Pattern Pulp

Trend: Framing the Conversation




Frame art has gotten a lot of airtime over the past few years.  From global recognition in the fashion world (see Tokyo streets and London runway), to providing a polished edge in home decorating, the familiar gilded border is experiencing a welcome role reversal.

A recent New York Times discussion of the Met’s current exhibition, The Pictures Generation (1974-1984), recognizes that Allan McCollum’s installation, Collection of Forty Plaster Surrogates, heightens a viewer’s awareness simply by highlighting the unexpected.  “McCollum’s works were not presented as decorative accessories or social commentary but as physical signs of the mechanical drives of existence—of repetitious behaviour and patterns of market-based relationships.”

Drawing inspiration from this trend, Lisa Rengtsson, a young designer from Sweden, has created wallpaper designed to frame personal moments and details from everyday life.  Entitled, Familjen,this pattern provides the structure for artsy types to create their own visual diaries.

Furthering the concept of the visual diary, this examination wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of Todd Selby, the extraordinary photographer and illustrator behind the website, The Selby.  On a weekly basis, Selby profiles interesting people within their own creative spaces.  This photo, for example, highlights Francois Curiel, the European Chairman at Christie’s Auction House.

Additional contributions by: Nicoletta Granati and Jennifer Machiavera

June 22, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Painterly Paths




bmw-expressionofjoy

“Not all artists are depressed,” is quite possibly be best tag line we’ve heard in a while. BMW’s latest Z4 campaign, Expression of Joy, has recently rolled out across several platforms, attempting to reach affluent customers of all of ages and interests.  BMW’s roadster has always been synonymous with intelligent design and has collaborated with select artists in the past to express this priority. Using GSD&M Idea City as their creative backbone, BMW has opted to jump into the driver seat this time around and let their product become the paintbrush, “While the original idea was to use the car to create artwork, over time, our thinking evolved from the final product to the process,” says David Matathia, VP and Idea Team Director at GSD&M Idea City. The results are both stunning and effective, as this vibrant spot translates seamlessly across all media platforms- be it print, tv, web, mobile or on premise entertainment.

tiretracks2

In an effort to embrace the concept, Expression of Joy, we decided to explore a few other products that inspire controlled chaos and negative space.  This Corallo Bag, a current feature on MoMA’s retail website, is an elegant, non-ending doodle that’s a durable alternative to the plastic throwaway.  Moving in a more literal direction, Hudson-Powell‘s patterned rug mimics tire tracks in the snow. Emulating tracks of another sort, Walter Onion’s wool and linen bed spreads are a minimalist and high-end interpretation of this trend.  This painterly Hurley bikini looks as if the roadster rolled over it while creating its 240 yard masterpiece.

Additional Contributions by Emily Gup.

May 18, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Linear Jumbles




barneys-southbeach

Over the weekend, I had the good fortune of escaping the cold wet city for Miami.  In between bouts of beach and people watching, I popped into the shops along Collins Ave to see if South Beach had more to offer than bedazzled Ed Hardy paraphernalia.  As predicted, Barney’s quenched my thirst for innovation.  I was astonished by the simple lighting solution that brightened the entire menswear floor.  “People will come from all over to visit the store, so we definitely wanted elements of memorability and surprise,” said Kent Wells, Director of Retail Planning and Design for RGLA .  Relying on new and creative ways to use utilitarian objects, Barney’s Miami CO-OP combined a mix of materials, fixturing systems and artisan objects to create an eclectic store environment, with an emphasis on wacky and fun.

dahlback-sunshineandshadow-jasperjohns

Speaking of wacky and fun, linear jumbles can be found across creative platforms in the homegoods, fashion and art worlds.  Åsa Dahlbäck, a Pattern Pulp favorite and recent interviewee, designed this vertically frenzied wallpaper from her studio in Sweden.  Each moving cluster is reminiscent of the motercycle traffic I experienced while traveling throughout South East Asia a few years ago- a snapshot of moving chaos. Lily Raskind, the founder and lead creative of Sunshine & Shadow, showcases boldly understated pieces in her Spring/Summer ’09 collection by combining feminine and masculine details.  At a quick glance, Raskind’s textiles look like an abstract version of pick-up-sticks.  Using color and line to create a maze of texture, Jasper Johns adds historical relevance to this trend in his untitled Lithograph from 1972, a work that’s currently on display at the MoMA.

April 20, 2009 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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