Where have I been?

I missed my blog too!
I was quite pleased when I got a few messages from readers asking what's going on with my blog. I haven't disowned it - just been extremely busy.
By royal appointment to the Ad industry, I'm freelancing in an agency right next to Windsor castle. And seeing as I spend a great deal of time travelling there (I live in North London), it doesn't leave much time for blogging. *Any donations of a laptop are welcome.

Meanwhile I have a stash of articles and links that I want to put up, so bear with, and apologies if you've seen it already - I can't always be on top of what's Hot!

Embroidered Graffiti

I found this very amusing: A Swedish artist, Ulrika Erdes encourages people to not only express themselves using good old fashioned embroidery, but of those who do, they leave such charming messages on public transport. From 'Hello' to 'Hugs' or a picture of a bird, it's hardly rebellious. How very Swedish.

MoveMe

For any of you that travel on the Victoria Line, an organisation called Artbelow have taken over the space at Finsbury park Tube station. During my many minutes on the platform, I've been admiring some nice pieces of work by artists supporting the 'Move me' campaign to encourage people to Cycle. I'm already a bike lover so can appreciate the sentiments expressed, and hopefully others do too.






To view the complete exhibition, visit http://www.anythingmac.co.uk/artbelow/

Grand Freeze at Central Station

This is really good - a new take on flash mobbing with people freezing at Grand central station, New York.

On your Melons, get berry...squash!

Strange one this, but came across my doodle from last week when I was pondering about my forthcoming interview at Innocent. Here's how it went:


I'm still waiting to hear about my score...

Now Art is Advertising

At first when I saw this I thought it was a reverse of the ongoing debate about Advertising copying works of art, and that some piss take artist was mimicking an Ad campaign. But no, it turned out to be another case of Advertising copying advertising.
I'm referring to this latest website for the Nokia N82 series, www.theworldismycanvas.com
A character named Stavros, introduces us to his concept of 'Position Art'. He creates works of art (well, doodles over overhead maps) using GPS technology, namely on his Nokia phone.
It reminded me of the character ' Van der Puup' that Karmarama created in the 'Elite Designers Against Ikea' campaign.
I realise the concept is different, but it does mock camp 'artistes'. Saying that I do like it. particularly the work' my feelings towards my neighbour'. The video of his early techniques is quite nice too.
What does everyone think?





http://www.theworldismycanvas.com/

Peaceful London

I was really struck by this image in this month's Creative Review, created by artist Gregor Graf. By stripping streets of their commercial clutter, signage and advertising, the familiar Oxford Street becomes virtually unrecognisable. It's really quite liberating, and for me, reveals a beauty in what are usually quite mundane buildings. What an interesting concept.

Victoria

Soho

'Hidden Town' is on at the Austrian Cultural Forum until 4th April. More on the CR blog.

Don't Poke Me!

It's been one of those unproductive days today and I've ended up blog trawling. Check out my de.li.cious page to see what I've enjoyed reading.
One extraordinary phenomena that caught my eye was on Iain Tait's blog about a new application on facebook called add my gear'. Basically it uses a new technology that is currently only built into mobiles in Japan and the US, but won't be long before it's over here. By scanning a code, the phone then follows to the webpage - or in this case your facebook profile page, rather than you typing in the URL. The application of course is designed to get more people adding friends by flirtily wearing their QR code on a t-shirt or bag (the makers of which are linked withe the FB application. So my page link would look like this:

(except my bag would be a lot cooler)

..and if you've downloaded the technology for your phone, you could then stalk me by scanning my bag (scary). Still, I think this has interesting potential for other brands. If a 'QR' code is available for certain webpages, we could see more imaginative, illustrative looking advertising, subliminally inviting you to scan and visit that site (if you happen to be at the right place at the right time etc..). But as with all new fandangled technology, it will be cool until it's widespread and overused.