Clever re-use of plastic bottles.
December 20th, 2011
November 6th, 2011
Hi, so I haven’t posted for a while and I apologise as I get quite distracted!
So my lovely little sister decided to start a facebook group for Occupy in my hometown Plymouth uk and the response was great, saturday nov 5th people arrived on a patch of green space between the mall, the university and the college of art and started setting up tents and banners.
We held an assembly at 4pm where ground rules were discussed and suggestions made upon how the camp would work together, the general public response was overall supportive and people actively engaged in open debate and discussions about their own motives, beliefs and personal experiences.
Local businesses have also been supportive and I was pleased to see at this time that the police also have been very positive towards the group.
Far from being some sort of hippy squat as many papers would have you believe, the camp has made provisions and arrangements for sanitary facilities, kitchen space, medics, child safety,recycling, debates and meetings, media, social networking, entertainment and education.
The camp has even decided to buy grass seed to sow when eventually the tents leave so that the dead grass can be restored.
I left to attend other commitments at around 5.30pm but returned at 1 am to find a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere with the campers sat around the fire talking sociably.
The experience was pleasant and positive and what has struck me more than anything is the sense of community and togetherness that has been brought about in such a short time, I have high hopes that this will continue for a while as it is possibly the first time many of us have ever felt part of a real community.
I myself will be returning to camp as often as possible as staying is not possible with my daughter and college commitments but either way I’m glad to be a part of it and to know that I’m standing up for what I believe in.
The 1% can only take advantage whilst the 99% are disconnected from each other, modern living has encouraged people to center life around themselves and only when people join together can there be real change.
I will update later on how Occupy Plymouth is doing bye for now and take care much love x
September 15th, 2011
A bit about Nothing…
I just had to post this, one of my all time favourite interiors.
This is the office of Nothing, a commercial creative agency based in Amsterdam, formed by Michael Jansen and Bas Korsten.
The brand claims to create memorable experiences by any means possible and they certainly do just that.
From just visiting the office you can see a physical representation of the sort of out of the box (pardon the pun) thinking that goes on here.
Visitors to the office are encouraged to leave their mark, encompassing a sense of childish naughtiness and fun, as well as providing an interesting splash of colour.
And when the walls/stairs/shelves etc become too worn, or when they get bored with the designs it can all be replaced for..well nothing!
The idea for the cardboard interior came from the company name, taking nothing and turning it in to something and was realised by designers Joost Van Bleiswijk and Alrik Koudenburg.
I love cardboard as a building material, so versatile and inexpensive and of course can be recycled, however there are treatment processes that the card is exposed to in order to use it in construction such as laminating or enamel paint applications that may prove to be not so eco friendly but as yet I am unsure as I have not found enough info on these processes to answer this .
All the same, a wonderfully creative and beautiful structure.
September 5th, 2011
How we got where we are…
Do you have many images detailing your yarning bombing exercises... 'm taken by how radically simple gestures like yours can give a playful warm fuzzy feeling to cold inhuman places/surfaces. Fantastic Trudy
Asketh - mrgreaves
Currently I haven’t had the time to sneak off to commit a bit of yarn bombing as I have had my 3 year old off of pre shool for the summer and have been busy making products for sale.
In my opinion I find it’s not just about how it looks I think its the unexpected surprise of coming across a piece, it stirs the amusement of my inner child!
It is indeed such a simple idea and I do hope I can squeeze in a project of my own sometime soon and then I shall post images.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog :)
August 28th, 2011
Outdoor Camping Bubble, Marseille, France
photo via attrap-reves
A few years back I lived in a tent, I had no electricity, I cooked my food everyday on a bbq made from a few bricks and a hole dug out of the ground.
Having no lights other than a small torch meant I had to sleep when the sun went down and rise when the birds sang the dawn chorus, I had no tv and had to do everything the hard way all because at 19 years of age I wanted to leave home.
Despite how hard it sounds, this by far was the best experience of my life and I felt in tune with my surroundings for the first time since I was a child.
Although Under canvas, I didn’t need anything to make me feel closer to nature I surrounded myself in it on a daily basis, if I wanted to see the stars at night I’d lay outside with a blanket! so to me this idea of a bubble tent is a metaphor, a glaring example of how disconnected we really feel from nature.
The structure, a pop up bubble aims to allow campers to be as close to nature as possible when camping by providing an all around view whilst having the usual comforts expected from a hotel room.
I am not saying that this isn’t a worthwhile idea and it is certainly very intriguing but I would maybe suggest that it’s a window to a world you could be a part of if you just threw caution to the wind and actually stepped outside of the door and left your conveniences behind, enjoy it, understand it but don’t fear it.
(via politicsandpokeballs)
March 13th, 2011
Getting crafty…
As a student and a parent I have little time to devote to my hobbies unless related to my course, which is why I LOVE crochet!
My hooks go everywhere with me and I love the fact that even on a 10 minute break something can be accomplished.
Recently I came across a concept that actually links Crochet with Spatial which made me a very happy bunny indeed.
Yarn Bombing!
b
Demakersvan chain-link fence installed at the Design Center at Philadelphia University center’s grounds as part of ‘‘Lace in Translation,’’
Yarn bombing is all about re personalising public space.
I love the contrast of the textures and colours and the comfort it seems to impart on even the most sterile or hard of environments .
And of course the skill of the people that make it, putting your work out there to be judged is a very courageous thing to do.
Galleries are safe zones, people may or may not like something but they articulate why, in public subjectivity is allowed and often unrestrained.
Most of all it’s fun and that is something to really value in what can be a very difficult existance.
December 18th, 2010
What Happiness means to you...
Hi could anyone spare a minute to answer a question about personal happiness?
The results are being collected for use in my current design project.
Thanks :)
October 28th, 2010
Kolelinia by Martin Angelov.
The concept is bike riding through the air.
Sounds crazy I know but in actual fact this seems like a very valid idea.
He’s not suggesting people try an E.T, rather that we could ride on a specially constructed steel cable system.
The idea is to create a totally new riding experience whilst at the same time relieving heavily congested traffic areas.
I for one would love to see this in place especially if it means getting pesky cyclists off of busy roads!
p.s I have no problem with cyclists, I support all things green but I feel there is a safety issue for all road users in this instance.
October 20th, 2010
places you do not want to visit...[well actually I do]
It’s not design but I was in the midst of researching my current project and came across this.
A fire that’s been burning since the 70’s? Now that I wanna see.
