Saturday, August 29, 2009

August 30, 2009 - Hedi Slimane Interview by Wallpaper

Wallpaper* Oct 07 (Thomas Demand - Interviewer)

Thomas Demand : Sorry to bore you, then, but I keep in mind what relation the viewer might have with my work. That's when the systematic isn't important any longer, but only enables a relatively clear and at the same time complex way of communication; making pictures and looking at them is a communicative act. I was also wondering about your furniture designs, because they don't even try to accommodate the sitter in any ergonomic sense.

Slimane : I don't think about it. I never wanted to whisper anything to any viewer.
As for the furniture design, the F System was a reduced and raw approach to function, and to obsolete or forgotten functions (mostly from the 18th century French 'social furniture').
I designed using Word, as if I was an illustrator(for instance : _-_ ). I used signs to create a system of proportions and functions. It was not at all about accommodating and was anything but ergonomic. I guess it is always a sort of metaphor. Is design really about pleasing or comforting anyone? In men's fashion, we had 20 years of shapeless suits, because of the need for 'comfort'. I think it can be interesting to experiment with restriction and constraints. And you might get used to it.


Thomas Demand : Do you think you will ever use colour? Like frappuccino brown with a twist of lavender?

Slimane : It's not going to happen in this lifetime. It has always been about reduction for me. I'm blind to anything but monochrome.

Thomas Demand : You said once that you like to approach everything like an ameteur. That's a phrase that has something Wildean about it to me - don't ask me why. However I am competely on the other side. I think things only make sense after you have loooked at them for a long while. And making a decent suit seems to need that. I know it's not something you want to talk about, but do you acknowledge that you got better at certain things over time?

Slimane : I guess it is really specific. When I buy a new electronic device, I never read the instruction book. I try to find my own way. I didn't study fashion or photography at school, and never wanted to. I was scared that a teacher would form my taste. I started taking pictures when I was 11 and designing my clothes when I got to 16.
I did it because I had a desire to do it, nothing else. I didn't think of developing any skills, I didn't feel like I had to prove anything in that way. I just had to express certain principles and ideas and develop my vision. I never wanted to sign on for a career; I usually run away when I feel I'll get stuck on a one way road, or someone wants to get a hold on me and put my work in jeopardy. I asume I was always trying to convey the same idea through different media;
Sometimes you get lucky and things work out organically. Your expression becomes tighter and more focused. But it is rather intuitive, like developing an inner operating system.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

August 15, 2009 - Picasso's Quote

"There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are other who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." - Picasso

Saturday, August 8, 2009

August 8, 2009 - Aquascutum A W 09 Campaign


August 8, 2009 - Rad Hourani Diffusion Line 2009



Background was white, but after a few 'geometric doodles' here's the result. I personally like the first and the last better.