THE STAG & HEN WEEKEND: AMSTERDAM + CELEBRITIES

Books & Comics Selfie Project #3

THE STAG AND HEN WEEKEND by Mike Gayle

"Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?"

Helen and Phil are about to get married in a few days time. She goes on a hen weekend with her best friends. He flies to Amsterdam for his stag party. For both of them it will be a test of their fidelity.

A sudden meeting with Helen's ex-fiance Aiden leaves her with mixed feelings about her wedding. Over the years he became a big TV and radio celebrity and still has got strong feelings for her. Confused Helen calls her husband-to-be for reassurance but she can't get through to him for a few days. Is it just a minor connection issue or is Phil up to something naughty? Will Helen cancel her wedding? What is Phil really doing in Amsterdam?

"The Stag And Hen Weekend" by Mike Gayle published by Hodder and Stoughton is a collection of 2 novels: one about Helen's stay at a luxury hotel spa and the other about Phil's trip to Amsterdam. Both stories happen at the same time. The book is fantastically designed.

WAR, QUEEN & A LITTLE GIRL

Books & Comics Selfie Project #2

"BILLIE TEMPLAR'S WAR" by Ellie Irving

Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?

"Billie Templar's WAR" is an amazing and funny story about a naughty girl who becomes a local hero. Written by Ellie Irving, published by Random House children's division - it is a great book not only for the little ones.

Billie lives in Merchant Stanton. Her dad is a British soldier fighting in the Armed Forces abroad. Missing him and wanting him back home she goes to the Buckingham Palace to have a word with the Queen about it. Elisabeth II is away on a holiday though. Unable to meet her Billie decides to bring the head of the country to Merchant Stanton instead. She organizes a military tattoo for the Diamond Jubilee and gets all of the town involved in it. Things go a bit complicated when everybody is ready to perform in front of the Queen but she is not there...

Great novel for parents to read together with their kids.

THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL: STUBBLE ATTACKS!

Books & Comics Selfie Project #1

"THE GIGANTIC BEARD THAT WAS EVIL" by Stephen Collins

Who said that reading novels and writing about them must be boring?

With this photo I am starting Books & Comics Selfie Project where I take pictures of myself with the books I love, trying to reflect their content. 

"The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil" is a phenomenal graphic novel by Stephen Collins published by Random House. Beautiful illustrations, amazing style and a quirky storyline make it a mandatory position on every geek's Must Read List.

On the island of Here life is simple and predictable. Everyone wears clean and elegant clothes. All trees are cut in the same way. Men are nicely shaved and women are always stylish. But one day everything goes out of order.

As Dave is in his office preparing for a business meeting out of the blue moon a massive beard starts growing on his face. It grows really fast and is resiliant to trimming. After a few days it gets so big there is no more place for it in his house. It soon gets out through the doors and windows and starts overtaking the island. All Here's stylists, hair-dressers and gardeners are hired to keep it under control. But will they be able to fight the element?

POINTLESS ART: CACTUS, BALLOONS & NEONS

MARTIN CREED / EXHIBITION

LONDON / SOUTHBANK CENTRE / 29 January 2014 - 27 April 2014

Until April London's Southbank Centre is hosting a retrospective exhibition of Martin Creed's work.

Winner of the 2001 Turner Prize, Creed is recognized for his playful installations and minimalistic, but witty approach. Crossing all artistic media and including music, he transforms everyday materials into surprising art forms. After 20 years of his presence on the British art scene, it is about time to sum it all up in one major exhibition.

Martin Creed was born in Wakefield in 1968 and currently lives and works in London. Apart from being an artist, he is also an independent musician. On February 3rd he released his second album Mind Trap via Telephone Records.

CHANEL - Peculiar 2013 Marketing Campaign

CHANEL marketing gurus decided to advertise 2013 Spring/Summer Collection in the most peculiar way. The main visual motif chosen for this campaign doesn't depict any female or male characters, no humans at all, only gadgets abandoned in a bright changing room with a bit of a theatrical and dramatic feeling to it.

Other photos from the same promotional session present rather bored models basically vegging out on a minimalistic 60s sofa, with equally minimalistic and rather sad lamp to accompany their lack of enjoyment.

Although I wouldn't promote one of the best fashion brands in the world in this sorry way, I kind of like it, because there is a bit of a sense of humor to it. It seems that CHANEL is trying to aim its' products at a younger market and teenagers with an attitude.

Star Wars Robots - Celebrity gossip

AT-AT robot, commonly known as Atilla, first appeared in Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back Episode in 1980. After many years of being a villain
it now decides to step back and enjoy life.

Atilla was a gigantic dog-like walker which transported weapons. Despite of its friendly look it was unfortunately bad and dangerous. Released as toys by several companies between 1980 and 1985 AT-ATs became the part of Empire Strikes Back's line and soon were very popular among kids and collectors. They also appeared in Star Wars video game in mid 90s.

Recently Atilla has been spotted by a photographer Nick Drummond. After many years of being a villain and the whole era in the film industry the robot has obviously decided to change its approach. Drummond reports that it now plays with cats, surfs, meditates and on the whole steps back to enjoy the world's beauty after all the time of evil. 

'I've been inspired with the Dalailama and Jesus' teachin and decided it's time to change my heart. I don't want to be bad any more. Actually I really like the smell of flowers!' - said Atilla.

What a transformation! After all AT AT deserves a bit of a chill!

Nick Drummond's AT-AT website: http://www.nickdrummond.co.uk/at-at/gallery/

Nick Drummond's AT-AT shop: http://www.nickdrummond.co.uk/at-at/shop/

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Maya Persson

Cat TV

Fancy getting your cat a nice little bed inside of an upcycled TV-set? Well, why not?

Recycled TV Pet Bed /£82 / LuckyLenoreVintage / http://www.etsy.com/listing/100533748/recycled-tv-pet-bed-mid-century-decor

The Anatomy Of A Toy

Creepy Toys Design - Jason Freeny

Jason Freeny is famous for creating dissected models of famous toys and childrens' fictional icons. He has already shown us the guts and bones of Mickey Mouse, Barbie, Sackman and many others. Now he has disclosed what Lego Men's intestins, liver and skeletone look like. If you are interested in alternative anatomy-learning methods - this might be something for you. Freeny's projects generate different feelings: from laughter to disguist. I'm not sure what message he is trying to put across, but his toys are for sure a statement of originality. As they are hugely popular among collectors, perhaps you'll be interested in buying one? Hand-made, one of a kind models are available for approximately £1000, but the prices for his 6cm-tall limited edition figurines start from £8. What begun 5 years ago as Jason's funny artistic project, transformed into a brand with a big commercial potential.

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http://moistproduction.com/Menu/index.html

http://store.qeeworld.com/skelanimals/skelanimal_freeny_blue

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Holy sock!

After a very long break I come back with this half-artistic/ half-religious post about manifestations of images of Jesus and saints in every day objects. Holy sock, holy pizza. If it makes people's lives better, let them have their miracles. After all a holy image randomly outlined on a piece of fabric or food it is also a form of art.

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via  The Telegraph - link

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'In December 2011, Sarah Crane, 38, from Orpington, Kent, spotted the face of Jesus in the creases of a drying sock. She said she was stunned when she saw a bearded man staring back at her from the laundry line. Her boyfriend agreed the crumpled grey "holy sock" bore an uncanny likeness to the traditional image of Christ. They even talked about creating a shrine to the sock but then the face was lost when they moved it.'

'The face of Jesus was spotted in April 2011 in a three cheese pizza. Restaurant staff at the Posh Pizza shop in Brisbane, Australia, noticed the manifestation after taking the pizza from the oven. Maree Phelan says: "Some people are already calling it the Cheesus Pizza. The pizza is currently vacuum packed and we believe it brings luck. After discovering it, the owner of the store parked in a loading zone and didn't get a parking ticket We feel like we have a responsibility to do something good with this, so we're auctioning it off for charity." After attracting 26 bids on eBay, the pizza sold for a tasty £98'

I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK

Comedy/Romance/Science-Fiction/Drama
Film
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"I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK" is a Korean film from 2006 about a girl who believes she is a machine. She speaks to electronic devices such as light bulbs, radios and coffee-makers and thinks they talk back and share their energy with her, so she doesn't have to eat. As a human being she doesn't understand the purpose of her life. All machines have a very simple purpose of existence. A light bulb gives light, an electric kettle boils water etc. So she starts to believe she is in fact a robot inside, a sort of a Terminator, whose purpose is to kill people.

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Of course by some point she find herself in a hospital for mentally ill people. She meets a very nice boy there who helps her, but in a special way - he lets her believe she is still a robot.

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It is a great and very funny movie by Chan-wook Park. He is an acclaimed filmmaker who in the past made serious documentaries. Here he makes a comedy which makes you laugh, but at the same time shows the complexity and sensivity of human psyche. It referes strongly to popculture and the fascination with technology. People's fantasies are not ridiculed even though they are amazingly grotesque. The hospital becomes a world in which everything is possible, a sort of a fairy-tale. The film has also got strong special effects which make it fun to watch.

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The film's message is that we are all a bit crazy, but it is not a crime to be crazy in a good way if it helps you move on in life. Sometimes we hide in the world of fantasies, because of our family's or environment's bad influence or pressure and the illusion is all we have left. And also it is fine. At the same time we are allowed to burry bad memories, get healed and start again.

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