olive

Greenhouse. By Joost.

“The Greenhouse is about designing and operating better places for people. Places that let us touch natural materials, understand where everyday things come from and taste fresh food straight from the garden.” (By Joost website, see link)

Bringing a sustainability ethos to the mainstream.

This project is an example of like minded designers who are attempting to bring the issues of sustainability to the general public through such public exhibitions and projects. In order to make a change, there first needs to be an engagement with the people who can initiate the change; governments and policy makers, designers, engineers, architects, builders, urban planners, but most importantly the public.

(Source: byjoost.com)

a sunday wander. part 1

Having the rare opportunity to have a weekend off, I decide to spend the time exploring what i like to refer to as ‘down the back’. Living in an apartment building in the heart of Sydney, the suburbs and streets of Surry Hills, Redfern and Chippendale have replaced the thick bushland which I used to explore in my childhood, which was ‘down the back’ from my family home in the suburbs.

The photos are just a few from the couple of hours I spend discovering the laneways, one-off boutiques, cafes, galleries and unique homes of Sydney’s inner west. They form part of my visuals which have inspired my current design collection.

all my own photographs.

a sunday wander. part 2

all own photographs.

White Rabbit Gallery. Chippendale.

Contemporary Chinese Art collection.

All own photographs.

subversive natural.

plants have a way of creeping back into our concrete fortresses. a new perspective on the term concrete jungle.

all own photographs.

Wool Modern Exhibition. A beautiful display of woolen wears at their finest.

In recent years there has been a move towards mass produced designs reaching the consumer in a mere few weeks, and then just as quickly discarded again. This exhibition highlights the value of wool within the fashion industry and celebrates its versatility. The avant-garde designs by some at the forefront of the fashion world were divine against the rustic interior of the warehouse exhibition space. The Harbor Bridge pocking through the windows was the cherry on top. Aesthetically the juxtaposition between the contemporary wares and the charms of the Rocks district elegantly illustration the superiority of wool in the garment industry.

In regards to sustainable futuring, the Slow Fashion movement embraces the relationships between consumers and their clothes and encourages long term use. Wool is a natural fiber which is long lasting and when produced ethically has the potential to have a significantly lower impact on the environment as man-made alternatives like acrylic.

All photographs are my own.

For more information on the exhibition.

http://www.campaignforwool.org/woolmodern/

http://www.wool.com/default.htm

The Finders Keepers Markets. Sydney.

Opening Night. Friday 1 June.

The bi-annual pop-up markets were back in Sydney this weekend after a long hiatus. Once again they occupied the vast warehouse interiors of the Carriageworks complex, bringing warmth to grey shades of concrete and steel which usually dominate this space. The chatter and light from the event filled the surrounding streets bringing life into an otherwise dark back street of Sydney’s forgotten inner west, on a cool winter night.

The market-tees showcased a vast array of the original, the kitsch and the handmade. There was a strong focus from many designers towards principals of sustainability; recycled and organic products were common themes.  As with similar events there was a strong inclination towards graphic design wares more than any other design specialities, there was a strong value from the consumer towards original hand drawn designs. Stationary and tea towels were making a come back, re-vamped with popping colours, geometric floral designs and monsters. Laser cutting, particularly in jewellery, is still a popular technique. Alongside the shopping there was live music as well as a range of refreshments including a bar and burgers on offer.

While there never is an ‘average’ consumer when it comes to events like these, there are some generalisations I will make. The demographic tended to be between 20-40 years old, women, most of which were there with their partner or in a group of 3-4 friends. The stands which offered object or graphic design based on home wares or jewellery products with a diverse range; 3-4 different products types, tended to be the more popular. The stands which offered clothing products tended to not be as busy, this could be due to the inconvenience of fitting while at a market.

Overall the event remains a stand out on Sydney’s cultural calendar as a key opportunity for emerging designers to sell their wares direct to the consumer as well as make important wholesaling contacts, as the events tend to attract store owners scouting for new talent.

For more information.

http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/

The people of Finders Keepers.

The characters. The style.