A snip of Don Herd’s snaps!
An old school chair, lost on some urban playing field, a long, lonely and intimidating tunnel, and finally an image which implies a sneaking glance at a dilapidated town. These images are sleak, sleak with a definate ‘28 Days Later’ feel to them, that feel being “Where has everyone gone?!”
Yet there is a substance behind the initial aesthetic appeal. Take the image of the classic school chair, an object synonymous with restrictions. Memories of asking a teacher for permission to go to the loo, being met with “It was lunchtime 25 minutes ago, if you didn’t need to go then on your own time, you don’t need to go now”. The kind of logic that resulted in many a school child at some point in their educational career going home with their own undies in a plastic bag, whilst sporting a nice pair of Lost & Found Y-fronts. Yet in this image, the chair is in a new world. It is saved from previous restrictions and placed in the realm of possibility.
The images seem to invite the spectator to tackle them. To take the spaces, the objects, the misconceptions and make of them what they will, to make their own new chances. This transformation of space and objects is a strong theme within the photographer’s work. Don Herd, a designer and photographer who devised the concept behind the ‘Create A Memory’ chair, as depicted in the image. An innovative an interactive piece which can be viewed in greater detail, along with his other work at http://www.oistudio.co.uk/donphotography.html
A Cosy Trendy Jumper Comfy Chair Hug.
Is how I think this chair / design feat is best described. It’s the work of Melanie Porter, who after 10 years of working as a knitwear designer has transfered her skills into the realm of furniture making.
Her post-modern pieces, have the edge on many a post-modern piece. As they have a definitive use, you can sit on them! If her patterns, colour combinations or chair types are not to your taste, that is not a problem as she will custom make a form of seating to your brief.
And there lies my favourite aspect of the pieces. They reinvent and rejuvinate not only otherwise ‘had it’ chairs, but they have given a new dimension to the art of knitting. A skill which was at risk of becoming dated. Some might say the latest trend of putting a poodle in a pullover had given knitting back the edge, but cynics of that theory now must truly be converted.
Old pieces of furniture, and a technique predominantly reserved for the elderly lady, have been merged together to great effect. Instead of throwing the past aside, it has been pushed forward to create contempory art.
Each piece is unique, and can be equally as personal. An old armchair which is past its prime, yet has sentimental value, can be restored and given extra meaning through the design choice of its cover. Possibly adding a personal piece of material to the cover’s patchwork which has may have meaning to your family.
The most inspiring part of Melanie’s work, is it provokes the viewer to become an active participant. To conjur up thoughts of their perfect bespoke chair, encourging you to be creative and have a piece in your home, which is personal and above all, really rather cool!
Take a look at Melanie’s work - http://www.melanieporter.co.uk/index.asp
