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Art and Design -- Part 2

Circada Books

Hidden Museum

Shaun Parr

Museum can be spiritual places.

They certainly are for me.

A place where I can lose my head, going from void to void to be filled.

There is obviously an array of museums with their own specializations and if we go back in time, say, roundabout four hundred years, collections were curated according to, how shall we put it, more eclectic and subjective criteria across a wide range of disciplines, e.g. anthropology, natural history, religion and everything in between.

Those collections were more cabinets of curiosity, also known as “Wunderkammern”, than “museums” by contemporary standards and this little book is dedicated to those wondrous phenomena, shedding light on specimen, samples from the realm of geography and history with an added twist:

They are portrayed in manners, which reveal a secret about their evolution or historical context.

The thoughtful gimmick the book comes equipped with is a little red magnifying glass that can be used to unveil illustrations hidden within taxidermic and scientific illustrations, which would normally remain hidden to the human eye, offering insight into a secret world.

Atlas of The Human Body

Kanitta Meechubot

According to Sigmund Freud, anatomy is destiny.

Honore de Balzac took it a tad further in his usual non-chalant manner and claimed that no man should marry a woman without having studied anatomy or even having dissected one. He would have loved Kanitta Meechubot’s book.

The beautifully illustrated large format book takes you on a curated journey through your bodily vessel in more than a literal way.

With a lot of attention to detail and with the employment of pencils with Kanitta Meechubot at the helm of the operation, we discover the human shell in all its different layers, which offers a unique perspective on something we all perceive to have seen a million times before.

What makes the book both interesting and endearing is the fact that despite the expertise that went into its creation, there is a childlike simple approach to it, which, along with the minimalism the design is informed by, makes it a book to be treasured and a nice addition to any eclectic library.

The Road Cyclist's Companion

Peter Drinkell

Guess you could call me a bike enthusiast.

Yup, I do think there is something borderline romantic about bikes – they are both things of beauty and utility.

Needless to say that The Road Cyclist’s Companion is right up my alley:

Despite not using my bike for racing but for the daily commute, once you do it on a regular basis you discover that there is quite a bit of etiquette and form to it.

Even if you are not a hardcore cyclist, it is interesting to learn not only fun- but also more serious facts about cycling in pacelines, techniques, training and the components comprising the kit every cyclist should own, et cetera.

A clear and accessible guidebook, richly illustrated with both illustrations and photographic evidence.

Peter Drinkell is also the man behind The Bike Owner's Handbook.

Whereas the previous title takes a holistic approach towards biking in general, The Bike Owner’s Handbook is more of a useful, distinct manual for bike maintenance, upkeep and repairs that might be needed.

Peter Drinkell explains in detail and in a way that speaks to both the professional as well as the newbie about the essentials of adjustments, repairs and anything that can be done to your two-wheeled vehicle.

Even if you perceive yourself as a luminary that knows all there is to know about your bike, it is interesting to see how Drinkell’s holistic approach illuminates how the individual components work together and which parts can have a seemingly unrelated impact on others.

More information on Circada can be found on their website.

For more, read Art and Design – Thames and Hudson special (Part 1).

What’s Sumatra With You? -- Part 3

Black, hot liquid gold makes the world go round.

Most like it hot but does it always have to be?

Ever tried cold extracted coffee?

I had not until I came across the liquid emissions of First Press Coffee, a company based out of Melbourne, Australia.

To explain what they do in a nutshell, picture First Press sourcing specialty graded coffee and letting it run through a specifically crafted and designed dripping apparatus to have the pure, black coffee gain a clean finish with subtle taste nuances.

The process itself is a time consuming one – we are talking ten hours plus – but the outcome is worth every minute of patience and based on First Press’ expert judgment on when to roast which specific bean strand to ensure that the nuances and complexity of the coffee can be tasted sans any overwhelming side-effects like bitterness or acidity that often accompany hot coffee extracts.

It took me a minute to get used to it, but once you transcend that initial threshold, you find yourself discovering nice little subtleties that usually get lost when coffee is served in a traditional manner. The fact that it lacks the acidity is an added bonus that your digestive system will thank you for.

Funny thing is that despite First Press’ cold drip being stronger than what I usually have, I do not find the need to add any other ingredients, e.g. milk or sweetener, as there is not need for neutralization.

I find the energy that First Press bestows on you to be sustaining, as it is less than a jolt and fells more like timed release that gives clarity and focus instead of resulting in jitters and agitation.

Needless to say that it is also convenient, as the little bottles can be stored in the fridge.

First Press comes in different variations, e.g. made with Brazilian coffee beans, The Little Kicker a double 100ml shot not only provides hints of hazelnut but also packs a solid punch to keep you going.

The Big Boy, is, well as the name suggests, the bigger equivalent.

If you cannot do without added flavor, The Black Cacao variant is a nice way to change it up. Based on the foundation of what goes into The Little

Kicker and The Big Boy, is has cocoa and a hint of coconut sugar added, which is subtle and not overpowering.

While cold drip coffee will certainly not replace my traditional habit of consuming coffee, it is a nice addition and has found its place in my fridge.

Read previous installments of What's Sumatra With You?, Part 1 & Part 2.

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Images from First Press website

Visit to Starward Distillery

What’s constitutes a “good whisky?

There are a myriad of distilling methods and tweaked processes that go into bottling the water of life, the quality of casks, with local contexts and climates adding their very own distinct coleur.

Whisky certainly is a libation that has a near religious following with their own approaches to their bellowed tippled.

Sure, a with everything to do with personal taste, there no single common denominator. One person’s favourite is another one’s disinfectant.

Yet a bottom-line I think most can agree on is that the price tag is not necessarily an indicator and that it needs to have character.

The ability to transport you to a different place. A journey that starts with the pour, continues via the unfolding of the smell and aromas and culminates with it allowing you access to its complexity and balance upon hitting the palate.

Enter Starward Distillery based in Melbourne, Australia.

Founded by David Vitale who initially set out to create a distinctively Australian whisky by using premium Australian wine barrels for the maturation of his liquid emissions in the local “four seasons within the confines of a day”-climate.

A feat David and his team have definitely accomplished with their accolade decorated Wine Cask Single Malt. Informed by the character derived from the maturation in individually selected steamed South Australian Shiraz Wine Casks, which are not charred in a bid to retain the unique wine profile and which resonates in the red ochre colouration, it brings a balance between savory and sweet to the plate that is rarely found.

It hits you upon the first sip with a strong, borderline harsh opening on both the nose and palate, yet immediately softens and shows its complex depth with full flavours comprised of nuances of fresh fruits via honey before it mellows out leaving spicy notes into a smooth finish.   

It gets better with each sip and becomes dangerously more-ish.

A new addition to the Starward line-up is their own idiosyncratic take on the (New) Old Fashioned bottled cocktail, created by their in-house bartending and distilling team, showcasing their trademark whisky in a marriage with their self-made bitters, and rounded off with their wattleseed demevara syrup.

Now, how does one define a great bar?

Sure, there are some essential components:

Service?

Décor?

Atmosphere?

Drink selection?

Bar snacks?

The small things?

Starward Distillery’s bar, sharing an industrial space with its functional distillery, for which dedicated tours are given, in Port Melbourne has got it down pat.

Friendly, and unobtrusive service provided by a consummate host – we were lucky to be guided through the evening by the ever charming and most knowledgeable Bryan and his team, which introduces you to witty and switched-on regulars to encourage conversation.

A delight.

A well-designed, practical and spaciously laid out bartender stations. Comfortable chairs.

Robust flooring meeting minimalist décor with great atmospheric lighting that gives the bar area a cozy, warm glow.

Music serenading the guests at an appropriate volume by a designated DJ.

Drink-wise, a varied selection of beers on draughts plus a well-curated bottled selection.

A large selection of premium choice liquor brands across all categories along with the odd quirky choice and limited special editions on a rotating roaster to keep things interesting, ensuring that a treasure is to be found with each visit.

And, of course, great selection of expertly made, well-balanced cocktails made using fresh ingredients served in suitable cold, stylish glassware.

If the Starward’s sublime whisky in itself is not an incentive enough to visit, the gem that is Starward Distillery’s atmospheric Bar definitely is, no matter the occasion.

The fact that the middle-aged taxi driver who brought me to Port Melbourne upon a peak inside felt enticed to enter the premises with me to check it out, only to then sit down for a drink and document the interior with his mobile phone speaks books about Starward Distillery Bar’s appeal.

Now, you like Gin you say or you need to drink it to fight scurvy?

The good ole, versatile spirit that mixes so well with both light and summery as well as heavier variants?

Do fret now – Starward Distillery has got you covered with their limited edition gin that is only available at aforementioned distillery.

The bottle and label looks charming – the gin equivalent to a record test pressing, with the emission being categorized as a mere “project” and the colour being more reminiscent of whisky than gin.

Their “Bathtub Gin” is appropriately named as it was made utilizing the cold-compounding method without further distillation, i.e. a bathtub with high-grade neutral grain, infusions of botanicals whose adage give it its distinct colour and a taste that offers the trademark juniper hit, yet, not unlike Starward’s whisky then gives way to a complex mélange of spices and an anise note.

I am usually not too big on gin yet Starward Distllery’s Bathtub variation proved to be the ideal foundation for a Negroni with its cinnamon character and sweet finish.

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Photos by @k.a.vv

The Spirit of Bauhaus

Thames & Hudson

Walter Gropius declared in his Bauhaus manifesto, which he penned in 1919 in Weimar and which forms the genesis of one of the twentieth century’s most influential schools of art and design, that all architects, sculptors and painters must return to their crafts.

Influences that led to the existence are manifold: From medieval cathedrals via arts and craft to William Morris pervading its myriad of experimental playgrounds and media: Wood, ceramics, metal, glass, painting, sculpturing, printing, design, architecture and photography.

The Spirit of the Bauhaus has set out to explore the pillars that form the foundation of the vibrant Bauhaus movement and to be a guide that makes one of the most prominent and influential approaches to art, design and architecture accessible and one that was meant to improve our world as a result of its influence and by embracing constructivism, expressionism, elements of dad and other schools of thoughts, with the production of affordable and beautiful objects and buildings.

276 illustrations depict the wealth of experimentation in all fields, the historical contexts, as well as the practical, cross-disciplinary courses, artisanship and theoretical curricula that formed the pedagogical model from 1919 until 1933, which culminated with the issuance of a diploma under the guidance of such avantgarde pioneers like Paul Klee, Wassily Kandisky, Marianne Brandt and Walter Peterhans.

The Spirit of Bauhaus is not a mere homage to a movement of the past but one that signifies the omnipresence and durability of its spirit to the present day and beyond.

Noma Bar – Bittersweet

Thames & Hudson

Noma Bar is quite something.

A magician channeling his alchemy in graphical design and illustrations. He has perfectioned the art of playing with perspectives and has a unique viewpoint that capture different angles simultaneously both in an intricate and the most simple manners.

Noma Bar has the gift and ability to see animals and people in objects and vice versa, to perceive things in a way that other would need psychedelica for to gain access to.

His art of masterful yet technical illusions and the way he sees our world is both mind-blowing and –opening and chances are you have come across it in some way or another as his emissions have infiltrated mainstream culture via ad campaigns and commissions by major publications.

Bar is able to detected the unique distinguishing features of people and objects, the lowest denominator, to then transport it in a sphere that is completely unrelated yet forms a symbiosis with the initial subject and what it stands for – in other words: Usually there is a message, a political comment and often humour that hits home much harder than e.g. photography as his art is subtle and unfolds its impact only upon further inspection.

Noma Bar’s innovative and playfully styled work and expert use of negative space usually starts as sketches, which are then both refined and reduced with the help of computer programs.

I will not give away any spoilers as to what can be detected in his carefully orchestrated, simple and ambiguous illustrations as it is fun to spend some time with them and be amazed by how it was assembled and the way in works on many levels as more and more meaning can be derived from it the closer you inspect it.

This tome is a must-have for anyone remotely interested in graphic design, illustrations, pop culture and politics.

Featherston

Thames & Hudson

You are familiar with Charles and Ray Eames’ “learning by doing approach”, their significant contributions as well as their heritage in terms of furniture and industrial design?

Now, if that is the case, the best way to describe Grant Featherston would be to frame him as the Australian equivalent.

Not unlike Eames’ most prominent emission, the lounge and ottoman, Featherstone also pioneered and worked with shaped and molded plywood with his Contour series being his most well-known creation.

What began with a breakthrough in terms of developing local production processes that in times of prohibitive transportation costs would allow the most sparsely parts of terra australis to experience modern décor without having access to an audience that was able to shell out what Eames was charging in the old world,

Featherston’s impact on Australian design can still be felt and reverberates through all facets of furniture design until the present day.

Featherston not only worked with wood, but a range of materials and eventually branched out into other design areas than furniture.

What makes this tome an enticing read is that the author Geoff Isaac perceives himself to be first and foremost a fan and collector of Featherston, much more than a mere subject matter expert.

His enthusiasm pervades every page, essay and is reflected in the miniscule research he has conducted to compile as much valuable information as possible for both the uninitiated as well as those unfamiliar with Featherston’s craft.

The book is richly illustrated and contains many depictions that are published here for the first time, some of which have been sourced through the Featherston family, who allowed Isaac access to their vault.

Flora Magnifica

Thames & Hudson

As Hans Christian Andersen ever so poignantly put it, merely living is not enough – one needs sunshine, freedom and a little flower. One of many of those souls that blossom in nature.

Flora Magnifica does more than merely documenting and depicting the beauty of flowers – the collaboration between flower artist Makoto and botanical photographer Shunsuke Shiinoki.

What they manage to achieve with their curated selection of plants is matching them in combinations that would not be conceivable in nature and thereby create something new – an aesthetic spawned by the beauty of existing flowers that is multiplied by the context they are put in.

It truly is a feast for the eyes and despite an overload of colours and vibrant images; Shiinoki and Makoto present them in a manner that does not seem contrived or artificial

The tome is structured into four chapters according to the four seasons, following the life cycle from the opening of petals to the beauty that spawns in seemingly averse winter conditions and pay homage to the overall transience of nature.

Needless to say that Flora Magnifica is truly a thing of beauty at times reminiscent of still life painting of the seventeenth century – not merely a book for the sake of art but a source of both meditation and inspiration that opens ones eyes to one’s surroundings that are often overlooked, i.e. the crossroads of nature and art, in a world that thrives on sensory overload.

Mazzy Star

Opera House

Sydney, Australia

June 11, 2018

Despite exerting a massive influence and having created their own lane, with crooners like Lana del Ray only being one of the more obvious epigones, Californian dream pop darlings Mazzy Star rarely incarnate on stages.

If they do, as they did tonight for the first time on terra australis after a career spanning three decades, it results in a natural extension of the aura of their songs.

The adjectives that could be best attributed to Hope Sandoval and her full backing band in a live environment – and they have been used time and time again to describe their oeuvre - would be “spacey”, “ethereal”, “haunting” and “beautiful”.

The ambience of the live presentation is enhanced by Hope’s shyness, as the set-up is deliberately stripped back, with her in the front performing in near darkness set against animated projections of desert landscapes floating and starry skies floating by in the background.

There is certainly something to be said for this approach as doing without frivolous ornamentation and showy asides puts the focus firmly on the melancholy of the music and Sandoval’s dreamy vocals.

The audience was mesmerized by the hypnotic performance and did not seem to mind the Hope’s lack of interaction, engagement and banter.

Rendering herself nearly invisible and only as an unaffected, dark silhouette makes her an instrument that blends in with the rest of the band and the séance that essentially makes a Mazzy Star live show. They perform at their own terms, which adds to the mystery and reduces what is being performed to its essence.

On the other hand one cannot help but understand why quite a few people exited halfway through the set as the ones not familiar with Hope’s shyness might have hoped to experience Mazzy Star in more than the audio version.

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Photo by Prudence Upton