Wednesday, October 27, 2010

In search of inspiration - the perfect image



Inspiration:
The act or power of exercising an elevating or stimulating influence upon the intellect or emotions; the result of such influence which quickens or stimulates; as, the inspiration of occasion, of art, etc.

I remember being sorely disappointed in January 2000. I honestly believed that all product manufacturers were holding back their 21C designs - and there was nothing. 10 years later though - and now I'm being blown away with the conceptual thinking, and how designer's have embraced the 'green' issues have both surprised and inspired me.

Most of what moves me stems from either a strong visual, a brilliant voice or an artistically poignant lyric...

When it comes to design - Lamborghini never gets it wrong.
I'm hardly a car fanatic - but when I saw this - it just re-solidified 
Lamborghini as THE only car brand in terms of 'if I won the Lottery'



On the photographic front - David Lachapelle - 21C Warhol. Of all his work, this is one of my favorites - it's reminiscent of Lempicka's self portrait 'Lempicka in green bugatti'


What was it about the 1920's? Why do we associate it with fondness and fun times? It is mostly remembered for Charleston, Girls on the wings of Bi-planes, Gatsby, The Cotton Club, Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, romance, Art Deco......
The thing that also facinates me from a design stance about Art Deco is that it was pretty much the last time that Designers all worked to the same 'brief': Architecture, Furniture, cars, fabric, kitchen utensils, hairstyles... Everyone bought into a single design concept and ran with it. 








The first name which comes to mind when talking Art Deco graphics
is Erte; whose style and penmanship got him designing costumes and sets for the theatre and
his work was used an numerous vogue issues 


from architecture to jewellery & fashion Deco is still very much alive and with us.


Gloria Swanson - goddess of the silent screen.


For any of you who have not seen the Fritz Lang 1928 Metropolis -
Do yourselves a favour and watch it - talk about being before your time.
My passion for all things Deco (except the Wall Street Crash)
has recently re-introduced me to the modernisation of the Airship
(Another penchant of mine) and I find it incredible the developments in design and engineering.
I just hope I don't have to wait too long for that trans-Atlantic maiden voyage.






Oscar Wilde once said "Change is the only constant", 
but I also believe that the more things change the more they stay the same.

I have meandered ever so gently off the original point - Finding imagery to inspire.

Here's what's in my visual chest:


Nataniel for DeKat (if memory serves)


and of course - when it comes to visual impact,
we all look to David Lachapelle to visual delights



Dita Von Tease is another visually fascinating creature
we just can't seem to get enough of


Dita (in Westwood gown) and her ex: Marilyn Manson





Sas Christian. One of these days I'll own one and put it across from my Judith Mason



Staying in the 'painted' category - Next up
Brom





and now for something completely different...


From 'Burning Man' I believe.


These are awesome: Prof Plum in Library with Candle Stick


Miss Scarlet, Dining Room, Revolver


and so on and so on......

Right - enough of that - let's move onto Trevor Brown






More of the amazing Dita. She does photograph very well



I stand corrected thinking this is a Newton.


I'm not a huge Marilyn Monroe fan - at all, but in this picture
she's mind blowing - Yes - I promise it's her.





When all is said and done - This image which appeared on the cover of The Face magazine,
was the product of 2 icons working together: Alexander McQueen and Nick Knight



Knight VS Dali


As I was saying,"The more things change..."

Loving that green design

I am feeling really inspired at the moment by the 'green' designs that I'm coming across. It's great to see how all designers are pulling together to make environmental design the 'must have' items in designer homes. It's a bit of a pity that most of it is considered 'designer' and not accessible to most of us.

Here's what I mean...

Lazy Garden - by Alex Davis


This rubber bearskin rug is one of my all time favorites - and it goes perfectly with the tiles




Now for lighting; I'm thinking a Shoal light



Natasha St Michael's 'beaded corals' and underwater organic shapes are a stroke of genius.




Chris Kabel's 'Shady Lace'



With a bit of a Cinderella table and we're almost there



There will be NO dancing on tables at this party


If you need to dance - here's a perfectly hardy concrete sink by Gore designs



All wrapped up nice and safe behind another classic: The lace fence








Auerworld Palace - Germany
I truly believe that organic architecture is the way of the future.



Patrick Dougherty - I'm getting carried away in the whirl and dervish of it all.




My love of nature and greening has taken me to be mesmerised by the concept of roof gardens. My research has taken me all over the world and I've discovered the most amazing creativity.

Starting with Hundertwasser who blew my mind with his scale of vision and mixed media - incorporating entire buildings into his vision of art and nature. A more pleasant meeting I have yet to see.