The difference between art and design is that with design, it’s generally easier to test if it’s any good and there’s a purpose that can be evaluated. The difference between art and (propositional) architecture is whether or not Callum did it. If Callum did it then it’s art. Art, design and architecture are presently cannibalizing […]
March
11
Plagiarism: What is it and How do you do it?
posted by Natalie Thomas
Design is So Big Right Now that the world’s favourite power lesbian, Ellen DeGeneres, recently launched her own 6-part American furniture design reality TV competition for cable – “Ellen’s Design Challenge”. The Grand Finale saw finalists Tim and Katie design one last piece of furniture, the winning designer taking home prize money of one hundred […]
February
27
Adam Kalkin: The Remote-Controlled Terrorist Coffin; RMIT
posted by Natalie Thomas
Design and warfare have a close relationship and when there’s a war on, there’s funding for ideas with a military potential. LOOOOADS of funding. Hugo Boss needed funding once. Hugo’s fashion house designed and produced all of those killer Waffen SS uniforms (made by Polish slave labourers). Hugo joined the fledgling Nazi Party and contracts […]
February
24
White Night Melbourne
posted by Natalie Thomas
White Supremacy. White Noise. White Australia. You could quite easily argue, that as an adjective White (what with it’s obvious overtones and all) is very last century. Therefore, I’m thinking an immediate rebranding of the White Night spectacle to Colourful Night would be a big help. How about As Good as a State Sponsored Free […]
February
16
Brent Harris: Dreamer; Tolarno Galleries
posted by Natalie Thomas
I once harboured such youthful disdain for painters that I had to coin a new phrase to describe my own senseless discrimination: Paintcism. As a paintcist I believed all painters had it too easy: producing art products that people want to buy and hang on their walls like spice racks. Any idiot can paint, or […]
February
09
Justene Williams: The Curtain Breathed Deeply; MUMA
posted by Natalie Thomas
A wise friend once remarked nonchalantly: “Life is tough and then you get a shitty boyfriend”. The choice of who you show almost all of yourself to, is the curating that most affects life. Dating is curating with your private parts and P-Parts often override your conscious, thinking self. Another of life’s little mysteries is […]
February
03
Terry Wu and Jason Smith Birthday Bash
posted by Natalie Thomas
The art world turned out in force on Saturday night to celebrate the birthdays of Terry Wu and Jason Smith. Hosted in the home of Terry and Melinda Wu, Birthday Boys Terry and Jason threw a joint celebration, which is considered the hit of the season so far. Everyone was in fine spirits, well rested, […]
January
18
ACCA Menagerie
posted by Natalie Thomas
Down at ACCA they’re trying to turn animals into people again. You’ve got to be pretty down on your herd to try this trick. Most animals aren’t even toilet trained yet. Maybe that’s part of the appeal: people love cleaning up a mess that isn’t their own. ACCA says Menagerie is an art show that “…Explores […]
January
01
In Bed with the Ghost of Adam Cullen
posted by Natalie Thomas
Formerly we used to canonise our heroes. The modern method is to vulgarise them. Cheap editions of great books may be delightful, but cheap editions of great men are absolutely detestable. Oscar Wilde The Critic as Artist Part 1 It was late and we’d been drinking. […]
December
23
Fan Letter to Matthew Barney
posted by Natalie Thomas
Fan Letter to Matthew Barney Cc: Norman Mailer and David Walsh Dear Matthew, I’m writing to say I love your work and I’m sorry you didn’t get to meet me when you were out here recently for your MONA show. I wanted to see your new six-hour epic film based on the Norman Mailer […]
nattysolo 