Friday, January 8, 2010

I really enjoyed this article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandhealth/gallery/2008/apr/15/fashion.architecture?picture=333553962

I like the idea the architects should be "human embodiments of their work". A studio lecturer once told me that a last resort key to getting your project up a grade was to look professional and compliment the colour and shape of your project- it makes you look like you know what your talking about, not only in architecture, but in any kind of proposal. I like the fact their outfits are being critiqued also- in the age of 'starchitects', why not?


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Shigeru Ban is one of the world's greatest living architects.

 He has a distinct aesthetic- the most well known is designing amazing buildings and bridges out of cardboard tubes (some of which are pictured below). My personal favourites are his work reminiscent of fabric- both using fabric in his structures and reflecting the way certain fabrics move, fold, pleat... it poses the question, what is fabric really? Is it not a building if completely made from fabric, is it not a dress if it is made from concrete?

You can see this theme blurring lines in fashion with Pacco Rabanne's work in the 60s. It seems like Lady Gaga might be following the same schtick, but I'm not so sure she's exploring fabric as much as ripping off architecture. At least she is ripping off architecture I like. As a side, Ban's work in emergency housing is a good look as well, something I definitely hope to be involved with in the future.

All pictures taken from www.shigerubanarchitects.com. Please visit to see all of his work!



His 'Curtain Wall' House

Monday, January 4, 2010

bling


One of my favorite christmas presents given to me by my sister was an owl ring. I've been obsessed with owl rings for years. In our family owls have been good luck for generations- every time anyone has won the lottery etcskies it has been because of some owl related configuration. After years of searching the first bout of love came with Karen Walkers version, but alas as mostly the case with Ms Walker the price tag kept us apart. I slowly floated through various much cheaper versions that I either lost, broke or made my fingers unbearably green. So now this fella is now perched between my other mob boss paralleled digits.

taxi driver

 While avoiding the sun yesterday (this may seem crazy to those of you in the snow, but my burnt-to-a-crisp time of about 3 minutes turns me into a hermit during summer down here), I watched Scorsese's 1976 movie Taxi Driver. It details a late 70's seedy Manhattan, starring a young Robert De Niro and, Cybil Shepard and Jodie Foster.

 There's many things about the movie which you've undoubtedly heard about, but for me the costuming was pretty amazing- my favourite being the 60's/ 70s summer stylings of Foster as baby prostitute Iris. Ignoring the fact my dream wardrobe belongs to that of a prostitute on duty, 70s velvet platforms and extremely high waisted technicolor shorts, woo boy.


I also loved the way she changes her glasses in the diner when changing her views of Travis Bickle. Emotional symbolism with 60s sunglasses! Another inspiration I took away for architecture and even photography work is the use of light. The way Scorsese captures the light and colour of the city is beautiful.