Barnaby Barford's Twisted Trafalgar Square

Irreverent UK sculptor Barnaby Barford has just completed his largest piece to date. An installation comprised of 22 individual pieces, the work reflects his view of the corruption of London's Trafalgar Square.



Impish and sweet characters engage in vandalism, littering, violence, self-abuse and more in this sculptured narrative. Babies booze it up, little girls shoot rats for fun and muggings run rampant in this miniature world. Brandishing everything from alcohol to guns, the ceramic and enamel-painted subjects, who resemble Hummel figurines gone bad, are placed atop round slabs of concrete (this is the first time Barford has used concrete in his work).















As described on the artist's site:

Trafalgar Square has been described as the blank slab upon which Britain has inscribed it's modern history, in Barford's version Drink, Violence, Consumerism, Junk food, Protest and Terrorism all inhabit this world.

In the piece's centre is a Lion looking a great deal sadder than the ones in the real Trafalgar Square - It has been covered in graffiti. The piece is formalised by 4 columns with cherubs on top, each covered in pigeons and bird shit. The rest of the piece comprises of 22 individual pieces, each a vignette of contemporary life. The saccharine figurines have been transformed from chocolate box, romantic images of life into a new, jarring narrative. Added tension is given to the piece in the form of a loan sports bag, entitled unattended luggage. This is the first time Barford has attempted such a big scene and introduces concrete into his aesthetic.

The individual pieces (click on each to enlarge):














views of the overall installation:



Barnaby Barford's Battle Of Trafalgar Square is on view at the OA Gallery from 28th April - 30th June 2010


above: The Battle Of Trafalger Square, 2010, at the OA Gallery in Madrid

OA Gallery
Justiniano 8
28004 Madrid

Barnaby Barford

Put That iPad In Your Pocket. That's Right, I Said 'Pocket'.

Australian designed and made iClothing sells white and black unisex tee shirts and a little black dress, both of which feature a giant pocket in which you can stash your iPad.



The iTee (white or black):

Sizing:
Men's sizes: Small (S), Medium (M) and Large (L)
Women's sizes: Size 8 (XS), Size 10 (S), Size 12 (M), Size 14 (L)
100% black cotton jersey, padding polyester/polypropylene
cold gentle machine wash, cool iron and do not tumble dry, soak, bleach, dry clean
buy it here


The iDress (Black only):

Sizes (Australia): 8 (2-4 USA), 10 (4-6 USA), 12 (6-8 USA) and 14 (8-10 USA)
100% cotton sateen, padding polyester/polypropylene
cold gentle machine wash, cool iron and do not tumble dry, soak, bleach, dry clean
buy it here


Who is behind iClothing?

above left: Fashion entrepreneur Davina Reichman developed the unique concept of iClothing. and is also the Managing Director of Being Born Again Couture. above right: Luke Staley, Creative Director of iClothing and the founder of Alconleigh.

Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc. iPad not included.

Special Edition "Green" Outerwear by Pharrel Williams & Keita Sugiura For Moncler

As part of their new Fall Winter 2010 collection, the Italian high end outerwear company Moncler has teamed up with Pharrell Williams for a special ecologically-sound winter collection of jackets and vests for men that features the photography of Keita Sugiura.



The key garment is the pacifist version of the bullet-proof vest, conceived for a purpose that is its very antithesis. It is an original warning underscored by the very concept of the collection itself, which is inspired by ecological materials and icons. The garments are all made in black with leather details and gold waterproof zips. And... all are made with futuristic fabrics from Bionic Yarn, an American company owned by Pharrell Williams, which makes its materials from plastic bottles.




The series of photos entitled "Dark Forest" by Japanese artist Keita Sugiura provides the pattern for the lining and exterior of some of the vests and jackets.


above: two photographs from Keita Sugiura's 'Dark Forest' series




above left: Keita Sugiura, above right: Pharrell Williams

The line will be available at selected shops and are part of the upcoming Fall/Winter releases for Moncler.


information courtesy of Moncler, garment images courtesy of Pharrell Williams, art images courtesy of Max Protech

Eco-Friendly & Extra Funky Pillows From Heather Lins Home.

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Heather Lins was trained as a graphic designer but wanted to escape the computer and get her hands dirty in the studio. As a result, Heather Lins Home was born.

Various textiles made of organic and eco-friendly materials with designs that are whimsical, clever and appealing. The collections include her Conversation Pillows, her Eye-Chart Pillows and her newest- my favorite-, Science Pillows. Table linens and coasters in her Numbered Collection are also available.


Eye-Chart Pillows

3-D Eye Chart Pillow (comes with 3D glasses!)

• 17" × 17"; cyan, red & black ink
• 100% cotton
• Screen printed by hand with water-based inks
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Hidden zipper
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on high heat. Expect 5% shrinkage.
• Sewn and printed in the U.S.A.
No. 1001

Eye Chart Pillow

• 17" × 17"
• Organic hemp/cotton blend
• Screen printed by hand with water-based inks
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Hidden zipper
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on high heat. 5% shrinkage.
• Sewn and printed in the U.S.A.
No. 1002


Conversation Pieces Pillows

Conversation Pieces Pillow, no. 1

• 17" × 17"
• Screen printed by hand with water-based inks
• 100% cotton
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Hidden zipper
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on high heat. 5% shrinkage.
• Sewn and printed in the USA
No. 1003

Conversation Pieces Pillow, no. 2

• 12" × 16"
• Screen printed by hand with water-based inks
• 100% cotton
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Hidden zipper
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on high heat. 5% shrinkage.
• Printed and sewn in the U.S.A.
No. 1004

Conversation Pieces Pillow, no. 3

• 16" ×12"
• Screen printed by hand with water-based inks
• 100% cotton
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Hidden zipper
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low, iron on high heat. 5% shrinkage.
• Sewn and printed in the U.S.A.
No. 1005


Science Collection Pillows

Anatomy Pillow

Botany Pillow

Geology Pillow


specs for all three science collection pillows:

• 17" × 17"
• 100% wool felt background
• Applique made of Sensuede (Sensuede is made of recycled polyester, derived from both post-industrial and post-consumer sources, including PET soda and water bottles.)
• 5% down, 95% feather insert
• Zipper at bottom
• Spot clean or dry clean.
• Sewn in the USA.
No. 1007

Also available is her Numbered Edition collection of placemats, napkins and coasters:


Shop for these products at the following links:
•Supermarket
•Generate
• Cube

About the designer:

Heather’s inspiration comes from examining the ordinary. The collections are based on vintage typography, eye charts and conversation bubbles — images that are instantly identifiable but unexpected on soft goods.

Our current collections are screen printed by hand with water-based ink onto natural-fiber fabrics. All pieces are screen printed and sewn in the U.S.A. Our pillows, place mats, napkins and coasters are printed on one side only.

All pieces are machine-washable in cold water and mild detergent. Avoid harsh detergents as prints will fade. Air dry or tumble dry on low and iron with high heat. Expect 5% shrinkage. Do not dry clean or bleach.


Visit Heather Lins Home