Ella Doran is pretty well-known in the world of printed products (see an earlier post of mine) so when we last met I was interested to hear about this project, open in March, in relation to our discussion on the practical value of design. Ella worked with Vital Arts to create an enchanted yet practically functioning environment for the children’s ward at Barts hospital. As […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
Understory – Catherine Aitken, Eva Malschaert and Pia Wüstenberg
Stooping through a small door in a Kensington side street, I visited Understory, a small show during the London Design Festival whch showed recent work by Catherine Aitken, Eva Malschaert and Pia Wüstenberg. I first met Eva at her graduate show where I admired her interactive textile environments. She’s now working on modular room dividers designed for a domestic environment and […]
The Journey of a Drop by Rolf Sachs at the V & A
One of the beauties of the London Design Festival was the selection of work and locations. The V & A extended its programme from last year with work throughout the museum. One of the pieces I loved was The Journey of a Drop by Rolf Sachs in the grand staircase stairwell of the Henry Cole Wing, normally closed […]
Tony Cragg on Exhibition Road and at the V & A
This autumn London is not only a festival of design but also a festival of bronze. The Royal Academy has its jaw-dropping Bronze exhibition and Tony Cragg has some hefty bronze pieces around and inside the V&A. I like the way his fragmented and spinning vortices are captured in such solid form; movement frozen and subject here to the […]
CitizenM Bankside, London
CitizenM Bankside has been open a few months now but I’ve only just been able to get to visit myself and am delighted to report that I was impressed, not only by the design but also by the vibe. I’d seen all the press pics but the real thing is actually better. The public areas were really welcoming and lively. The […]
John Galvin at Design Junction
Now that the London Design Festival is over I’ll feature some of the products and makers seen over a period of time having decided against rushing everything out just to be close to the event. Showcases are great but they are only a window to the ongoing background of consistent work required for success. A maker I have admired for a while […]
La Pièce de Moli for vintage fashion
Hidden away in a peaceful courtyard just off the Rue du Faubourg St Antoine in the 12th arrondissement in Paris is a recent addition to the lively local vintage fashion scene. Lali Moli opened this charming venue only a few months ago which I discovered on the way to one of my favourite shops Caravane Chambre 19 just […]
Maison et Objet September
Too much to write about in one or even two posts so I”ve just picked a few snippets here with more companies to follow at a later date. Some of the things that caught my eye included the sharpened stool and table at Danish company & Tradition. A very practical solution to the problem of scuffing – here you can […]
Maison & Objet – themes
M & O heralded the autumn interiors show season with new designs and products aplenty. This time I was also able to get to quite a few of the other events happening in Paris as you have already seen. There had already been an indication of the ombré trend last season which I had predicted […]
Les Docks du Design Paris – the building
I couldn’t leave the location of Now le Off without showing you the top of a building whose architectural merits divide people. I don’t know how they feel about this terrace but I love it. It’s massive, making you feel on holiday in the centre of the city. Just imagine the party potential with the in-house cafe and bar. […]