show after that. Here is a sneak preview;

Very Nice.

BMW Art Cars

Yes, in case you did not know, BMW have been commissioning artists to decorate(?) their cars for 35 years. Jeff Koons is next up with this number for the upcoming Le Mans 24hr race. There are all pretty rubbish really, but i think still worth a nose, you can see all the other 16 here.

Summer Style

I would really quite like one of these. Threadless is a neat little ongoing, online T-shirt design competition where they post peoples designs, and then get users to decide which ones they print up. Submit your design here.

Laikingland

Something quite appealing about these little kinetic pieces by Nik Ramage and Martin Smith from Laikingland. The are just very well executed, and finely finished.

Busy Busy

A whistle stop catch up on the last week. Hob knobbing at the opening party of the for new fourth plinth sculpture at the ICA. Eyeing up clothing at the highly conceptual, Social Suicide. Back to Cornwall for Grand Designs filming at the workshop, then sailing on 'Agnes', this stupidly beautiful boat built by Luke Powell, over the bank holiday. (Smug? Very.)