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.

New range of wooden furniture for SCP

I'm excited to show you my new range of furniture which will be launching at Milan Furniture Fair 2012.

This is the Bertha Sideboard, it's a petite piece and was inspired by a trip to Fogo Island, New Foundland.

There is a strong tradition of boat building, and  lot of the houses there are clad with tongue and groove, with furniture made using basic boat building techniques--you may have seen some of my earlier posts about this amazing place.

 

Through the key hole detail

 Trying to get the key hole shape right! (it's now made by CNC)

The collection started with the Bertha armchair-  which is part of an exciting collaboration with SCP and the Shorefast Foundation on Fogo Island.

The frame is made from FSC approved Douglas Fir and is designed to provide both rigidity and strength. The sides of the frame are flat whilst the four back panels gently kick outwards like a boat's hull. The feet are part of the frame design, this gives the piece the sense of a beautifully crafted continuous line. The loose drop seat has elasticated webbing with neatly fitting feather and down seat and back cushions upholstered in Bora Da Willow fabric. Made in the UK.

We have just developed a two seater version too- seen below upholstered in Bora-da, which is a fabric I designed and made in Wales.

And last but not least,a new range of pouffes covered in a greeny/grey knitted lambswool fabric we call Braid.

If you are coming to Milan Furniture Fair I hope to see you there- I will post more details about SCP's event soon.


For more informatio,n or press images of any of these furniture pieces, please contact: lucyj@scp.co.uk
or go to www.scp.co.uk

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern

This weekend went to see Yayoi Kusama Show- which is on until the 5th of June 2012-www.tate.org.uk/modern
I was such a big fan of her work while I was at Art School, she lives and breathes her art.
I took some sneaky photos to show you, but it's much better to see it in real life!!

 This is they work of Kusama's that I knew, it was lovely to see some of her simple sketches.

 1000's of airmail stickers

 I really liked this advert from her looking for happy people to come to her studio.

some of her later work- It's quite difficult to see here, but this was a blue lit room set with 1000#s of fluorescent dots EVERTWHERE

 This was a room of infinity mirrors and lights!! so beautiful

Pick me up show was fantastic!

 This weekend I managed to see the illustration show at Somerset house. It finished on Sunday 1st April, but I understand it will be an annual show, so I really recommend you do and see it the next time if you missed this one. Unfortunately my photos aren't very good but here are a few pics of artists that inspired me.

 Matthew the horse

 We bought this sad print by Paul x Johnson

 Michael Kirkham

 The fantastic Gemma Corell

 I wish I bought this one

 There was also some lovely 3d objects and masks

and events where you could print your own t-shirts etc

 also I met Lizzy Stewart and saw her drawing this beautiful face....

 I'm very happy to say the face is now mine!

and I also bought a little clock that she made-
have a look at her web site- www.abouttoday.co.uk


so keep your ears open for the next show. x