PRADA Short Story Project/Contest

International fashion company Prada in cooperation with publishing house Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editore have launched a short story contest. The aim is to make space available for the work of young talented writers.   

“What are the realities that our eyes give back to us? And how are these realities filtered through lenses?”

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and are invited to submit a piece of writing (one only) where ideas, innovation and inquiry are triggered from responding to the above research type questions. By using the metaphor of prescription glasses, the judges will be looking for a creative interpretation of the world (or potential worlds) through the wearing of optical eye wear.

Contest runs from 1 p.m. C.E.T on April 18th, 2013 and ends 1 p.m. C.E.T on June 18th, 2013

Length: a minimum of 10 (ten) pages and a maximum of 20 (twenty) pages of A4 sheets. Note: refer to terms and conditions for submission guidelines.

The winner(s) will each receive 5000 euros.

For full terms and conditions download the PDF file (all 11 pages) from PRADA JOURNAL online. 

Submit your project from there.

GOOD LUCK! 

Horrible Histories - from Books, to TV, to Stage

Terry Deary was able to collect his ideas to write his many Horrible Histories books from anywhere and everywhere. Deary tapped into childrens' endless thirst for knowledge and their love of history and fascinating facts, and, by dispelling the boring bits and exaggerating the tales somewhat his books found a winning formula. Deary injects humour into information that is based on actual events and historical happenings. 
So our children have learned about ancient people and civilizations of the world when reading these illustrated books geared for pre-teens, and from watching the Horrible Histories CBBC TV programmes that followed later on (see video clip below).Our children have enjoyed the stories of the old fashioned and of the long time past, in particular the weird and wonderful behaviour and actions of people. Deary does not tend to focus long on acts of heroism and nobility, he writes about the stupidity, the strange; the ridiculous; the wild and wacky; the toilet jokes, and the plain disgusting, but he does it in such a way that even the telling of the saddest of events or if the deepest tragedy of circumstance results, he is still able to cheer up the reader and although Deary deals with heavy stuff, that if he happened to be writing in the genre of fiction (which he is not), we'd even manage a few happy endings! No mean feat.
A natural progression then, to adapt two of Deary's most popular books namely The Terrible Tudors and the Vile Victorians for stage performance.  These two shows are making their way to the Main Stage at the Belgrade Theatre these school holidays, running from Tues 2 April to Sat 6th.  Tickets for both shows are available now from the Belgrade’s Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £13.75 to £18.25 and from £9.75 to £14.75 for children. Family tickets start from just £35 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.
Featuring professional actors and amazing Bogglevision 3D special effects, the audience will be able to feel what it might have been like to live in the sixteenth century ruled by those terrible Tudor monarchs, learn the fate of Henry's six wives and much more. Alternatively leap forward to the nineteenth century and try to imagine struggling to survive the misery of working down the coal mines, or the hard graft of running the Victorian railway or toiling in the factories.
“Brilliant! A great show with lots of screams and laughter.” says the Sunday Express 
BirminghamStage Company are the country’s premiere company producing theatre for children, well known for their great stage versions of children’s classics such as The Jungle Book and many Roald Dahl adaptations including Danny the Champion of the World and George’s Marvellous Medicine.
The company will return to the Belgrade in the summer with their acclaimed production of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, which will run on the Main Stage from Tues 11 to Sat 15 June.

 

A few titles from the Horrible Histories collection available from Scholastic

 

 

Art Project 6 - How to Make a 3D Figure Using Powertex Products

I am more comfortable doing 2D art activities, but I was interested to learn of Powertex products. Using items from the range, anyone can discover their inner artist and create sculptural pieces suitable for displaying in the home, and outdoors in garden spaces.

I am giving a couple of suggestions as to how to make a simple figure shape which you can build upon with everyday bits and pieces being used alongside items from the Powertex range:

1. using plastic coated wire, twist, loop, bend and pose into a person shape, almost like a clothes hanger. It does not matter how crude this is, as it is a frame on which you can add various materials to pack out and build upon using masking tape and tin foil. So you could be working toward making a 3D dancer, skater, Victorian lady in a crinoline dress; or a mermaid even!The You Tube video at the end of this post will explain more and inspire.

European Girl

Otherwise...

2. Take ready made items from the Powertex range, which includes plaster type head moulds (see European Girl above). European girl can be attached to a long, pinewood stand which will provide a good structure on which to build upon. Simply fix the head on to the tip of the stand using strips of masking tape crossways and tin foil to fill out. End with more masking tape. See step by step instructions in the You Tube video at the end of this blog post. Note: Plaster heads also include an African lady or European boy.

African woman

Then, using textile pieces like an old t-shirt, or cotton squares, or paper (anything made of natural fibres) you can add clothes. Using simple tricks, a fold, a nip here, and a tuck there, plus and a bit of imagination you can hook and hang, wrap and drape, and then fix and literally suspend the cloth into a hardened position by painting on the Powertex textile hardener. This is an absorbent, environmentally friendly, water-based liquid available in six finishes including terracotta and bronze. So a buba and wrapper style set together with head ties can be designed for a traditional African woman for example (see pic below). Leave to dry.

Dry brushing a metallic pigment over the top, produces subtle highlights while allowing the original colour finish to feature strongly. Leave to dry.

Colortricx pigments

Finish with a coat of Easy Varnish. Overlaying with one or two coats of Easy Varnish after three weeks of drying will provide enough protection for the item to be placed outdoors.

Powertex is a wholesale business. Powertex is available to arts and crafts retailers and professionals. Distributed by Nottingham based Powertex British Isles Ltd in the UK.

Below is a link to a You Tube video which demonstrates short tips on how to use the products, some of which I have outlined in this blog post.

The following images are my first attempt at making a Powertex sculpture. Meet 'Eowyn'

 

'Eowyn'

Keeping it Local

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has named Mongolia, as the Global Host of World Environment Day 2013, and, in partnership with TreeHugger, whose work channels green issues through science, design, technology, business and much more, are running a really exciting blogging competition.
The contest winner will be flown to Mongolia for World Environment Day which falls on 5 June. I'd love to be that person!
So I dedicate this blog post in line with the rules of the competition and theme of World Environment Day, Think. Eat.Save – Reduce your Foodprint!
My belief is that ‘keeping it local’ is the way forward, to achieving sustainable ways to feed ourselves. My view is if we can tap in to the social consciences of people who connect, day to day, directly with villagers, city and town folk; we could really be on to something! We are all one big society, remember? I’ll digress from this matter for now, but there will be more on my ideas around community led projects if I’m lucky to make it to the second round of blogging.
I acknowledge that it is no longer a new idea that to reduce our ‘foodprints’ we need to highlight specifics and address things at local level. Those who know me personally, or who subscribe to my online outlets or interact with me via social media, will not argue the fact that I am someone who champions the value and sense of community and its importance.
Globally, in all things relating to agriculture and farming, food production, research and education, progression can bring about giant leaps while new threats can hold back advancement. Alleviating problems to do with scarcity of food for some, and poor health due to bad diet is wide spread. The well being of the population and the environment is a worldwide concern, yet all of these pressing matters are mirrored in a domestic sense too. My first port of call to deal with any kind of big issue would be to seek advice, help or action from local government. Would this be a waste of my time?
We know Local Authorities in the UK have little or no money to support organizations that wish to lead communities in tackling the problems of wasted resources in food production and transport. Regeneration departments have lost their way as to how they can be effective, and seem blissfully unaware that answers to problems could lie relatively close by. Just a little more imagination and less bureaucratic restriction when it comes to interdepartmental communications would be a good starting point.
Councils here, claim, that they respond to the needs of the community, but any new food business knows it has to be financially independent right from the off. Yet start-ups, however enterprising, are unable to provide any large scale solutions to environmental matters and the health and prosperity of people around food supply and transportation etc, without the help of policy makers and some show of backing from government departments. It is a dilemma.
It is impossible not to get political when setting about any task which involves policies to do with the food supply chain. UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner says 'Mongolia will demonstrate to the world that a transition to a Green Economy is possible.' I want to know what level of help people have managed to acquire from governing bodies when starting up their own social enterprise or food related business. Discuss.

Cute Characters of Popular Culture

acrylic and artist pen - canvas size 24"Long 18"Tall 3/4" Wide

A 'One Off' painting of popular characters.

Belgrade Actress to star in National Theatre's Othello

Olivia Vinall performing in the Belgrade Theatre's adaptation of
William Inge’s The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
Photograph by Robert Day

The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry has nurtured the acting talents of Olivia Vinall and are, therefore, pleased to acknowledge that she is to play Desdemona in a star studded production of Othello at the National Theatre. Olivia, who is early in to her stage (and TV) career, secured the role after meeting with the National’s casting director following her performance as Reenie in the Belgrade’s adaptation of William Inge’s drama The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

Directed by the National Theatre’s Artistic Director, Nicholas Hytner, Othello  also stars Adrian Lester, of BBC TV series Hustle and Rory Kinnear as Iago. The production is one of several shows being staged as part of the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary.

Olivia said if it had not been for her role in The Dark at the top of the Stairs she may never have landed this much coveted role. She said “It really is a dream come true for me and all thanks to the Belgrade for producing and supporting lesser known, but incredible pieces of writing. It's good to know people value risks, and without that I wouldn't be about to start this epic adventure.”

Olivia is following in the footsteps of a number of hugely successful actors who have begun their careers at the Belgrade, including Sir Ian McKellen, who had his first job in a Belgrade production of A Man for All Seasons in 1961. He went on to appear in fifteen Belgrade productions before moving on to perform in theatres around the country, including the National Theatre and the RSC.

Other actors include Richard Briers, Sheila Ferris, David Suchet, Joan Plowright, Rosemary Leach, Lesley Joseph, and not forgetting Coventry born, Hollywood actor Clive Owen, whose first taste of acting was as a member of the Belgrade Youth Theatre. Director Trevor Nunn and the RSC’s previous Artistic Director, Michael Boyd are among some of the acclaimed directors to have honed their skills at the Belgrade theatre.

Whilst tickets are not yet on general sale, Othello is due to run at the National’s Olivier Theatre from April 2013.

Made with Love

                                   

Some people, especially those who are really in to brands and particular labels, might perish the thought of receiving something handmade as a gift. But the gesture behind the giving of little treats and keepsakes that have been lovingly made with a special person in mind, can end up being a gift that is certainly of better standard, and can be a nice memento and well liked even. And, perhaps more importantly, better value than anything that is factory produced, that's if the labour is one of love, and not predominantly for making money. I have always found it difficult to 'win back' payment for time spent on a project.

Do you remember doing this activity at school? This threading technique on card? An effective Christmas Card decoration that requires a more mathematical approach than a creative one.

This hand-knitted tea cosy is a gifting opportunity to mark this particularly patriotic year for us residing in the UK, and suitably apt bearing in mind we are the nation of tea drinkers! Displayed in the pic above with an Etoile Teapot from Bombay Duck. Details about the knit kit can be found in this Gift Guide here Review of the tea pot, and links to the Bombay Duck website can be found by clicking here 

I know we need to breathe life into our high streets again, and acknowledge that the big guys are struggling to make profits too. Nevertheless, organizations like http://www.thebestofbritishhandmade.co.uk/  is a network of Artists, supporting Artists, who champion and value the work of cottage industries and independents, who are trading online or otherwise. 
Let us all try to buy at least one gift item, to mark whichever religious or cultural festival is coming up (wherever you are in the world) that has not been 'Made in China' - no offence meant to Asian based manufacturers but you do have the lion's share of so, so much! Therefore, let's defy overiding economic trends and forget global for once, and make it local! 

If you are not a knitter or you can't sew, then buy in a few small, chunky canvases and paint on a design.

Admittedly a little sewing involved in this feltworking, but the sequins are a nice addition and the leaves have a multitude of decorative uses.

And this little felt vase was made for me by my son when he was attending kindergarten. So no excuses!

crochet blanket

pair of wrist warmers (pattern below)

Simple Pattern

How to knit a Pair of Wrist Warmers

You need: 1 Ball of Chunky Crofter Wool and a pair of 6mm needles to fit an adult size medium/large

Cast on 24 stitches

K2 P2 Rib for 12 Rows

Then knit until measures 6 1/2 inches (15.5 cm) Long

K2 P2 Rib for 6 Rows

Cast Off. Fold over and make up the one edge, leaving a thumb size gap just above the main wrist fitting ribbing

Note these are of a 'one size' that will fit most, but as a rough guide, to fit smaller work with 18-21 stitches, and for Large to Extra Large (man), perhaps, work with 27-30 stitches