The art of imagination on a grand scale

There's something about the scale of the work by these two artists that takes a simple idea and makes it profound.

Heather Benning re-imagines an abandoned farmhouse as a gigantic dollhouse, while Doris Salcedo uses the humble wooden chair to make a searing political statement.

Both artists are working with the memory of objects - pieces of furniture suffused with the sights and sounds and smells of the people who used them so that, in their re-use as sculpture, we see not only the object, but the memories it throws in our faces. Beautiful stuff.

(above) The Dollhouse by Heather Bennings. Photo credit Heather Bennings

(above) Instillation by Doris Salcedo. Photo credit: Sergio Cavijo

The birth of a logo - a peek into our creative process

Ever wondered how a logo is developed? It's a potent symbol that needs to convey a lot with a little, so care must be taken in the development phase to make sure it's the best fit for the job. So how do we do it?

Take a look at the process we used for Zenibaker Architects - it's typical of our work. They were looking for a logo which would embody their architectural style and philosophy, communicate their brand personality, and differentiate them from their competitors. This was a particularly fun and challenging job because of the design aesthetic inherent in the client.

They loved our concepts and signed off on their favorite option almost on the spot!

(above) logo before

(above) conceptual exploration, Zenibaker projects

(above) sketching and brainstorming

(above) final logo presentation

(above) chosen logo option

(above) the new ZeniBaker website concept - should be ready to go live any day now.

Grace's shopping secrets #1 (the first in a series)

The best thing about shopping is...

i. finding exactly what I'm looking for

ii. finding something even better

iii. Melbourne's secret - quirky little shops with stuff you can't find anywhere else

iv. using OPEN to do all of the above

OPEN (http://signsaysopen.blogspot.com) is a wonderful little blog that points you towards great independent shops and cafes. Here's a few of my faves.

(above) Toolz - A lovely little clothing store with a simple Japanese inspired aesthetic

(above) Zakkaya - Japanese Goods - very special little things, great for gifting

(above) Wilkens & Kent - great for interesting, unique and crafty gifts

(above) Galerie Montmartre - Original Vintage Posters

Photo credit: Open

Virtuosic New York pipe organist bedazzles Melbourne

The pipe organ is undoubtedly one of the most difficult musical instruments to play. For two nights only as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, an extroardinary 28 year old virtuoso, Cameron Carpenter made light work of even the most serious organ repertoire.

One could say he redefines a typically conservative genre of music-making. His Liberace-style costumes - skin tight sequined lycra outfits for instance - were dazzling. His intensely personal delivery and unexpected yet surprisingly beautiful musical collaboration with English singer/sitar player, Bishi, made Cameron's performance arresting and truly unique.

Written by Darren (who, for some of you who may not know, is a pipe organist in his spare time!)

Take a look at these links: Watch him on YouTube, Cameron's website, Recent local press

Online Addiction # 2

(Our regular series on websites we love. This week: we're inspired!)

spezify - inspired web searching

Google was never this much fun. Type a word into new visual search engine Spezify and watch a dazzling array of content emerge in a mosaic of images that'll have your synapses pinging. We typed in 'helvetica' and...voila!

http://www.spezify.com

_

behindballet - inspired marketing

The Australian Ballet's blog is a fantastic example of building audience engagement through the internet. Focused on the AB's people and products, with stunning photography and a fascinating feedback section, this blog is very smart, and beautiful too.

http://www.behindballet.com/

Former Arts Minister launches retreat for Victoria’s writers

It's the definitive artist's dream: space, for mind, body and soul, to create. So imagine, if you will, a beautiful stone cottage, surrounded by lush grazing land and state forest, with a caretaker to do just that, and the pressures of life lifted for long enough to finish a manuscript, a screenplay, or some other artistic endeavour. And imagine, if you will, a former Victorian Arts Minister offering her family's country retreat for up to 10 months of the year to writers, composers and artists, at low or no cost.

Welcome to Rosebank Artist Retreat, the brainchild and gift, it must be said, of Mary Delahunty, former journalist and parliamentarian. In an interview with The Graceful Taylor, Mary told us that the Retreat began life as an idea some years ago, while she was still Arts Minister, that Victorian artists needed their own Varuna, their own Bundanon. She looked around Victoria for properties owned by the State that could be converted to residential artist retreats; no luck. Then, after her retirement from politics, a friend suggested that Delahunty's Mt Macedon property was already being utilised in this way by her network of artist friends, and she realised that the retreat she longed to develop was literally her own. She read the Visitor's Book: entry after entry expressing thanks for the creative space, many from artists and writers who had stayed three or four times. Rosebank Artist Retreat was born.

The Retreat is now administered by the Victorian Writer's Centre and you can apply at any time to stay at the cottage at low cost. A new Fellowships program, Writers @ Rosebank, closes on 9 October and offers free accommodation and a stipend for stays of up to 3 months. Plus, in January, a week-long 'draft-busting' intensive with Jane Cornall will be the first of many workshops to be offered at the Retreat.

From little things big things grow (thanks Paul and Kev). The new logo for Rosebank Artist Retreat, developed by Taylor & Grace, sets it up for a big creative future.

And why only 10 months of the year? Well, it seems only fair that the property's owner, now retired from politics, is allowed to spend some time there herself...writing, of course.

For further information, follow the links.

Rosebank Artist Retreat

Apply for a Fellowship