Revolutionary Calligraffiti artist Niels Shoe Meulman (NSM) is coming to Auckland to spread the magic about his writing style movement that fuses masterful calligraphy skills with the speed and attitude of graffiti.

Unruly Gallery in association with Saatchi & Saatchi presents Calligraffiti Upside Down Tour, a site-specific art exhibition by NSM in their brand new gallery in Parnell from 9 February to 9 March. A presentation by DSM will also be hosted by AUT Art & Design School and Design Institute New Zealand (DINZ) at AUT Design & Art School on 8 February

Under his Shoe moniker, the Amsterdam born and raised artist was a graffiti legend by the time he was 18. He earned his stripes in the global graffiti scene in the 80’s through his pioneering style, adding a distinct European approach to the discipline, and formed the Crime Time Kings graffiti crew with Bando from Paris and Mode2 from London. In the 90’s NSM trained with Dutch graphic design guru Anthon Beeke, established the award-winning design studio Caulfield & Tensing and then became a partner in advertising agency Unruly that he later turned into a brand for silk scarves and a gallery.

In 2007 he launched the Calligraffi revolution with a solo exhibition, and the style became celebrated in the book Calligraffiti, the Graphic Art of Niels Shoe Meulman published by FHTE, Berlin. Since then he’s been moving towards a painting style that can be described as Abstract Expressionism with a Calligraphic origin.

The Calligraffiti Upside Down Tour has included exhibitions, book signings, live mural painting and lectures in Sydney and Melbourne, and after Auckland NSM heads to Singapore, London and San Francisco.

Unruly Gallery presents:

Calligraffiti Upside Down Tour

Auckland, New Zealand

February 8 AUT / DINZ Lecture/Presentation

February 9 – March 9 Saatchi & Saatchi Exhibition

www.calligraffiti.nl

www.nielsshoemeulman.com

www.unrulygallery.com

Calligraffiti Upsdie Down Tour – May Lane Live Paint Project in Sydney last Friday – More here.

Laura (Project Manager FFTF), Johanna (Supreme Award Winner), Guy (Festival Director).

Johanna Hertwich, a 16 year old from rural Murchison in the South Island, has taken the Supreme Award at New Zealand’s Inspiring Stories Film Competition. The award was presented at the inaugural Festival for the Future, held in Wellington over the weekend.

First time filmmaker, Hertwich was motivated to enter the competition after taking part in a storytelling and filmmaking workshop Blenheim earlier this year. The workshop was part of nationwide series convened by the Inspiring Stories Trust in 13 regions, which aimed to support young filmmakers develop their skills and create a short film about a young person making a difference in their local community. From March–July, 150 young filmmakers and 50 creative industry mentors took part in the workshops around New Zealand.

“I’m still in shock and completely overwhelmed. I just can’t believe it”, Hertwich said after the awards ceremony on Saturday night.

Hertwich also took away prizes for Best Short Film and Most Inspiring Story, a third of the total awards. The winning film was based on a friend of Hertwich’s who had been through a rough time and followed her story of getting back on the rails.

The competition was open to all ages. There were 16 entries received from ten regions. The winning films can be viewed online at www.inspiringstories.org.nz.

A completely unique marketplace for artists and art lovers is coming to Auckland – Art + Soul will be the hub of young, fresh talent. The boutique art agency will remove all the stuffiness out of buying art. With a collection of beautiful and affordable original pieces, displayed on the website, Art + Soul will also work personally with clients to tailor custom commissions that perfectly suit their tastes and needs.

When trying to find art by up-and-coming artists that suited the scheme of her own home, company director Katie Endicott-Davies could not find what she was looking for. There was no agency that nurtured emerging and developing artists – until Art + Soul. With a diverse portfolio of award-winning painters, photographers, screen-printers, sculptors and digital artists, the agency has pieces for all tastes. Clients can buy
directly from the website, or can see the work displayed in the company’s studio space in Ponsonby. Connecting the client to the art they’ll love is what Art + Soul is all about.

The custom commission service is available for those who know their needs exactly, as well as for clients who’d prefer a more collaborative process. The agency will expertly match the client with an artist who suits their tastes, and at-home consultations are available if desired. Art + Soul caters to all – whether they’re decorating their home, an
office, restaurant or café, or are interior designers, home stagers or set dressers.

Everyone will leave with the art they want and need – without having to pay excessive prices and endure pretentiousness. For the agency with style and heart – for Art with Soul.

For more information visit www.artandsoul.co.nz

As the first event of the Auckland Art calendar, Lost Play Grounds is a unique event that explores the city as a space for play. Play is a serious business and this event merges street art with other contemporary art forms like installation, painting, guerrilla art, parkour and performance. The city itself is the canvas, making this event unlike any other. Works will be installed outside, around the Britomart Precinct; this includes the Britomart Chief Post Office Foyer, the car park and surrounding historic buildings.  Works will be installed on walls, on ledges, in alley ways and foyer spaces.

Lost Play Grounds aims to be a welcoming and meaningful interaction between artists and audiences. This is the first of what will be an annual event for Auckland. It is also a participatory event and aims to introduce new forms of art to visitors with interactive performances and art works on the opening day as well as ongoing throughout the month long event.

The concept of play and exploration binds these varied art forms together to provide a thought provoking and absorbing event for both participants and visitors. Derrida talks about the importance of play to find new discoveries and ways of looking at our world and ourselves. This project encompasses these ideas, exploring new ways of looking at our city, moving around it and behaving in it and ways of living within this city space. It also explores ways that we may conform to rules associated with city space and architecture; while exploring possibilities of how the city could be renegotiated to conform to us. Lost Play Grounds also explores the ‘forgotten’ spaces in the city as well as possible found spaces that could be discovered.

Artists have created diverse and thought provoking works for the event, ‘I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and consideration gone into the work’, sais Kate Muggeridge, the event curator and organizer. These art works include a hand painted billboard work by Emma Topping, exploring fragmentation of city life, a life size tunnel by Tiffany Rewa Newrick that visitors and commuters can interact with, a poster series by Leafa Wilson exploring identity construction and installations by Nell Thompson and Kate Muggeridge and a delicate tissue paper banner by Claudia Recorean. Jade du Preez created two works exploring city life and love. There is also a large scale text work by The Pleasure Corporation and guerrilla poetry by Chinglish. Performance works by Ergo Collective and the New Zealand Parkour Association and Ingonito also promise to make this event one not to be missed.

The Opening Day from 10am – 3pm on Saturday the 5^th February kicks off the month long event, with performances by Ergo Collective taking place around Britomart throughout the month.  For more information check out the Lost Play Grounds website at www.lostplaygrounds.co.nz. There is also more information on the Britomart website, www.britomart.org and look out for booklets around the CBD with maps and information on contributing artists.

This event has helped made possible by Britomart, AUT and Resene Paint.

The Auckland Art & Craft Fair (Fair) will be happening for the second time and remains a unique shopping experience. With customers choosing from a carefully selected group of vendors with a focus on QUALITY, CRAFTSMANSHIP, CREATIVITY and UNIQUENESS. Shoppers will be able to discuss the works directly with the person that created them, which adds soul and integrity to the purchase, while knowing they are helping to support our local creative industry. Presented by the Auckland Craft Collective with proud supporters 95bFM, Frankie Magazine and Foxes.co.nz.

December 2010 VENDORS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED: 

A Little Ink Ltd (AK) Annie B Handmade (AK) Art & Clasp (AK) birdinabunnysuit (AK) Birdspoke (AK) Bits&Kaboodles (AK) Blendy Knits (AK) Bonjour Sweetie (AK) CAST (MAN) Cat Taylor Design (AK) Cheek Pinchy (AK) Chouette (AK) Christina Rivett Glass Ltd (CHCH) Claudia Jaffe (AK) Dear Colleen (WLG) Debra Fallowfield Contemporary Jeweller (CHCH) Erupt Prints  (AK) Ethel & Harriet (AK) Extra Curricular (AK) Miss Ellie May (AK) Flox (AK) Ferrit (AK) Flossys Fancy (AK) Happy-go-knitty (AK) Honey Design (AK) Hunter Gatherer (AK) Hydrangea  Ranger (AK) imp`ish (WAIHEKE) Jellybones (AK) Julian Bartrom Jeweller (AK) Karin Jewellery (AK) KilowattKatie (AK) Kute Kiwi (AK) Lele (WAIHEKE) Liz Abbott Photo Art (AK) Little Vintage (AK) Lou’s Shoes (DUN) Luxford St (AK) Make Believe (AK) MayMay Chung (AK) Mermaid’s Purse (AK) Muzroom (AK) Nice Blocks (AK) Nobue Kinoshita (AK) Nut and Bee (AK) Nuzilla (AK) NZ Green Buttons (AK) Paper Pesto (AK) Plastic Fairy (AK) Podgy Panda (AK) Pure Extracts (AK) Ruby in the Dust (AK) run.cutie (AK) Sensitive Boyfriend (AK) The Binding Studio (AK) The Hunter Collective (AK) Tiny Happy (NEL) Trixie Delicious Vandalized Vintage (AK) T-shirtopedia (AK) Tui Two Toned (WLG) Universal Henna (AK) Victoria n’ Bird (AK) Zippitydoodah (AK) Zooshii (AK).

Being held at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE the Fair will be a destination event with cafes, shops and the newly developed Aotea Square to relax in — there will be something for everyone.

SATURDAY 11^TH DECEMBER FROM 11AM UNTIL 4PM

AOTEA CENTRE, THE EDGE, AUCKLAND CBD

EFTPOS AND CASH PAYMENTS ACCEPTED

GOLD COIN ENTRY DONATION

The Fair will be an event to be noted, and a follow up to the hugely successful debut. Now being held twice a year (Winter and Summer) with a selection of the very best independent Designers, Artists and Crafters selling their contemporary, unique and quality products direct to the public for one day only. Presented by the Auckland Craft Collective with proud supporters 95bFM, Frankie Magazine and Foxes.co.nz.

Contact:

Event Information:   http://aucklandfair.blogspot.com

There’s some romance and intrigue that you would probably find high street shopping in Auckland or Wellington in Tauranga right now with Idiom Boutique.

‘Persistence beats resistance’

Terry Chisholm is making his mark on the world working as a full time Typographer & Graphic Designer for a Sydney based creative advertising agency called Three Drunk Monkeys . Born and raised in New Zealand Terry is a self taught designer who lives by the motto ‘Persistence beats resistance’, so just get on with it.

After launching his own brand Miny Mino Mo, Terry decided to jump the ditch to fulfill his dream of becoming an Art Director, Photographer and/or Artist.

Terry has recently received Studio credit for two silver cannes lions awards & a gold Clio award. He has also received attention for his photography & designing for BBC Knowledge, and regularly gets asked to fill people’s houses with his art work.

What is your official job title at present?

I have been hired as a Typographer & Graphic Designer, I also do a fair bit of commissioned art and photography and a little fashion. At night I’m also known to sometimes be hired as a Ninja assassin. So all 4 really

How and when did you get into design?

I was always into art & design from a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be a creative of some sort whether it be an architect or designer, but I always knew I would be one. 2005 is when I actually started as a designer in the working force but art is something I’ve done from a young age.

When did you move to Sydney and what made you decide to move there?

The start of 2009. Moving here was partly due to my old flatmate suggesting it as a place I would like, partly for my career & I also I heard that Bondi summers were amazing.

What is one of the largest projects you have worked on to date?

A recent campaign we did for Telstra – THub launch. I think from start to end it was around 6 months.

Who are your major influencers and how do they influence your work?

Well this changes regularly due to the nature of what it is I do. For instance I might like a series of work someone did one year but not like the next one the year after. At the moment perhaps I would say Jasper Goodall (who I had the pleasure of meeting a few months back), for the process he uses to create his work, also he makes his own styles and everyone else follows.

- Andre Beato – well he’s just an amazing Typographer.
- Alex Trochut – an amazing Typographer also.
- Ralph Steadman – So warped!
- Mat Maitland – His work is always refreshing.
- Francoise Nielly – I’m a fan of bright colours.

As a good friend put it so well, ‘What ever muse is in my life at that time’.

Who is your favourite designer and why?

At the moment Andre Beato & Jasper Goodall. Why? Ah I’m just really inspired buy them after meeting them recently. My favourites change frequently.

What turns you on creatively?

White Space, I’m a huge fan of typography, Modern pop/mix media art. I frequent exhibitions a lot (partly for the free alcohol). Pretty much anything, I will walk down the road and see something stuck to a lamppost and have an idea of something I could paint or draw.

What are the major differences that you have noticed in the design industry between Sydney and Auckland?

Probably the fact there is a lot more happening in Sydney, so it’s more visually stimulating for me personally. I think there are a lot more career opportunities here, larger budgets for ad campaigns which means better quality work.

Do you have future plans of working further abroad?

Yes, I have a fair few industry contacts who are born & bread New Yorkers so I think my next stop will be NY. Then after that Europe. I plan to travel the world being a creative.

What has been your proudest moment as a designer so far?

Apart from getting into the advertising game as a designer/Typographer, one that stands out is working for BBC Knowledge on a campaign called A little knowledge goes a long way, where I was credited with being the designer, Co-Photographer & Co-Art Director. There were some long hours involved on that project but we had a lot of fun with it. Also getting Studio credit for Two 2010 Silver Cannes Lions awards & a Gold Clio for a campaign I was part of…… There are so many….

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

War Photographer or National Geography photographer.

What is your favorite word?

Oh I’m not sure what I have in mind is suitable for here, but i do like it when people say ‘Yes’……

What sound or noise do you hate?

Complaining.

If you had your name in lights what would it say?

Terry Chisholm! Isnt that obvious!

threedrunkmonkeys.com.au

“No longer any need for hours trawling the internet or weekends sifting through op-shops, we do that for you, and it’s all here, ready and waiting for you”

Are you an avid op-shopper who spends countless weekends at the local garage sale and sifting through second hand clothing stores? Then you will love this! gran’s loose change is New Zealand’s newest online destination for vintage and second hand designer clothing, accessories, furniture and jewellery.

Kelly and her business partner, namely ‘the fearless leader’, launched their hot online store for fellow op-shoppers with a vision to take the hard work out of finding the next best second-hand fashion item. In store you will find a collection of vintage pieces handpicked by Kelly for its style, quality and wearability.

In just a few months gran’s loose change has grown into a collaborate treasure trove for New Zealand’s second hand lovers complete with an online store, inspirational blog spot and much loved ‘lookbook’. After checking out this stylish online shop for myself I decided it was time to find out more about the creative director behind this entrepreneurial project.

Where did you grow up? 

I was born and bred in the hearty New Plymouth but spent every summer in the Bay of Plenty since I was 10. My mum moved to Tauranga when I left for uni and for the past two years the Mount has been my own home. 

When did you launch Gransloosechange.co.nz?

I first started talking about gran’s loose change with my business partner in May of last year. Although back then it wasn’t called gran’s loose change. In fact, it didn’t even have a name! Initially, we were going to open a physical store but realised as an online business it was it viable to keep my ‘day job’ and not struggle through huge start up costs. After a long and well-thought out process, we launched gran’s loose change in May this year.

What were you doing before you launched the online store?

I studied media and english at Victoria Uni in Welly; worked in business then beauty PR in Sydney for a couple of years and after moving home in 2008 have worked at v.marketing ever since. At v. I am an account manager where I strategise, conceptulise, budget, write, plan, coordinate and execute a range of clients needs across web, design, events, PR, marketing and advertising. We work namely in social marketing, where I personally work heavily in the youth arena, as well as retail, property and local government. www.vmarketing.co.nz

I also write freelance for online mags such as Beauty Bible and Sideroom and write a monthly blog for FashioNZ. I initially thought I’d be a journalist but I love the diversity of my job and my roles.

My dream is to travel the world buying for gran’s loose change and to write books as I go.

Where did the inspiration for gran’s loose change come from?

gran’s loose change was born out of my passion for vintage, fashion, being bossy, wanting to own my own business and pure determination. It’s taught me to be brave and to believe in what I do. It is hard work theoretically working two jobs but it will pay off one day.

My wise and wonderful grandmother has travelled the world and I always remember her being a stylish and elegant woman who I wanted to be like. She loves a bargain and is queen at op and vintage shopping.

In the long term, I’d like to be able to zip across to London, Paris and Italy, Melbourne and Sydney, Thailand and Hong Kong for buying trips and make vintage and second hand clothing accessible to everyone.

If you could only take three things with you when travelling what would you take?

My canon, my great grandmother’s Cameo ring (I never take it off) and my other half.

What is it that makes gran’s loose change something special?

I keep my prices realistic and am not trying to be an exclusive ‘vintage’ store that marks my prices up 1000 percent. I price the goods no higher than the maximum I would personally pay and I believe my customers appreciate that.

It’s a fun ride and I am lucky enough to have a wonderful group of creative friends (photographers, models, art directors, editors, writers, artists) who have helped me more than I could ever have imagined. Their input, advice, help and kindness is part of the reason gran’s loose change is growing so successfully.

Is gran’s loose change your full time job or do you work it on the side? 

I still work fulltime at v so gran’s loose change is very much a side project. Ideally, I’d love for it to be viable to be fulltime but all good things take time, right? The experiences I have at v are so fulfilling and I love to be busy so I work my ass off to be able to do both. I manage all of the stock photography, product sourcing, buyer management, lookbooks, website maintenance and upload, photo editing, pricing, packaging, blogging, monthly expenses, billing, invoicing and everything else that comes with owning a business, outside of my 9-5.

Is this a solo project or do you have a business partner? 

I have a business partner who is a successful businesswoman herself. She works as a mentor, another person to bounce ideas off and as a support, she is there if I need her but gran’s loose change is my baby and she allows me the freedom to do with it as I please. I’m lucky to have such a solid, inspirational woman to work with.

What noise do you hate most?

Hearing other people chew.

Have you won any awards, or had any recent media attention for your site? 

The publicity we have gained for the site has been amazing. We have been featured in NZ Herald online, Frankie Mag online, Fashion Quarterly tweeted about us within our first week, we’ve been on blogs Here Comes the Sun, Fancy! Batt Your Lashes, Runamuk Visuals and online sites Slynkey, NZ Girl, Beauty Bible, Sideroom and FashioNZ.

What are a few things that most people don’t know about you?

If I told you, more than a few people would know…! Ha!

I don’t like the smell of mince, people touching the knobbly bits in my knees and I hate the smell of saliva. I am fiercely protective of my friends and family and tell it like it is. There’s no dilly dallying around with me! I also collect china tea cups. Ok, I just told you far more than a few things…I like to talk. Although most people know that already!

What can we look at for in the near future of gran’s loose change?

MORE product, more selection, a variety of sizes and the inclusion of furniture. Oh and worldwide domination of course.

www.gransloosechange.co.nz

New Zealand Fashion Designer Juliette Hogan grew up in Karaka, Auckland where she went to school at Karaka Primary followed by Rosehill College. Juliette started out completing a Bachelor of Design majoring in Textiles at Massey University in Wellington before receiving a scholarship to study at Parsons School of Design in New York (from Project Runway). A popular designer with spectacular designs makes Juliette Hogan a Super Star of New Zealand fashion.

What was your dream job growing up? 

I’m not really sure. A hair dresses, air hostess, chef, to be able to wear a suit. I don’t remember it ever wanting to be a fashion designer.

Where did your career begin?

Mum taught me to sew when I was 12 years old – maybe then? I didn’t study fashion at high school, or at university. I just kept pottering along sewing in my own time. I guess it took its real turn though when I won the scholarship to go and study fashion in New York. I don’t really ever remember deciding that I wanted to be a fashion designer. It kind of just happened.

What was your biggest fashion blunder?

You have small blunders all the time. It’s the best way to learn and improve really.

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Everything. Yummy breakfasts, the sunshine, the knowledge that there is so much to do and no one will do it if I don’t.

What is the best thing about your job?

Being my own boss. I love it. I just took the week off and spent it in Queenstown. You can work hard when you want to and then take it easy other times. Don’t get me wrong – it is super challenging most of the time but its also so rewarding.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Feeling like I should always be seen wearing something half decent.

What are the advantages / Disadvantages of being a designer in NZ?

I haven’t been a designer elsewhere so I can’t comment on being a designer here in relation to being one in another country.

What has been your career highlight?

Winning the scholarship to parsons, my first fashion week, opening the store in ponsonby, every new collection designed. I don’t think that there is just one really.

Do you aspire to be like anyone?

I aspire to have the life my parents have.

Who is your favourite fashion Icon and why?

Audrey Hepburn

Who is your favourite fashion designer?

 I really love what Hannah macgibbon is doing for Chloe at the moment.

Where is your favourite holiday location and why?

In New Zealand woolleys bay. A bay about 3 hours north of Auckland. It’s the most beautiful beach. Mum and dad have a house there and it’s so easy to escape up there for a weekend and forget all my woes.

What was your latest luxury purchase?

A new Nikon slr camera.

What are the first 3 things you pack when travelling?

A cashmere sweater, the book that is waiting patiently beside my bed to be read and my hair straightners – they double up as a hand held iron too.

What is the most common fashion mistake’s made in New Zealand?

Not really a mistake but more of a pet hate – we don’t dress up enough here.

Is there a piece from your latest collection you especially love?

I have just finished designing summer 09 and I love the floor length pleated skirts.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?

Being able to turn something that I love doing into my job and my life.

What do you consider to be the winning formula to success?

Perseverance.

What advice would you give young aspiring designers?

Work hard for yourself. No one will ever put in as much as you do. And ask for help when you need it.

What is something we don’t know about you? 

That when I cut up my bananas for breakfast they have to be cut into 17 pieces.

What can we expect to see from you next?

Hopefully more of the same but a little different.

www.juliettehogan.com

Juliette Hogan

Survive & Thrive is a rare opportunity for artists, producers, businesses, organisations, makers and doers from the creative sector. Network, connect and see what you can make happen as well as hone your creative business skills. Our theme is ‘fuelling the business of creativity’ by connecting with creative producers and entrepreneurial people from across the region, learning from and being inspired by home-grown success stories and arming people with practical tips and tools to make their creative projects and businesses fly.

At Survive and Thrive you can:

• Hear New Zealander of the Year Ray Avery speak about his entrepreneurship and his rise to success
• Network with your peers and fellow professionals, chew the fat or do some deals
• Book yourself in for one or all of 10 high value & snappy 35 minute workshops
• Wander the Expo to network with the sector organisations
• Participate in Survive & Thrive’s speed networking activity
• Promote your work and brand
• Enjoy a coffee, a good lunch and a drink at happy hour.
• Hang out and absorb the stimulating atmosphere of your creative peers.

For further information, check out: www.thebigidea.co.nz/survive-thrive