Milan 2012- cleanse the spirit

Another trend I saw was relaxation, growth, purity. I enjoyed Fay Toogood's installation where we all sat round in a circle and were given a white ball of clay, without words we were asked to make something from the clay and create communal artwork. I didn't realise until afterwards the performance took place inside a huge ship - an exhibit inside the Museum of Science and Technology- what a fantastic place.

Here are some snaps around this theme.

 rapid prortyped white flowers

 CMYK light

 These objects were actually childrens toys- a wooden pebble, a bit of leather and a been bag- if only all childrens toys were as pure as this!

 felt plant pots

 wall of books in margiela shop

 bulging glass display units

Milan2012- man and machine

This year in Milan furniture fair there was definitely a trend of exhibitors showing the process of how things are made, which I always find really interesting. instead of just showing the fine product there were lots of demonstrations of crafts people and skilled experts making the product in front of our eyes. Also new technology- rapid prototyping, huge stamping and CNC machines- and even shows of man vs machine (Dominic Wilcox La Rinnecente) Here are a few snaps of things that caught my eye.

 I loved this machine- it was a live physical website www.pipslab.nl On this roll of paper and 360 degrees camera you could capture things that were going on in the room and see it on the blog with a 3 second delay- reminded me very much of an invention in one of my favorite films- the Science of Sleep- by Michele Gondry.

 This is Phil on the SCP stand, making one arm chair per day.  He found it difficult as he was used to working faster in the workshop, and not used to lots of people asking questions all the time. There was also a fantastic video of the processes of making the upholstery that SCP do. 

 This was a machine that sprayed paint in time and to the tempo to music - from the Royal College of Art.

 An amazing process of mixing iron filings with resin, and using huge magnets to produce these crazy jaggedy forms.

 a little cake machine making furniture shaped cakes

Melvin the machine the amazing 'mousetrap' type invention to send a post card- fantastic video-  www.heyheyhey.nl

 we saw a man weaving on a beautiful loom

 a machine which squirted out a plastic made from recycled fridges- making chairs and other furniture

 an amazing film of experimental glass blowing from the ECAL, Lasanne.

.... and lots more.

We will be showing at MOST in Milan

Yes, its Milan Furniture Fair again, and this year I will be launching my new range of wooden furniture and knitted pouffes, rugs and throws with SCP at Most, an event organised by Tom Dixon in the city's Science museum.

SCP will have two of their upholsterers on their stand who will be making an arm chair for spectators to watch! To find out more information about the event,  click here

Hope to see you there!

My Japan Tour.

This June, I have been asked by Art Print Japan to produce some drawings which they will reproduce and sell as prints around Japan.
It's a long time since I visited Japan - 2006 just after I'd started the company.
I went over in the August with my mum and aunt with our suitcases filled with knitted trees and creatures!
We set up a show at Trico 's gallery and after that Trico became my distributor for the last 6 years. I remember returning from the trip feeling so inspired, I'd had a fantastic time. Then I got my first order from them .... Up till then I was making everything on my own with one domestic knitting machine. Well, the order came through- 20 Cyril squirrels, 30 rills, 50 Charlie monkeys, 1000's of felt coasters etc etc ! Luckily I got a phone call from a girl I'd briefly taught at Grays in Aberdeen- she asked if I needed any help... I said yes could you come and help for a couple of months? Louise came and we made the order, and it didn't really stop, Louise ended up staying for more than 4 years!!
So I have a big soft spot for Trico, and Japan and I'm so excited to be going again, this time we are travelling around for almost 3 weeks!
Here's a map of the places we'll be visiting and meeting people.
I have to produce around 160 illustrations before I go so will post a few on the blog to show you how it's going! Some of these will be reproduced as giclee prints and prints on canvas, and some will be sold as an original.