Berlin: Alexandra Kehayoglou’s Carpet Viewing

May 4, 2015May 6, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

The long May weekend was a blast – the Gallery Weekend in Berlin as usually felt fun and inspiring! For this occasion, Andreas Murkudis presented an event which was a “must” for artisanal art lovers. A carpet artwork by Alexandra Kehayoglou, commissioned by Dries Van Noten for his SS15 fashion show, was there for three days, at the old Kaufhaus Hertzog. Alexandra, an Argentine artist, follows in the family tradition of her Greek grandparents who migrated to Argentina carrying with them this textile tradition of carpet making. She developed a new art work for Dries, a 48 metre long carpet. The carpet has been woven entirely by hand for over four weeks and arrived just in time for the show.

The carpet evokes moss and grass and is made of pure Patagonian wool. The setting for SS15 collection was inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” serenity and romantic mood – “As soon as I discovered Alexandra’s work I immediately understood she was the only one I could collaborate with to execute the idea” said the designer. Believe me – seeing this masterpiece in reality was a truly beautiful and one-of-a-kind experience.

Art x AW15

April 25, 2015April 25, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Loewe X Constantin Brancusi

Fashion and art? Some say these two are strictly different worlds. But some think they have a lot in common. In my opinion, fashion and art are both somewhere in the middle – fashion and art inspire each other, but are still used in contrasting ways. Fashion is first of all a good business. Art is a strong form of expression. For AW15, designers went into trend-without-a-trend thing, giving us various art references. Here is what I observed throughout the fashion week in Paris.

Haider Ackermann X Leanne Shapton

Celine X Alex Katz

Lemaire X Johanna Tagada

Chloe X Pieter Bruegel

Jacquemus X Maria Pininska Beres

Tamara Staples & Easter

April 5, 2015April 7, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Photographer Tamara Staples has gone behind the barn to document the glamour of show chickens. With their ridiculous feather get ups and sassy postures, they perfectly match the mood of Easter. I wish you all a beautiful Easter day, full of love, joy and friendship!

Interview with Brandon Stanciell

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Brandon Stanciell photographs women and men, using nature as the main props. For Design & Culture by Ed‘s April issue, we’ve caught up with him – here is the interview you don’t want to miss!

You’re calling your self “The Man Who Loved Flowers”. Is there anything behind your enchanting title?

Maybe it’s not too enchanting, haha. The name is inspired by a short story by Stephen King titled, “The Man Who Loved Flowers” I like to believe that my camera is the hammer the uses and the women whom I shoot photos of are “Norma” it’s kind of weird. I also refer to the women as being the actual flowers in my work. I love flowers. Theres a more deeper meaning to it I guess.

When did you discover your visible love for flowers?

I guess it’s have to be this day,(April 28th 2014 to be exact haha)
when I shot photos of Agne. That was the day It kinda all started. It kind of started on accident to be honest. We went to the poppy fields to take photos, it was so windy and cloudy we didn’t think they’d come out good. Got home, uploaded the photos to the computer and fell in love.

What do you usually want to convey to the viewer of your photographs?

When viewers see my work I want them to see more than just a photo. I want them to look at every detail. Try to feel or smell the flowers. Not just “a model with flowers”, but a painted portrait of flowers ya know.

I discovered your work thanks to “Thinker of Exquisite Thoughts” on Instagram. This work tells us so much. How can you describe it?

– It’s the beginning of a new series I’ve been working on. Its a reference to Shel Silverstein’s “The Thinker Of Tender Thoughts” , staying true to oneself when face to face with society. It’s also a self-presentation of how my thoughts/art work start off for the love of flowers “Thinker of Tender Thoughts” then grows into something more beautiful more interesting, as I start to understand the love of flowers “Thinker of Exquisite Thoughts”. SPOILER ALERT: There will be a part three, possible 4 so watch out for that…

Your photographs are characterised with diverse, beautiful casting of models – is it also connected to your vision?

Yeah I’d like to think so. Most the “models” I work with are friends or coworkers (I use to work at American Apparel) people I see often, that have something about them I just couldn’t shake, so I had to photograph them. They’re all a huge help and I appreciate them for dealing with how weird I work, walking around in neighborhoods and shooting In someone’s front yard, shooting in front of apartment complexes. We do a lot of walking so it’s a workout too haha.

The Eye

March 18, 2015March 18, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Malwina Konopacka is a young, Polish artist which paints on porcelain and paper, creating a slightly nostalgic 60’s vibe around her works. Her recent cycle called “OKO” (The Eye) is all about her beautifully designed and printed vases, which truly make me think of Mondrian in a way. Spontaneously, the first vase was contrived when she was studying arts and design; then, her works were exhibited in Tokyo in order to present the world the design originating from Poland. The eye motif appeared since the beginning – as she states, painting on porcelain is a very relaxing thing to do. I already see one of her works in my house… Photos by Aga Bilska for USTA.

More on malwinakonopacka.com and at her exhibition „Oko by Malwina Konopacka”. Pies czy Suka in Warsaw, 13th of March till the 15th of April.