Fuelling The Mind

hm...... (Image not my own).

Being a creative or working within the creative industries, is not actually how society stereotypes it- shocker!! not. You cant simply just pluck random thoughts from your mind and mix it with something juxtaposing to create a 'cutting edge' design or concept, despite how many people presume this is how it works, pretty colours and patterns. It couldn't be further from the truth. First off to be inspired one must start by exploring: the mind, the locations, everyday life and the exhibitions and galleries that you surround yourself with. At least this is the process i begin with, never underestimate it. As part of my term at university i attend 'Live/Culture Visits'. This is a scheme of learning that allows me to attend the latest gallery exhibitions in London at the moment as well as need to know places of interest, such as: Studio spaces that aren't overly expensive for a student to hire, book shops that stock diverse and niche fashion and art magazines and places to rent equipment etc. This week i attended the Jonas Mekas exhibition at The Serpentine Gallery, then onto the mothership Selfridges to discuss their current window designs/displays.

Jonas Mekas:-
This exhibition was one of the most beautifully executed exhibitions i have seen in recent times. The films and photographs captured moments and Mekas' own memories so effortlessly, it induced a nostalgic feeling. A part of the exhibition that resonates with me is Mekas' photography that he collaboratively done with his brother Adolfas while in Lithuania and in Williamsburg after the second world war, it was utterly moving. This exhibition is at The Serpentine Gallery til the 27th January, i would extremly reccomend a visit to this eery, nostalgic and truly stunning exhibition.

Jonas Mekas. (Image not my own)

Selfridges:-
Morag Hickmott, the Concept Researcher + Designer for Windows at Selfridges, gave a guided tour around the outside of Selfridges discussing and educating myself and the others in my group about how she and the collaborating teams and departments conceptualise, design and eventually produce the window displays. The window displays at the moment are a personal favourite of mine and they are very unlike anything i have ever seen Selfridges create. The windows were very much influenced by the concept store inside the wonder that is Selfridges and 'The Silent Room' which they are currently playing host to. Every other window plays host to an artists work (not just products that they are currently selling.), the best ones for myself had to be a piece that showed all the dead stars over the globe by Katie Patterson - beautiful! and in the corner window at Selfridges every day around midday a member of staff walks into the white space and sets off a giant party popper then leaves- with the confetti left scattered around the floor. Even though you may not be able to get a guided tour and as much in-depth analysis on the window displays as i was exceedingly lucky to receive; but nether the less the Selfridges windows are always a little treat to look upon, never more so than right now.

Get along to Selfridges and see what all the fuss is about. (Image not my own)

"It's always Christmas at Selfridges"- Morag Hickmott