Diem Chau

Diem Chau is an artist who likes to tell stories;

Coming from a nomadic childhood, ...the things of greatest value to us were stories contributed by friends and family. Embedded in these stories are connections to the past, our culture and an occasional escape from reality.

...small deviations are what fascinate me with oral traditions. Ordinary events injected into fantasy worlds make them more believable but, at the same time, it makes them extraordinary. Stories enable us to live a more vivid life.

I came across her Storytelling series on notcot.com and had to have a look for myself. I love complex, intricate work like this, as it really forces you to get involved. Here, the crayons not only represent a kind of innocence that goes hand in hand with storytelling, but being such a universal memory for everyone they really include the audience in the story. You can't help but create your own narrative for this piece.

I especially like the characters who look a little bit shy and retiring, and the way that contrasts with the bright plastic colours. The throwaway pieces of paper wrapper still left on the bottom feel really precious too.



From left to right; Pigtails in Red, Bad Hair Day, Grandma in Beehive. All from Storytelling, 2005. Images copyright Diem Chau.

See more on her website, and contact her at diem@diemchau.com

I'm from Barcelona - Collection of Stamps

I'm from Barcelona's video for Collection of Stamps is just gorgeous - grey and yellow, mmmm. And as an added bonus, a ukulele! hurrah! And a rather nice song too.

The more introductory song We're From Barcelona does more to emphasise their sheer number though - how're they gonna divvy up royalties amongst all that lot?

Spotted on Superette.

In Context

I've long been interested in how cropping into an image or design can totally change its message or simply its style. And the false sense of simplicity of this video is fairly perfect for this song, too. I especially like the 'pen goes faster in the fast bits' idea - so simple but could have been so easy to mess up.

As this spiked my interest I had a look at some of their artwork which is rather nice too - reminiscent of the old blue-note jazz covers. I love the idea that the singles are striking, short sharp geometric compositions, whilst the album cover quite lierally tells the bands' story whilst keeping that colourful geometric aesthetic through typography alone (bottom right).



Field Music on myspace
Field Music's page on their label's site

Obsessive Consumption

Kate Bingaman has been drawing one thing she buys every day for 190 days and counting. Character-full line drawings document the spoils of everyday life and highlight the pennies we all spend without thinking. There are no Manolos here, no splurges or treats, nothing even likely to induce the all-too well known guilt as you stride out of the shop thinking - actually, when will I wear this? Should I perhaps have paid the credit card bill first?

www.obsessiveconsumption.com
Daily purchase drawings

Peter Callesen

Most people wouldn't use words like spectacular, breathtaking or awe-inspiring in relation to paper-cuts (especially since the phrase paper-cuts generally brings to mind a minor office injury) but I think it's justified in this case.
Peter Callesen

Alex Noriega's sketch-blog

Crazy, surreal and very pretty illustrations. Alex has the sort of consistency and style that make me very jealous! In a good way, obviously...
Alex Noriega's sketch-blog

Aesthetic Apparatus

Designed and hand screen printed by Aesthetic Apparatus 'with great love and care' - and it shows!

Aaron Dyer

Aaron Dyer creates these wonderfully surreal, yet crisp still life photos.

Giant Bunnies!

How can anyone not smile at these?! By artist Michael Parekowhai at the Melbourne Art Fair. They're called Cosmo. Not sure how they'd fit in in your average semi though. Perhaps a garden ornament?!

Spotted on notcot.com

Studio 18 Hundred

Studio 18 Hundred design some beautifully silkscreened posters.

Finally - an online magazine that looks fantastic

No longer do we have to wait for that lovely US magazine NYLON to be shipped over by carrier pigeon! hurrah! And it still looks great online! yay! I am rather excited - I worry about myself sometimes...

Magpies will Love It

Karl Lagerfeld isn't usually a one to design something I'd sell my Grandmother for, but he's getting closer. This trinket-ey belt seen as part of Chanel's Autumn/Winter 2006-2007 Couture Show is part of a trend that (I think) is going to grow and grow. A bit of nostalgia made glam is hard not to like.