WTF

[Faust]

Nice post Beardown. It makes me wonder what do you think of Ann D's use of imagery, particularly Julia Margaret Cameron (whose work is iconic and because the work was done in the late 19th century, her estate has probably has no rights on the usage of her work)? The Kara Walker designs might be thought of as a collaboration, but the Dada lifted heavily (and directly) from original prints.

It is a grey area for me. I am sure Ann D did it with the best intentions and obviously it is different then a Colbain t-shirt by Urban Outfitters, but it changes the context of how the art work is seen. And in the case with Cameron and Dada the original artists are not around to approve how their work is being used.

I can tell you exactly what Ann was thinking, you don't have to guess.

First, like with Jun and Raf, she wants to share with the world the kind of art that inspires her. Let's face it - none of the images she has put on her clothes are even remotely close to the iconic status of that Peter Saville graphic. Outside of a narrow circle (taken in a large context) of people who know art, these are unfamiliar. I did not know who Juliette Margaret Cameron was until I saw it on Ann's clothes. Same goes for Jim Dine. I bet you 80% of the people on this board are the same way.

Second, as you have guessed yourself already, she does want you to see art in a different context. You put the art on your body, instead of hanging it on the wall. Those were her exact words. With Jim Dine, it was a collaboration - she invited him over to Antwerp and they worked together. With Kara Walker, she went beyond the tshirts - which would be commandable by Beardown's criteria.

The DaDa collection was a bit different - that was a story she imagined about what the dadaists would look if they went on vacation. Except the Dada tshirt, the rest of the collection was quite abstract. I am sure you don't think that dadaists have monopoly on colorblocks or that Mondrian has monopoly on prime colors. :-)

[cjbreed]

Where can I but this?

dutchbydesign

[dndy1840]

cross posted by request.

homelessnessforthehome

now you too can capture the exhilaration of sleeping under a bridge in the safety and comfort of your own HOME...

Aha thanks

This really is a WTF. I wonder what the so called "designers" were thinking. Cosy bourgeois love to consider themselves as bums on the inside ? Live like a bum in silk sheets ?

[lowrey]

this seems to be the concept:

The Home Duvet lets you sleep under a cardboard box so a homeless person doesn't have to!

30% of the gross profits go to Centrepoint, the UK charity for homeless young people aged 16-25 (charity number 292411). Every night Centrepoint provides support and housing for 800 vulnerable homeless young people

[Fade to Black]

i haven't checked out the actual link, but based on what I see from Mike's quote that actually sounds like a wonderfully wacky angle.

[cjbreed]

no way they could do this without a portion of proceeds going to charity.

otherwise: angry mobs with torches. probably.

[Fade to Black]

either way it sounds like one of those things that the masterminds KNEW it was gonna be a stroke of genius smash hit when they released it but it'll amount to nothing anyway.

[Seventh]

I was confident you would have some thing to say on this matter, Faust.

First of all, I wasn't trying to be critical of Ann (perhaps the WTF thread is the wrong place for this discussion?) But I do think it is an interesting topic for discussion. Just some thoughts...

One of the things that happens when the artwork is used on clothing is that the images become more graphic. The material quality of the original images change (the detail of Cameron's prints, the surface of Dine's drawings/paintings, or the size of Walker is lost). In my mind, the original depth of their work is reduced. They become symbols, references of Ann's interests. The question for me is whether what Ann is adding back to the work in her construction of the clothes adds a new layer of meaning.

Sometimes I think that when designers use the images that inspire them is too easy or direct. That the ideas and reasons that they like an artist, designer, music or time period should be filtered more into their work, rather than just using an iconic image. The images feel like footnotes.

For example Jun's use of the Saville graphic seems slightly out place with the actually cut and aesthetic of the clothes, I don't know why the two were integrated other than he liked the design. It seemed like a cool reference rather than the motivating inspiration for the collection.

Ditto with Ann's use of Kara Walker, although I actually liked how she used Cameron, btw.

However, you could argue that images are just images, and if it looks cool, then use it.

Interested in what others think.

I can tell you exactly what Ann was thinking, you don't have to guess.

First, like with Jun and Raf, she wants to share with the world the kind of art that inspires her. Let's face it - none of the images she has put on her clothes are even remotely close to the iconic status of that Peter Saville graphic. Outside of a narrow circle (taken in a large context) of people who know art, these are unfamiliar. I did not know who Juliette Margaret Cameron was until I saw it on Ann's clothes. Same goes for Jim Dine. I bet you 80% of the people on this board are the same way.

Second, as you have guessed yourself already, she does want you to see art in a different context. You put the art on your body, instead of hanging it on the wall. Those were her exact words. With Jim Dine, it was a collaboration - she invited him over to Antwerp and they worked together. With Kara Walker, she went beyond the tshirts - which would be commandable by Beardown's criteria.

The DaDa collection was a bit different - that was a story she imagined about what the dadaists would look if they went on vacation. Except the Dada tshirt, the rest of the collection was quite abstract. I am sure you don't think that dadaists have monopoly on colorblocks or that Mondrian has monopoly on prime colors. :-)

[Faust]

I know you weren't trying to be critical :-) It is a very valid question. More on it soon.

[ES3K]

The beloved Jeremy Scott pour Adidas... a masterpiece!

http://www.luisaviaroma.com/index.aspx#getData.aspx|CallType=Product&prodId=L6E3&des=&cat=&gender=men&group=&vendorColor=MDAxQQ==&season=actual&seasProdID=50I

[editevening]

i'm not sure if Jeremy Scott needs to be called out on a WTF.

[ES3K]

i'm not sure if Jeremy Scott needs to be called out on a WTF.

Ok I guess you've made a point there But that he can climb out of his WTF-world with help from Adidas (and LuisaViaRoma buyers) is WTF, imho.

[Faust]

I don't mind. Keeps the fire of my hatred going.

[Johnny]

well worth a click!

http://cgi.ebay.com/JUNYA-WATANABE-CANVAS-SHOES-converse-polo-abecrombie_W0QQitemZ250522370005QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Men_s_Shoes?hash=item3a544bffd5

[cjbreed]

The beloved Jeremy Scott pour Adidas... a masterpiece!

http://www.luisaviaroma.com/index.as...seasProdID=50I

i'm not sure if Jeremy Scott needs to be called out on a WTF.

well the first words out of my mouth upon viewing this inexplicable creation were spontaneously and uncontrollably: "what the fuck?"

so, yeah...its a wtf