A short story

Do you really need another pair of shoes?

All of a sudden the bus stopped. Seems like another bus driver who got his driving licence for Christmas. It is afternoon, almost three o’clock. I like travelling by bus during the day but not in the city centre. Everything around me sounds twice as loud. People are coming upstairs one after another.  Their steps are slow, the echo of heel sounds. As I see from the window most of them are carrying large shopping bags with them.  One family is extremely loud, cannot quite understand the language but sounds like Italian. By turning my head towards the entry hole initially the shiny, stylishly printed letters labelled on the bags peek out, Office and Kurt Geiger. I am getting the picture now-they have been shoe shopping; well good for them.

A couple of girls giggling and chatting about their purchases choose the middle seats for a rest. That means turning The Kasabian guys a bit louder on my iPod.  Their stylish edge could shine until the end of the bus. Individual, unique and not even close to the latest trends as if they had just arrived from Berlin!  By observing them surreptitiously I could recognize the early twenties spirit. When I was that age I went to the shops to buy something that I never actually needed. The girl with sassy orange hair pulls black lace leggings out of one of her many bags. I was getting slightly curious.  She did not seem to mind letting the rest of us on the bus know that she has another date coming up with her fancy beau. When showing her more than existed friends what she had decided to wear tonight I could not stop staring at the military style blue velvet blazer. My heart started beating as if it was love at first sight. That attention to detail, effortless cut and bronze cufflinks blew me away. The predictably crowded shopping street was just round the corner and I was running out of time.

A couple of weeks ago I went shopping while visiting a foreign country. Bought an oversized rock’n’roll style T-shirt depicting Rolling Stone illustration, which suits well either with leggings or skinny jeans. Also a greyish urban printed shirt-dress, simple yet trendy; yet still I cannot get over that pair of tiger print shoes. Its velvety texture over low heel would have balanced my electric style. Last couple of days I have been looking and restlessly browsing through same brand stores, not to mention online market. Why can’t I find them? Even the website does not have them in the new collection section.  I knew I should have taken a photo of them in the first place. I am awful, cannot go back now. On the other hand, do I really need another pair?

The bus is stuck in traffic. I am getting slightly annoyed. Should have taken the tube. Maybe I should go and walk, the place is not that far. Whilst making my way towards the stairs I could not help but overhearing this woman’s phone call. Her voice is appealing, the charm that is hidden behind her subtle camel hat. Either she is talking to her best friend or someone close to her whilst sharing the latest. In particular what she got from her boyfriend as a birthday present. Suddenly the bus turns, I fall on one of the seats on left of the stairs.  A guy turns around. Quick glance and turns back to the window side; I am not too bothered.  It is good I have a magazine with me. This shopping temptation is reaching way too far. Flipping through pictures of September issue my enemies are back: vibrant leopard-print, Gothic lace, and dominatrix leather garments. Wrong choice of reading for the day! The distraction by folks outside and the flow of bags suddenly hits me, my young niece asked me to get her tiger print leggings! I cannot believe I had forgotten this!  

I remembered a chat with my friend about needing and wanting. As he is a good eight years older than me I did not see a reason to argue, as if there is a very fair difference. I do not need another pair but I want those shoes as much as I want to make my thirteen year old relative look cool and chic amongst her friends. When looking back that is what I wanted when I was thirteen. Recently I spoke to her she was so thrilled even telling me about the leggings as if she knew deep inside I had already bought them. To be honest I feel worse than ever, and my flight is due in two days.

Windows reflect more people, shopping bags and people. The lively area itself is bursting of sophistication and smell of money. A very vivid crowd was about to get on board. There she walked smoothly around the large crowd, wearing stretchy shiny tiger print leggings over shaded leather jacket. I could not stop staring outside the window, had to figure out where she had got her leggings. Might as well try to catch her and spend that bonus on someone who needs it more than I do. Mission accomplished; half way.

I followed up a video interview when Crane TV met up with London Liberty Girl.

The Crane TV had the privilege to meet a fashion blogger who trigged a fresh sensation by running her unique blog London Liberty Girl. Listening to Sasha Wilkins you could sense the passion in her love for fashion blogging by bringing the latest to her followers reaching right people at right time. Her devotion to style and trend has not changed over the years whereas currently she is enjoying on the spot access to the most recent; covering the exciting backstage scene to the up-coming blistering statement pieces in the new season. Previously attracting readers with enthusiasm to particularly her interests than the recent success has allowed her to reward followers with unusual angle in contrast to traditional fashion bible. Apart from glamorous lifestyle and constantly on the move her personality is still down to earth and style effortless yet chic. Wilkins opens up honestly about how previously print media journalists as the gatekeepers have lost their effect of being in possession of the blitzing fashion lifestyle. Whilst her everyday life still involves journalistic experience then the online media allows her sharing more personal and instant insight to the latest in fashion. The closed circle cliché in fashion has been broken, content as raw has never been that accessible. Competition has only injected confidence into Wilkins aspiration.

What is Crane TV?

The Crane TV has proudly established itself as a distinctive media phenomenon. Its one of a kind reporting approach creates awareness via more original perspective giving insight to fashion, design, travel and lifestyle. Contemporary society is offering diversity in very unusual shapes and features that are yet to be discovered by readers. The aim of The Crane TV is to attract and inspire with a creative viewpoint and stories whilst keeping the imaginative productive.

The Crane TV, online video magazine for contemporary culture

http://www.crane.tv

London Liberty Girl blog is run by Sasha Wilkins. She is a freelance journalist, and all on one Writer-blogger-journalist-broadcaster-editor-stylist.

http://www.libertylondongirl.com/

GALERIE FUR MODERN MODEFOTOGRAPHIE

Gallery for Modern Fashion Photography, a small and promising space in trendy central Berlin showcases fashion photography projects whilst exploring the aesthetics of fashion. The latest exhibition by German born Frederike Helwig is definitely one of a kind. Helwig, having studied photography in Bournemouth College of Art and Design (where also legendary Nick Knight studied) landed with her first assignment already during university days. Her eye-catching portfolio includes both latest commercial and fashion photography, while the Skype project is simple yet innovative.

A fashion spread commissioned by British magazine Lula came with an exception, small budget. At first glance the project does not reveal its unusual medium. Pixelating, slightly fuzzy, double exposure effect even though without that sharp detail the finished image stands out appealing. Apart from framed photographs the poster type ones covering the back wall with date and time printed on it reveal the secret of this fashion editorial shoot; it is done through a communication platform Skype. If usually the crew all work in the same location then in this case Helwing was capturing the action in London and rest of the crew was busy on other side of the Atlantic in New York.

Fredericke Helwig SKYPE

8. July 2010- 28. September 2010 Berlin

www.galeriefuermodernefotografie.com

Loving her website; just like an endless data space filled with photographs

http://www.frederikehelwig.com/

DATE TIME: 2009_11_18T18:39:43Z

DATE TIME: 2009_11_18T18:53:21Z

Berlin, Berlin! (August 2010)

After getting the grips with long walks in Berlin, not to mention a attention grabbing history tour I felt it is time to start discovering the art scene in Berlin.

Good way catching up with the latest in Berlin is keeping eyes open, as posters are tagged everywhere.

C/O PHOTOGRAPHY

Educating

Historical

Reportage

The eye-catching architecture of this shabby-looking building is hard to miss in the middle of the busy restaurants and bars. It is definitely one of many outstanding places for cultural visits while visiting Berlin as it is going to be closed down coming year spring! This International Forum is an expanding place for displaying emerging talents and various visual art activities for all age groups. A good range of work and an interesting building it is worth a visit for anyone interested in photography.

Magnum, shifting media. New role of photography Von Robert Capa bis Donovan Wylie

Magnum, photography agency founded in 1947 by photographers such as Robert Capa, George Rodger, Henri Cartier-Bresson, David Seymor and William Vandivert. Yet today the agency is well recognised for its outstanding reportage photography, documenting the whole world from everyday family life to shocking catastrophes.

It is the context that media theorist Nobert Bolz speaks of the ‘’great silent image’’, which alone has the capacity to provide some kind of a foothold in the swelling tide of data.

Documentary photographers are constantly aiming to capture a profound photograph: know the subject, involve factual information and keep away from manipulation.

This particular exhibition focuses on contemporary photojournalism, but also includes the period of Robert Capa’s early days documenting Spanish Civil War. The flow on display links the work of the five founding fathers of Magnum - Capa, Cartier- Bresson, Seymor and Vandivert while extending to current creative reportage photography. Emotive images, extreme scenes, breathtaking shots from all over the world, some also published in magazines like Life.

www.magnumphotos.com

blog.magnumphotos.com/

www.co-berlin.info

MUSEUM FUR FOTOGRAFIE

Located in the sophisticated western part of Berlin, current home for Museum of Photography first found its purpose as a casino back in the early 20th century. With spectacular architecture, the site holds exhibitions over three levels.

The ground floor is a permanent home for the work of legendary fashion photographer Helmut Newton, including his donated masterpieces of dominatrix-style women in latex as well as a construction of his office.

In contrast, Kaisesaal showcases various photographic exhibitions from the past that have shaped our present view of the world. An excellent collection which is well worth a visit even without keen interest in photography.

They're Coming! (naked), 1981

Elsa Peretti, New York, 1975

Calender 2001

Some of the strongest images of the decade came from Berlin born Helmut Newton. Powerful, passionate, erotic pictures of sexually confident women challenged ideas of femininity and sexual roles. In Newton's pictures the woman has definitely given a dominant role while accessorised with high heels, corsets, chains always against mirrors and corridors, stairs or balconies that rise to dizzying heights, swimming pools and bridge railings. The photographer liked to take chances, shoot at extreme locations and create a whole new world on his photographs.

Helmut Newton was born to middle-class Jewish parents in Berlin in 1920. He bought his first camera when he was 12, shot his first film in the Berlin Metro. By his mid-teens, he was photographing his girlfriends’ in his mother's clothes, until year 1936 he started working for Else Simon. Then he moved to Australia in 1940, eight years later he married with one of his models June Browne, alias Alice Spring. In 1956, Newton left Melbourne, where he had set up his studio and was also working for the newly launched Australian Vogue. Year 1956 he returned to Europe while working for British Vogue for a year. His breakthrough came after resettling in Paris and shooting for French Vogue in 1961. Furthermore he carried on working closely with Playboy, Elle, and American Vogue. 1976 his first book “White Women” was published. Further years Newton carried on working for various magazines, publishing more creative books and also got awarded many times by his signature look. In year 2004 Newton died in a car accident while having heart attack.

Newton well known seductive erotic pictures reflect what he sees in life with his own eyes. Fashion photographer Helmut Newton would charge his batteries from everyday life. He did what he wanted to do, what only pleased him rather than caring of public’s opinion. By 60’s he had reached his style and set to photographing nudes. Big Nudes, a series of huge portraits women wearing nothing but stilettos, and shot against a white backdrop, was one of the more remarkable projects of that time. Newton’s friend David Bailey even said “He defined the nude”. The sets were simple and unusual, strong and seductive women wearing just high keels. He would use fashion just an excuse in his scenes which also defines he’s well balanced monochrome photographs became far more famous then the garments.

As well as making fashion photographs, Newton had begun to be known as a portraitist. During his long career, he probably photographed almost everyone who was ever famous, from Steve Strange to Jean-Paul Gautier. He worked often for Playboy magazine, where his freedom to make highly erotic photographs was far greater than in the fashion press. Furthermore Helmut Newton's editorial fashion photography was a series of complex, multi-layered visual fictions, imbued with an ambivalent and violent sexuality. He took everyday subjects - a woman walking in the rain, a woman in a kitchen, and charged them with an extreme eroticism.

Helmut Newton for me is definitely one of the most influential fashion photographers of all time. His photographs may come across pornographically which is why he’s work is unique. The stylish scenes combine seductive lesbian sets and prostitution which actually add that extra power and interest to his work. I personally think his biggest trump was being self- confident; doing what you really love and doing it with passion. On a photography side: beautiful women, desirable clothes (either designer garments or just high heels) and a talented photographer make a powerful combination already.

Aside from his pictorial fame he also created Photo Machine which is still highly known and used. The specially made Newton machine is ideal to take fashion images without having a photographer around. The Machine’s original purpose was to capture the subject as they see themselves, which draws parallels to today’s obsession with engineering one’s self-image. Topshop recreated Newton’s machine and using it in London, Dublin and Manchester. The idea is really simple: model control the whole sitting, they will decide when to stop, lighting has been set up and an area where the model must stand has been marked on the floor. The whole system is devised to promote the tension of the session and to catch the model at the peak of each pose.

Helmut Newton Photo Machine at Topshop

'System Collapse' by Zosen

Colorful

Graphic

Animation

Reflects

Opposition

After close observation of this simplistic yet involved style adapted by street artist Zosen I could not help thinking about children’s books. Back in childhood if I could not understand the text I would visually imagine what was going on there whilst studying character's motions.

In this case the dazzling depicted characters packed on plain white canvas carry a message about current situations in our everyday lives, the economical state. Fairly interesting to follow and explore how Zosen, the artist, reflected the theme in his own unique way while mixing acrylic and spay paint.

If the first couple pieces do not expose the message then stepping couple steps backwards the colorful puzzle does undercover an certain mood.

The sense of vivid letters mixed on piece called ‘HA LEGEDADO EL MOMENTO DE…’ implies frank if not profound clues. Another piece called ‘Babylon’ (which in generally people would think of discrimination against Afro American race) does not need a lot of studying either.

Also worth checking out the range of ANIMAL BANDIDO clothes and accessories made in collaboration by street artist Zosen and Claudia Font; gloves, pull-over hats and T-shirts are few to point out in this innovative ‘Futurama’ alike collection.

Overall the atmosphere in this white cube space has been kept in good spirits with diverse range of colours and multiple characters, not to mention the individual style of typography. Even though in total the reality may not seem that lively to everyone.

After getting to know the artist’s background as an active street artist in Barcelona background, I am eager to visit Barcelona again and follow the vibrant and colorful street art scene there.

STOLENSPACE GALLERY

http://www.stolenspace.com/

91 Brick Lane, London

13.08.10-29.08.10