Amelia’s Magazine | ‘When My Eyes Are Closed’ by Zeroten and Nicolas Burrows

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Every woman has got one, this web ed or at least supposed to have one, online each person’s probably looks different from the next (though not if Primark has anything to do with it) and each most likely has a different purpose and a different story to tell.

The little black dress, currently being showcased at the Fashion and Textile Museum until September 20th, has been a fashion world staple and a seasonal key trend for over 90 years. Yet despite its unwillingness to leave the limelight, this classic piece remains ever versatile, and it is this that is celebrated most successfully at the exhibition; where else would you find a 1980s YSL lace and silk chiffon evening gown with ostrich and stripped cock feathers worn by Dame Shirley Bassey propped next to a 2005 Squirky by Vin and Omi rubber prom dress worn by Grayson Perry? Or am I just the only one that hasn’t been to one of Elton John and David Furnishes’ soirées?

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The exhibition setting is über elegant. A sea of sweeping drapes of white cloth illuminates the dresses perfectly, and the background Rat Pack music makes it feel like you have stepped straight into Breakfast at Tiffany’s. However, the little black dress is not all cocktails, dinner and dancing, and the environment does unfortunately somewhat pigeon hole the garment.

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Another downfall is that despite the exhibition’s claim to chart ‘the development of the little black dress from the 1920s to the present day’, a lack of effective grouping, for example by decade, as suggested by the timeline ascending the stairs, and a weak attempt at contextualising many of the pieces (there are all of three ‘iconic’ images shown), means that many of the dresses are lost amid the confusion. Ultimately there is no story being told.

Rather strangely the highlight for me occurred outside the main gallery space, opposite the shop and next to the little black dress-up area for kids (nice touch), where four glass-cased manikins were clothed in 1970s Zandra Rhodes punk little black dresses. Showcasing to perfection my favourite take on the LBD, I was impressed by Rhodes success in black, rather than the array of rainbow brights she is best known for, and left with a restored faith in the power and wonder of the little black dress.

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It’s like art for your ears, online but it’s underwater. Everything’s better when it’s underwater, right? At least that’s the philosophy that Wet Sounds at Lido Pool in London Fields took on July 6th. It was the beginning of the UK’s first underwater sound art display. Now the exhibition has been around the UK and it’s back to Lido for the final party. With sound artists John Wynne, Yoshi Shinagawa, Klaus Osterwaldt, F Geesin & Wheddon and others, all taking part, I decided to check out this curious sounding event.

Curator Joel Cahen has created a display for all the senses. Ambient sound works by international artists are played by speakers in the pool, where the sound waves mix with the water waves and float on into your submerged ears. Just as swimming is a full-body exercise, underwater sound is a full-body experience as well, with the sound waves taking on a different character and taking over your body and your mind.

I’ve always preferred floating over swimming. When all the other kids were splashing each other and throwing things I preferred to just lie on top of the water and let the waves do their thing. Thanks to Wet Sounds I got to re-live those days, except this time with a soundtrack of street noises, plinky piano melodies, noisy drones, and even the odd monkey howl. The kids were still there too, splashing and creating a general ruckus, seemingly unaware of what was happening inside the blue stuff they were waist-deep in. It is a public pool after all. Which also meant that there were some who insisted on swimming laps like they normally do even if it meant dodging floating hipsters every few meters.

Water can play an important role in music. The Beatles used a microphone dipped in a glass of water to get the famous vocal sound of “Yellow Submarine.” Wet Sounds employs the same technique but backwards, and without vocals by Ringo Starr, sending recordings from dry land into the depths of the pool. This creates a much more personal sound – one that everyone gets to experience as if they’re the only person who can hear it.

You’ll probably have to wait for another year now but if you get the chance, why not dive in and try something different? What other opportunity will you have to go to an art show in your bathing suit?

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When you think of modern art, rx Tracey Emin’s ‘my bed’ and Damien Hirst’s shark in a glass tank inevitably pops into your mind. In a world with celebs getting out of cars knickerless, donning boobs left right and centre and the art world exploring ever more crazy ideas in the name of art; it is hard to be surprised nowadays. But this morning, I was startled indeed when I opened an unexpected email showcasing Andrea Pritschow’s crochet art. Crochet art involves nannies knitting you reindeer jumpers for Christmas right? Well Pitschow turns this concept on its head. Crochet penises anyone?

Yes you heard me right. Studying musicology and Science of Art and then another degree of Philosophy and Sociology, Pritschow then turned her sights to art. In 2007 she started putting her crochet penises on myspace who censored her pictures and then the whole page! But fear not, now the site is working swimmingly. She is now exhibiting in early autumn in Vienna, Austria and in Cologne, Germany.

So if you’re looking for that perfect present for your boyfriend, girlfriend, friend or kinky minded co-worker, why not check out this site. The stripy knits come in all different colours and sizes. From dinky little ones, to mammoth Trojan sized ones,
(a compliment to any boyfriend!). There are even key rings that are sure to elicit a chuckle or two!

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No two festivals are the same. Which is lucky since we would be stringing our genitals up by the linings of our straw hats if they were. Truck Festival, view however, seems to hold a beautiful sense of naivety about it, pretty impressive considering its 11 year jog since its first outing in 1998. What seems to set it apart is its strong sense of community spirit. Throughout the weekend many of the acts expressed their respect and admiration towards Truck organisers, Robin and Joe Bennett. And with ice cream supplied by the vicar and food from the snowy members of the local rotary club, you can’t help feeling you’re a part of it.

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Following an early morning sprint from the more fresh faced end of the car queue, I managed to make it to the heavily odoured cowshed for Oxford’s pop darlings, Alphabet Backwards. Headed by the eccentric James Hitchman with his merry entourage, from appearances you may be excused for thinking you’re in for another melancholy strangling of your sanity with tales of first loves and heartbreaks. Thankfully not. Alphabet Backwards’s brand of energetic lo-fi poptro found the entire cowshed transfixed as we were taken into the rather alternative musings of Hitchman’s brain box. ‘Disco Classic’ was a particular favourite with its synth heavy, building intro. ’80′s Pop Video’ was one of the most involving tracks of the entire festival with the crowd taking over, to ad lib a bizarrely synchronised clapping solo, halfway through. Looking around found many a laughing face or tapping foot whilst the 5-piece bounced around the stage. In the words of Alphabet Backwards themselves, “pop’s not a dirty word”. Thank god for that.

After aimless wandering, I found myself back in the cowshed for the highly anticipated, Youthmovies. It’s hard to argue that they don’t know what they’re doing but amidst the thrashing guitars, flashing lights and smoke machines, it’s also hard to see much else beyond that. The proclamation that we were watching the best band in the world found me wondering whether the farm fumes had projected me to a mediocre parallel planet. If you’re into turned backs and guitar noise you’ll get on well with it but I couldn’t help feeling it was a bit like watching other people eating food when you’re hungry. Strong cheekboned lead singer, Andrew Mears, who was once involved with ‘math rock’ tyrants, Foals, is clearly a talented soul, confirmed after I later heard him deliver a rather intricate poetry reading possibly to an audience that didn’t understand. But there certainly wasn’t enough water around Youthmovies to go floating any boats. Or trucks for that matter.

These New Puritans, with skinny-framed Jack Barnett emerging in a shimmering gold roman-esque shirt, which seemed rather fitting considering the thumping drums which at times, sounded like a call to arms. As Barnett delivered his rap-esque vocals I couldn’t help think this is what Linkin Park would sound like if they were from the UK and just a bit more cool. Don’t let that put you off though. In fact don’t even use it as a comparison. ‘Numbers’ played on our human desire for repetition, perfectly wrapped up in a stupidly named parcel of electronic nu gaze. Whatever you call it though, I dare you not to be stirred at least a little.

Truck isn’t exactly spacious but preceding Noah and the Whale, it was chlaustrophobic madness. Crowd control had to make a forceful announcement that if people didn’t move, they were out. Fun fun fun indeed. After a 25 minute wait they finally arrived. Following the onslaught of skinny kids with 80′s haircuts, the cutesy summer strawberry pop was hideously refreshing. Exactly what you’d want to listen to before taking off all your clothes and dancing in long grass with a childhood friend. Naturally, ’5 years time’ was a favourite, sending limbs all over the place although it’s a good idea to not write them off as some kind of one hit wonder hippy outfit. A lot more lies beyond the band than just a youth celebratory summer anthem. Frontman, Charlie Fink, holds faint similarities to the early Johnny Cash with his collected swagger, well groomed hair and waistcoat/tie combination. This mixed with the love heavy vibe and modern mish mash of jazz and folk rock made me wonder why I’d want to be anywhere else.

I was starkly unimpressed by all the bands named as headline acts. Lemonheads were uninspiring and I would of been equally entertained had someone just stuck a CD player containing their album, centrestage and pressed play. After seeing ‘It’s a Shame about Ray’, I had to go and flog a dead horse for a while. Camera Obscura delivered gentle sugary pop melodies to a laxidasically sprawled audience. Coming across as completely inoffensive in the good sense. But it was within the smaller acts that the most exciting, raw and breaking performances came.

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Pivot delivered the most lip biting, mind blowing set of the weekend. Not an attack you’d usually experience at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. Seemingly gentle chaps turned into thrashing electronic noise warriors, pulling at the very bottom of the hairs in my neck before tearing them out. Comparisons could be made to a heavier Metronomy or a more broken Soulwax but it would be a weak attempt at pigeonholing something than shouldn’t be. Richard Pike tribally howled his way through a few sections whilst brother and drummer Laurence pounded at the quaking drum kit with such force that I thought a heart attack was only a matter of time. Definite highlight. Their album ‘O Soundtrack My Heart’ comes out August 20th although it’s hard to portray the passion and power that they play at, through a disc or music file.

Young hearts, Orphan Boy, a 3-piece from Manchester were one of the most exciting and promising of the weekend, only stumbled upon whilst I tried to find the person who had my plastic cup of warm cider, which rapidly paled into insignificance. There were few bands at Truck you could claim had any relationship with progressive post punk, but Orphan Boy more than made up for the lack of it. Thrashing their guitars into their vigorous yet half polished anthemic delights, they had the controlled arrogance of musical greats, creating a sound similar to The Fall if you stuck them in a pan and mixed them with a pinch of Arctic Monkeys. I couldn’t help feeling they weren’t getting the reaction they deserved but the few that were there shared my appreciation.

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It was then time to put away my dog eared notebook and effeminate pen and get involved in a good ol’ game of wallet fishing before jumping in a skip, picking up paralytic drum and bass kids and then passing out in someone elses shirt. Holy truck. Ouch.

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On 12th May 2008, no rx areas of Sichuan – China, more about were devastated by an Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. More than 60, seek 000 lives were lost, millions of civilians left homeless, and many mourning their loved ones who were unfairly taken away from them.

When I first read a comment online about the China Earthquake, I did not even know about the immensity of this natural disaster. I automatically assumed it was something like the earthquake that we had in the UK in Feb 2008, which I slept through! I then realised the reality of it when I saw the images on the television and the internet that unfolded day by day.

Images of people buried under concrete.
Images of corpses young and old under plastic sheets.
Images of children still holding their pencils whom died straight away when the earthquake struck their schools.

I felt immense empathy for those who had lost their lives, families who had lost their loved ones and people who were suffering. The images were so real and told so much about what was happening and the trauma people were going through. I felt so lucky to live in a country where natural disasters were not a part of everyday life. I donated a measly £50 on the Red Cross website, which is not enough to help those people who had lost everything, although it was the amount I could afford at the time. I sent emails telling friends and family to donate money to the charities. I spent everyday reading and watching the news to see the latest updates of what the Chinese army and government were doing to help. I felt compelled to see how China was responding to this disaster- with emergency aid flying to the effected areas as well as the president, Wen Jia Bao flying in on a private jet to the disaster zone to give consoling words and reassurance to his people.

The emotion in the photos and the video footages really struck a chord within me to do something. However, I felt powerless, not knowing what I could do to really help. After a week and a half of being an obsessive and slightly depressed news addict, an idea came to me. I wasn’t going to sit on my arse, passively surveying the dire situation on TV. So I texted a few of my cousins and friends to see if they would be interested in organising a charity event. After a few meetings, and lots of conversations on phone and MSN, things were beginning to take shape. We came up with a name for our fundraising group, ‘Make a Tomorrow‘, which is a popular Chinese saying that translates well into English. This doesn’t happen very often. It was a perfect name for us. We made a logo, started up a blog and Facebook group, contacted the Red Cross. Things just grew and grew. We researched many venues in London, checked out the prices, researched what audience and scale we wanted, what was going to happen on the evening…

Cut to the chase, after much debate and finding the venue, our Fundraising charity event will be held on: Saturday 26th July, at Parker McMillan, 47 Chiswell Street, Moorgate, London. I have organised bands, Djs, Art sale from Uk Illustrators and Photographers. All funds raised will go to directly to helping the victims of the earthquake.

It has been nearly a month of organising. At times it’s hugely exciting, at others, immensely stressful. However, I am glad I have started this project as I’ve met some great and inspirational people who are eager to help. I have also been surprised by the generosity displayed in people. I hope that perhaps in my small way, I will inspire other young people to be proactive when it comes to social and political situations that are affecting us and those abroad. This world really is smaller than you think; and it is by taking an interest and being open to possibilities that we can really make a difference. By dedication, hard graft and creativity we can change a disastrous circumstance into something we all care about. Through charity events like this one we can strive to ‘make a tomorrow’ that is a positive one we would all like to be part of.

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Ok fellow Amelia’s blog followers – a couple of weeks ago I wrote a story on the Visa Swap event in Covent Garden and promised to keep you all updated on how it went and what treasures I managed to find. Well – the official swap took place the weekend just past, cialis 40mg and true to my word I’m back to share my adventures.

So – if you remember – the idea behind the visa swap campaign was that people take unwanted clothing to specific drop off points in Covent Garden throughout a three-week period. In exchange for our goods we were offered a little visa card with a number of points coinciding with the value of our donations. These points could then be used to purchase other items during a huge two-day fashion swapping event.

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I arrived at the swap boasting a healthy 8614 points, web which was mainly thanks to what I believed to be a random grey jacket that I found in my spare room at home. After deciding I didn’t have a clue where it had come from, or whom it belonged to, I handed it in at the drop off in the hope of scoring a couple of extra points. What I was rewarded with was a ‘ooh – this is nice’ and a whopping 700 points (as apposed to 40 or 50 which I had received for other items) from a delighted Visa assistant. Turns out I had just handed in a Christian Louboutin jacket which was worth at least 400 pounds. I think it must have been the fear of looking uncharitable that prevented me from snatching it right back and attempting to flog it on eBay. Instead I accepted the points and walked away, still wondering where the hell it had come from – and why I hadn’t bothered to look at the darn label!

On the first morning of the swap I thought I’d be smart and arrive at the location ten minutes early. Unfortunately lots of others were smarter, and I was greeted with a queue that backed a quarter of a mile up Covent Garden. Hundreds of eager visa card holding individuals held excited conversations between themselves, all of us joined in our excitement and anticipation for the event ahead of us. At ten on the dot the doors swung open, and all thought of unison flew out with it. It was every man, woman and child for themselves as Visa Swap participants stampeded the building in the hope of being the one to discover the hidden designer gems. Half the crowd – clearly Visa Swap veterans – charged up the stairs to the bag/shoes and accessories section, while I, after finding my bearings, calmly headed for the ladies clothing area.

The building was organised into three stylishly designed levels: ladies clothing, men’s clothing and accessories. In house tailors sat in wait by the changing rooms ready to take in, sew up or amend any of our finds – free of charge! As pop music blared from the surround sound system we darted around manically, heaps of clothing draped over our left arms, our right arms free to wander through the racks. We greeted and excused each other politely, wishing each other well out loud, but secretly hoping that that annoying person beside us would somehow miss the gorgeous shirt in front of them! Everyone’s tactic was the same – grab anything and everything that slightly catches your eye and sort through the load afterwards. The room could almost be likened to a cage full of hungry gerbils, everyone scurrying from rack to rack before retreating to self-made sorting stations, all the while clutching ferociously to their discoveries as though their very lives depended on it. At one particularly low point I found myself alone in a dark corner of the building, sweating and hovering protectively over a heapful of second hand finds! Thankfully I managed to snap out of this uncharacteristic trance after witnessing a bizarre argument between a middle aged women and deceitfully pleasant looking little old lady, who couldn’t agree over who owned the rights to a small leather clutch bag.

I must say I managed to pick up a great collection of skirts, shirts, dresses and shoes that are bound to liven up my flagging wardrobe. The organisers refused to accept faulty items, so the clothing and accessories were of an impeccable quality.

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On our way out the friendly staff issued our garments to us in fantastically designed sustainable bamboo shopping bags, while congratulating us with ‘well done’s’ and ‘you’ve done well’s’ as though we’d all completed a gruelling charity cross country run.

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As I stepped out the Visa Swap doors and back into the sunshine of reality, I immediately missed the whole experience of the event. I think the sense of community I shared with other fellow Visa Swap shoppers, the creativity in the air and the pang of delight I experienced when I spotted other people picking up items which I had brought, was what made the whole event truly special. Well – this as well as the knowledge that I now own a couple of garments that my friends won’t be able to rush out and buy for themselves. Result!

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Dress, bag and boots from Visa Swap

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Shirt, skirt, belt, sandals and bag from Visa Swap
The last week of Free Range was a great end to an excellent series of student shows. However, buy the jewel in the crown was to be found outside the main body of the old Truman Brewery with the surface design exhibitions in Dray Walk and Shop 14.

The Dray Walk gallery was home to the Norwich School of Art and Design‘s ‘Seamless’ exhibition. Students of the ‘Contemporary Textile Practices’ course displayed their experimental styles here, sildenafil with three names in particular standing out for me;

Alie Blackman showcased hypnotic rainbow prints that were like looking at a magic eye whilst on magic mushrooms. Fragmented cityscapes also crept into Blackman’s work, treat with her fabrics giving the impression of walking through Moscow with kaleidoscopes for eyes.

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Sally Anne Wood‘s work was a modern take on tribal patterns, full of triangles that were all the colours of a Refreshers packet.

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Rachael Hallum‘s space was a joy to behold, and it beckoned me in with the promise of tea. Whilst there was no actual tea to be found here, Hallum had filled her cosy art space cum kitchenette with embellished tea towels, tablecloths and other fine fabrics.

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Just down the way Shop 14 was beckoning me to sample more textile delights. London College of Communication’s Surface Design Show ‘Stamp’ was in residence here and making a meal of the wonderful space.

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I was welcomed in to the light and airy gallery by Liz Lake’s lacy drawings adorning the windows.

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Once inside the space my senses were excited by an innovative interaction between art and architecture. Printed wallpapers were pasted up haphazardly, banners hung down and all around artists had established their own little worlds. The small rooms leading off from the main space had been lighted to create moody atmospheres. But before I went anywhere else, I had to negotiate my way through a cobwebbed maze of blue wool. Hanging from the strands were some horrors (blue Barbies and baby dolls) and, thankfully, some delights too in the form of Jason Cheng‘s jewelery. Cheng uses rubber bands to create the most unusual bracelets that sometimes reminded me of childhood days gone by, sometimes of coral formations and sometimes (unusually) of arteries. Whatever way you interpret Cheng’s work, Donna Karan is a fan (she bought one of his bracelets at the Indigo trade show held in Paris this February) so you know it’s safe to interpret it as ‘The Next Big Thing’.

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Breaking out of the wooly blue maze I was met by Maria Atanackovic‘s colourful creations. Atanackovic seemed to have collaged together layers of batik to create fabrics that held an unexpected depth.

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Roberta Boyce was one of the surface adorners who had picked ceramics as the target for their doodlings. It seemed that Boyce had spent a good deal of time down a rabbit hole, coming back up laden with lots of lovely Alice in Wonderland inspired patterns.

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Venturing into one of the smaller hidden rooms I almost bumped into an intriguing coatstand by Miranda Whitby. Whitby’s love of decoration and recycling is obvious in her work; she is prettifying the world one piece of furniture at a time by embellishing each one with brightly coloured fabrics and beads sourced from charity and junk shops.

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Kate Worthington had very fittingly chosen to exhibit her kitsch 1950s style fabric patterns inside some lovely old suitcases. With prints featuring standard British holiday throwbacks such as deck chairs, wooden chip forks and (sad but true) umbrellas, it was a display that had me pining for the Llandudno trips of my younger days.

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Damilola Bankole was another student who’s passion was for plates. His ceramics were covered in flower like energy bursts and neon splashes, all brought together with a net-like pattern the colour of an infrared laser.

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Last, but most definitely not least, a clothes rail full of the collection by Phillip Gamble held my attention before I left Stamp. A lovely mixture of delicate hand dyeing in pastel purples and graphic gold prints, Gamble had discovered a more relaxed take on nu-rave dressing.

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I absolutely loved the shows presented in Dray Walk and Shop 14 as this was where I could immerse myself in glorious aesthetic wonders and get lost in little creative cubby holes. After trawling around the Truman Brewery wondering ‘what does it all mean?’ it was nice to just take time out to let pure gorgeousness take over and appreciate those with a talent for knowing what looks good. It just goes to show that beauty can truly be found on the surface!

For the last six weeks the Truman Gallery has been playing host to our finest graduates from across the country. Week 6 was the turn of the artists, ask from UCCA, prescription Northbrook College and Batley College amongst others.

The Fine Art from the Institute at Bournemouth was our favourite exhibition and seemed to be where we spent most of our time. It stood out for its sense of playfulness and fun, where you could find a girl drinking from a fish bowl, a riot of sexual organs and suicidal clowns.

With what looked like Jelly moulds of intimate down there ovals in candy coloured hues, Louise Kingman aims to reclaim the vagina as a celebrative symbol silencing the sense of controversy it is often associated with. Provoking a mixed reaction of initial distaste, nervous laughter and the over heard comedy “are they wine gums? Can you eat them?” when confronted with the 49 wobbly sexual organs. Titled ‘Taste’ not only does it bring up the issue of peoples differing levels of acceptability, but with their sweet-like resemblance also a more literal meaning.

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Hannah Harvey‘s offer of ‘Free Lamps’ was taken up quite literally by many of the guests, who could be seen with these OAP chic lights tucked under their arms, leaving puzzled onlookers outside wondering ‘Who would be moving house at this time of night?’

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Sometimes it’s the simplest of ideas can really be the most effective as artists took inspiration from their childhood art boxes, using ‘amateur art and craft materials’ like glitter, plasticine and Playdo. Eleanor Walker perched a life size Blu-tac pigeon on a glitter strewn plinth, whilst Hugh Thompson fashioned tiny bananas, school caps and fingers which he dotted across windowsills and walls. Craig Mc Phedran used Lego to create Escher-esque illustrations, to convey the consequences of destruction and construction.

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The performance art ‘spectacle’ of the evening came courtesy of Emma Purchase, who dressed as a giant white puffer fish, and proceeded to rub a dead fish against her cheek. Now the problem with ‘out-there’ performance art is that this meaning is ultimately lost amongst the restless and sniggering crowd, who perhaps took this too literally.

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Other noteworthy mentions should go to the MA Printmaking at Cambridge School of Art. Weef‘s lino cuts focus on types’ of the day prints. In Weef’s version N is for nightclub singer and U is for unicycle, capturing the figure in a direct, immediate and recognisable way. Denise Hodgson‘s ‘Into The Void’ whimsical series is based on the principles of Zen, and her ‘Oui’ ‘Non’ trees have since become top of our list of items to lust after.

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In the Farnham Fine Art exhibition, the most eye-catching piece was an orange tree by Sarah Dewing setting out to question people’s responses and attitudes to nature. On closer inspection the tree was wrapped in Sainsbury’s plastic carrier bags highlighting the links between the natural and the artificial, and relating back the crisis we face on plastic waste.

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Throughout the exhibition there was a slight feeling of self-indulgence where artist’s work fought for competition with each other. I think it must be such a difficult task to create a coherent display of such varied artists work and at graduate shows you often find yourself being drawn to the simplest pieces. Overall it was a pretty mixed bag, but this gives you the freedom to pick and choose which makes it all the more worthwhile when you spot a real gem.

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A stylish selection of the world’s leading fashion photographers forms a new exhibition at the Photographers’ Gallery, healing looking beyond the lens and behind the scenes to ‘undress the theatre of fashion‘ and question the notion of perfect beauty as captured on camera.

Fashion photographers find themselves the subjects of shoots in this overview of self-examination, try featuring work spanning four decades and twenty-two photographers from Norman Parkinson to Nick Knight. Exposing the seemingly glamorous goings-on of a glossy fashion shoot as a frantic and frenzied scene executed with military precision, page the exhibition presents both the parody and poetry of the fashion photograph. Arranged in a random if erratic manner the photos presented form no clear correlation but stand alone as statements of style. A 70s Vogue spread sees stylist Polly Mellen preening model Lauren Hutton to perfection whilst Nova archives from the same decade display Helmut Newton’s trademark voyeurism in the striking and seductive Caught Underwears. Provocative and powerful, the standout images include a giant print of Snejana Onopka dressed as editrice du jour Anna Wintour for Vogue Paris and Bert Stern capturing David Bailey looming over model Veruschka as she strikes a pose for the magazine’s British counterpart in a scene that recalls the infamous Blowup tryst.

Viewing such iconic work set against stark white backdrops proves a dramatic and dynamic experience. The arrangement of Vogue Italia copies presenting a Supermodels Enter Rehab fashion story seemed a little redundant but it was intriguing nonetheless to view fashion darlings Agyness and Sasha in their trendy tribute to Girl, Interrupted. Elsewhere the essence of the Swinging 60s is captured in three technicolour prints of Twiggy’s Young London and Karl Lagerfeld becomes a political figure in fashion with Chanel-clad followers holding banners adorned with his image in an almost Fascist tribute.

The exhibition is essential viewing for any fashion follower worth her stilettos, with just a hint of humour and bags of style. Aspiring style mavens can even upload their own fashion finds on an interactive website, where sartorial buried treasure will be displayed for all to see.

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There really isn’t a better way to spend your Sunday afternoon than lazing in the sun at your local park, viagra buy and when your local park just so happens to have a banjormous music festival created by Groove Armada. Sunday soon becomes so good you start to think even Morrissey might enjoy it.

I was however heartily disappointed when I arrived, stuff because me and my friend Chris realized our slightly late arrival had meant that we had missed Buraka Som Sistema. We thought we’d be able to catch the tail end of their set, viagra approved but the tent they were supposed to be playing in had some awful DJ playing in their place. The acts in this tent seemed to bare no relation to the timetable all day long. I’m all up for a bit of rock and roll ethos, but if it means i don’t actually get to see what i’d like then it’s gone a bit too far. So, not really a great beginning to the day.

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I can say that from here onwards though, it got a lot better. The first real band we saw was White Lies, consisting of former members of the even greater Fear of Flying. They almost make too much effort to make it sound as epic as they possibly can, but manage to pull it off, coming across as quite endearing. In fact my only gripe about their whole performance was their lack of songs, I think they did 5 altogether. I want an album’s worth, and I want them now.

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Next we headed to the Amnesty International stage for Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit, who kind of made up for me missing Buraka by offering my portion of world music for the day. With one of the DJs wearing the best shark costume I’ve ever seen, a guy on the bongos and two old guys dressed as 70′s disco kings, they really did bring the party. Unlike many bands that try and bring some sense of novelty to their show though, they also had the musical ability to match. I’m sure their next single ‘Secousse’ is going to be on my stereo all summer long – an amazing pop song constructed from sounds which make it unlike any other record I’ve heard. I also had some really tasty cheese straws whilst watching them, which may have been part of the reason why I enjoyed myself so much.

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Then we took a well-earned break from bands by having a wander around, checking out all the great art and little stalls that had been set up. I was soon drawn towards the massive vert ramp that had pros getting ‘rad’ all over it and people on the top throwing out goodies for the kids. I have to say we were tempted to try and dive into the melee in the hope of getting some free stuff. But were put off as some of the kids did look quite big and they were all in quite a frenzy. It wasn’t worth getting beaten up just to get a free backpack.

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After a little more galavanting we headed over to see Howling Bells. I don’t know what it is about these guys, but I can just never really get into them. Live they came across well, and the crowd was huge for such a tiny stage, with the majority of people really getting into it. I think it’s just a personal affliction, you can never account for taste.

Heading back to the unreliable tent of disappointment we were yet again to be confronted by some strange DJ instead of Pnau, who I had been quite eager to catch a bit of. So, severely confused by what we had found, we ventured outside again to watch Goldfrapp. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Goldfrapp, but there was something about sitting in the sun and watching the show as the sun was low in the sky that made it all the more listenable. It may have been the few pear ciders I’d had in the hours previous that would account for my happiness.

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My excitement was rising quite worryingly as we were waiting for Flaming Lips to appear – though thankfully it was all deserved. Seeing them live is just non stop wonderment. It had everything. A zorb ball, twenty or so people dressed as Iron Man and visuals of two kids flying around doing some serious kung fu on their dad, I don’t think any other performer compares considering stage show antics. It certainly beats the pouting and strutting that most bands seem to settle for.

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I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor people who had to clear it up though. As my friend put it, “they’re the messiest band I’ve ever seen”. Ah well, I didn’t really mind too much myself, I was off home.

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I think the Australians have got it right. I’m not one to heavily stereotype, illness but all that ‘good-aying’ and flip-flopping around the barbie must really be rather wonderful. And going by my Ozzie father, then this is entirely a reflection of the absolute truth. I’ve almost definitely inherited the blasé way of doing things, usually leaving any obligation until the last nano-second, and then obviously exceeding all expectations without a loosing a drop of stressed sweat. This however, may not be entirely the truth.

So it only seems natural that Australian based daggy-cool sensation Toddy Long Johns are making a rather massive impact on the lounge-lover set. Reminiscent of vintage long johns and your childhood jump suit, jimm-jamms have never been this darn comfy and just plain practical with fully equipped working bum-flaps included. No arduous toilet missions and a warm cushioning for those novel nights in, providing an all-knowing sense of childish-chic when you get home from a very adult day. What, I ask, could be better?

But if that doesn’t float your boat then maybe the unisex boxer shorts, leggings and singlets will invite you to kick back and slouch like you’ve never slouched before. Bright primary colours in a cute checked pattern dominate the range, ensuring you will be the best dressed at the slumber party you will most definitely be organising in honour of your new ensemble. Teddy bear fashion has never looked so good, or perhaps existed.

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Arriving at the Old Shoreditch Station, information pills our eyes were opened wide to the bright almost neon hand cut lettering announcing tonight’s showcase. The cloud like lettering beckoned us into the fluffy land of sleep. The Old Shoreditch Station is not a typical exhibition space and only moonlights as one (its day job is as a bar/café). Fittingly, store Nicolas Burrows and Zeroten’s sleep walk world of wonderment is not a typical exhibition.

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Nicolas Burrows is one quarter of the collective Nous Vous based in Leeds, whereas Zeroten is a lone fellow with just his pens and pencils to keep him company, only in the collective sense as I’m sure he has heaps of friends (I’d be his, for the illustrations alone). Judging by the mixed media illustrations on display it’s difficult to decide which work was produced by which artist. If there is an opening in the Nous Vous collective, Zeroten would definitely fit the bill. However, there are just enough subtle differences (plus Zeroten’s helpfully have his name pencilled in neatly) between the two styles to give an indication as to who drew which dreamlike scene. Which in my mind is the object of collaboration, like-minded folks coming together to produce something pleasing to all parties.

‘When My Eyes Are Closed’ depicts dreamland in all its surreal mixed-media glory; bears become accomplished musicians blowing trumpets which in turn are blowing bubbles, a muscled man flexes in competition with an equally beefed up winged bat creature, men with all on show avoid looking under-dressed with a jauntily placed top hat. Pretty much anything and everything you may have dreamed is drawn from your sleep, for your eyes to feast on once more.

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It is sometimes said dreams are dreamt in black and white but in Zeroten and Burrows’ world of slumber everything is depicted in a super shiny kaleidoscopic fun, giving a whimsical air. Echoing the association of déjà vu with dreams, is a series of painstakingly drawn lines repeated and repeated resulting in a Technicolour pattern. Other repeats take the form of collaged heads and a tapestry-esque ‘black-hole’ executed of course in raving colour. Adding to the mysticism associated with dreams are images of the occult; a small eye hidden within the letter K on one illustration and the pyramid long coupled with supernatural powers, hangs in multiples in paper form.

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There are so many depictions of what happens when your eyes are closed; Freud would be having a field day. Illustration that is for want of a better word, cool and exhibited in a cool place, can run the risk of being dismissed by snooty art crowds, but in this case Psychoanalytical (and other) interpretations abound. What does a snowy nether land with men dance jollily suggest? What about disembodied heads propped up in boxes? Step forward Mr Freud, we need an explanation!

For an exhibition in a slightly unusual space there is also an unusual take on displaying the work. In some places the illustrations are pasted onto the walls, forgoing shielding, these illustrations encourage the viewer to get up close. As we sat in a booth supping on a drink, birds seemed to whisper greetings into our ears and the bubble blowing bear wanted to make friends (before you ask, we did only had one drink). This really compliments the space, but does result in having to look past and around people (and trying not to get their heads in photos), whilst trying to view the work.

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Burrows and Zeroten’s mixed media illustrations tumble from dreams onto the walls propelling you into the surreal world of sleep. ‘When My Eyes Are Closed’ really will have you longing for the moment when your eyes are closed. So I wouldn’t go when you feel a bit tired!

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