Books under the christmas tree
I am a big fan of books under the christmas tree. In my digital dominated world I fall for the smell and the paper and the weight of books. If I am reading a heavy book I read it lying on my belly, a small book I take with me in my bag, a paperback book I read during a bath, a special hardcover book I treat specially as well, a book with important sentences I often underline them, a book with a beloved story I read again,...
If I am reading books on the ipad? > certainly no. Too many hours per day I stare into a screen anyway...
This year there were two very special books under the christmas tree that I would like to recommend:
"KREATIVITÄT AUSHALTEN - Psychologie für Designer" Frank Brezbach
A very special book about working as a designer in all its facets. It makes you think about your way of work and you instantly start analyzing your own working situation. I found it very helpful. Besides the very interesting content it is very nicely chaptered and it has an extraordinary beautiful typedesign. A must for every designer.
"WASSERFARBEN FÜR GESTALTER" Felix Scheinberger
After his first book "MUT ZUM SKIZZENBUCH" his second book is even more inspirational. The author dropped a dab of paint on every single book. So there are thousands of unique copies. Just one of the books you want to possess to put in your design and art library.
Well, I gave the one I bought to my dad as a christmas present >> so easter is coming soon just for you to know ;)
I do enjoy looking at my dads paintings inspired by this book though.
[photo © Frank Berzbach und Felix Scheinberger | Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz]
ImPRESSive
I like to do things with my hands. Ideas I create with the help of my sketchbook. Invitations I send out self made to real addresses and not to an emailaddress. Painting, cutting, sticking... I am not into "digitalism" at all actually. But with all the great software you are able to produce beautiful design as well... But in the end – the printing part. Again: Silkscreen, Letterpress,... I am very much into the crafted finishing on paper.
That's why I was very skeptical when I heard about this new App called LetterMpress founded by graphic designer John Bonadies and programmer Jeff Adams. A program that simulates a letterpress studio. First I was distracted by the odd sound effects and – for my personal taste – a bit too complex and slow navigation of the tool palette.
Last Friday I had a children's pancake party at my house and I thought, why not try this App again and play around to create the invitation card. After all I have to admit that I kind of fell in love with this program. Its a lovely tool for experimentation and playing around without getting your hands dirty...
Certainly worth it.
Still – the smell and the excitement of a real letterpress studio is definitely missing.
[© Fräulein Pfeiffer]
eine sekunde von mir
A short PREVIEW of my music video for Poenitsch&Jakopic was published today on youtube. I made an experimental music video for their song "eine Sekunde von mir" (one second of mine) from their brand new album HERZTON (heart tune). Filmed with my NIKON D7000, edited with Premiere and After Effects, made with love, ideas, sweat, overnight rendering sessions and lots of seconds of mine!
[© Fräulein Pfeiffer]
over your cities grass will grow
We all know Anselm Kiefer – if you don't know him, get to know him.
A documentary about his work was released in theaters last week: OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW SOPHIE FIENNES – the british director – completed an outstanding job here.
Architecture, Painting, Installation and Landscape melt and transform into an artistic synthesis. The film is spectacular. Everything just fits. The images (REMKO SCHNORR) the editing (ETHEL SHEPHERD) and especially the sounddesign (RANKO PAUKOVIC)... It puts Anselm Kiefer and his work into the light of beauty where it belongs.
Poetic observation – monumental thinking – a work of beauty in any terms.
Some days ago, Anselm Kiefer announced he wants to buy a nuclear power plant that has been taken out of service in Germany. I am full of curiosity about this controversy artwork...
[photo © mindjazz pictures | over your cities grass will grow 2011]
Let's go into the future
Today my personal hero will be in town. And I will meet her.
I am following Miranda Julys work since many, many years and fell in love with her art at first sight. She is the best example for me, that it is possible to work in many different genres and be as successful in one area as in others. She is a performance artist SLASH filmmaker SLASH actress SLASH writer SLASH artist in general. She and her work had become very popular over the last years and I believe it is very difficult to remain grounded with all ballyhoo...
I still like her work and I worship her way of thinking and creating. Miranda July has a very unique style and I hope she is able to keep it that way.
Today she is presenting her new feature film THE FUTURE in Munich. I saw THE FUTURE at the Berlinale Film Festival earlier this year already and I was impressed how she sketches the lostness of our 30-something generation. She draws a perfect line between weird scenery and very genuine situations at the same time.
But see for yourself. For example tonight at the MONOPOL Cinema in Munich at 19:00. Miranda will be there as well.
PS: Her brand new book came out last week IT CHOOSES YOU. I am very curious about that one. You can get a copy here already.
[photo © miranda july | the future 2011]
F INISH TH S B K!
After "Wreck this journal", "This is not a book" and "The manual of accidents and mistakes" KERI SMITH has published her new book "F NISH TH S B K" in September. I really like these art books and I am amazed what people are able to do with a book – mine is still new and neat and I am still fighting my fear. I will keep you posted and show you my results.
[photo © Keri Smith]
Souvenirs of the Unexpected
This year I met Keetra Dean Dixon at OFFF 2011 in Barcelona. She is such a great artist and designer. I just love her freaky ideas and the whole self-made stuff she is creating. She is a real thinker and her projects are filled with love and passion. Keetra adds so much happiness and soul to her ideas – there is no way to ignore her.
I especially like the cordial invitations series and the self-made photo-booth project Souvenirs of the Unexpected.
[photo © KeetraDeanDixon]