Get it on your blog, girl

Crowd Funding: 1. Flaminio

2011-09-10T23:46:00.001+01:00

I went to Rome a few months ago to do a project with my friend, Kathryn (as part of her MA Architecture thesis)...

We are looking to print a lovely book to show and promote it (via crowd funding) - you can read all about it here and see if you might like to help us out.

Any money you invest will be rewarded - you'll see what wonders you can get for your dough via the link.

Same name, new blog

2011-01-31T00:48:00.003Z

I have mixed feelings about this blog, so decided to make a new one. Follow me here: http://newsinlibbyland.blogspot.com/

short cut

2010-08-24T10:47:00.003+01:00

My friend Kitty and I live really close. However, the Bridgewater Canal between us adds 20 minutes to the journey because of the position of the bridge. We will therefore be building a RAFT to solve the problem!

... if you would like to help us, or build your own raft, please come along!

Meet in the non-tarmaced area of Grappenhall Village Sports Club's car park (WA4 3HQ) at noon on bank holiday Monday 30th August with raft building materials and a picnic.

For further info, you can email me at hello@libbyscarlett.co.uk / call me on 07825180124.

Safety first

2010-05-09T10:00:00.004+01:00

Last night I went to the opening of Sur Place at Mediamatic, Amsterdam. They had built a bike track around the gallery, stretching to the walls so guests had to climb over the track inbetween boys speeding past on their fixed gear wheels.

There were only a few crashes into the audience: safety first. This would never get past health and safety in the UK!

God save the (Netherlands) Queen

2010-05-09T09:50:00.002+01:00

31st April sees The Netherlands celebrate their queen's birthday: QUEEN'S DAY! it would seem that she has a far more fun day of birth than old Elizabeth. Britain take note: here is how to make royal events fun.

The root vegetable bashing/cutting games were pretty genius.

Moolah

2010-05-08T16:15:00.003+01:00

Colors is a magazine, a website, CD's, documentaries and exhibitions that are part of the publishing activity of Fabrica, Benetton's communication research centre in Italy. It was established under the premise that diversity is positive and all cultures have equal value.

My lovely Italian friend, Daniela introduced me when she lent me her Colors issue 73 on money...

For the issue, Colors had money analysed in a lab and found substances such as oil, faeces and gold. Each section of the issue therefore corresponds to one of them and represents Fabrica's idea of it. The substances make up not only the chemstry of money but also its very exsistance - metaphors for non-conventional payments, inheritances, savings, transactions, bankruptcies and loans.

In several places in the world, people keep their savings in their mouth, as the man with gold teeth shows!

Basically, it is really interesting: I am signing up for a subscription.

Pig 05049

2010-02-15T23:01:00.003Z

I was introduced to Pig 05049 at Nijhof & Lee.

After its death, Pig number 05049 was shipped in parts throughout the world. Some products remain close to their original form and function while others differ dramatically.

The artist and author, Christien M eindertsma spent three years researching all the products made from a single pig. Amongst some of the more unexpected results were: ammunition, medicine, photo paper, heart valves, breaks, chewing gum, porcelain, cosmetics, cigarettes and conditioner. 'In an almost sergical way a pig is dissected in the pages of the book - resulting in a startling photo book where all the products are shown at their true scale (1:1).'

I'm so fascinated with this book and love the amount and thoroughness of research in it.

Scheepstimmermanstraat

2010-02-14T22:25:00.004Z

On recommendation of my architect-in-the-making friend, Kathryn, I went to see the street in Amsterdam where each house is designed by a different architect. Nice walk accompanied by Beruit. House with a tree growing through it wins...

Copenhagen Street Style

2010-02-10T23:31:00.002Z

So, this is the Copenhagen winter attire. I feel this is the exact outfit I need for cycling in the snow (not quite so far north, but it is bloody cold all the same). Am obsessed with the beautiful backpack too.

Copenhagen Street Style blog is super nice to browse through.

Amsterdam beginnings...

2010-02-07T19:18:00.006Z

This post is mainly for the benefit of Lucy, Kathryn and Mummy bear. So if you don't want to see my street, front door envy, actual front door, bedroom, bike, basket envy and place of work really don't bother to read any further.

This is my street...

all the doors on my street look like this...

... except for mine, which looks like this (nice to see!)

this is my bedroom - which only looks like this due to my new obsession with Zara Home (the doors go on to the balcony)...

here is my beautiful new (but old) bicycle...

... this is a girl who lives down my street's bike. I have serious basket envy...

and this is my new work place...

Tea all live in a yellow submarine

2010-02-06T21:17:00.003Z

I have wanted a lovely tea strainer so I can use tea leaves for ages now. Look at this one the I found on Frankie. How cute?

Officially part of the team!

2010-01-30T16:24:00.002Z

My name is officially on the Droog 'Luxury of The North' project team list! Its really happening.

Substitute the 'Welcome' for Goodbye

2010-01-30T01:03:00.003Z

So, today was my last day at Uscreates (substitute the 'Welcome' for Goodbye). We had a little party, that was more of a studio-warming than in aid of my departure, but I'll pretend I made that much of an impact in two weeks!

I really loved working in the small team that Uscreates are - I was so much more involved and included than at other larger places I have had experience at.

This afternoon, I presented my final findings (which can only be described as inconclusive about productivity in relation to hot desking!- I did not have enough time to measure in sufficient detail!) to the ladies over beers and then was involved in a brainstorming session.

Anyhow, a lovely couple of weeks, where apparently, I "restored their faith in interns."

Hot Desk Hot 7

2010-01-25T17:36:00.004Z

I just presented my findings on measuring the impact of Hot Desking to the team at UsCreates... it went rather well, despite that my results are somewhat inconclusive.

They show that people think Hot Desking is beneficial to them in terms of creativity, inspiration and productivity. But this is is simply how they feel as opposed to concrete evidence to show that they actually are more/less productive/creative/inspired at certain desks. Does the fact that individuals psychlogically prefer desks mean they will perform in accordance with their feelings?

So that is the next stage: measuring how productive/creative/inspired individuals actually are. So much measuring, so little time! (Well, 4 days)! Whatever experiments I concoct, they have to be extensive enough that individuals could be having an off-hour/day and it will still measure their overall performance at that desk.

So there we go: thats my weeks work. Wish me luck!

Archer Hairline

2010-01-25T17:27:00.002Z

I saw my friend Lucy had taken the Pentegram 'What Type Are You?' test. I had my fingers crossed I would be something as beautiful as her... and I was! We are both Archer Hairline. Isn't it lovely?

Its my party and I'll cry if I want to

2010-01-24T18:34:00.006Z

I only shed a little tear at my leaving gathering last night. Lots of lovely friends came together to eat chilli, play Articulate, marvel at the wonder that is Beyonce and say goodbye to me for six months. Although by the sounds of things, I'll see more of them in another country than I do at home.

On the 1st February, I am heading to Amsterdam to do an internship with Droog Lab, which appears to be perfect, so I'm packing up for a while.

I received a lovely VICTORY card from Brig (lets hope she hasn't spoken a little too soon!), a beautiful travel journal and Love You bracelet made from sweets from Hannah and guide book and extensive map from my parents (they have little faith in my sense of direction).

The Selby

2010-01-24T17:53:00.004Z

Whilst staying with my friend Eddie last week, he introduced me to Whitechapel (particularly enjoyed our Sainsburys trips), his new Lanvin trainers and The Selby. Very beautiful homes of very beautiful people.

Measuring Impact

2010-01-22T16:03:00.004Z

Monday saw me as the new kid once again. This time, at behaviour change consultancy, UsCreates. After a first-day mishap of my knickers falling out of my bag whist trying to move a weeks worth of clothes off the top of my laptop (they were clean, I might add), I have settled in quite nicely and have discovered a love for chamomile tea made with dried chamomile flowers (instead of a tea bag) - the colour rather resembles your wee first thing in the morning!

Anyhow, as opposed to the usual dogs-body jobs, I was given a project of my very own to do... How do you measure impact?

Harder than you think. So I have spent the week coming up with what to measure, centered around UsCreates and then experiments and ideas of how to measure these.

At UsCreates, they hot desk, so I decided to begin by trying to measure the impact that hot desking has on UsCreates. The experiments ranged from the mundane (questionnaires; comments box; group discussion) to the slightly more interesting (playing musical chairs accompanied by David Bowie's 'Changes', with stickers and a chart to fill in at each stop; a paper tape measure for each individual to measure how far they were from everyone else in the room and then write that person a note at the measurement on the tape measure about anything they wished, using rosettes ranked 1 to 7 to award each desk in the office to show preference).

Hopefully the team think the breaks from work are light relief as opposed to a waste of their time.

I am in the process of evaluating the results, so I'll keep you posted.

Fingers crossed for the parcel's success

2010-01-07T21:04:00.004Z

So, for the past few weeks, I have been working on a brief set by the RSA called Independence Days (looking at services provided for people who suffer from a chronic illness and seeing how these can be improved/develpoed). I focused on teenagers with diabetes and with a little team of willing patients and carers learnt a lot about the condition, the difficulties faced, opinions on what is currently available and how this could be improved and co-designed my response with them.

From this, I developed a pairing scheme whereby teenage sufferers of a similar age would be matched. It would be an opt-in scheme, where diabetes clinics would be in control of making appropriate pairings; ideally a patient managing their diabetes well with a patient struggling. Both parties would benefit from having a point of contact outside of their medical team: a person to talk to about the condition and hopefully forge a friendship outside the realms of diabetes.

I will post the project properly on my website shortly.

So here is the parcel which has now been sent and will soon be under the RSA's judging eyes...

Who knew such perfect A3 bubble-wrap envelopes were available?!

No day but today...

2010-01-02T12:57:00.005Z

I was going to do a ''my favourite/not so favourite parts of 2009'' post, but didn't want it to be some dire form of ''I got a 1st, went traveling, still don't understand boys'' effort. So I'll just say 2009 was generally very nice and I am ready for 2010 to be even nicer.

The resolutions for the new decade go as follows: 1. sweat baby sweat 2. don't stop believing 3. hold on tight to your dreams 4. move out 5. do things to make people's lives a little better-volunteer, projects 6. end the year with a glowing CV and a PAID job in something I want to do 7. eat mainly things that are green on the wheel of food fortune... 1 and 7 have already been broken (what can you do if its raining and you have a hangover to feed?!)

Anyway, the point of this was to say that I found the image above (on www.hellosubsist.com), and think the 'NO DAY BUT TODAY' notion is good inspiration to be all the things my resolutions hope. Not so much the 'my only goal is just to be' though - I can't do that. Proactive is the only way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

How It Is

2009-12-30T15:57:00.004Z

How It Is is a huge dark chamber with a steel exterior exhibited by Miroslaw Balka in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern at the moment...

Balka explains it far better than I can:

" 'How shall I move forward?' you might ask yourself as you stand at the threshold, confronted by the darkness ahead. The unknown can be terrifying, especially if it is also without light. How you approach it is unique, as your first encounter with anything can only ever be as an individual. Staring into the black void may make you wonder whether to move ahead at all.

'It's fine' you reassure yourself, 'what can actually be inside?' How It Is is only complete when you, the viewer, enter. The container focuses you inwards, both physically and psychologically, deeper into the darkness. In choosing how to move ahead - to march in fearlessly, or to skirt along the walls - you create your own journey. But as you bump into others, or mistakenly grab a stranger's shoulder, your trepidation eases and collectively you navigate the void."

I began by entering the box in the center - no walls to hold on to, but I soon was exaggerating my steps and treading carefully (it feels like you are in a dream) and as I got further, was grabbing for my Dad's arm. Maybe thats it: I like to seem fearless, but in fact am not. Even a bit.

Walkies

2009-12-30T15:38:00.004Z

The only item that featured on my brother's christmas list this year was a Husky puppy. Unsurprisingly, Father Christmas did not grant him his wish (he'll have to be nicer next year). He therefore refused to come on the Boxing Day walk (top 2 photographs) as it was apparently "pointless" as we didn't have the dog to walk.

That we bought him a Husky calendar and a pin badge was not taken in good favour either: "rubbing it in".

Anyway, enough of the dog loving... cats are much nicer. (3rd photograph is Phoebe, my Auntie Hilary's cat)

Christmas creations

2009-12-30T15:26:00.005Z

Here are some christmas presents I made...

From the top: gingerbread stars for my Granny, aunties, cousins and the Timmins family; a IN/OUT timer for my Mum, who never knows when to take her creations out of the oven (she refuses to use the timer on the cooker); an A3 poster of the A-Z of Professions for my brother who is fairly clueless as to the direction he should take in life; a seasons chart for my lovely friend Ally, who works in fashion and yet does not understand the seasons!

Pecha-Kucha cheat

2009-12-20T16:40:00.003Z

I was invited to present my work at to one of Think Public's design clinics. Last Wednesday was the day... I walked around in circles on Brushfield Street, looking for the studios. Eventually a nice boy making coffees pointed me in the right direction.

There was popcorn and beers and crisps and wine and brownies to welcome the eight nervous participants. All armed with a Pecha-Kucha presentation and a christmas gift to give to another.

The work and disciplines were wide-ranging, making for a diverse set of presentations. I had familiarised myself with the Pecha-Kucha format (20 images, with each lasting for 20 seconds, then automatically continuing to the next - there isn't much pausing for breath involved!) and so had added 8 slides to my presentation when I saw that my template only contained room for 12. Apparently everyone else had stuck to the 12 they had been given. Using my initiative made me look a bit of a cheater I think.

A discussion about the service design industry followed... I have lots to learn! But I did have a few points to make. I would really like for them to think I wasn't a cheat and give me an internship! You never know... it is christmas after all.

The snoel snowflake transfers were my present with a grey card to make my own snow scene.

'OMFG, my father totally just threw an apple into my back'

2009-12-18T00:25:00.004Z

This is genius. At the tender age of 19, these two guys are very funny... and well read. A perfect birthday present from Mandi.

Here are a few points at which I snorted:

THE METAMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka - 'OMFG, my father totally just threw an apple into my back.'

MACBETH by William Shakespeare - '@LadyMac: THERE'S NoTHING ON YOUR HANDS, YOU'VE WASHED THEM 100 TIMES ALREADY!!

Thank you nice friends and family

2009-12-13T13:27:00.002Z

Today I am 23. Here are some of the lovely presents I received. I couldn't fit the beautiful chrome desk lamp and the guillotine in to the shot. Thank you nice friends and family.

Sleep in a pile. And make an igloo.

2009-12-12T22:52:00.003Z

Trof breakfast, christmas markets and an afternoon trip to see 'Where The Wild Things Are'. The film was as wonderful as I had anticipated... beautifully shot, good soundtrack, amazing costumes. A joy to watch. I want to sleep in the middle of that pile of fur. And make an igloo.

Bed no.1

2009-11-23T00:38:00.003Z

So, I am on the first of many dates with the floor tonight. My month of London floor-surfing begins tonight. All in the aid of a little job at Elle magazine until Christmas.

Bed no.1: East London futon with flannel grey bedding.

Take care of yourself

2009-11-22T23:23:00.003Z

I took advantage of last Thursday evening's late night opening at The Whitechapel Gallery which is exhibiting Sophie Calle's 'Take Care of Yourself'.

Calle: "I received an email telling me it was over. I didn't know how to respond. It was almost as if it hadn't been meant for me. It ended with the words 'take care of yourself'. And so I did.

I asked 107 women chosen for their profession/skills to interpret this letter.

To analyse it, comment on it, dance it, sing it, exhaust it. understand it for me. Answer for me. It was a way of taking the time to break up.

A way of taking care of myself."

I was familiar with the project before I went to see the 107 responses, but all in a room together, it was quite powerful. The emotional beings that women are, attempting to understand a man's insensitive ending. A collection of interesting and varied responses to the words that fill the gallery.

The predominantly female audience grew around the wall filled with films showing the video responses. We laugh, tut, roll our eyes together as the chosen women try to make sense. It feels like the room understands how unjust Calle's email ending was. Every one of the women in that room had a story, could relate. It sounds like corn-ville, but it felt like there was an unspoken solidarity in the room. It was nice.

Mapping the Mundane on Bibliotherapy tour

2009-11-09T12:20:00.004Z

I have loaned a Mapping the Mundane adaptation book to Lucy May Schofield's Bibliotherapy tour - http://lucymayschofield.blogspot.com/search/label/bibliotherapy. It has its own plastic wallet and is living amongst many many other beautiful artist books. How exciting!

New kids on the book block

2009-11-09T12:11:00.005Z

Had to protect the precious books from the Manchester rain on my way to the Manchester Artist Book Fair...

... they survived...

... Good day - smiles all round

There was a certain naivety that came with Parlour Press' first book fair. We hope is was enderaing as opposed to unprofessional.

A successful day for the new kids.

Dad Advice

2009-11-09T12:08:00.002Z

Lucy Vann and I collaborated on the book 'Dad Advice' which we came up with whilst on our summer travels...

A little piece of Mapping the Mundane

2009-11-09T12:03:00.003Z

Mapping the Mundane had to be adapted for the Manchester Artist Book Fair, so people could buy a little piece of the project...

Parlour Press

2009-11-06T12:23:00.006Z

Mandi and I spent Tuesday afternoon with tomato and chickpea soup & oatmeal and raisin cookies, designing the logo for Parlour Press. Now we are all set for the Manchester Artist Book Fair tomorrow! Its in the Holden Gallery in the Grosvenor Building at the Art School from 12 noon until 6pm - pop in and see some lovely books.

Books on tour

2009-11-03T20:48:00.007Z

This afternoon, Mandi and I dreamt of our summer touring with the Parlour Press. Here was the beginning of our daydream... www.linquenda.ca/artspace. Think it is rather off the scale of our modest budget, but we want to get some creative book-lover, boat-owner to trust the 5 ladies of the Press with their boat so we can tour the UK. Boats of all shapes, sizes and conditions will be considered.

BOOKS ON TOUR shall be the chant.

#35 - Write to someone who inspired you

2009-10-29T23:46:00.004Z

Today, I wrote a letter. It was because I had been directed to this website: http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/actions/view/35/ (I still have no clue how to make this a link!). Action #35 was 'Write to someone who inspired you'... so I did. I wrote to my old english teacher, Miss Tomkins who once reassured me that it was ok to be unsure of what I wanted to do and to take a year (which at 18, I thought was far too long to experiment) to do the art foundation year I was so uncertain of. I cannot imagine what I would be doing if I hadn't listened to her. Not writing this, thats for sure.

So tomorrow I shall post it and hopefully the post strikers will deliver it to her eventually. As a ps. I might have to apologise for it being rather creased - I put a chair on it by mistake.

Before I get washed away, I'm going to turn things around

2009-10-29T23:40:00.005Z

Here is a storyboard I drew out the other day when I got home from work. Its for an animation I'm going to attempt. I'm not sure how, but I'm going to give it a go... watch this space. Well, watch this space in about a week.

Erm... BBC - look what I made for you

2009-10-29T23:21:00.007Z

Over the summer a friend of mine did a typographic researching job for the BBC. The more I think about it, the more jealous I get... I LOVE researching and the library (which is where she spent the bulk of the time). So I decided to make the BBC a little something to introduce myself and make them see I would be a good little researcher to have on communication/design projects.

I climbed the few steps to the entrance of BBC Manchester, clutching the CV and hand-drawn intro I had packaged up in an A4 envolope so as not to fold my drawn HELLO. Only to be told by the lovely receptionist that they do not take any paperwork and they don't have a recruitment department that she could even hand it to. "Oh, ok" I replied with a dishartened smile.
Off I trundled, back down the steps with my silly envelope still in hand. So I am no closer to having a loving-the-library job and I wasted a good half hour of my life writing to people who aparantly don't exist.

APOLOGIES FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS in this and the following few blog posts... no mac=no photoshop. Its all about levels.

No ISBNs

2009-10-23T18:25:00.006+01:00

I really want to submit one of my books for this self-published books exhibition in Austria in Spring 2010 (http://www.salon-fuer-kunstbuch.at/noisbn). However, having read the rules, you have to have a minimum of five editions of the book... which I don't have. I suppose I'll have to get drawing a lot more food maps if I want to submit my mapping book

Now we just need to make some books...

2009-10-19T21:37:00.007+01:00

Had a meeting with the book collective lovelies this evening. We went to where it all began... the back room at The Castle Hotel. Names were thrown around (The Castle Collective/The Parlour Press/Queens of The Castle/A Book and a Beer)... we shall see. Our up-coming stall at The Manchester Artist Book Fair (7th November in The Holden Gallery, MMU -http://www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/rightonpress/bookfair/) was discussed. Now we all just need to make some books.

I'll keep you posted.

Persepolis

2009-10-11T19:38:00.002+01:00

The dvd was snatched from my hand as I decided on my selection from the Vann lending library: "you have to read the book before you watch the film". So that is what I am doing.

It is wonderful. Well written, beautifully illustrated and funny too - the latter, quite an achievement for a book about the war in Iran.

I'm looking forward to be able to swap it for the dvd on my next trip to Sheffield and continue my new nightly obsession.

Creative Review

2009-10-09T19:34:00.002+01:00

My '2 Sides' project is featured on Creative Review Feed. Have a look - http://www.creativereview.co.uk/feed/october-2009/09/2-sides-to-every-story

Shame 'Mapping the Mundane' got rejected... thats a good project - don't reject it!

Joyous Machines

2009-10-07T18:56:00.004+01:00

I am still rather into machines.

Today I went to Tate Liverpool to see 'Joyous Machines'. The exhibition saw Jean Tinguely's work and how it inspired Michael Landy's creations.

I much preferred the rough drawings Tinguely did in order to realise his vision as opposed to Landy's intricate drawings depicting the same mechanisms.

I really liked the drawing machines (bottom image) and the ones that did not hide their mechanics... far more interesting. Also, I like the fact that some of the machines don't work, or in the case of 'Homage to New York' (top image), destroyed themselves. This was all part of Tinguely's vision: that it is almost left to chance. In comparison to Arthur Ganson's beautiful work, Tinguely's is far less perfect, in both its aesthetic and workings. I still like it though - it was reminiscent of Alexander Calder's work at times.

Good day trip.

"Look on the bright side..."

2009-10-05T11:26:00.005+01:00

So, fellow high-achiever, Mandi Goodier and myself were invited back to MMU last week to give a talk entitled 'How to do 3rd Year' to Graphic Design and Illustration 3rd Years. We rather enjoyed ourselves - chattering away about our favourite year wasn't too taxing. And we were quite popular in the aftermath: "What are you doing now?" was the prevalent question. Erm...don't ask. You might wonder the point in getting a 1st. No, instead I explained the need to get back on your feet and try to get yourself 'out there'. I was there to inspire, not make half the year drop out.

I am ever realising that you have to do some not-so-great-things in order to be able to do the great stuff. The not-so-great phase I am experiencing at present is all part of the process. Smiling fakely at guests whilst working at a hotel, cutting up fruit and buttering bread in a sandwich shop is the reality of a recent graduate, I suppose. That I continually want to scream "WHAT AM I DOING?" just has to be pushed down.

I am trying my best to be patient.

It could be worse. As my Mum recently said "look on the bright side, you could have a disability". Yes, Mum, yes I could.

Image: book and illustration by NJ (2008 Design and Art Direction graduate)

Good talk

2009-09-28T17:14:00.001+01:00

Thoroughly enjoyed my half and hour with Sam Winston.

Shout PENIS at the top of your voice!

2009-09-22T00:26:00.003+01:00

I adored 500 Days of Summer. The blackboard wall with a headboard drawn in chalk; the days counter which appeared over the illustration of a tree, shouting PENIS at the top of your voice! Zooey Deschanel's outfits and hair were also rather lovely to watch throughout, as was Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Trailers before the film included 'Where the wild things are', 'Fantastic Mr Fox' and 'Toy Story' in 3D. Oh sweet. My cinema blanket/shawl shall get a few outings in the coming months.

Who needs a studio?

2009-09-21T18:15:00.003+01:00

I spent the morning re-photographing all my work so that my website is viewable. However, with no studio or lighting, my garden was my make-shift shoot area.

After having to re-wash all my clothes after a bad bird excrement/washing line incident not so long ago, I did fear for my new photography area, or worse, work. Luckily I was not in their firing line today.

Have a look at my website with all new images. www.libbyscarlett.co.uk

I think I grew up

2009-09-11T23:31:00.007+01:00

My (temporary) move back to my parent's house was made even more traumatic by my bedroom that was still 16-year-old Libby. No more: new and old things on my walls, bare floor boards, organised boxes. Somewhere during university, I think I grew up.

My room is me once more. I am now ready to work.

Collaboration with The Vann

2009-09-11T23:15:00.003+01:00

Done. Trip posts finished.

Today, Lucy and I begun to do some project work with our travels acting as the content. Exciting.

Already it is good to look back on our rather extensive journals. We don't do things by halves, you know. And neither will we with our first collaborative project. I'm not giving anything away just yet...

Darlin' its better down where its wetter

2009-09-11T23:00:00.005+01:00

31st Aug '09: KORCULA

Croatia has whoa sea (super clear, super blue) so Lucy and I became obsessed with purchasing an underwater camera. On the last day, I spotted a Kodak shop that stocked just the thing. Here are some of the results.

I imagined we would resemble Ariel (as in the mermaid). As can be seen, we did not. Water does strange things to the human body.

Just draw on the walls

2009-09-11T22:56:00.002+01:00

20th Aug '09: BUDAPEST

Went to a paper restaurant in Budapest. Thats one way to cut down on decorating costs!

Christmas came early

2009-09-11T22:30:00.004+01:00

13th Aug '09: LINZ

Basically the best exhibition I've been to in, well a long long time. It was called Poetry of Motion and was at the Ars Electronica Centre, Linz. Christmas came early for me when I realised that the actual Absolut Quartet machine was at the exhibition! I got to type in my own 5 second melody and see the amazing machine make into music. It was so so good.

Arthur Ganson also had work in the exhibit - his work is wonderful. As is Theo Jansen's work huge kinetic sculptures that are powered by the wind. I cannot explain how amazing all of these projects are. I am excited to create once again.

Pipe dreams

2009-09-11T22:20:00.002+01:00

11th Aug '09: LINZ

Another Guardian inspired visit: sewage pipes converted into a 'hotel'. They are a man called Andreas Strauss' brain child. Again, no fixed prices: you just leave a donation. Shame the 'shower' was in fact, a high tap...front of the bar area. We decided a swim in the Danube would be the extent of our bathing in Linz.

I did express concern that some youths outside our pipe one evening might roll us down the hill.

Musical tiles

2009-09-11T21:59:00.004+01:00

10th Aug '09: SALZBURG

In a children's playground, I waited my turn to have a go on these musical tiles. You can play your own tune by stomping, hopping and jumping on these. Much fun.

Cheese head

2009-09-11T20:42:00.002+01:00

6th Aug '09: BAUHAUS

A lazy morning was spent, as I like to put it 'bummng around'. We lay side-by-side reading Andy de Fiets' 'Letter to Robin Kinross'.

22-year-old Andy de Fiets, on the verge of graduating from his graphic design studies, writes to his hero: Hyphen Press publisher Robin Kinross.

A fitting read for the 2 graphic design graduates. Snorts of enjoyment came form both of us at regular intervals. He reported his friend to the police for stealing a can of tuna. And a youth called him a cheese head. I want to be his friend. I intend to compose a letter to him, which I am sure he will return to me with grammatical errors in red pen.

Well spent €7.

"0 THINGS TO DO IN DESSAU"

2009-09-11T20:26:00.004+01:00

5th Aug '09: DESSAU

The Haus of Bau bore quite a resemblance to the Chatham Building, so Lucy and I felt quite at home. Part of the school has now been turned into a hotel, so that is where we stayed. Amazing is the only word.

Before we went to Dessau, we googled 'things to do', to which it replied there are "0 THINGS TO DO IN DESSAU". How wrong they were. The Bauhaus kept us quite amused, with Aldi and Netto to pass the time in between.

Leave it alone

2009-09-11T20:10:00.003+01:00

5th Aug '09: BERLIN

The east side of the Berlin wall was not quite as I had expected. Huge parts of the grafitti had been painted over and spaces were given to artists to create works of "art" on. They all just looked ugly and seemed insignificant in comparison to the beautiful reality of the original wall.

No prices

2009-09-11T19:40:00.003+01:00

4th Aug '09: BERLIN

Pelin is a bar where there are no fixed prices: the customer leaves a donation of whatever they feel is fair for what they have consumed. We had read about the project on The Guardian website (where else?!) and wanted to visit.

We arrived to a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and were told to help ourselves to wine. A Brigitte Bardot/Serge Gainsborough film was playing on a big screen on the wall. Then the food began to come: soup, followed by lamb and spicy tomato rice. Had I not had crippling heart burn, it would have been delicious.

I left €20 for 2 glasses of wine and my half-eaten dinner. In general, I imagine people leave more than necessary, rather than be stingy.

Do You Read Me?

2009-09-11T19:35:00.003+01:00

3rd Aug '09: BERLIN

Super good book shop in Berlin. While we were there, Lucy recognised a guy called Andy de Fiets who worked in W139 in Amsterdam. He had his photograph on the front of a little book called 'Letter to Robin Kinross'. We both bought a copy.

Hey Ladies; Ray Bans; Shhhhhh; Mwah

2009-09-11T18:10:00.006+01:00

Back to the trip posts...

2nd Aug '09: BERLIN

The black and white strip photograph booths in Berlin are the best.

Getting old and moving to the big smoke

2009-09-09T10:34:00.003+01:00

The lack of funds situation also means I have been making cards. It was my mum's birthday yesterday (I made sausages roasted with cherry tomatoes, garlic, onions, rosemary and thyme and mashed potato - success!) and my friend Alex (who showed me how to make the concoction) starts his internship today. However, he is Mr Got-no-credit and so has not managed to tell me his London town address. The card is therefore still being kept flat in my moleskine.

No money, no jumpsuit

2009-09-09T10:24:00.003+01:00

How amazing is this jumpsuit? I stalked it on ebay for days, trying to work out how a bank card that keeps getting rejected could buy it. It would seem it can't. The white dream was not to be. Job hunt must begin.

Stick arm island

2009-09-08T23:28:00.009+01:00

31st July '09: FLEVOSTRAND

Waiting for the ferry to the tipi island (in Flevostrand, The Netherlands), we notice all the other campers have boxes upon boxes of food and supplies. Lucy and I have nothing. Oh dear. This really could be stick arm island we joke. Thankfully the man that moulds us into one ("Lucyahhhhhhlizzie" - I also become known as Lizzie for the weekend) takes us back to the mainland to purchase food. He also gives us a courgette from the island's vegetable garden. It certainly perks up our pasta which we cook on the little stove in the corner of the tent.

Our sahara tent (we can't afford a tipi) also appears to be home to an alarming amount of insects and bugs. Earwig massacre has to be performed. Aside from this, it is very homely. There are hammocks dotted about the island, a huge communal tipi with a fire in its centre, workshops that tipi dwellers can join in with. I swum in the lake and rowed around in a boat singing "Be my baby" rather too loudly.

The island and lake are just beautiful. It is so peaceful. Really pleased we visited a really interesting project and saw a bit more of Holland.

"City of contradictions"

2009-09-08T22:38:00.003+01:00

30th July '09: AMSTERDAM

W139 is quite a contrast to the Red Light District in which it sits. Another good example of mine and Lucy's 'city of contradictions' jests. The front of the store has a wonderful collection of art and design books, but as you come to the back, the space opens out into a huge kitchen and communal dining area. I was there on an evening when they were cooking up a storm - it all looked very exciting. Turns out you can email to book yourself a seat at the dining table. I wish I'd have known about the project beforehand.

The rather dashing chef duo would have been an added enticement to the evening!

Slide along

2009-09-08T18:26:00.003+01:00

30th July '09: AMSTERDAM

My dear friend, Brigitta introduced me to the wonderful Droog a couple of years ago. Their showroom-cum-shop in Amsterdam did not disappoint. Seats made for queues with marbles under the seats so you can slide along, swings, high chairs with markings of where to saw so as to allow the furniture to grow with the child: it eventually becomes a chair. All very inspiring. I would like to design something that Droog would stock, or work for them.

Hands of clam

2009-09-08T18:14:00.003+01:00

29th July '09: AMSTERDAM

I saw, whilst browsing Nijhof & Lee (a more than lovely book shop in Amsterdam), there were some creativey type's business cards by the till. I ummed and ahhed as to whether I should ask to be added to the collection. Of course, I should have - what was to lose? Anyhow, I wound up getting nervous hands of clam so didn't. Instead, I waited until the cover of dark and posted a few through the closed shop's letterbox with a note of book shop admiration! I wonder if they put my cards out or binned them.

Treat a complete stranger as a lover

2009-09-06T19:35:00.003+01:00

26th July '09: PARIS

It was dresses all round. Lucy in spotty, me in red wrap. We had waited months for this evening. We followed the directions: From Alesia; take exit 6 and walk ahead about 10 steps, turn left and continue to traffic light; turn right and walk about 39 steps to big green gate, push open gate; walk to doorway A in the garden.

We were at Jim Haynes' for Sunday dinner. His philosophy was there, in every person in the kitchen and spilled down the steps into the courtyard garden. Every Sunday for 30 years, people from all over the world have come, along with 60 or more others for dinner. Jim is wonderful at remembering names, introductions and welcoming.

You meet such an array of people: Bernard, the software designer; Egor, the film distributer; D'yan, the singer-cum-comedienne, the list goes on. Its good to talk to people you wouldn't normally have the pleasure to. The whole experience was a pleasure.

A warm, friendly evening that was ended with a walk back to the Metro with new friends.

More fun than the Metro

2009-09-06T19:23:00.004+01:00

My love for bikes was fed further in Paris. Velibs are the way forward. Lines of the basket-fronted bicycles are on what seems like every other street in Paris. You take one from their dock and can return to any other dock in the city. For the first half hour it is free and then €1 for every half hour after that. So much more fun than the Metro.

Look for the red balloon

2009-09-06T19:13:00.003+01:00

25th July '09: PARIS

With some friends from home and some new french friends, we went to the very well attended outdoor cinema at Parc de la Villette. We sat under a red balloon so as to find our way back through the crowd. 'Into the Wild' was showing (in English, thankfully). I'd never seen it before and loved it - so beautifully shot.

However, probably not the best film to watch when embarking on a trip!

'...a little bit more attention and imagination'

2009-09-06T19:05:00.004+01:00

26th July '09: PARIS

By chance we saw a little flyer for a Jacques Tati exhibit that was on at La Cinematheque Francaise. I am now desperate to see all of his films. Love the graphics for posters - their playfulness makes them work well with the films thay are attached to. A very well curated and designed exhibition.

Here are a few quotes that were on the exhibition walls:

"I want my film to start when you leave the cinema" - Tati, 1967

"My method merely presupposes a little bit more attention and imagination from the spectator" - Tati, 1966

"I'm one of those film makers who love their films and don't mind not being seen by everyone, like an artist doesn't mind not having his work hung in every living room" - Tati, 1979

New found respect for Nike

2009-09-06T18:41:00.005+01:00

25th July '09: PARIS

Since reading about the Stages exhibition on the 'Its Nice That' website, I had wanted to visit. 'Lance Armstrong and Nike unite to launch Stages, a global art exhibition to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.' It seemed especially fitting that we go, as the Tour de France was to finish the following day in Paris.

I like the idea behind the exhibition and especially liked Tom Sachs' Tequila bike for girls.

It gave me a new-found respect for Nike too.

www.stages09.com

Punched Paper

2009-09-06T18:37:00.004+01:00

25th July '09: PARIS

Outside the Jardin du Luxemburg we came across a man with a rather impressive portable music box. Look how lovely the punched paper that he is feeding in is. Lucy (Mrs Music Box herself) was especially taken with it.

Beds amongst books

2009-09-06T18:11:00.006+01:00

25th July '09: PARIS

Shakespeare & Co. is a bookshop in Paris where traveling writers can stay (there are beds dotted around the rooms bursting with books) in exchange for an hours work in the shop. There are rooms where you can sit and read, nooks with typewriters, a piano which was been played while we browsed, notices of how to open a book correctly.

Hat Club

2009-09-06T17:41:00.004+01:00

24th July '09: PARIS

Paris seemed daunting. We were a bit overwhelmed and not quite sure what was expected of us. On our way to find a drink in The Latin Quarter, we found a band busking on the corner of a street. Feet were tapping, hips were beginning to wiggle. We stopped to watch with the ever growing crowd. All the band were wearing hats. "We found Hat Club...and its a Friday" Lucy and I whispered to each other. Our grins grew.

The band were called 'The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz band' - they are amazing! We felt suddenly at home, like we belonged. I knew then that we were going to be just fine. And so the trip began...

www.lostwandering.com

Explorer 200

2009-09-06T17:14:00.004+01:00

Its been a long time. Blogging seems to have taken a bit of a back seat, but I have a good excuse: I have just returned from a wonderful 6 week trip around Europe. The ladies (Lucy Vann and myself) started in Paris on 24th July and from here went to Amsterdam, Flevostrand, Berlin, Dessau, Munich, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Zagreb, Split, Hvar and Korcula. Phew.

So, get ready for quite a blog marathon! I'll do my best to let you cop a good feel for our trip.

Ok, this might take a while. Enjoy!

Graduation

2009-07-19T13:01:00.003+01:00

Who thought throwing a hat could be so much fun? Another lovely day/evening/champagne fest with wonderful friends and family.

"Highlight of the crawl"

2009-07-19T12:56:00.002+01:00

Our little reading room got rather busy in the end. It gave me a fuzzy feeling watching everyone line the room looking at the work of five girls who like making books.

It was described as "the highlight of the crawl" which was encouragement indeed. Lovely evening.

The Reading Room

2009-07-07T20:23:00.003+01:00

My 'Mapping The Mundane' book gets a breath of air from its slip case on Thursday as part of The Reading Room exhibition. It is on at The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester. Thanks to Caitlin Howard and Sophie Lee for letting my little creation in. Look at their blog (www.dancepicture.blogspot.com). Come. Books and booze. Doesn't get much better than that.

2 Sides stop-frame animation

2009-07-04T00:16:00.004+01:00

2 Sides from Libby Scarlett on Vimeo.

1st 1st 1st

2009-06-27T13:32:00.002+01:00

The sleepless weeks and months all paid off. I opened my results on Thursday and got a first. Very pleased.

The end of an era

2009-06-27T13:16:00.002+01:00

So its all coming to a close. We handed in, put up our show, had our exhibition opening (possibly the best night ever). It has been so fun. Now its getting sad that the end is so near.

Modern Mozart

2009-05-28T23:09:00.002+01:00

Tuning done to a t. This is truly amazing - modern day Mozart. Very inspiring for my glass bottles/typewriter invention.

Circus

2009-05-28T23:05:00.002+01:00

I adore Alexander Calder's circus. I watched the film again last night to remind myself how fascinating documenting by film can be. I had been filming myself making the typewriter contraption all day. Calder is has a far more mechnical mind than ever will. Amazing.

Click ding

2009-05-25T17:36:00.004+01:00

I wanted to make my typewriter sing in order to have the stories written (for the Perception project) make music as I type them out (making the ordinary extraordinary). So my typewriter was tied with thread to wooden sticks that were, in turn tied with elastic to glass bottles. It does work, but is certainly not hi-tec.

So, now I just have to make the whole alphabet make music. Easy. That is my wednesday task.

Wheel's whistle-stop tour

2009-05-24T20:44:00.005+01:00

The wheel had quite a day. I took it out and about to get people to interact with it - children seem very taken with the spinning and bright colours. Got some good photographs which are to be used in my degree show exhibition. Success I think.

Intertwined stories

2009-05-20T12:30:00.003+01:00

For my perception of experience project I did some experimentation in to how to convey everyone's perception being individual/a mass of stories that amount to one experience. I'm not going to use anything I did within the experimentation, but it helped me come up with a final idea.

Take a flick

2009-05-18T12:51:00.003+01:00

Finally done. Handed my the journal module in this morning. Pleased can't do anything else to it as I already spent far too adding and readjusting.

It is an index card box that can be flicked through and is designed to be recycled almost. If you see something you/someone else would like in it, the idea is to take one of the postcards and send it to someone who could use it to inform or inspire another project.

A Beginners guide to changing the world

2009-05-13T00:51:00.003+01:00

No, I have not lost it: optimistic, I might be, but deluded I am not. There is no doubt that I will not be changing the world anytime soon, but I would like to think I can make a little difference here and there to a few people. Losada's book works on that principle. Anyhow I am thoroughly enjoying her inspiring journey. Only wish I had more time, so as not having to put it down so much.

Taking organisation to a new level

2009-05-06T11:16:00.005+01:00

My love for organising is being taken to a new level. I made this book to organise the letters I was sent for the Take Time Make Time project. That I spent last Friday night putting every participant into their section is very worrying.

Eye spy

2009-05-05T18:56:00.002+01:00

Uni have very excitingly agreed to buy me five if these tiny spy cameras for my perception of experience project. I want to make films that will be played alongside one another to convey different perceptions of the same experience. They are powered by a battery and I am planning to attach them by the eye. They are going to be black and white films and might look quite beautiful I think. We shall see.

Going to dinner with the world

2009-05-04T22:00:00.002+01:00

My friend, Lucy and I are booked in to attend one of Jim Haynes' Sunday Dinners in Paris at the beginning of our summer travels in July. He has been hosting the weekly event for over 25 years with 70 friends and strangers attending each time (more if it is fine, as the gathering can spill into the garden). Haynes explains wanting to introduce people to people and have them break bread together. 'We should all know one another. After all, we are all connected'. Wonderful philosophy. Very excited that I am to be a part of it soon.

Playing the building

2009-05-04T11:02:00.004+01:00

This is a sound piece by David Byrne that was based in The Battery Maritime Building last year in New York - amazing. It was on while I was there - really wish I had known.

Not so skilled at spraying

2009-04-30T16:04:00.003+01:00

Have been spraying the wheel intermittently over the last few days - it takes definite skill to be an even sprayer. Its coming together but needs a few more coats. The engraved writing looks good I think.

In The Loop

2009-04-28T10:16:00.002+01:00

Went to see 'In The Loop' at the Cornerhouse last night. So funny.

Stick to and see through what you believe in.

Please take one and respond

2009-04-28T10:09:00.002+01:00

Went to the cinema last night at the Cornerhouse to give out the second half of the '2 sides' postcards. It went quite well I think - I gave a little introductory talk to the project before the film in the hope that people would be more likely to respond if I explained in person. Also made this sign to hold up as the audience were queuing to leave.

2 Sides to every story (or so they say)

2009-04-25T14:32:00.002+01:00

In order to extend my mapping/perception of experience project, I needed to think on a larger scale than the small events I had asked people to respond to. Therefore I made 100 postcards which open up to allow blank space for the participant to write their perception. I focused on two events this weekend which I was planning on attending anyway: a club night and a film on at the Cornerhouse. Both will contain a fairly large number of people to target - so 50 postcards are tailored to each event.

We shall see if people post back the responses. I hope I do get a fair amount back, as 100 second class stamps cost me £30 alone. It is exciting, but it does scare me when I am out of control and am so reliant on others for the success of the project.

please can I be a 1-day-a-week trend forecaster

2009-04-24T10:15:00.003+01:00

I was asked to do a presentation on communications for a trend forecaster based in Brighton who was working with a brand based in Manchester. I really enjoyed the whole day - the workshop in the afternoon was really interesting - working with people from the brand to come up with ideas in line with their products and the trends identified in the morning presentations. Very good.

Mock up wheel

2009-04-22T16:40:00.002+01:00

So exciting! This is the wheel I designed for the visualisation of my dissertation. It is going to be a game called Spin & Speculate. The idea is to make art and design more approachable and thereby convey a more fun, playful side to the industries.

A very helpful and lovely woodwork man called Mark is helping me in the making. The wheel above is the mock-up and from this I have modified the design. It should be all done by next week. Hope I'm as pleased with the finished thing as I am with the mock up.

It's Nice That

2009-04-21T19:10:00.003+01:00

I check the 'Its Nice That' website with as much obsession as The Sartorialist. Pick really lovely work from all disciplines.

Laugh before lunch

2009-04-21T18:59:00.004+01:00

Johnathan Barnbrook visited to impart knowledge today. He is very funny; really enjoyed his anecdotes. He gave me confidence and seemed to validate the way in which I work. Good advice: "Don't be afraid to do the work you want to, are interested in and are passionate about; you will thereby attract the kind of work you want to do." Stick to your beliefs. Be interesting, follow your dreams, most importantly be nice. I really agreed with so much of what he said.