What Colour Are You?

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Therapy just got coloured y’all!

Don’t laugh, I’ve just seen a colour therapist – and no, before you say it, I’ve not gone mad!

So as part of Clerkenwell Design Week, I went to see Samantha Hanson, a colour therapist. Apparently we each have a direct relationship between our physical colouring and personalities. Aura-Soma gives you the chance to gain insight into your emotional, mental and spiritual levels through colour.

I was asked to pick four bottles, based solely on which colours stood out for me. Three of the bottles I chose each had turquoise in them; apparently this represents my creativity. The positioning of the colour was also indicative of where my creativity featured in various aspects of ‘me’.

I won’t reveal much more, although I must say a lot of what was said rang true for me, but then I’ve always been open to alternative insight.

What do you reckon? Can colours really tap into our psyche or is it a load of tosh wash?

Graffiti: nuisance or art?

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Isn’t it about time we gave graffiti a break?! Despite your preconceptions, it stems as far back as Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire and was originally used as an art form to communicate social and political messages. However, a few thousand years later, it’s rebellious status remains.

In the past few months my eyes have been drawn to some incredible examples of art, which for me projects graffiti beyond vandalism. Techniques have been refined and when presented in the right environment, it has the power to communicate great social statements if not at least create a great visual image.

Don’t get me wrong, “B.B.K woz ere blud!” style tags do nothing for the aesthetics of the top deck of bus 113 – yes it still remains a rebellious form of expression by some, (although I do like to think my parents shared my socio-artistic vision all those years ago when as a child I etched and scrawled across their white walls!)

Rebellion aside, isn’t it about time that graffiti was given some more respect? It’s something that young people admire and pay attention to, shouldn’t it be adopted as a means to communicate more effectively to the disengaged within our society?

Nike World Cup

As somebody who makes part of her living looking for new exciting business opportunities between creative/arts organisations and commercial and corporate bodies, I’m always on the look out for novel approaches. The days of just slapping on a logo or brand promotion through a single medium are well and truly over! 

The consumer wants to be engaged, if not at least entertained and for me the new ‘Nike Write the Future’ ad does exactly that. My sources say it’s been created by one of the Wieden + Kennedy US offices (would be great if anyone could confirm which of them as they have many)  … Slight after thought – somewhat ironic given the Yanks aren’t renowned for their love of soccer - anyway I digress… It’s been directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, of Babel, Amores Perros and 21 Grams fame. 

Part of Nike’s history success is its strength of promoting a particular brand value; for me it’s synonymous with physical excellence. Dare I say the ultimate sports brand.

In recent years a number of ads have become public talking points or seep their way into everyday vernacular; think Compare the Meerkat and Cadbury’s Gorilla ad. 

González Iñárritu has created an epic three minute film that takes people on a journey, dramatically capturing that one moment when headlines are written from a single pass, or one strike can bring a nation eternal happiness, while bringing others to their knees. 

 

The World Cup is soon upon us, ‘Write the Future’ will be shown on TV for the first time on May 22nd during the European Club Final.

A DJ Saved My Life!

Anyone who knows me knows that it doesn’t take much to get me shaking my stuff to any rhythm or beat. I love music and I come from a culture and family that loves music just as much. Millie Jackson, Ben Brako, Eddy Grant - growing up we listened to it all!

Early this year, I made it one of many resolves to learn how to DJ. I’m not talking about your Lindsay Lohan iPod selection list style of disc jockeying. I want to master the real deal, you know; vinyl, turntables, mixer – the lot.

So with the patient pupillage of ProjectBrownMan and Sophie Kingo I set about learning how to beat match. Kool and The Gang’s ‘Ooo La La La’ and Mystikal’s ‘Shake Ya Ass’ were some of the tunes we played about with. Ambition was set a little high so we brought it back to basics with the Grease sound track – don’t laugh, matching into ‘Grease Lightening’ isn’t as easy as you might think!

After a four hour lesson I walk away with renewed respect for DJs. Wowzer - I really had no true sense of the skill it involved! I wouldn’t say I’ve taken to it like a duck to water, but I’m determined to pursue it. I love it for the fact that it’s still somewhat of a novelty to see a girl at the decks, also how cool is it to be the conductor of the dance floor!

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to give a go? And if so why haven’t you done so already?

I’m not about to hit Ibiza’s Pacha just yet and I’m not saying I’ll be offering my services for Bar Mitzvah’s, weddings and birthdays soon either. But I do think in life it’s important to give every opportunity a go, even if just once. Children are instinctively curious. For some, this can be nurtured through musical instruments or sport, but it seems that as we get older that intrigue and sense of adventure often meets its demise.

I’m determined not to let that happen. Camuah is just getting started; DJ is one of many strings I’m set on adding to my bow!

Drop the beat!

Social disgrace

Since finding my first grey hair [a moment to share my deep lament - *wipes single tear from eye*]… I truly think I’ve embodied a right and willingness to vocalise my social displeasures. For example, feet on chairs on PUBLIC transport. I can’t stress enough how strongly I feel about this. My repulsion of this bad habit is strengthened when I see fellow passengers doing this on a rainy day, which in this great isle of ours there are many. Why you ask? Oh I’m sorry, yes of course I’d like to get my clean clothes dirty off the back of your shoes. I tell you what Dear Inconsiderate Passenger, next time there are no more seats perhaps you can just lie on your back, raise your feet perpendicular to the floor and I’ll just perch my derrier on the soles of your shoes  shall I?! There’s just no excuse – none! Yes that’s right, not even for the short people whose feet can’t reach the floor. Doh – the seats in the front of the bus were specially designed  for you.

You think that’s a mouthful? Well I haven’t even started, don’t get me going on spitting – makes my blood boil. There are few intimate circumstances in which oral fluids should be shared and believe me when I say spitting on the street isn’t one of them!

On a couple of occasions I have taken to verbalising my disapproval, maybe not always the smartest thing to do in south west London, but hey… What happened to good manners, social grace, please, thank you and good morning etc?

So I’m thinking, given the current state of government I’d happily nominate myself as the ASBO Ticket Master.

I think I might be onto something!

Mr Fayed we bid you adieu!

Talk about a deal on the hush. Who’d have thought the tenacious Mohammed Al Fayed would call it a day and sell his beloved Harrods store? The store’s reportedly been sold for a phenomenal £1.5bn to Qatar Holding LLC.

I’ve always considered the store synonymous with the controversial Egyptian businessman. I mean Mo’ (to his friends) IS Harrods! The thought of it belonging to somebody else just doesn’t seem possible. Afterall wasn’t it supposed to be his ticket to citizenship? “He wants to be a Brit!” the Fulham fans cry. However, following his conspiracy theories and claims of Prince Philip being a Nazi – deep – I somehow doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon. But be rest assured, with a football club to chair, private banking and helicopter businesses to run I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard of him!

Word is he’s working on a comeback single

Voters’ last orders

There are some things you just don’t chance. You know like turning up for a flight 10 minutes after check in’s closed and thinking bribery might sway (please note lady who tried afore mentioned tactic at Gatwick airport. Long story but very funny to watch)… So I don’t quite understand what inspired some of the British electorate to think voting opening hours, stated as 7am-10pm, would be flexible or extended? And then be surprised and angered when turned away after closing time? Tardiness ain’t cool people!

Okay so there may be the odd exceptional case, but with 15 hours there really was no excuse, was there? Am I being too harsh? Maybe I live in a ward where half the neighbourhood couldn’t be arsed to turn up and vote or perhaps we’re simply prompt and well organised? Let’s go with the latter.

A polling station in Lewisham, south east London, made the common sense decision to bring inside those queuing in order for them to lock doors and officially close votes by 10pm.

The BBC has extensively covered  responses of people turned away and it looks like there’s going to be an enquiry.

And to add to the chaos we don’t yet appear to have a final outcome. Does anyone actually know who’s won and who our next government is yet? Apparently, Brown’s refusing to call in the removal men and Cameron’s got SamCam measuring for curtains already. Meanwhile, all Sarah Brown wants to do is put her feet up. But as things stand David Cameron can only be declared prime minister if Gordon resigns and he, Cameron, kisses the hand of the Queen.

Shout out to the twenty-first century! I will say no more.

Ron Arad

If you’ve got £2500 to spare this Ron Arad doll could be all yours! The last of eight; Khashayar Naimanan made a series of limited edition dolls to celebrate the internationally acclaimed legend that is Ron Arad. Variously described as designer, architect and artist, his work defies categorisation.

Now I like to think of myself as an art lover, but £2500 – really?? To be fair, each of these dolls have been snapped off the shelf and I’m sure in no time will be worth triple that. A good investment perhaps. Art truly is subjective; now that I come to think of it I once paid an extraordinary amount for a painting that I simply fell in love with. I tried haggling and even did the whole, “Forget it [cue walk out the shop]“. Only to return the next day and pay the full asking price :-s

The Ron Arad: Restless exhibition is a retrospective and celebration of his three decades’ work. The exhibition runs at the Barbican until 16 May.