As an occasional contributor to Australian INfront, I felt particularly compelled to enter a submission to their 5th Visual Response design competition. The theme was WOMAN, and much like the title suggests, all entrants were required to design a visual response based on that theme.

After several setbacks with an alternate production method I designed and hand-forged this sterling silver ring as my entry. Although kind of hard to determine in these images, it has a highly polished exterior and a soft, graduating scratch finish across the ruffled lip.

The Nymphae Ring did not make the top 20 but it was the only entry of it’s kind – that is to say, the only three dimensional response to the theme (although I couldn’t physically submit the three dimensional object so it had to be photographed and submitted that way).

When Lorena came to me last year with the proposal of featuring a higher rotation of fashion-based design content on Australian INfront she was met with a lot of resistance from the community, predominately in two-dimensional design fields who saw no merit in something as “frivolous” as fashion design. I would like to think that with my three-dimensional object design and manufacture – that I might inspire and encourage other non-typical two-dimensional Australian designers to partake in such a wonderful community-driven competition to help spread the word that there is more to real design than what is rendered on a computer screen.

The Nymphae Ring is a one-of-a-kind piece and is available for sale. Please e-mail lost@ seaofghosts.com with enquiries.

Silver Black Cycle by Melbourne-based digital artist Rhett Dashwood.

This piece was commissioned by Casio to produce a moving image piece inspired by the theme of ‘time’. Using circles as a symbol of time; decaying particles and undulating waves transition throughout the animated work to show that the only constant is change. The piece then loops to begin a new life cycle.

Reflections on iterated surfaces and space by Aldo Tolino

For Paul Mosig and Rachel Peachy, the creatives behind the boutique Melbourne-based design studio Racket, it’s their interests in sustainable practice, community engagement & cultural development that help give their award-winning work a unique spark. Highly stylised and thoughtfully executed, Racket’s portfolio of graphic, web, print design, photography and art is cohesive and harmonious; full of integrity, beauty and wonder.

]]> http://www.seaofghosts.com/2010/09/racket/feed/ 2 http://www.seaofghosts.com/2010/06/tim-burton-the-exhibition/ http://www.seaofghosts.com/2010/06/tim-burton-the-exhibition/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:50:14 +0000 Miss Ghost http://www.seaofghosts.com/?p=2533

Direct from the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Tim Burton: The Exhibition explores the art and imagination of one of Hollywood’s most unique filmmakers. An Australian exclusive, the landmark show brings together over 700 examples of concept designs, drawings, paintings, photographs, puppets, costumes and films. This extraordinary range of artworks charts Burton’s 28-year career from his earliest works to his most recent portrayal of Alice In Wonderland.

I was delighted to have been invited by ACMI and Nuffnang to review the exhibition and visit the Burton Bar. Arriving at just the right moment, I was also very lucky to get a seat in the Masterclass with Burton hosted by Margaret Pomeranz.

In the Masterclass Burton discussed growing up feeling normal but being treated like an outsider, and how he empathised with the antagonists in horror films as a child. It was such a fantastic experience being able to hear in his own words his choices and inspirations behinds his most famous works. Sadly Burton did not have the opportunity to go into more detail about his work as an artist; I would have loved to have known more about his choice to go back to poetry and art with the release of his book The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy in 1997 after a slew of cinematic successes.

Although I’ve felt less of an affinity with several of Burton’s more recent film re-visitations (you couldn’t really call them re-makes when generally they’re all vastly different to their original counterparts) I’ve been a dedicated appreciator of Burton’s highly stylised and delightfully deranged artistry for many years.

A feast for the senses, Tim Burton: The Exhibition is the largest temporary exhibition to ever be staged at ACMI. Curated in three thematic sections; Surviving Burbank, Beautifying Burbank and Beyond Burbank; the exhibition includes several elements not previously seen at MoMA. I loved the exhibition so much I’ll most certainly be returning before it closes on the 10th of October.

Thanks to ACMI and Nuffnang, I have five “buy one get one free” passes for Tim Burton: The Exhibition to give away. ENTRIES ARE CLOSED. Thank you for entering – if you’ve won you’ll be notified via e-mail! xo

Post sponsored by Nuffnang.

More stunning art by Kate MacDowell.

Kate MacDowell

Evolution is life. Stasis is death.

So says the website of Enfants Perdus, a men’s jewellery label by designer Quatre Tsien who splits his time between Toronto and New York. Tsien produces intricate, dark romantic pieces from 18ct gold and sterling silver studded with diamonds, pearls and quartz featuring skulls and orchids. His current collection, Miligram, is touted as the gothic exaltation of spirit, and the art nouveau glorification of life.

Salvador Dali and Elsa Schiaparelli’s Skeleton Dress.

Necklaces by Swiss artist Kiko Gianocca and Bracelets by Japanese-born Australian artist Mari Funaki.