Turner Prize Exit Point 2005-06

The Turner Prize...? An opportunity to see some of the works by the eccentric and colourful imaginations of various artists - a roller coaster ride for visual stimulation.

Apart from all the weird, whacky, wonderful and well... the not so wonderful, the thing i found most powerful and innovative, was the concept behind the comment room. (The idea was manufactured by A2 graphic designers Henrik Kubel and Scott Williams). This is a place where everyone who goes to the exhibition ends up. You linger, de-brief, comment, swap notes and most importantly leave YOUR own mark.

Let's cut to the point - through this feedback system they have created a way in which to re-invigorate a discussion about art but at a personal, individual and public level. It isn't generated through a collective opinion that has been merged together by newspapers, a mass survey or been infiltrated by wishy washy jargon or anything of this this nature - its simply a simple method of simple honest feedback, that conforms to Nicolas Bourriaud's notion of 'giving back value to the unmediated consumer experience'.

Simplicity again working its magic in many different ways -TAKE NOTE.

The Timorous Beasties

I came across an interesting article a couple of months ago in the ArtsDesign section of the Guardian, about a couple of textile designers called Paul Simmons and Alistair McAuley, aka ‘The Timorous Beasties’. They both grew up in Scotland and went to Glasgow School of Art in the late 1980’s and are currently running two leading and cutting edge textile design shops in both London and Glasgow.

What I admire them both for, is their perception of this kind of market and how they went about penetrating it. They boldly went forward with no inhibitions and did what they wanted and what they enjoyed doing. They set out to supply wallpapers and fabrics that are beautiful, but beautiful in a different way.

They were bored of what the likes of Ikea and Habitat had done for the vast majority of homes throughout the UK, so they endeavoured to make a change and produce some controversial, striking and unique designs, in order to boost the UK’s back room décor and make people pay attention to this niche and set its mark in the design hierarchy. Their wallpapers (as shown) in particular, appear to be more of a statement than just ‘a’ wallpaper. Rather than simply incorporating a passive style, they have made a feature of what people can now expect from wallpaper design. Some of these designs still conform somewhat to previous styles, however the difference being that they have left behind that soft romanticised appearance, and instead have been thrust forward to show a vibrant, provoking and zestful character.

Have you ever seen a company that produces such arresting and controversial wallpaper designs…

Lloyds TSB Ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3xe9dSY7zM

This TV ad really held my attention and at first i was totally absorbed. Not only by the 3D graphics, but also the surreal imaginary world created in this ad, i just didn't want it to stop, i felt like i was being told a story, but only one that was too short!

After watching it a few times i realised that my attention was held through the creativity and nature of the graphics, but also and more importantly a firm sense of comfort and security. What starts off as two strangers catching each others eye on the train, then develops into them getting married and living life together. This idea of progression and change is made to connect very closely with the nature of Lloyds bank. This sense of unity, reliability and growth reflects not only on the values of the bank and its versatility to adapt to change, but it is made to connect very closely to our lives - perhaps the reason why i felt at ease with this ad.

As a result there is a personal tone within the advert, and you are left feeling reassured and confident that Lloyds will take care of you financially and treat you as an individual (i also felt as if they were something more of a bank, a 'life guide' if you like) throughout your unfolding story...