Monthly Archives: February 2010

Open Road exhibition at the Toilet Gallery

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Open Road

3rd – 21st March 2010

In October 2009, the three artists resident at the Toilet Gallery launched a campaign to name the anonymous side-street where the gallery resides. Just four months later, they are proud to announce the council-approved creation of Nipper Alley, named in honour of the dog made famous in the HMV trademark, who lies buried only metres away.

To celebrate the official opening of Nipper Alley, Copernicium are mounting a multi-media exhibition at the Toilet Gallery. Taking the HMV trademark as a starting point, it’s a show of departures. Ranging from a short film shot from a dog’s eye view to a makeshift recording studio and encompassing cartoons, animations made on an iphone, paintings, an installation of vinyl discs and recorded local folklore, it’s a show for all ages. So hit the road and come visit.

Over the course of the exhibition, the public will be invited to use the roentgenizdat recording studio, to record their own songs, stories and local folktales.

An official opening of Nipper Alley with an unveiling of the street sign will be held at 12 midday on 10th March. Please check the website for confirmation of the time.

The Copernicium artists are: Kate Renwick, Dave Loder and Patrick Blower.

The exhibition opens Wednesday 3rd March at 6pm and the private view is open to the public. The show runs until the 21st March.

Wednesday – Friday 1pm – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 12am – 6pm

Toilet Gallery
Nipper Alley
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1QT

www.copernicium.org.uk

Open Road is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Fashion Internships at Banana Republic

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Second year fashion students competed for the second year running for a prestigious fully paid internship at Banana Republic headquarters in New York this summer.

This year’s winners pictured with the Creative Director and Vice President Simon Kneen are Lauren Sanins and Alicia Duncan – Smith. Lauren created a stylish jersey and knit knot dress and Alicia a new take on a traditional trench coat which Simon selected as being modern and on brand.

Simon , an ex Kingston graduate flew in from Paris to judge the portfolios and garments and gave constructive feedback to the 25 finalists and interviewed 14 to choose the winners. Simon wrote after the event:

“Thank you Elinor for Friday and the amazing work of the students for our BR Summer internship. Congratulations to our winners Alicia Duncan – Smith for women’s wovens and Lauren Sanins for women’s knit-jersey. Thank you and your staff for the support and enthusiasm for our project but most of all the students exceptional work that this year has taken it up a couple of notches with talent and creativity that is humbling. It is always such a great experience for me to be able to encourage young talent from our beloved Kingston.”

Fine Art graduate exhibits at the Standpoint Gallery

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Fine Art graduate Catrin Davies is soon to exhibit at the Standpoint Gallery in London as part of the exhibition Beast, a dialogue between the known, human, and the animal (the Other) world.

Davies presents The Beast of Bont 2009, the latest of her documentary videos based on alleged ‘big cat sightings’, combining the use of original and found footage. The ‘Beast’ is the name that locals give to a large cat, believed to inhabit the forest near the small village of Pontrhydfendigaid in West Wales, close to where Davies lives.  Davies interweaves interviews with members of the village who have seen the Beast, studies of the windswept landscape, footage of ‘evidence’ such as mauled sheep, with suggestive inserts from such Freudian classics as Cat People.

Catrin, who graduated Ist class in June 2009 from Kingston University, was selected for the Welsh Artist of the Year show, and Salon Gallery, London’s choice of the best new graduates. To find out more about this exhibition please visit:

http://www.standpointlondon.co.uk/Beast.html

David Hughes book launch at Knights Park

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David Hughes, the  internationally acclaimed Illustrator, launches his latest book ‘Walking the Dog’ at Kingston University this week. David, who’s acerbic drawings grace the pages of The New Yorker, The Observer and the Times, will talk about his innovative graphic novel that is a reflection on his own life, personal demons and obsessions. He’ll also show his Opera sets and costumes for the Spoleto Opera Festival in Italy and his numerous children’s books and arts projects.

David Hughes is an artist whose work combines illustration, graphic design, photography and animation. In 2003 he received the Pentagram Award for his outstanding contribution to the art of illustration. His drawings have appeared in The Observer, The New Yorker, Esquire, The Guardian, and many other magazines and newspapers. He has received great acclaim for his children’s picture books, Strat and Chatto (1990) and Bully (1992). In 2006 he published his version of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The talk and launch will take place in the 4th. floor illustration and animation studio Knights Park Campus, at 4pm on Tuesday 23rd. February. Everyone welcome!

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My Pringle Experience – Fashion Student Nicole Bradshaw

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Fashion student Nicole Bradshaw has been shortlisted for the Pringle of Scotland Design Competition. Below is her account of this experience.

September 2009

Kingston has always encouraged us to work on live projects so I was very excited when The British Fashion Council launched the Pringle of Scotland Design Competition. The prize is a full –time, paid, six month design position at Pringle, plus a £1,000 in cash… What an amazing opportunity!

The project was aimed to create a unique and modern interpretation of the brand whilst still maintaining Pringles heritage.

My starting point was an old piece of tartan fabric, given to me by my Gran. I wanted to create a contemporary look so scanned in the fabric and set to work in Photoshop to experiment. I eventually developed a ‘digital’ tartan print which then led on to further developments working in experimental yarns to produce something which I hoped would be new and exciting.

My design development was crucial to the project, sketching ideas down, working on a mannequin in 3D and sampling knit, all played a vital role in building up an exciting body of work to design from.

Focusing on the Pringle customer I developed a capsule collection for the working city woman. I considered her busy lifestyle, to create a rage of designs which would keep her feeling great from day to night. The clothes were intended to feel empowering in the work place yet relaxed enough to go out for dinner and drinks straight from work and still feel comfortable. Combing my passion for tailoring and knitwear.

Before I knew it, I had been through three selection processes and was lucky enough to have been chosen as one of eight design students in the country to be selected for an interview!

January 2010

The finalists were to present their project and portfolio to a six of the leading UK and International fashion press and buyers alongside Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, Anne Tyrrell and Pringle Creative Director, Clare Waight Keller. I arrived feeling a little nervous, but as soon as I entered the interview I remembered all the advice and support I had been given from tutors and fellow students and felt confident and well prepared.

The interview went well and I left feeling inspired. I feel very fortunate that I was given the opportunity to talk through my work with such influential people. It has proven to be an invaluable experience.

I am still awaiting the winner to be announced …wish me luck!

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The DTZ Kingston Challenge Trophy

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The DTZ Kingston Challenge

Following the School of Surveying & Planning’s trip to Dublin in January this year, six groups of level 5 students were invited to present their findings to Directors of DTZ, a major firm of chartered surveyors, as part of the DTZ Kingston Challenge. The students work in multi-disciplinary groups reflecting industry practice enabling them to demonstrate a range of skills and competencies. Each group was provided with a choice of presentation topics based upon the visits and were asked to present for ten minutes. Reports focused on topics such as sustainability including issues regarding energy conservation, biodiversity and open environment; and topics relating to facilities, management and tenants and leasing. The winning group and runners-up were presented with a trophy. The DTZ Kingston Challenge offers students an opportunity to network with industry and enables DTZ to have a preview of this year’s graduate talent. A number of Kingston graduates have forged careers at DTZ as a result of this close relationship and during this, the latest of these annual events, Kingston alumni spoke in glowing terms of their work with DTZ.

“What then and what now..?” Kingston animation at the Hospital Club

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“What, Then and What Now…”

Kingston Animation at The Hospital Club, Covent Garden, London, WC2.

Saturday 6th February 4.30-6.30pm

BA (Hons) Illustration and Animation is excited to present a screening of animated films by some of our brightest graduates, alongside their recent professional work.

This screening will be followed by a chaired Q&A session where audience members and graduates will be invited to reflect on the relationship between education and industry.

Panel members from the School of Communication Design:

Geoff Grandfield

Damian Gascoigne

Martina Bramkamp

Catherine McDermott

Lawrence Zeegen

This event will be a fascinating insight into the creative development of new animation talent from Kingston University.

British Film Institute Internships Confirmed for BA(Hons) Filmmaking Students

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Elina Street, BA(Hons) Filmmaking student has been accepted by the British Film Institute Exhibitions Department as the first to take part in our new internship programme partnership.  Commencing in February until April 2010, three days a week for two months.

Dan Jones, BA(Hons) Filmmaking student is close to finalising dates for an internship in the British Film Institute Archives Department commencing in April, two days a week for two months.

Both programmes will be the first of ongoing, annual internships in these two British Film Institute departments (archive and exhibitions) offered through the BA(Hons) Filmmaking course.  The Faculty is delighted for both students.

Living with Dementia: Can design make a difference?

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Living with Dementia

Exploring Care Home Design

An Overview and Blueprint

An exhibition of work funded by the Audi Design Foundation with the Design Research Centre Kingston University London at The Building Centre.

The display presents the key research findings, solutions and a blueprint for future dementia care home design.

Thursday 18-27 March 2010, 9.30am – 6.00pm

The Building Centre, Lower Ground Floor Suite B, Store Street, London, WC1E 7BT