The Grammar of Ornament

A few weeks ago, I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) with my sister as the weather wasn't looking too great, and I'd been meaning to go here for a while now. It's described in the guide books as 'England's attic'. And I have to say they have it pretty much spot on. It is MASSIVE. There is so much stuff here that it's not funny. And it's hugely inspirational. There's everything from iron work (keys, locks, fences) to ceramic plates, musical instruments and even a room full of hanging persian carpets. Pretty amazing stuff.

There were two things that I absolutely loved there.

The first was a room that had all different periods of furniture, and right down the end they had Art Nouveau posters, handles and chairs. I love art nouveau, and I was left starting at a particular chair that I wish I could own.

The second thing was a room that I walked into that had a whole stack of prints and books in cabinets. These belong to a guy named Owen Jones. They are the most amazing designs I have ever seen. He was an architect working in the 1800s, and he wrote an amazing book called 'The Grammar of Ornament'. But that's not the best part. The prints on the walls were all these designs that he had copied from the Alhambra in Spain. Amazingly intricate geometric designs in all shades of the rainbow. Some were unfinished, and all were hand drawn. You could even see the pencil marks.

I was absolutely in awe and amazed by the skill of this guy. I love symmetrical and geometrical designs and this guy was a goldmine. I only wish I could get a copy of his book from 1856 (of which a copy sits in the V&A and which I was studying with amazement). Hopefully, I'll be able to find a reprint or something of it.

If you want to draw inspiration from it, have a look here. There's also some amazing plates here on the V&A website.

Album artwork

Muse have released the artwork for their new album, 'The Resistance' and I quite like it. It reminds me of the artwork for Origin of Symmetry...question is whether the singles will have similar artwork, or completely different like on 'Black holes and revelations'.

United States of Eurasia

Not sure if anyone has picked up or not, but I've been completely obsessed with Muse for the last few weeks...mainly due to the Ununited States of Eurasia treasure hunt.

For those that need recapping, it was a worldwide (well mainly Europe, Japan and Hong Kong and the USA) treasure hunt for these awesome looking USB keys (image courtesy of the awesome musewiki):



which contain an activation code to unlock parts of the song 'United States of Eurasia'. After the European/Asian countries unlocked their 'stations', they requested recognition by the USA, and of course its all been completed. And the end result is the first download off the new album 'The Resistance'.

NOW, this is a big song...starts off with a slow piano piece with some orchestra parts before breaking into a huge queen-esque build up. And the Queen comparison is pretty justified since its very similar...but it is still amazing. I can just imagine this song live and its sending shivers down my spine...and the great thing is that I will get to live this live as I've managed to get a ticket to one of their O2 shows in November. And, if all goes to the usual pattern of touring for Muse, it will mean that they will probably head to Australia either for the Big Day Out tour or at least do some shows - all of which I shall be attending.

So, if you've got the chance, head to the Ununited States of Eurasia microsite and get yourself an mp3 download of the song...mind you, you have to sing up...unless they have stopped sign up. In that case you're a little stuffed. I'm sure its up on you tube somewhere...but dont fret...I've found it for you:



All we have to do now is wait for September for the new album...which for me, after this little taster is a long wait!!!

laters,
evils

slacker...

Yes I know...I have been a big one. I haven't posted any photos, haven't shot any shows and haven't even updated!

I've decided that this blog is going to just generally be about all the creative things that I've done as well as some interesting things that I've discovered, as well as some cool shit that I've been looking at.

And the first think I'm going to talk about is the current treasure hunt that is going on for the new Muse album. They have a site up called 'The Ununited States of Eurasia', and its basically a treasure hunt around the world for a USB key that has a code to unlock parts of a track from their new album 'The Resistance'. So far, there has been 6 sites unlocked so 6 parts of the song have been loaded up. The current status is that they are awaiting someone to pick up the key from somewhere in New York city, so that the USA 'recognises' the USE :) It's pretty smart in the way that they have done it, and there are tickets to win for the person who unlocks the station - plus you get a pretty awesome looking USB stick.

And that's all in the lead up for their new album and tour...of which I have somehow managed to get a ticket for...the one band I wanted to see in the UK and I'm finally getting the chance...plus it's a chance to see their new material live before they eventually get back to Australia.

Also been getting into some designer toys lately. I've got my heart set on a lunartik in a cup by matt jones (see it here. He's a gorgeous little fella, and I've put my order in. Also, coverting one of these headphonies (in particular the C-Inked version), cos he's pretty special :)

Since my Visa is running out for working in London, I've been planning my inevitable return to Australia, and I've decided to go via Japan. I shall be going to some places where I didnt get to go to before...in particular Ikebukuro and its gachopan arcade that has 300+ machines.

Anyway, I need to go through all my photos and post some...cos I'm such a slacker!

Cheers,
Evils (the slacker!!!!)

my friends blog

my friend, sarah, has an amazing taste in music and she's one of my main sources for new bands and stuff thats interesting...anyway, i found her blog the other day...

A Danger State of Mind

check it out...

Architects @ Islington Academy

I had the pleasure of shooting an amazing band named Architects on last friday night at the Islington Academy...and mind you I was surprised by them. I'd heard of them from a friend back home who absolutely loved them, but I'd never got around to listening to any of their albums...and after friday, I've gotta go out and grab myself a copy of their album, Hollow Crown. Anyway, here are a couple of sneak peek photos from that shoot:











these pics will be up on planet loud soon (when the new website is launched) :)

Rediscovering old images...

I logged into my old photobucket account today...and saw all these images that I took back home in Australia...so now here they are again in their full glory :)

(Images: 1. Kelly Jones from Stereophonics, 2. Richard Jones from Stereophonics, 3. Ed Butcher formerly from I Killed the Prom Queen, 4. Shawn Harris from the Matches)
























I'll have to look through my harddrive to see if I have any other gems hiding away...