Pecha-Kucha cheat

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'

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

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.

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

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

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

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!