OSA/MERZEN/ - Cube Gallery

This exhibition was based on the reflection of the work of artist Kurt Schwitters, osa developed an accessible and tangible installation in the space of CUBE gallery in Manchester.  The installation refers to the collage technique of Schwitters’ called ‘Merz’, a method of rearranging collected objects such as papers, timber, wire, text snippets and paint.

YMCA Flag, Thank You, Ambleside, 1947 (mixed media) by Schwitters is the reference point osa are using in particular.

The installation transformed the gallery space by using materials collected and provided by the city of Manchester, with the aim to blur the border between existing space and installation i.e. frame and content.

When I got the email telling me about this exhibition I thought it was an interesting concept, and the point that drew me to go visit was the fact that the installation was inspired by the Merz style of Kurt Schwitters. 
When I walked in, it looked like a junk site.  Giving the gallery a chance, I went further in and realized how ‘merged’ the gallery did feel.  The shapes within the space of the gallery were transformed into a piece of art.  The most intriguing parts of the exhibition for me were how they had changed the angle of what looked like the ledge of the stairs.  And also the random door I saw when I walked out of the gallery, hovering in front of the RIBA book shop window with the text ‘osa merzen’.

Eye Candy Branding Design

I came across the Graphic Designer Thorbjørn Ankerstjerne while I was looking for inspiration on Fashion Branding.  I fell in love with his beautifully minimal designs. His clients include; Louis Vuitton, Qasimi, Blaak and Nike.

Qasimi Branding

Qasimi Anniversary Invitation

Qasimi Womenswear SS10 Invite

Eye Candy Experimental Film

Scintillation by Xavier Chassaing

Beautiful experimental film that has been made up of over 3,500 photographs, using stop motion animation and live projection.

Eye Candy Publication Design

On a shopping trip with a friend (well we were really going to all the boutique shops to see if we could pick up any nice look-books) I came across Agent Provocateur; a very high-end lingerie boutique.  I have walked passed it many times before and wanting to have a peep, but never had the guts to go in!
So I decided to go in thinking 'there would no harm in going in and asking for their look-book publications'.   And I am so glad I did, the woman was very helpful and gave me three publications they had and popped them into a bag for me.  The following photographs are of the three different publications;

Classics Collection

The classic range of the brand; subtle, sexy and not tacky.  The stock of the cover felt like velvety soft skin and had the brands name in spot varnish (looking hidden).

The layout of the pages is simplistic and lets the images do the talking with the purposely small font of just the name of the outfit.

Christmas Collection

The christmas range of the brand; a cheeky name to the collection with again a luxurious feel, with velvety soft stock for the cover and spot varnish title.  Simple garment photographs, with photo-shoots of the garments in action.  The format of the book hides pink pages within, hinting to the ‘intimacy’ of lingerie.

A/W Collection

A flip book, illustrating the provocative and sexy nature of the brands underwear range.

A woman posing and moving in a sexy manner infront of the viewer (seen through a TV screen layout).

Being so intrigued by the design, I wanted to know who had design them.  Looking for my answer I emailed them and got the reply;
"Please be informed that our in-house creative team, design our look books."

What a helpful reply! Eek it is annoying me that the designer/designers aren't able to get the credit?