The collection will feature an array of A5 artwork postcards by 22 Japanese artists, many of whom lost family and friends when the disaster struck. The works intend to offer visitors a stark insight into the grace and resilience of the Japanese spirit and the exhibition is curated by Hirinori Katagiri and Kate Thompson, two respected fundraisers who were working in Tohoku when the earthquake hit North East Japan on 11th March 2011.

The inspiration behind the exhibition’s works comes from the detrimental effect the tsunami had on Japan’s communication channels; where many landlines, mobile phone networks and internet services went down, forcing the Japanese people to depend on the country’s postal service as their primary method of communication, in many cases to report news of survival or death to loved ones.

Postcards From Japan – A Message From Tohoku Artists
Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 2HS
15 February – 22 April 2012

Image credit:
Shigenobu Yoshida (1958–), Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture
Light Bird, 2011
Acrylic on acrylic board
5 3/4 x 8 1/4 in. (14.8 x 21 cm)

Words: Jon Price

To raise money knitwear label Grannies Inc have designed a limited edition hat to raise some much-needed cash and are urging us to get creative with our winter woollies dressing them with fluffy Age UK bobbles and add a bit of colour.

Bobble Day aims to highlight the plight of people in later life during the colder months, as over 200 older people die needlessly every day in winter because of the effects of cold weather. Age UK’s Bobble Day is part of the Charity’s annual Spread the Warmth campaign, which aims to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services. These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm and giving free information and advice 365 days a year.

You can decorate your own or buy a hat available exclusively from www.granniesinc.co.uk, costing £35, with £8 going directly to Age UK’s Spread the Warmth campaign.

There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/bobbleday. Alternatively, they can show their support for Bobble Day by turning their Facebook profile picture all woolly with the new Knit Me app at http://on.fb.me/knitmeapp.

Unlike many Nygard had an unexpected beginning to the business, she explains “I completed a BA in Management, Design and Communication a few years back but had no direct links to fashion as such.  Like most other girls I enjoy nice clothes and like it when garments are aesthetically pleasing.”

But in the summer of 2010, by using her initiative and teaming up with Birmingham-based illustrators Ben Javens, Leanne Jones and Lucy McLauchlan she launched her wonderfully whimsical line.

Through each illustrator having their individual style, Sandford Jr has offered a varied take on children’s clothes that other companies just do not offer. The wide choice means that anyone can find an item that will make them envy their children’s style, never mind the latest It-girl.

From talking to Nygard, it is impossible not to see how passionate she is about her artists.

“I’ve always liked the way Ben uses block colours to create naïve yet very interesting, quirky retro designs. I love the uplifting feel to his work; he’s a perfect choice for children’s clothing. Leanne’s beautiful soft line drawings are so delicate and I think the strangely captivating innocence in her artwork appeals to both young and old. Her designs never fail to wow me. The excitement of consistently finding interesting details in Lucy’s work makes it hugely captivating to look at. Her ‘Humpty’ design for Sandford Jr. is a perfect example of this.”

With the label already taking an organic and environmentally friendly approach to clothing; Nygard hopes to expand these ideas by not only bringing more artists to the company but to develop the label to gifts. She wants to increase the range to include printed lunch boxes, children’s mugs and there’s even talk of wallpaper, so we are all very excited to see what 2012 has install.

With prices starting at £19.99, but as an extra treat Sandford Jr are also offering a lovely 10% discount. Paypal users can just type in APPLE at the checkout on www.sandfordjr.com.

Words: Sarah Parsons

Submissions are open now and run through to the end of March. The awards are open to everyone and along with winning cash your tees will also go in to production.

Awards & Prizes
・Gold (1): 500,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Silver (5): 100,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Student (1): 100,000 yen + production/sale of design by graniph
・Partner Award (5): 50,000 yen + product/sale of design by graniph

Winners will be announced May 1 2012 on graniph.com

The line-up is huge and although Snoop Dogg has pulled out there are plenty of other artists and DJ’s to keep you entertained. The list includes DJ Shadow, Example, Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim, Labrinth, The Vaccines, Chase & Status, The Whip and loads more.

As one of the largest and most highly regarded resorts in the world Mayrhofen is completely taken over for a week long party of hedonistic adventure and extreme sport. The resort also boasts some of Europe’s most lavish spas so you can relax and enjoy the amazing spring sunshine and snowy mountains of one of Europe’s most snow-sure, late season winter resorts. The nearby Tux glacier (Austria’s highest lifted point) is also only a short (free) bus ride away, and although open all-year round, it’s at its best in spring.

Snowbombing is an entertainment and accommodation package, where you can choose a variety of accommodation options to suit your preferences and budget; from 5 star luxury Spa hotels, to pocket friendly pensions.

You can add a variety of extras to build a package to suit you including a variety of lift passes, bespoke parties, including the infamous Arctic Disco and the bonkers Backcountry Party plus ski & snowboard lessons, equipment hire and airport transfers.

Prices start from £289 for accommodation and all the entertainment.

1 WEEK / 14 UNIQUE VENUES / 5 MOUNTAIN STAGES / 4 IGLOO RAVES / 5,000 STRONG STREET PARTY / 1 AWARD WINNING BOARD PARK / 18 SPAS AND POOLS / 639KM OF PISTE

Snowbombing 2012
April 9-14
Mayrhofen, Austria

We love a bit of analogue lomo fun and on the 23rd January the Pop Up will launch hosting workshops (see our sister publication AREA CULTURE GUIDE for Workshop competitions), for first-timers and old school lomographers, along with a host of exciting new product launches.

LAUNCH PARTY INVITATION

On Thursday 26th January from 6pm–9pm come and party to help us celebrate the launch of this fabulous pop up store! DJ, drinks, goody bags and more will be courtesy of Lomography so come along and say hi!

WIN

January’s competition is to win a very cool Lomokino camera; The 35mm Movie Camera that lets you shoot a movie of 144 frames on any 35mm film.

TO ENTER

For a chance to win one of these cameras please email competitionsuk [@] lomography.com with the word FUSED in the subject box. At the end of each month Lomography will randomly pick one entry from that month to win a camera.

However, never fear as everyone’s a winner! You can get 10 piggy points (£10) to spend in the lomography online shop when you sign up for your very own lomohome with this link.

WHAT ARE THE DETAILS

Lomography – come and experience what it’s all about here:
NEW NEW NEW Lomography Pop Up Store Birmingham (Until end April) – 0800 123 400  ext. 56772

By entering this competition you agree to be added to the lomography mailing list. We will not share your data with anyone, or send you any old rubbish, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

What the Hell is Lomography?

The Lomographic Society International is a globally-active organization dedicated to experimental and creative snapshot photography. Boasting over a half-million members across the world, the concept of Lomography encompasses an interactive, vivid, blurred and crazy way of life. Through our constantly expanding selection of innovative cameras & photographic accessories, we promote analogue photography as a creative approach to communicate, absorb, and capture the world. Through the efforts and skill of our Lomographic Society members, we seek to document the incredible planet around us in a never-ending stream of snapshots – literally a global “Lomographic” portrait as seen through the eyes of countless individuals and cultures.

For further information, hi res images, participation as our guest in any of the Lomography workshops, attendance to the launch party and just about anything else you can think of asking…please get in touch and we will do our very best to help.

Check out the other LOMO stores in the UK:
Lomography Gallery Store Soho – 020 7434 1466
Lomography Gallery Store East London – 020 7426 0999
Lomography Gallery Store Manchester – 0161 228 2360

Thanks to Cooler King Hilts for the images.

The album began with two friends hanging out in someone’s house and just throwing ideas around. Slowly, these thoughts merged into melody and an album was born. Although it was never Burrows or Smith’s intention for it to be a Christmas album, ‘Funny looking Angels’ developed a melancholic reflection which was both sad and warming, themes which they felt contributed to a wintery and therefore, Christmassy album. Once they realised the album would be a festive one, tinsel was strung, bells were rung, drums were banged and the Christmas theme was complete. It was surprising for two artists who had not worked together on an album before, “to knock out a Christmas album in the summer months in someone’s attic in Hammersmith”; but it was this odd journey which gave the album its name. ‘Funny looking Angels’, a song by Birmingham band ‘Delta’ was chosen, not only for the love of the song and a tribute to Smith’s Brummie roots, but because the title became an apt description of the album’s journey.

The album serves as a reminder to all to appreciate the true value of Christmas. Smith believes that Christmas should be a time of tradition instead of a desire to “spend, spend, spend”. Smith’s love of the traditional at Christmas quickly became apparent during conversation. To Smith, Christmas is the one time of year when everyone has the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with the people one loves. He can “spend time in the pub with friends” who he has not seen for a while or “sit around the table with family”. For him, the festive season is relatively “small scale” but with all the trimmings of Christmas Cheese. A real Christmas trees is a must. Socks are acceptable presents; although everyone hates receiving them, there is a sort of fondness for the gift because what would Christmas be without receiving unwanted socks? And then there is the Christmas music. “I love the Pogues [‘Fairytale in New York’] but I hate that Wham song” although, he admitted somewhere deep down, (really deep, deep down) he secretly likes it just because… well… “It is Christmas”. You have to accept the cheese in its every form. Even Wham.

The album itself is one of nostalgia and reflects on the cracks in the year gone by but is filled with a naive hope for the year ahead. Smith believes that great Christmas songs do just that; bring people together and causes them to reflect on the past and one’s future. Although some songs in the album are sad, there are uplifting melodies and each song is presented festively using traditional Christmas instruments. “The album is a bit rough around the edges… a bit shambolic” he explained, but this is part of its appeal. This album has been stripped back to basics like Burrows and Smith believe Christmas should be; “You can even hear the sounds from outside,” he said, explaining at times you can hear birds singing or the rain against the attic roof. But both the sad and uplifting songs, with their Christmas bells and drums evoke a certain, melancholic and hopeful feeling which is what Christmas does to everyone.  ‘When the Thames Froze’, written by Smith when the students were protesting is a reflection on last year, while ‘Rosslyn’ and ‘The Christmas Song’ (with Agnes Obel) conform to what one would see as more ‘traditional’ songs. Smith’s particular favourite however is ‘This Aint New Jersey’, a song which both Burrows and Smith wrote together equally. Smith explained that both he and Burrows are “two different types of writers but this song is one where our styles overlap, and the result is “exciting”.

The collaboration of these two fantastic artists has succeeded in creating a moving album with an important message. And for all you fans, this will not be the end of the partnership; there are plans to do another album in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful ‘Funny looking Angels’. This album is not aimed at a particular audience, but at those who enjoy a traditional Christmas and the music of Burrows and Smith. While the album does not have answers or a scientific analysis as to why the world is the way it is now, it does celebrate the most important things at Christmas. Family, friends and hope.

Danann Swanton

Today, CONVERSE Inc. announced the launch of their newest footwear collaboration with world-famous Gorillaz. Launching in February 2012, the styles from the collection combine the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette with the band’s legendary graphic images. Award-winning designer and Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett has designed exclusive prints incorporating elements from their ground breaking artwork.

“To converse: the exchange of thoughts, feelings or ideas. That’s what Gorillaz are all about, working and collaborating and exchanging ideas with other artists and global communicators. We’ve been trading in ideas and conversing with one another for ten whole years. So I couldn’t think of a better bunch of people to help celebrate our decade in the business than the good people over at the Converse shoe company. Plus I’ve been wearing my Chuck Taylor’s since forever.” – Russel Hobbs, drummer of Gorillaz

The Gorillaz collection gives the classic Chuck Taylor All Star silhouette an edge with four different looks inspired by the band. The military inspired camouflage print, taken from the cover of their self-titled debut, is the signature design for the collection and is featured here as a sneak peek. All shoes from the collection contain a Gorillaz heel tab and hangtag with additional details on the product. The full Gorillaz Chuck Taylor All Star collection will be revealed in February 2012 and available nationwide and globally at select retail stores and online at converse.

This weekend (July 22-24) London’s Olympia Two plays host to Hyper Japan 2011- an exhibition of all things Japanese, kooky and undoubtedly kawaii!

This is set to be a great show and has a huge list of exhibitors and performers. It’s certainly a must for any fan of Japanese culture or Cosplay.Highlights of the exhibition include the Hyper Japan UK Cosplay Award (Sat), the ITK Robot Show (all weekend), Sushi Awards 2011 (all weekend), Emerging Japanese Designers Showcase (Sat) and Joji Hirota: Taiko Master (Fri). With all this to see and lots, lots more you really are getting superb value for money.

Tickets are a mere £12 online or £15 on the door (under 10s go free). If you want to catch all the action then a 3 day ticket is only £25. With all the robots, Cosplay and delicious food Hyper Japan is sure to be fun for all the family.

For more information about this event, and to purchase tickets, please click here.