I Wish This Was - Ctiy Project

In November 2010, 'I Wish It Was' began in New Orleans. The idea created by Candy Chang was for people to stick specifically created stickers onto empty store fronts and write what they would want to be there. It's a very interesting way for people to get their opinions across, and for the people in charge to make decisions based on what the public need. The stickers look similar to the famous 'My Name Is..' stickers, but instead say 'I Wish This Was..'

The responses ranged from answers such as 'a bakery' to more personal 'the place we kissed for the first time' and also funnier 'less expensive'.

Lorenzo Duran - Leaf Art for Plant for the Planet

From looking into more of Spanish artist Lorenzo Duran's work, I've found some leaves he was commissioned to create for a German organisation - Plant for the Planet. These are more colourful and based on the theme of pollution and the global problems due that emissions cause. I particularly like the shapes in the plane.

Lorenzo Duran - Leaf Art

Amazing intricate leaf art by Lorenzo Duran. The Spanish artist washes and dries the leaf before cutting away to create a scene or pattern.

Malleus Rock Art Lab

Malleus have been creating amazing gig posters for years. I love the detail and the curving lines. The figures are feminine yet still have a dark overtone. Taken from the Malleus bio -

"Malleus is an omnivore creature. The iconography at the base of their work originates from a vast scenery including figurative arts, in particular Expressionism and Symbolism, Art Nouveau and Surrealism, Pop Art and Psychedelic Art, and also comics, photography, cinema and literature. All these ingredients blend in with the main element of their poetics; that is the female form, the primordial goddess, from whom everything comes."

 In 2008 Malleus released a book called "The Hammer of God" which showcased over 150 of their silkscreen posters. It isn't a book to look at and put on a shelf to gather dust. It is a book to keep delving into, to keep appreciating the talent and beauty of the prints.

Above image is a record cover for Morkobot. The beautiful design creates a really special sleeve to accompany the music.

Many bands have had Malleus create amazing posters for them. The list from their website names: Amanda Palmer, Auf der Maur, Baroness, Beck, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blues Explosion, Brant Bjork, The Chemical Brothers, The Cure, Deftones, Dinosaur Jr., The Donnas, Dresden Dolls, Eagles of Death Metal, Fantômas, Fishbone, Flaming Lips, Helmet, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Incubus, Isis, Jovanotti, Kings of Leon, Korn, Linkin Park, Mars Volta, Melvins, Mogwai, Motorpsycho, Monster Magnet, Mark Lanegan, Mudhoney, Muse, Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Robert Plant, Queen of the Stone age, Sonic Youth, Tool, Turbonegro and Ufomammut, but I know there are many more that are not above.
Music creates enjoyment for the ears and the sense of hearing however to accompany that with something visually attractive too makes something altogether more appealing - and by that I don't mean boy-bands with stereotypical 'beautiful' looks.

Malleus prints are available to purchase from their store.

EDF Dancing Advert - My Keepon

Now I'm not the biggest fan of EDF. Had some big issues with them in the past, and so have many other people. Energy companies aren't seen in the best light by their customers, and this new EDF advert is trying to change that.

A small orange flame looking character dances to music whilst standing on difference appliances. The first time I saw this advert I really liked it - I think it's the way it moves and dances - but I had no idea it was for EDF until the very end. A clever advert to keep viewers watching until their newest promotional information is fed into their ears. However much I like this advert, it won't make me change my opinion of them. It does however make me think that they at least have a good team working on their adverts.

From doing a little research around the internet I've found the little orange dancers really do exist! It is a character created by BeatBots called My Keepon. They say "My Keepon™ is an interactive robotic toy for kids of all ages. In its touch mode, it responds to pokes, pats, and tickles with a rich variety of emotional movements and sounds. In its dance mode, it hears the beat in music or clapping and dances in synchronized rhythm." I think it's not just for kids though! They're available to purchase now from shops such as Toys R Us amongst others.

Any just for good measure, here's almost 4 minutes of pure dancing!

Si Scott 3D Paper

I love Si Scott's style of illustration is elegant and has won him lots of awards and plenty of work too. Whilst I was studying at Leeds College of Art I was lucky to attend one of his lectures where he explained his work and how he found his style.

His recent work had taken a new step from what he has previously created.. His bio on the Si Scott website says "Si has recently taken time out to develop his skills further. Challenging the 2D perspective of his work by rendering his hand drawn creations in 3D form."

The above images show this new 3D work. The clean, crisp lines are important to emphasize the detail on the paper. He has managed to find a way to create a look of texture on each piece of paper and it brings more life to each piece.

Made in Britain Logo

Ed Miliband recently called for a 'Made in Britain' mark to be put on things made in Britain. There is also a programme shown on Channel 4 titled 'Mary's Bottom Line' where "retail guru Mary Portas believes a a window of opportunity has opened to restore some life back to British manufacturing."

I think it is important to know where products are coming from. Yes, it is nice for things to be cheaper, but I wouldn't mind paying a bit more if it meant a British company was saved from making redundancies or going out of business.

Fresh food has clear labels of the country of origin, and over the last few years there has been a big upturn in the amount of local produce in supermarkets. Morrisons published an article in 2009 stating that they are selling regionally sourced milk so that it tastes fresh and hasn't travelled far to get there.

There is the Red Tractor logo on British meat which is a recognised symbol for high standards and good welfare of the animals. The logo is seen clearly on the front of the meat packaging so it promotes buying British.
Farmers markets are extremely popular, many of them fortnightly and selling more than fruit and veg, but cakes, biscuits and even handmade jewellery and gifts.

Supporting local isn't that hard to do, just take a moment longer to look at the label.