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Kourtney Roy

Kourtney Roy's images seduced me at first glance. They are the photographic forms of everything I want my illustrations to be. I'm all for these patterns and vibrant colour combinations. Roy's photographic talents are put to great use in a tantalising fashion spread in issue1 of Soup Magazine. Get hold of this now at Artwords. Visit her website for more fantastically striking photographs.

Givenchy Haute Couture

I've been left feeling a little romantic at the sight of these Riccardo Tisci creations. 'Hauntingly beautiful' is completely overused but hey, feeling lazy. Dazed and Confused have done a feature on the man and his collection for Givenchy A/W10. The exquisite detail and masterful combination of textures make these frocks everso sexy. All I need is an occasion to sport it. Pub anyone?

New work from Gregory Crewdson

Gregory Crewdson takes a more subtle approach in his new series of black and white photos. All the black and white photographs in 'Sanctuary' are taken in Cinecetta film studios in Italy (this is Crewdon's first project outside the US). These photos capture something other than jaw-dropping moments in Hollywood films, as with Twilight, and look in great detail at this false and confusing landscape. I love the continuation of the cinematic theme throughout his work, projected in a different way. I have a feeling that this book is going to fly like a hot cake.

Get a copy at Artwords.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water House

Taschen are about to release the second of three volumes, covering the works of American architect and interior designer Frank Lloyd Wright. During his career, Wright really got the balance of man-made and the organic. The most famous example of this is the Falling Water House in Pennsylvania which was partly built over an existing waterfall. The house looks almost too 'James Bond' to be true.

I doubt that the book will contain any information on his apparently turbulent personal life, but am looking forward to seeing it no less.

We're all saved!

I just been reading a really interesting interview with Professor Michel Parent in AIE magazine. Admittedly, I'd never heard of him prior to this article but was drawn in by the title 'The Science of Utopia'. Along with the rest of book shoppers today, I love a good Utopia-based bit of information (it allows us to all go soaring into unrealistic visions of perfect cities without a whisper of 'carbon emissions' or 'BP oil spills').

Parent believes that 'Orthopedic shoe-makers are about to make millions in the eradication of the car.' The article delves into the possibilities of a future where we all jog to work, or catch a cycag, leaving only rich eccentrics able to afford sky-high petrol prices.

Worth a read. AIE is available at Artwords.

Lurve Magazine

I do resent being overly critical about fashion magazines as they must take a mountain of time and effort to produce, but in what could be thought of as an over-saturated market, they need the fashion mag X-Factor. And as a metaphorical Simon Cowel, I'm giving Lurve Magazine the thumbs up. Not only do I like the handy smaller format (mmm, formats) the content is also rather good. Highlights for me are the escapist New Mexico photos by Pamela Love & Jordan Sullivan and a very vintage fashion story shot by Marine Braunschvig. The general feeling is less glossy airbrushed (literally, actually, as the paper is lovely matt finish) more hazy and intangible.

Lurve can be found at Artwords, Broadway Market.

Martino Gamper: 100 chairs in 100 days and its 100 ways

Aside from a title that I find slightly awkward, this book is excellent. It shows off Italian designer Martino Gamper's talent for off-the-cuff design. Despite the spontaneous nature of the project, the results are not throw-away, these pieces are real keepers. A mark of true creativity and sure to inspire chair designers across the globe. Beautiful book design also by London-based design team Åbäke.

Pick up your copy at Artwords.

Peter Bialobrzeski: Informal Arrangements

This is the third and most interesting book I've seen by Bialobrzeski. It focuses on the interiors of shantytown shacks in South Africa. The photographs are a far cry from what you might expect -dark, depressing and soul-less. The resourcefulness of the residence is astounding and the influence of western society and commercial culture blinding. There are advertisements and film posters a plenty, one room is wallpapered with an underwear catalogue. This body of work is full of small details that may only be noted second or third time around. I highly recommend this one.

Get it at Artwords, Broadway Market.

Charles Dana Gibson

Just been going a bit giddy over the work of American illustrator Charles Dana Gibson. Little did I know that the Gibson Martini's I've been ordering, served with a pickled onion, are named after this fellow.*

*I would never order a drink with a pickled onion.

Surreal House

I'm a big surrealist fan, this I do not keep secret, so it was inevitable that I would take some enjoyment from the Barbican's 'Surreal House' exhibition. However, I will go as far to say that this was one of the most enjoyable exhibitions that I've ever been to. Not only is it wholey atmospheric, but the diverse range of work housed in the show makes you realise just how significant this topic is. The word 'surrealist' can conjure thoughts of daft people creating all sorts of Freudian oddities, yet almost all of the work in 'Surreal House' draws completely rational conclusions. One of the many many highlights was Dali's House of Venus, shown above.

I love the catalogue for the show -it's beautifully produced with great essays on the subject. You've got until the 12th September to see it, so there isn't really an excuse not to.

Interview with Kim Cooper

I met Kim whilst attending her amazing Bukowski LA tour. After returning from my visit, I felt very inspired by the city and so got in touch with Kim to get some more insider info. The result was this short interview....

Kanaval

Leah Gordon takes us on a terrifying journey to pre-earthquake Haiti in full carnival season. The book is rich with bizarre images of men in drag and hand made masks. The astounding costumes resonate the Haitians strong vodou beliefs. All in all, a total treat for the eyes, but not for anyone prone to night terrors.

Available now at Artwords.

Pauline Boty

Just a short post to acknowledge the British pop artist Pauline Boty who was coined 'Bardot of Wimbledon' due to her likeness to Brigitte. She died at 28, refusing to risk her pregnancy by having treatment for cancer. She is often a forgotten name in the 60's pop art scene, or simply credited for her beauty and not for her work.

Typo Lyrics

Ever wondered what a song looks like? What typographical form does music take? Hmm. Whether you've given this a thought or not, you should take a look at TypoLyrics. The book is compiled of contributions to Slanted Magazine who challenged designers to create a typeface that captures a song. There are some great contributions from 170 typographers. Pick up a copy at Artwords.

Meryl Smith

New York based artist Meryl Smith's sculptures create an odd bridge between creature and inanimate object, like her 'Hog Ball'. They really sing surrealism. On Halloween, she swaps the usual 'sexy' devil or vampire female costume option for something far more gruesome - 'Me giving birth to myself'. Excellent. See Meryl's blog for further costume ideas.

Her work space and home is featured in 'The Selby is in Your Place', available at Artwords.

Christian Schoeler and some worthwhile opinions

Reading an interview in Metal Magazine with artist Christian Schoeler, you would think that you were hearing the thoughts of a much older man. When questioned about the state of contemporary art, Schoeler reveals that he thinks the magic and glamour have disappeared at the hands of the art business and is replaced by art that is so information based, it is often dull. I like this man's honesty, and his paintings of young men are beautiful.

The interview was in last month's Metal, but the current issue is available at Artwords, and is equally as interesting.

Slim Aarons

When times get stressful, let's say I've laddered my new tights then got on the wrong bus whilst running late, you might hear me chanting "...go to a happy place, go to a happy place..". Well, this is my happy place. These poolside scenes of affluent 60's socialites first caught my attention in an exhibition in Brighton. They are true visions of fantasy lifestyles. Slim Aarons, I salute you.

Else Neulander-Simon

I read the heartbreaking story of this photographer, who worked under the name Yva in this months issue of Glass Magazine. Not only was she working in an industry that left little room for women, she was also oppressed by Nazi Rulers, who eventually confiscated her photographs and banned her from working in her profession. She worked alongside, and is said to have heavily influenced Helmut Newton with her experimental style. The last chapter of her story is the saddest. She recieved an offer from Life magazine to work in New York but her husband was reluctant to leave Berlin. This decision lead to her untimely death in Auschwitz concentration camp, adding haunting irony to her photographs of free, modern women.

Marianne North: more exotic than a Bounty bar

I recently visited Kew Gardens to soak up a bit of leafy heritage. I was absolutely stunned by the Marriane North gallery, home to her life's work as a flower painter. She trotted the globe in the 1800's painting all sorts of exotic botanics and views which have been displayed to great effect at Kew.