Tag Archives: film

God’s Own Junkyard

ImageToday I headed up to Walthamstow to visit Chris Bracey’s huge studio on Vallentin Road – God’s Own Junkyard. Peeking through the locked iron gates, it really does look just like a junkyard, but once inside it’s like an Aladdin’s cave of neon treasures.Chris Bracey studioI don’t know whether it’s because of the junkyard’s location, or if it’s because not that many people know about it, but when my friend and I showed up at around 2pm on a Saturday – a peak time for visitors in most places – we were lucky enough to be the only people there.The man who works there, John, is really friendly and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of pretty much everything stored in the studio. He was happy to show us round, pointing out props and signs that had been in various films, like Tombraider, Eyes Wide Shut, and the newest installment of the Iron Man films – a huge ‘STARK’ sign. I really can’t recommend this place enough; I’ve never been anywhere else like it!Neon art

Google Doodle: Saul Bass

2 Saul Bass Google Doodle3 Saul Bass Google Doodle4 Saul Bass Google Doodle5 Saul Bass Google Doodle6 Saul Bass Google Doodle7 Saul Bass Google Doodle8 Saul Bass Google Doodle9 Saul Bass Google Doodle10 Saul Bass Google Doodle11 Saul Bass Google Doodle12 Saul Bass Google Doodle13 Saul Bass Google DoodleAnimated tribute to legendary graphic designer, Saul Bass, on Google today – amazing.

The Bilinda Butchers – Careless Teens

ImageImageImageImageAww. This video for ‘Careless Teens’ by The Bilinda Butchers is really priddy and makes me yearn for a lazy sunny day where I can just do whatever I feel like. I discovered this band a couple of months ago when I first heard ‘The Lovers’ Suicide’, which also made me think of the weather. It was March and still snowing a lot in London, so it felt strangely appropriate to be listening to the lines: “Like a flower can’t bloom in the snow / We can’t hide, we can’t grow!”

Don’t you think that this video is almost like a lookbook for some kind of hipster fashion brand, like Wildfox or Cheap Monday, or something? When I saw it, I felt that it evoked a real girly ‘Tumblr’ aesthetic. Hopefully the maker of the video, Vanesa Capitaine, won’t be offended by that description – she does seem to use Tumblr a fair bit!

Cardio Cinema

ImageI so wish that they had this in my gym! Instead, they play Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj videos…

Still Corners – Berlin Lovers

Berlin LoversThis video for Still Corners’ new single ‘Berlin Lovers’ is lovely. It was directed by Christian Sorensen Hansen and reminds me a bit of Christiane F, but without the heroin. Imagine that Christiane F. and Detlev are a lot more innocent – just two regular teens who don’t inject smack into their veins, or give strangers handjobs for drug money – and this is pretty much it. Considering the song is called ‘Berlin Lovers’, perhaps the similarities aren’t even a coincidence. Either way, I like it.

Creepy Panda Hotel Is Creepy.

Panda Hotel PianoPanda Hotel BedroomThere is something quite uncanny about these photos of a panda-themed hotel that opened in 2011 in Hong Kong. The way that these panda mascots are just casually inserted into the hotel’s plush interior gives a chilling, eerie feel to these otherwise dull press shots. These characters could be a sinister mix of the Scream killer, that rabbit from Donnie Darko and Pedobear! The idea of this hotel definitely doesn’t appeal to me, although it is probably more targeted towards families with children.
Also, my thoughts on these images might have been significantly influenced by this hilarious Egyptian campaign for Panda cheese…

Trip The Light Fantastic

Jessica Eaton Rainbow CubeJessica Eaton PhotographyJessica Eaton Colour WheelThese vibrant compositions aren’t abstract paintings or prints – they are photographs! The pictures were taken by Montreal-based photographer Jessica Eaton, who uses a method called ‘additive colour separation’ to create these effects. By photographing blocks using motion blur or stepped multiple exposures, Eaton causes the blocks to blend together. There is no digital trickery involved, either. Although Eaton says that digital photography and Photoshop helped her to conceive her work, she uses an analogue 4×5 large format camera.

Kim Pimmel Light StudiesKim Pimmel ExperimentalKim Pimmel Long ExposureWhile the solidity of Jessica Eaton’s pieces make them really intriguing, these light studies by Kim Pimmel possess a fluid movement that works well with the translucency of the neon lights. The San Franciscan UI designer and photographer creates mesmerising long exposure light photographs. To achieve these images, Pimmel uses common objects and simple technology; such as LEDs, phone screens and ping pong balls. More of his light studies are on Flickr, but you should definitely watch his ‘Light Drive‘ video – a stop motion sequence of his light study photographs.

Broadway By Light

Broadway by LightThis 1958 avant-garde film, ‘Broadway by Light’, was the first film made by acclaimed American photographer and filmmaker, William Klein. The short feature shows the dizzying lights and logos that dominate Times Square and illuminate one of New York’s most iconic locations. ‘Broadway by Light’ was declared by Orson Welles to be, “The first film I’ve seen in which colour was absolutely necessary.”

Carousels – Over Me

Carousels bandHere is my favourite song off the ‘Pop’ EP from Cambridge-based shoegazers, Carousels. This isn’t the official video, but someone on Youtube has combined ‘Over Me’ with some nice clips of everyone’s favourite narcoleptic – River Phoneix’s character in ‘My Own Private Idaho’! Drink it in with your eyes and ears…

Shangri-La: It’s In Our Nature

I’ve only just seen this ad campaign but thought I’d post it because of the wintry imagery and enchanting narrative – it feels kind of festive, plus I absolutely love wolves!

The video was directed by Bruno Aveillan, who was also behind the wonderful ‘L’Odyssée de Cartier’ ad from earlier in the year.