a Barista, a Luthier, a Tattoo artist and a Barber...

A few of my favorite videos from THE CRAFT & THE PRIDE series. 

Video 1: Introducing CARAVAN, Coffee Traders & Roastery located in London.

Video 2: Introducing Nick the "Luthier" of Wildwood Instruments located in Brunswick, VIC, Australia.

Video 3: Introducing The Family Business tattoo parlour, located in London.

Video 4: Introducing Waldorf Barbers located in Dublin, Ireland.

WAR HORSE...

Ok, so I caught the last hour or so of the Tony Awards last night.  It is silly, but I am still getting use to my new time zone.  Thankfully, the "rap-up" act at the end of the ceremony by Neil Patrick Harris was so fabulous that I immediately rushed to the official website to browse what I had missed.  
One of the winning creations, the WAR HORSE is another reason why I would love to go to NYC in the near future.  You can read more about the play here, but what is alluring to me is that the story is narrated by an English farm horse, Joey, as it survives on both sides of WWI.


My favorite fictional horse is Don Quixote's 'Rocinante' and 'Joey' brings him to live for me through these mesmerizing images. It is Puppetry at its best. I wonder if Cervantes ever considered telling the story of Don Quixote through the eyes of his most faithful companion, his horse Rocinante. 


Here is a great' behind the scenes' clip by fifty nine productions.





A few fast facts:


1. WAR HORSE premiered at the National Theatre in London in November of 2007.


2. Currently playing at the Lincoln Center Theater until January 2011. 


3. An adaptation from the novel by Michael Morpurgo.


4. Created in association with The Handspring Puppet Company and fifty nine productions.


5. Photography by Simon Annand.


6. Will be going to Toronto in 2012.

my second favorite. . .Brûlé (e)

A few weeks ago, I stopped by my favorite mag shop here in Montreal, MULTIMAGS on Mt. Royal Ave, and the cover of Monocle's February Issue stood out.  MONOCLE?  Where did this come from? The glossy cover immediately brought to mind the fabulous Wallpaper magazine (the good years, 1996-2002).  Well my curiosity lingered and I googled "Monocle and Wallpaper" when I got home, not really expecting a connection.  To my surprise, my instincts were right...the connection is the dandy fellow below...the CANADIAN born and founder of both Wallpaper + MONOCLE, Tyler Brûlé.  (I feel like I've arrived late to a fabulous party).


In case you are in the dark like I was about this creative entrepreneur, here are a few fast facts based on online finds...


1. Born to French-Canadian + Estonian parents. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1968.
2. His career started as a BBC reporter.
3. He launched Wallpaper in 1996.
4. He founded the creative agency, Winkreative in 1998.
5. He left Wallpaper in 2002.
6. He launched his second publication in 2007, MONOCLE (Headquartered in London, with offices in Tokyo, Zürich and New York.)

...

Images above: Tyler Brûlé portrait (photographer unknown) * Tyler Brûlé in the Monocle Weekly (photographer unknown) * logo of Monocle * the magazines shot is mine...my old Wallpapers with my first Monocle issue...


I think I want to make a poster of these 7 points (from cover above of issue 40. volume 4) 

HOW TO CHART A STEADY COURSE: 

1. KEEP FOCUSED ON WHAT LIES OVER THE HORIZON 

2. DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY TRENDS OR FADS   

3. KNOW WHAT YOUR BRAND STANDS FOR  

4. MAINTAIN A DIVERSE TALENT MIX   

5. INVEST IN SEEING THE WORLD  

6. BE TYRANNICAL WHEN IT COMES TO DETAILS  

7. CHANGE TACK THE MOMENT ITS NO LONGER FUN

. . . . . .

Monocle is not like Wallpaper, but it has similar characteristics and well Brûlé.  It is divided in five sections: affairs, business, culture, design and edit...read about them here. It is perfect for someone who likes a smart/worldly read with pictures, designed diagrams, unique ads that inspire (probably from sister company, Winkreative) and nice paper (for collages). I am all about the printed word with glamour.  NOTE: This will not replace my New Yorker, I just found it a handsome playmate.

It is a dense but brilliant read. My brain is now aware of the following thanks to the February Issue: 

1) Marisol Valles Garcia, the 20-year-old criminology student that is currently Praxedis G. Guerrero, México's chief of police (An extremely dangerous town).

2. About the film/TV dubbing industry in places like India, Italy and Germany...(hysterical)

3. Alberto Giacometti's 'Walking Man l' became the priciest sculpture and most expensive work of art ever sold at auction in Feb 2010.

I am still going through it...

Tick Tocking chandeliers...

Dresses The Colour of Time is an installation in London's Kensington Palace (the Cupola Room) for the exhibit, Enchanted Palace. The piece was designed by the fashion label Boudicca and it consists of four mechanical (deconstructed : constructed) dress forms suspended from chandeliers...The exhibit runs through January 2012...if only I ...


NOTE: The images for this post were borrowed from various blogs...I do not know their original source. FYI: Official photography was produced by Richard Lea-Hair for the Historic Royal Palaces.


I will be adding Brian Kirkby and Zowie Broach, the creative minds behind BOUDICCA, to my inspiring collaborations list.

Little White Lies...

Do any of you subscribe to this independent "movie" magazine from the UK, Little White Lies?  
I stumbled upon their YouTube video this morning and have been going through their website for a few hours now.  I am hooked.  Another amazing creation from the British...hmm.  The craft put into each issue is admirable.  Check out their FREE digital copies HERE.


prublished by: THE CHURCH OF LONDON, fascinating company.


A few of my favorite covers...