White

The combination of insomnia and poor late night TV lead me to service of the wonderful BBC iPlayer, in particular two documentaries called 'A History of Art in Three Colours' and ''Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings '.  

The final episode of 'A history of art in three colours' concentrated on the colour white. From all the snow lately white has been everywhere, it is one of my favourite colours and I feel it is very important in Graphic Design. The use of white can be a strong element in design as it allows the user to focus in on information with a clean, simple and direct message. 

I found the documentary on the subject very interesting and so I thought I would document it here purely to remember in the future. As an art history enthusiast learning more about the artists themselves and the stories behind their work has always fascinated me, above all the featured artists James Abbott McNeil Whistler resinated with me for his reasons of using white. Presented by Dr James Fox he discusses the controversy Whistler's Venice paintings caused within society. This documentary has helped me to think about the use of white in my design very differently now. 

Symphony in White, No 1: The Girl in White

The different tones and shades of painting below.

Symphony in White No. 2: The Little White Girl

Symphony in White No. 3

 Dr James Fox's analysis allows a deep understanding to be formed about each painting. The general concept of how White signifies a higher importance, elitism and purity has changed my view of how the audience reacts to this what I thought to be a very clean and neutral colour. For more of an in-depth insight the full episode is on BBC iPlayer along with a short separate clip focusing on Whistler's Paintings.

Another documentary 'Illuminations: The Private Lives of Medieval Kings' prompted me to think back to our Gutenberg Lectures and our metal type workshop. Dr Janina Ramirez talks about how the illuminators told stories of the Kings and important people through their illuminations included in books which were regarded the highest and powerful of belongings. I love learning about the history of England's Kings and Queens and their lives, homes and time periods they ruled. I found this documentary to be very engrossing from its talks about the artists to the stories behind the illustrations themselves.

NAP x

Winter Wonderland

Leisurely walks are my favourite especially when the weather is as inspiring as it has been, I put my boots on and headed out into the snow and back in time.

Here are some of my snaps.

Coventry Cathedral Ruins

I am obsessed with windows already but this view made me fall deeper in love with the Cathedrals architecture.

The white topping on the window arches and spires was like the icing on a cake (an extra enhancement to the architecture and structure and it really does look like its been covered in icing sugar)

Priory Row near the Cathedral - All Grade II listed buildings

One of my favourite buildings in Coventry is No. 11 Priory Row an 18th century Georgian House, unfortunately the back of the house was directly bombed however the front of the house along with the decorative iron gates are original. 

Narnia style Lamp

Lady Godiva Statue in the City Centre

On my free day off I chose to go visit a lovely lady I met a few years ago called Bobs, she lives in the most magical cottage which was once part of the Stivichall estate owned by the Gregory Family from the 16th century until the early 20th century. A perfect retreat steeped in history in the middle of the woods, what more could you ask for on a relaxing day.

Walking through the Memorial Park on my journey to the cottage.

Walking through the woods near to the hidden cottage.

I spy Bob's Cottage 

(you can just about see the gate under the large tree in the middle of this photo)

View from inside the cottage looking out at the cold

It is always just like stepping back in time when I visit the cottage but on a day like today it was even more magical and nostalgic. Being surrounded by trees and the wildlife was so wonderful to hear and see, feeding the robins (unfortunately too fast to get a snap of) was so therapeutic and relaxing. It was the perfect day off from work.

A lovely country lunch was the perfect end to my walk through the snow and woodland. 

Edits of my snaps on Instagram 

NAP x

Out the door it might be snowing, in my world it's always June, I don't believe the world outside my room.

So being cooped up indoors most of this weekend due to the weather, I thought I would post a little I snap shot of my room along with a very appropriate song. For most people who know me I am obsessed with interior design, so of course I couldn't live in a white box. 

My room at night. 

I love fairy lights, if I could I would cover every inch of my walls and ceiling with them. For christmas my parents bought me this tree to make my uni room more cosy and feel more like my room at home.

The edge of my shelves 

My room in the day

On my notice board I have:

Photos of my family

A Calendar for reminders

Letters from home

More fairy lights

A Dreamcatcher I made with my little nephew last summer

Tickets from exhibitions, Trips with family and train tickets home

My room at home in Blackpool

A very appropriate song from Beady eye for this post and the weather today.

NAP x

But baby it's cold outside...

Being from Blackpool, we tend not to see so much snow from our salt air that doesn't seem to let any snow settle. This weather has hit hard over most of the country this week and has even seen our Personal Development Planning lectures and classes rescheduled due to the danger warnings of traveling.  

The beginning of the frosting.... 

Luckily I got some resources before the worst of it hit and a new book to contribute to my 'achievables' list of becoming a more intellectual and rounded individual. I saw this book (below) on the sale shelves of a discount book and craft store called 'The works' a shop I'm sure all you students are aware of. 

I've always been fascinated with art history and architecture but never had the time to properly research the era of the renaissance, so here it goes... 

NAP x

Through the Looking Glass/The Beatles

At the beginning of this new year I set myself some goals to achieve my this time next year, some call them resolutions, but I think the right word should be 'achievables'. I believe that most people do not reach their targets as they are either relying on others to make these changes for them or their targets are too far ahead of what is manageable. 

One of my 'achievables' is to read more books in particular classics such as Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, Persuasion & Little women and many others. Reasons for doing such a thing include improving my writing skills, deepening my knowledge of the world, increasing my ability to dream and inspire by stretching my creativity.  (Another advantage that helped in my process was the promotion of free full version classics on ibooks, who could say no to such a chance to enhance my intelligence for free). 

(A few of my downloaded books in my library)

I began with a child's classic story 'Through the Looking-Glass' by Lewis Carroll, one of my favourite childhood movies and one of the most inspiring stories in my mind. It is the sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll and has so many reasons to why it has touched so many people. Whilst reading my mind was cast to think about The Beatles 'Magical Mystery Tour' and other work they produced with clear links and references to characters in the books. In particular the songs 'Glass Onion' and 'I am the walrus' both written by John Lennon. I added a link to a youtube video showcasing the newly remastered trailer of The Beatles produced film in one of my past posts - Music. In an interview with John Lennon he also states of how the chapter 'Wool and Water ' inspired him whilst writing 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds'.

Similarities and connections I found involved the appearance of characters such as the Walrus which features heavily in the lyrics of 'I am the Walrus' and "Glass Onion' by The Beatles and their film the 'Magical mystery tour'. In 'Through the Looking-Glass' the characters the Walrus and the Carpenter were featured characters in a poem (also written by Lewis Carroll) which was told to Alice by Tweedledum and Tweedledee. 'The Eggman' in the song 'I am the Walrus' seems to refer to Humpty Dumpty in the book from the clear description. 

The Beatles - I am the walrus tour and Paul McCartney as the walrus above and below a still from the movie Alice Through the Looking-Glass illustrating the poem featuring the Walrus and the Carpenter.

Below are stills from the movie again but dipicting Alice meeting Humpty Dumpty sat on a very high wall.

Below is John Lennon dressed as 'The Eggman'.

The chapter 'Wool and Water' inspired John Lennon in writing 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' below are stills from the movie - Alice Through the Looking-Glass, this is also how the story begins to  introducing Humpty Dumpty. 

Other similarities, I think are prominent, include a scene set on top of a hill with an underlying atmosphere of confusion. The Beatles use a layering tool so the image is not clear to illustrate this, Paul McCartney is filmed spinning round in circles which also works to create a bewildering feeling. In the book Alice is trying to reach the top of the hill that she can see in the distance, for a better view of the whole garden, however every path she takes she ends up back where she started by its sudden twists. 

This still (below) from the movie shows the underlying plot and direction of the story as a game of chess. 

 From reading the book, listening to The Beatles songs and watching both films I, myself seem to be able to find all kinds of links that seem to connect them all together. The overall feel of the material I have delved into is very hallucinative and dream like, it is clear how much John Lennon was inspired by Lewis Carroll's books and poems and I can see why. You can watch the full film in a series of videos on youtube here.

 I hope to carry on sharing my experiences throughout my pursue of reading.

NAP x