Tagged: photography
Photography Project: Four Corners of New Zealand
Recently I went to the opening of #fourcournersofnz by Richard Hodder: photography (at its’ absolute best) featuring landscapes of rich and wholesome ‘Kiwi’ land. By that I mean – Richard has captured the idyllic surfing waves in motion’, the uninterrupted countryside, majestic lakes, rugged ‘off the beaten track’ roads to paradise from Cape Reinga, Northland to Lake Hawea, Otago. Allpress roastery was brimming with friends & strangers eager to see what lined the walls. The ‘open’ and ‘limited’ edition works are available for sale from $300 upto $1350 (The Scoop @Allens Beach) to the general public. There are 23 works on exhibition from 15 – 25 July. I found out about this extraordinary photography project via Instagram @inthedrink. You need to go before it disappears – just saying.
Behind The Scenes: Photoshoot For LEW Performance
Photographer: Tim Butler-Jones
Stylist: Melissa Fergusson
Talent: Laura Ehlen-Wilson
MUA: Rebecca Alexander
Location: Good Fellas Fitness
Wardrobe: Lululemon, Nike, NZ Boxer
#SMCAKL Event: The Social Media Image Frenzy
After not attending a #smakl event for a while – I was really looking forward to engaging with the ‘specialist’ panel of speakers: Ricardo Simich (Editor Spy HoS), Bradley Ambrose (award-winning photographer), Arran Birchenough (Getty Images ANZ) & Mark Sagar (Lab for Animate Technologies) who all shared their valuable dogma, about the selfie-obsessed society we live in today. Some are the question raised were concerning intellectual property and copyright – in reference to celebrity. Apparently, if you snap pictures in a public place – it’s your image. People (generally) create a lot of content imagery that is uploaded onto Facebook, SnapChat & Instagram. Nothing is private or protected anymore. Everything is transparent and available on Google. What about facial recognition? Have you had the experience before on Facebook when you are tagging people, and they are already recognised? One thing I did learn, is if you want to be published in social pages, newspaper or magazine – refrain from Instagramming and Snapchatting for the event. #SMCAKL always spoils it’s guests with flavoursome pizza, craft beer, wine & cider. Brilliant sponsors. I fell in love with the ‘Playground People’ Instagram Printer – that prints images (similar to a Polaroid, but bigger) that you upload with a hashtag. I know why I love social – it just keeps evolving and being disruptive; without predictability.
Hippest Cafe in Auckland: Lot 23
Lot 23 is a place that you may read about in ‘Viva’; then make the (conscious) decision to visit, before it’s everyone’s hang-out.
Located in Minnie Street, Eden Terrace which happens to be where TVNZ ‘Step Dave’s’ (blue) house is situated!
As you enter the space: walls are filled with the latest art curated by Natalie Tozer, concrete floor, wooden old-school chairs, complimented with a super-slick white interior that acts as a great canvas for everything art!
The menu is delectable: ‘Ugly bagels’ topped with lashings of cream cheese, capers and fresh salmon, daily soup choice/s, croissant filled with Camembert, tomato and ham off the bone, ‘Baghdad eggs’ and coconut ice!
Every mouthful is ‘gastronomy’ and flavoursome. I particularly love the ‘Brazilian coffee’ that stimulates the senses – like coffee should.
I can’t get enough of Lot 23.
Interview with Helen Clegg
1. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
The prospect of a new day I find really exciting, I’m definitely a morning person, I love the feeling of being fresh out of bed and I’m most productive in the mornings. That and coffee, coffee gets me out of bed in the morning.
2. When did you discover photography?
I’ve always played with my parents’ cameras for as long as I can remember, although it was when I was 8 years old and had just started a new primary school when I really fell in love with photography – this school had a photography club and darkroom classes, something I’d never come across before, that’s when I discovered photography as an artform and it’s been my medium of choice ever since.
3. What is your favourite colour?
It’s hard to pick one favourite, I’m a very colourful person and my preferred colour changes over time. I love grey, it’s so versatile, complements all other colours perfectly, and is so diverse in it’s range – it can be warm or cold, light or dark, and takes on aspects of all other colours.
4. What is one thing you would change about the world – if you could?
I don’t have an answer to this question, there’s just too much to list. I’m definitely an optimist, but I realise that that’s very easy when you’re coming from the privileged position of living in the “developed world”. I suppose I’d like to see living become easier for everyone on this planet. Just don’t ask me how.
5. Do you believe in fate?
No. I’m very much a “take each day as it comes” type of person, I don’t like to think that it’s all pre-decided, that there’s nothing we can do to change our future, it’s unsettling.
6. Who is your inspiration?
I have many inspirations, but my mother would be my main one. She’s a courageous, generous, honest and kind woman, and inspires me everyday. My artistic inspirations vary far and wide, and change like my favourite colour changes.
7. When it comes to chocolate – Cadbury or Whittakers?
I’m not really a big chocolate person but if I’d have to choose it’d be Whittakers – when I do eat chocolate it’s dark chocolate.
8. Do you prefer high heels or flats?
Flats, and more specifically flat boots. There’s very little worse in life than cold toes! (Or sore feet from heels, I rarely wear them, what’s worth the pain?)
9. Are you scared of spiders?
No.
10. What makes you happy?
So many things – sunshine, landscape, friends, cake and cats to name a few. And my partner, waking up next to him everyday makes me happy.
Helen Clegg exhibits at Lot23
Auckland based, UK born artist, Helen Clegg (b. 1988), recipient of the NZAAT Emerging Artist Award in early 2013, is set to open her second solo exhibition The Bridge Gathers, (2014) as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography.
Alongside Helen’s exhibition in the gallery which runs from May 29th – June 20th, we have a unique experience to offer for our visitors and fringe festival goers for one night only – 3rd June 2014. The box throughout Helen’s series will be situated in the LOT23 Studio, and the audience invited to explore the set and participate in the scene. They’ll be able to interact with the box and take their own photograph, as Helen does. These images will be broadcast into the gallery via live feed and available online to download, tag and share. It will undoubtedly be a very fun and engaging evening.
About Helen Clegg’s work.
Helen’s art practice both draws on and challenges the traditional parameters of performance, self-portraiture, and landscape photography. Her work displays a consistent signature of using her own body in a way that blends with the environment though very consciously posed. Keeping the black cable release deliberately visible engages the viewer, and connects her as both internally and externally in control of the image, although she never engages the camera with her face. Landscape in Clegg’s work takes on an element of theatre, not only a stage for her to explore human sensibility by acting and reacting with the surrounds, but also a counterpart and aide within the photograph.
Working with analogue film slows her process. This slowing down between the performed momentary gesture and the photographic print, further distils an anti-immediacy into each image.This anti immediacy complements the deliberate and intuitive manner with which she composes each frame.
Semi-Permanent Auckland 2014
“Get inspired.” One of the key messages (amplifying) from this event. How the heck couldn’t you, with such mind-blowing storytellers? Speakers: Ian Wharton (Creative Director), Tiffany Bozic (Artist), Ashley Gilbertson (Photojournalist), Augustin Teboul (Fashion designers), Matt Willey (Graphic Designer), Galon Levin (Artist) and Abbot Miller (Partner) kicked off on the first day.
Ashley Gilbertson spoke about his time on the ground in Iraq (2002-2008) photographing immediate imagery of warfare and the human experience. What a ‘profound encounter’ of truth, conflict and bravery. Seeing pictures of bloody (dead) bodies, explosions, destruction and ‘a collection of photos of intact bedrooms of service members who died in Iraq and Afghanistan’ captivated the audience into utter silence. Incredible. Touching – nearly to the point of tears. No one will ever forget those (human) stories.
Fashion designers: Annelie Augustin and Odely Teboul provoked with their “black is our universe” collections. Having only launched in 2011, they have worked with musicians like ‘
Lady Gaga’ to create haute couture garments, and have been heavily published in the world-wide press. From humble beginnings (living in a tent due to pennilessness), they now both live in Berlin and collaborate with the local community to make their wares. They find inspiration through “creative accidents.”
Brilliant.
Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the second day – however I got my ‘quota’ of inspiration from the stories I heard, aplenty.
Looking forward to the 11th year!
Vintage Is My Achilles’ Heel
There is something about the ‘aesthetics’ of vintage things – whether it is (motor) scooters, tea trolleys, vinyl, burlesque-influenced wigs, tailored clothing, or quirky mirrors.
Filming today (in one of my favourite locations) was inspiringly eclectic, with majestic backdrops – from bookshelves crammed with romantic novels to kitsch furniture, dainty crockery, and dismembered mannequins.
People like Bettie Page, Marilyn Monroe and Dita Von Teese – all radiate femininity and glamour.
Buying ‘vintage’ from all over the world – is definitely dreamy.
Great cars too.
Photography
One of my favourite photographers of all time, is Helmut Newton. I (lucidly) remember picking up a newspaper 9 years ago, to read, that he had been killed in a car accident. His cadillac sped out of control and crashed into a wall, in Los Angeles. He was 83, died on January 23, 2004. His black-and-white (risque) images were known throughout the world, appearing in the tabloids and fashion magazines, such as Vogue and Elle. He pushed the boundaries with gender, fashion and art. His most famous photo, the ‘Self Portrait with Wife & Models, 1981’ was valued upto (US)$140,000 apparently auctioned last year at Christie’s London. I can only afford his collections, in books.
melissafergusson 