Mixplay

A celebration of the sexes

Medicom Life is distributing the re-production of Herman Makkink‘s “Rocking Machine” chair made famous by A Clockwork Orange. Having just completed an exhaustive month doing up my portfolio, I’ve been thinking a great deal about the intersection of art and design -and ultimately the trajectory of my future within it. Here’s a quote from the artist on the creation of the iconic piece and the inclusion of it in the film that I found quite amusing and apt:

“The Rocking Machine and the Christ Unlimited figures were not designed especially for A Clockwork Orange. They formed part of my studio work at the time, and, after seeing them there, Kubrick wanted to use them for the film because they probably had the futuristic look he and his wife wanted.

In the late sixties and early seventies, we, London based artists, felt terribly hip. We didn’t want to fight the establishment so much as shock them.

Pop Art was in full swing and so was the sexual revolution, so I combined a penis with a beautifully shaped female rear in fibre glass. I thought this would be really shocking. I thought I could make the object move by constructing a heavy pendulum swing inside. To my surprise I found that it made an irregular movement, so I exaggerated that by adding extra weights in various places. That resulted in Rocking Machine’s specific jerky motion.”

That jerky motion is forever imprinted on my brain. Hilarious! A marvel of physics, industrial design and art, all at once. But the question still remains: Functional and pragmatic design vs. the fantastical and arty? I should think that both can co-exist.

A sofa of one’s own

Looking for a sofa faithful to one’s personality and lifestyle is a difficult task. Finding the perfect model for one’s home and then trying to figure out how to get it from Japan to Eastern Canada is another matter. I simply refuse to submit to yupster furniture and the requisite ridiculously large “luxury” sofas, and this Medicom Life sofa upholstered in a print by Genevieve Gaukler is the perfect antidote. It even retains a certain DIY element that is much appreciated. While I play the waiting game on a particular hunter green cord l-shaped mid-century modern sofa that shall remain nameless, this one comes a close second.

Screenprints please

I have a small obsession with Jean Seberg which began at age thirteen when I first saw À bout de souffle. Her unique gamine beauty was always utterly captivating no matter how many times I’d watched the film (over twenty without question). Piggybacking on UE’s Jean bio post and her intriguing but tragic life story, I add my tribute screenprints.

Prints please

I am in need of a sturdy canvas bag capable of hauling some brutally heavy books. Dominique Picquier‘s tote is most apt, and her wonderful prints are divine – they make the backache worthwhile…

Personal best

(Photo via refinery29)

Snazzy and happy=very nice.

With ease

Shoe shop Té Casan seems to make the business of footwear design seem so easy. Seven designers produce a shoe exclusive per week (each in a very limited number), they’re produced and sold by the company through their retail store(s). What seems marvellous in this situation is that the relationship between the designer, company and consumer is open and a nurturing one. These aren’t faceless designers working under a label, each of them is profiled in detail and their collections distinct of one another, the label is all about the individual designers. I particularly like Zoe Lee and Niki Robinson‘s respective collections.

Having just watched the CBC doc High Heel Confidential just the other night (which was cheesily produced but had great participants/interviews), and just being totally inspired with the emerging footwear designers out there, I wonder once again if the life of a cobbler is calling me.

Three loves

It’s beautiful when things you love just come together seamlessly.  Here it’s rick rack, buttons and tuxedo shirts.  Valentine Leung‘s spring collection is nothing less than adorable.

I heart Rittenhouse

Australian label Rittenhouse has created its own niche. Not quite streetwear, not quite girly, not quite preppy, it really has a distinct, can’t-put-your-finger-on-it look. The colour palettes are muted often with a couple pops of print and brights, what takes the cake is how well it is made and the sweet details. I have their black quilted collarless jacket which I recently acquired at One of a Few in Vancouver that is sturdy as hell, has a great tailored fit and surprise! features a lovely red and white printed lining. The the fabric feels like a Japanese cotton in its weight and the rich black amazing. It actually comes from the s/s 2006 collection, but it seems like all of their clothing is functionally seasonless – I guess that’s what happens when designing collections in the Southern Hemisphere. Think of it as a more playful, less austere A.P.C.

I found a reason…

…to come out of purchase abstinence. The Boyy Frank bag. I’m entering an era where I feel it would be nice to have a grown-up ladies handbag where there aren’t any over the top extras added, just something subtle, well-made, and refined. This one is it.

The other members of the Ratt Pakk are just as sexy, but I love the shoulder strap and handle combination on this one coupled with the secret compartment to stowaway unmentionables. This is a bag I could see growing old with.