a tiny world of disproportionate curiosity;  a place where the traditions of art, fashion and theatre often coalesce in the surreal

09 March 2012

Lady Grey









Photographs by Tim Walker 
Vogue Italia March 2010



All images found via this wonderful blog

06 March 2012

Georges Méliès


I have long been in love with the fantastique work 
of french film pioneer Georges Méliès.



His visions have greatly inspired my work in performance,
my art making, and my creations of costumery and millinery.

A box set of over 170 of Georges Méliès films
is now availiable from Amazon. C'est maqnifique!


Georges Méliès in 3D

We finally went to see Hugo and it was really wonderful.








At first I thought the story was sweet but a little too contrived.

When we came home and I read up on the life of Georges Méliès, 
I found that it was almost as fantastical as Martin Scorsese's film.

I think, indeed, Scorsese's film does the Magician's art justice.
If only Méliès could have seen his dreams brought to life in 3D!


You can view the much referenced A Trip To The Moon here.

01 March 2012

The Mad Square


'Half-Caste' Hannah Höch 1924 via

The Mad Square finishes this Sunday. 


'Merz Drawing [Fox]' Kurt Schwitters 1930 via

'Made For The Party' Hannah Höch 1936 via


[Spiral Costume from the Triad Ballet' Karl Grill 1926-27 via


'Metropolis' Heinz Schulz-Neudamm 1926 via


'Love' Hannah Höch 1931 via

'Untitled [Dolls]' László Moholy-Nagy 1926-1927 via

It focusses on Modernity in German Art from 1910-37.

Expressionism. Bauhaus. Dada. Constructivism. New Objectivity. 
Metropolis. And what the National Socialist Party termed Degenerate Art 
and confiscated, stole, burnt or sold abroad.  It's a fascinating show.

Hurry down to the NGV before you miss out!

18 February 2012

Sophie Blackall

I love Sophie Blackall's beautiful and quirky illustrations.


'We Shared a Bear Suit' from Sophie's book 
'Missed Connections' available at Amazon


Recently, I stumbled across an article at 'The Inside Source'
with some wonderful photographs of Sophie's home and lovely 
collection of inspirational objects and fantastical curiosities...







To quote the article...

"Blackall's Brooklyn home and studio are a window into her creative process. 
One step inside, and it’s like you’ve been transported into a Harry Potter novel 
or Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Blackall’s home, which 
she shares with her two children, is filled with carefully-curated, nearly-ghoulish 
oddities that don’t necessarily creep you out, but just like her illustrations, instead 
bring an odd smile to your face ....  in Blackall’s own words, her dwelling is 
something of a “Victorian Natural History Museum....”  you can view more here



Oh, I love it all! xox

03 February 2012

Oh Mickey!



"I think of a child's mind as a blank book. During 
the first years of his life, much will be written on the pages. 
The quality of that writing will affect his life profoundly."

Walt Disney once said.


Following last weeks post I was reminded of this picture. 
It was a random moment. We happened to stop by this wall 
and Ari happened to be dressed just like a...  mouseketeer.  

Mickey, at all times?  No. 
We're not big on branding. 

Just another  'cute'  op shop find in my mind. 


I do like... stuff.  And, I confess, I do like... Mickey Mouse. 




Actually I like a lot of what Disney has made to offer,
I like Pixar and I like the early studio animation work. 

 But what is it exactly that appeals to me and so many 
about the 'Disney World'  and about THAT mouse? 



The mouse that roared is available here from Amazon
and this book puts forth some interesting ideas too.


26 January 2012

Hey Mickey!



Mickey by Sir Peter Blake 


1930s Dean Rag Book Co. velveteen toys here and here




Lucky Boy Sunday (& vintage toys)




Pop Art by Hannah  (Ms. Rosa's 3rd Grade Class)


I found another great Disney book in an Op shop recently.
It's filled with loads of beautiful colour reproductions and a 
whole chapter on early Disney work entitled 'The Mousetro'.


The book's called The Best of Disney
and it's also available at Amazon.

the images above aren't from the book... 
just a few of my more obscure Mickey favourites

xox


14 January 2012

Let The Sun Shine

Where are you Mister Sun?

  
WE WANNA PLAY!




Summer a la Prada via MisakoMimoko




Marie I and Marie II from Sedmikrasky (Daisies 1966)



LULA  ...and the ever lovely Zooey Deschanel!



It's been all grey skies and dreary days this week,
but it does look as if it might be warming up...

Beach Holiday Checklist:

Vintage swimsuit. Check. Over-sized sunnies. Check. Beach ball. 
Floppy hat. Pretty sun umbrella and buckets of sunshine....

I think a holiday at the Seaside might be in the making!


xoxox

07 January 2012

Cherry Plums

...and other adventures in preserving


The caterpillars have been feasting on those poor leaves but
we had hundreds of butterflies in our garden this Summer !


Cherry Plum Jam with Vanilla... so very delicious ! 


The Summer Harvest's been keeping us busy.
Jams, Chutneys, Pickles, sauces and more!


You can read all about it on my other blog
 A Modern Fable... if you fancy. xo


31 December 2011

Shoot for the Moon...


even if you miss,  you'll land among the stars

image found via Pinterest

Well, we're off!  To welcome in the New Year 
with friends, under the stars, in the great outdoors  
                  
       
        ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
..........................................................
|| H-a-p-p-y N-e-w Y-e-a-r  ||  
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
        ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆



image found via weheartit


See you in 2012!


xoxox

29 December 2011

Somewhere in Dreamland


I've another animated classic to share with you!



A few years back I picked up a heap of vintage cartoons on DVD
(super cheap) and fell in love with Max Fleischer's classics.

We've had to take it fairly slow and easy these past two days
as Ari's had a bad cold and I've been struggling to fight one off.
So, we've been snuggled up in the comfy red velvet armchair
devouring hot chocs & cookies and watching this ↓ on repeat.




Just the thing to ward off our ills.

Hopefully we'll be well enough in the morning to 
head off on a bit of a New Year adventure...


The Max Fleisher definitive collection 
is available here from Amazon.

27 December 2011

Season's Greetings


Mmmm.... how I do love the cookie season.
It's positively my most favourite time of year!

Do you have a sweet tooth?




Well, feast your eyes on this wonderful Silly Symphony.

But be prepared... it's sure to tantalise your taste buds!

05 December 2011

French Modern

I absolutely LOVE this interior ↓





First published in Ameublement et Decoration Modernes

I love the beautiful shapes of Mid-Century Modern designs.

This wonderful interior is from a 1961 french design magazine.  
Can you believe it? Such a contemporary looking space!


Images via Modern Findings