Nuit Blanche 2011
16 October, 2011 at 21:16 | Posted in Art, Inspiration | Leave a commentTags: American Pie, Don Mclean, Fleetwood Mac, Ginger Martini, Lemon Buckey Orkestra, Maggie May, Nuit Blanche, Portrait, Radiohead, Rhiannon, Rod Stewart, Toronto
It’s much belated, but I wanted to mention Toronto’s Nuit Blanche 2011. GridTO did a great top 10 list complete with animated gifs. I didn’t see any of the events they listed, but those I did see made it my favourite Nuit Blanche yet.
Highlights I stumbled upon included a lazer forest in an alleyway, glowing urban wolves in Cloud Gardens, top-40-loving Inukshuks, a musical traffic jam (seen here at 2:00) and outdoor karaoke with a nine-piece live band featuring Fleetwood Mac, Rod the Mod and (!) Don Mclean’s American Pie.
Our last stop was The Happiness Project, a cosy two-story apartment decked out a water sculpture, music stations, artwork and a marshmallow tree with free samples. They also had a large table set up with pencil crayons and coloured paper – basically a recreation of my childhood. And I fell right back in to form, drawing a portrait of pal Ginger Martini, then making friends at the table and sketching portraits on request for strangers – the one I did of a guy riding a fire-breathing dragon was my favourite.
I gave all my drawings away, but got to keep some in return. These were done by a friendly dude known only as John. I liked them, but he didn’t think much of his own work.
What do you think of John’s work? I think it’d be perfect for an angry Radiohead record.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Nuit Blanche, and The Happiness Project in particular has had a lasting effect; I’m happy to report I’ve gotten back into sketching.
stephwereley
Inspiration: Haring
12 May, 2010 at 22:13 | Posted in Art, Inspiration, Style | Leave a commentTags: Art, Beyonce, Contemporary Art, Elle magazine, Fashion, Jeremy Scott, Keith Haring, rihanna, Style, Tommy Hilfiger
Keith Haring’s bold graphics are synonimous with the ’80s. Perhaps that’s why the artist’s work is so omnipresent as of late. Beyonce was recently seen in a Haring print by House of Field
Tommy Hilfiger has Haring trainers in limited release
Rihanna approves of Jeremy Scott‘s Adidas prints
and Zara has done a collaboration as well
And there’s more to come; Elle magazine is reporting that shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood is the next to use the artists’s signature style.
The radiant baby shines on.
stephwereley
Inspiration: Pop Art
13 April, 2010 at 23:55 | Posted in Art, Inspiration | 1 CommentTags: Beyonce, Contemporary Art, David LaChapelle, gaga, Haring, Jasper Johns, Jonas Akerlund, Leibovitz, Music, rihanna, Roy Lichenstein, Warhol
This content is long overdue, but still worth posting. I wanted to recognize the work of pop artists who have been the inspiration for two of today’s biggest pop musicians.
In February Rihanna released a video for Rude Boy referencing Keith Haring…
and Andy Warhol.
In March came GaGa’s Telephone video with Beyonce. There’s a copious amount of pop culture references buried in those nine minutes but I thought the visual nods to David LaChapelle were most obvious. The use of bright saturated colour is his trademark.
Other scenes could be interpreted as referencing Lichenstein…
and Jasper Johns.
Despite the delay this post remains somewhat topical; both singles are still in the Canadian charts.
stephwereley
Style: World Cup
12 April, 2010 at 21:43 | Posted in Inspiration, Style | Leave a commentTags: Anglophile, David Beckham, Fashion, Inspiration, London, Sport, Style, TopShop, World Cup
TopShop has recently posted this online ad for their summer collection.
Who’s cheering for England at World Cup? I am! And so is the UK’s most beloved fashion brand. Cos the top featured above is no doubt in reference to Mr David Beckham‘s number 7 jersey. Now English girls can show their support in style.
Unfortunately Beckham has a foot injury and is likely to spend his time in South Africa on the bleachers with the WAGs rather than on the pitch. sigh.
And if you’re looking for spring fashion inspiration I do recommend checking out the site’s online lookbooks.
There’s lots of denim shorts, pale pastels, girlie prints and bows.
stephwereley
Inspiration: Kate Moss
8 March, 2010 at 00:58 | Posted in Art, Exhibit Bits, Inspiration | Leave a commentTags: Alex Katz, Banksy, Contemporary Art, Emin, Fashion, Freud, Kate Moss, Mark Quinn, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Opie, Paris, Portrait, Style, Vine
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris will stage a retrospective exhibit on supermodel Kate Moss. A top model for over 20 years, the exhibition will feature photographic highlights of her career. It will open in Spring 2011.
Kate has had an indisputable effect on fashion; not only has she worked for nearly every major label and magazine, her personal wardrobe continues to set trends on the high street. But her influence goes beyond fashion designers and photographers; other artists have been influenced by her as well.
British street artist Banksy reimagined Moss as classic sexpot Marilyn Monroe.
Sculpture artist Mark Quinn considers her the “Aphrodite of our age.” He created several statues of Kate; the one below is made of solid gold.
Quinn’s series was entitled “Spinx.” It alluded to the fact that although Moss is a public figure, she rarely gives interviews and little is known about her.
British artist Stella Vine publicly supported Kate during her cocaine scandal; she felt the model was judged unfairly in the court of opinion. Moss’s close friend Alexander McQueen later bought one of the pieces.
Kate was captured by Tracey Emin in a delicate pencil drawing
And by Lucian Freud in his typical bold brushstrokes.
Update: I’ve found more! Here’s Kate captured with her short hair by Julian Opie
And a pop art portrait by Alex Katz.
I’m an admirer of Miss Moss, so it was inevitable that I’d soon feature her as an inspiration. But I think it’s interesting that her role as an artist’s muse is not strictly based on her beauty or style; she has transcended fashion to become a pop culture icon.
stephwereley
Inspiration: Decorating with Books
22 February, 2010 at 19:20 | Posted in Inspiration | 1 CommentTags: Books, Design, Inspiration, Interior Design, Karl Lagerfeld
Life is better with books. They’re entertaining, informative and improve your vocabulary. I encourage you to bring them into your life – if only because they look pretty on display. Here are a few examples.
A coffee table made out of coffee table books
and an end table.
Display them in an unusual location, like the dining room
or the kitchen.
Stack them in an unused fireplace.
Layer them with art.
Display floating books on an invisible shelf.
Behold a customized stairwell full of books
and Karl Lagerfeld‘s library walls.
Books can be colour-coded
or wrapped to match.
It’s enough to made me want to give up the public library. But not quite!
stephwereley
Inspiration: Alexander McQueen
11 February, 2010 at 18:27 | Posted in Inspiration, Style | 1 CommentTags: Beatrice, Bjork, Blow, Fashion, Harper's, McQueen, Obama, Parker, Vanity Fair, Watson
British fashion designer Alexander McQueen passed away earlier today. Very sad news concerning a talented and well-respected artist. He leaves fashion fans with beautiful memories.
stephwereley
Inspiration: Tyler Brûlé
5 February, 2010 at 21:15 | Posted in Inspiration | Leave a commentTags: America, Canada, NYC, Toronto, TTC, Tyler Brule
Depending on who you ask, Tyler Brûlé‘s views on design are those of a pessimistic snob or a passionate idealist. He recently had this to say about Canada’s $9.2 million Olympic Pavillion:
“Is this a shelter that they weren’t able to load onto a Hercules to Port-au-Prince? So sad.”
His native country is a frequent target of his criticism. He simply believes that Canadians, and the city of Toronto in particular, hasn’t lived up to its potential. With the recent TTC scandals and mayoral announcements, I thought it would be timely to highlight areas for improvements.
TTC – How pathetic is it that it’s 2010 and the TTC doesn’t take debit or credit cards? A debit card system for transit would be ideal. I’d also like to see express trains and multiple zones, so it wouldn’t cost the same to get from Scarborough to Pearson as it does to get from the Eaton’s Centre to Yorkville .
Transit – Implement congestion fees for cars in the downtown core during peak hours. Expanding bike lanes and promoting short-term bike rentals would be great. Also, why is the GO train constantly behind schedule? You’d think running the exact same routes and schedules on a daily basis would eliminate any excuse for delays. And don’t even get my started on light-rail service.
Harbourfront - It’s had to get excited about an aquarium when the city’s lake shore is a potential attraction going horribly underutilized. There’s some good stuff down there – a few restos, a bit of green space, a lakeside boardwalk, free outdoor movies, a yacht club; build up on what you have and people will stop focusing on the Gardiner.
Green Space – Yes we have High Park, Toronto Island, and Trinity Bellwoods, and all are worth visiting. But if you’re a tourist exploring the downtown core, green public space is all but invisible. It’s probably too late for that one, though.
Dundas Square - I know this has been around since 2003, but maybe it’s not too late to reverse the wrongs done to this space. Modelling the space on Times Square was a mistake – sure tourists flock there, but they don’t actually hang out there. Taking inspiration from NYC’s Bryant Park or Union Square would’ve been nice.
None of these ideas are original. But it’s time to start learning from the success of others. In the meantime, thanks for Mr Brûlé for the inspiration! Keep on raging against “the comfies.”
stephwereley
Style: Links
27 January, 2010 at 00:52 | Posted in Inspiration, Photography, Style | 2 CommentsTags: Alexa Chung, Della Russo, Dickens, Inspiration, Jak&Jil, Kate Moss, Kruger, Marie Claire, Miller, Momsen, Monroque, MyStyle, Palermo, Sartorialist, Schuman, Style, StyleBlog, Terrier and Lobster, Ton, Vogue, WhoWhatWear
There are several websites out there that have caused me to intensify my relationship with my Google Reader. I wanted to share the love and post a few links. There are a few you’re likely already following, and hopefully a few new ones as well. Enjoy!
- We’ll start out with the basics. The Sartorialist‘s Scott Schuman travels to exotic locations capturing characters who look like they stepped out of either Vogue magazine or a Victor Hugo novel.
- Site Muse: The older gentleman who lives in your building and still wears fedoras whenever he leaves the house.
- Highlights: Anyone Italian. Schuman’s vision of Italy consists of men wearing shoes without socks and women who still wear blouses.
- Next up is WhoWhatWear, offering lots of style tips and pics of the best-dressed celebs.
- Site Muse: the latest model of the moment
- Highlights: Their Girl of the Month posts introduced me to Shala Monroque.
- JAK&JIL is the blog of Canadian street photographer Tommy Ton. He already has a loyal fan base, and the site is not yet two years old.
- Site Muse: Anna Dello Russo, fashion director at Vogue Nippon.
- Highlights: The shoes. My god, the shoes. Preferably spotted while crossing the Tuileries Garden.
- MyStyle at MyOpera. Content isn’t added often, but when they do post it’s a doozy.
- Site Muse: All the usual suspects are accounted for. This includes Kate Moss, Olivia Palermo, Sienna Miller, Taylor Momsen, etc.
- Highlights: The It Girl of the Year 2009 was Alexa Chung.
- I found out about StyleBlog when I was papped by the blogger at a Toronto event. Three cheers for local content!
- Site Muse: Diane Kruger, a great choice.
- Highlights: The What I’m Wearing category features photos of the author posing in outfits from her closet. I would love to post similar content, but I don’t have the guts. Yet.
- I also wanted to mention a site that I only recently stumbled upon; The Terrier and Lobster. I think it may be love at first sight.
- Site Muse: “Pretty, Whimsical, Funny Sparkly Things,” which includes shots from the haute couture shows and fashion spreads from Maire Claire.
- Highlight: An entire post on balloon animals, naturally.
stephwereley
Home Design Look Book
19 January, 2010 at 23:24 | Posted in Inspiration | 1 CommentTags: Colin & Justin's Home Heist, Design, Dwell magazine, Interior Design
So are you going to Toronto’s Interior Design Show this weekend? I’m not, cos I’m a student, so my living quarters are not a top priority at the moment. In the meantime, I have a habit of trolling interior design websites, collecting ideas for when I will have a grown-up space of my own and a decorating budget to match. My dream space would include all or some of the following:
colour
prints
maps
natural elements
a mirrored piece
a closet/office
a dining banquette sofa
floating shelves
a low coffee table
a barcelona chair
That was fun! Hopefully I will be able to see these ideas come to fruition in the future. If your tastes run similar to mine, I recommend HGTV’s Colin & Justin and Dwell magazine for more inspiring ideas.
And if you haven’t yet, check out my previous post on Decorating with Art.
stephwereley
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