Caving into Porn and Design Paleo Style

There are many architectural movements no doubt 1000's to explore. 

Mid Century to Brutalist is the range that serves me best, its is my little luscious niche. I find it all very stimulating, the lines, the space, the colours the textures, it percolates in my head.  I must confess great design is the porn I choose, I pore over it, it gives me the jolt I am looking for.

Recently I found these stunning examples of design and it stuck me what truly resonates at the core of good and great architectural design. A building or structure can connect with you at your core in a Palaeolithic subconscious sense. This house below is cave like appearing to be encapsulated by the earth and trees the timber and lighting emulates a flame like warmth inviting you inside.

This reptilian inspiration is undeniably animal as it negotiates its way through the interior of this restaurant. Damn fine!

Awesome in scale this building is part limestone cave interior, part sun lit sap dripping from a tree, it reminds me both of beetle and armadillo shell this creation is magnificent and inspired.

We are all part animal and we hear the wild wild call no matter how far removed from deep inside of us we may think it is. Our hidden paleo past pings into existence even if it is triggered by the most civilised escalation of our expression and development.

While marvelling at the technology and genius it takes to create these magnificent buildings from deep inside me comes a very reassuring 'Ugg.'

SHES A MOD ::: 1960's FASHION

Note the dancing,

note the high high guitars,

note the high 'tight' rever collars on the suit jackets that mirror a little boys school shirt.

MOD - From the word Modern.

The Mod fashion movement was a Modern response to previous and current fashion of the time, it was fashion forward, had a new fit a graphic trend. The 'neat' suit fit, stand away A-line dresses, helmets, mod boots - swoon!, Vespa scooters, Mary Quant, Pucci, Biba and Pierre Cardin define the Mod fashion look.

Eking out its own style post beatnik, Mod style was considered very radical for its time and achieved  its peak during the 1960's. It wasn't for everyone and in a time when fashion was strictly segmented by age - at 30 you were well and truly over the hill and clad accordingly. This was youth fashion at its finest.

If you were a Mod you were current, bold, fashion forward before the term had evolved. Being a mod was a radical statement to society. Mods lived the life. Haircuts are truly definitive in particular this was heightened bob, asymmetrical, short - the the 1950's beehive deflated and redesigned.

For the first time in the 20th century androgyny creeps in, men and women can cut the same silhouette in a jacket or pant.

Black, white, navy and cream, teamed with red. Very British by nature translated beautifully by the Italian designers, the mod movement embraced 'the dance', mods can be very hard core and usually the look was paired with an attitude to match, it was not for the faint hearted. Becoming a mod took commitment...head to toe, Mods were rebels.

If I was committing to the look authentically today this is what I might attire ones self in.

The cardigan clad dressed down mod - still teetering on the soft 60's trend and bordering on beatnik. I love this image could be Portobello Rd mid 60's.

Or strictly mod - high fashion style

 and this might be my work wear.

Go Mod!

Memphis Design 1980's Style ::: National Gallery Of Victoria

Recently I went to the NGV and laughed at myself when I came across these perfect examples of Memphis Design. The movement was at its height during the 1980's it was seen everywhere and I loved it. I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven if owned this chair and book shelf. To me they epitomise the look. Colourful, restrained yet gaudy, childish yet intelligent, functional art.

'First Chair' by Michele De Lucchi 1983. Bookshelf 'The King' by Ettore Sottsass 1981.

Memphis design exploded onto and into every facet of design - it was like a showbag 

vomited on everything; fashion, restaurants, nightclubs, music clips and every available 

page and design element imaginable. I still have some very lurid giant earrings that I
covet that are true to the design aesthetic.

As I continued through the gallery musing on the direct evidence and influence of
Bauhaus and Mid century design that led to Memphis I came across the following
pieces that are way off the mark in the timeline and were clearly anomalies at their
time - that scream 80's Memphis Design to me. I found it quite interesting and thought
I would share. 

                        

The details of this mirror simply read : England manufacturer 1810

                                                               

This mirror looks every bit an 1980's spectacular.

Christopher DRESSER designer Tea service 1879

Christoper DRESSER designer Letter rack 1881

The ball elements and sense of scale on the silverware above are 100% Memphis

to me.

Joseph CSAKY Abstract sculpture 1919 cast 1960 3/6

Although this sculpture does have some deco feel it could just have easily sat in an

80's Memphis theme.

Barbara HEPWORTH Eidos 1947

This gorgeous piece almost crosses over to pop art and sits on the fence, mid century/Memphis?

Jacob EPSTEIN Sunflower 1912-13

Classic sunburst element here. 

I also came across this stunning portrait simply entitled Girl in Black I found her image 

completely compelling and very intriguing, interestingly I thought she would be 

amazing during any decade. Her hair and clothing could be reflective of so many eras.

Gerald leslie BROCKHURST Girl in Black 1930's

Style and design can definitely transcend time and peal throughout the global consciousness in a seemingly erratic way filtering through again and again during different times and trends, like a beautiful key aesthetic that wont go away.

::: CROSS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES :::

I am a natural promoter.

I don't where it stems from but if I like something I will share the information and literally promote it. There is no reciprocal agreement its not about gain the motivation is in the sharing of the joy I have found in the product, person, service. item or company.

Feels like a altruistic gesture when I can genuinely share the appreciation I have with others. Genuine is the key factor it has to grab me / impress me. Once that's happened I shamelessly sing the praises of...

My belief is that great work or service should be recognized great character too.

Integrity.

I think I have an affinity for neatly tying in people, needs, making connections, remembering requirements and have that kind of focus, its an inbuilt radar I have. Sometimes it works with the exclusion of myself, I can simply introduce the two needs and they ride off into the sunset with a happy alliance in place.

Hopefully the outward happy ripple creeps back in.

Giving praise is contagious...

and I think it feels great.

Below is a short list of just some of the things, people, companies that impress me.

LETHBRIDGE GALLERY

Brilliant artists in their own right Joel and Brett promote talent as seen above.

DESIRE TO INSPIRE

Many an hour spent swooning at divine homes that inspire. Two clever women Kim and Jo bring you this incredible site.

MODERNIST AUSTRALIA

From the ridiculous to the sublime. Fibro shacks and real estate divine. Our young country doesn't have a lot of mid century to start with but these lovelies manage to track down whats left for us.