Tessellation Appreciation
Grandma’s House
Tiles installed circa 1930, Winchmore Hill, North London N21
Piet Mondrian
Although the De Stijl movement was founded in 1917 by Theo Van Doesburg (1883 –1931) in Leiden, Netherlands; it is probably the work of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian (1872 - 1944) who is the most recognised today. De Stijl was influenced by Cubsim and went on to influence Bauhaus.
It might appear at first that Mondrian’s paintings are elementary. In some ways this is true, de stijl or “neoplasticism”, was about the simplification of natural objects such as trees, their deconstruction to their most simplified elements; primary colours, black and white, lines and colour blocking in red, yellow and blue.
Mondrian’s early work, however, clearly demonstrates his talent for the more classical style often associated with the old masters.
Since the early twentieth century, de stijl’s movement has gone on to influence architecture, furniture design and fashion:
A key influencer on art and design today and of course another fine example of irregular multiple tessellation.
William Patten School, N16
Located on the lower west side of yummy mummy central; Stoke Newington Church Street, these school walls just opposite Whole Foods are where I first heard the words “babycino”. Yes, hot milk for infants, from a barista.
Until recently the school grounds were also the host of a farmer’s market every weekend. I kid thee not.
The school walls, however, are rather lovely. Hand crafted tiles and mosaics depict birds, children and even a fried breakfast.
Internet research tells me nothing about their origin or creator, but a link to the school’s website, just in case you wanted to know more about this educational institution, can be found here.
Tottenham Court Road tube station
Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi was commissioned to make the mosaics at Tottenham Court Road tube station in the early 80s, completed in 1984. 1,000 square metres of vitreous glass tiles and stained glass tesserae depict every day life including saxophones, animals and satellites.
Tiles were also created on the Northern Line which has recently reopened after refurbishment. I shall endeavour to nip down and take some photos of these very soon. In the words of TfL - thank you for your patience.
Regent’s Canal, Islington N1 (part 2)
Fish mosaic benches accompany the murals made by Hanover Primary School. No explanation is given. Do we need one? No. Fish mosaic benches next to a canal should never need justification. They are conveniently located about halfway as you walk from Hackney to Camden, next to a very interesting lock, so would recommend a nice sit down at this juncture.
Regent’s Canal, Islington N1 (part 1)
According to the blurb, these mosaics made by the pupils at Hanover Primary School working with artists Carina Wyatt and Cathy Ludlow in partnership with Cally Arts and the Islington local2global project.
Why? To celebrate the diversity of people, past and present, in the Islington area. Slightly schmaltzy but nevertheless a fine example of mosaics as public art.
Terence Conran at the Design Museum
Putting a new scanner app to work, the shots above are from a selection at the Terence Conran exhibition at the Design Museum (until 12th April 2012). The exhibition features everything from homewares, restaurants, graphic design, fabric design, and much more…
As a lover of all things patterned, it was the wall hangings in particular caught my eye. From the hard geometric lines to the Miro inspired repetitions, many of these prints are now considered classics and are recognisable from films of the time, and other exhibitions about history and interiors. Was really inspiring to see them up close, large format, well lit and positioned.
Sir Terence Conran in five words: English, Habitat, restaurateur, designer, entrepreneur - but you can read more about the man here: http://www.conran.com/about/sir-terence-conran
The Design Museum is well worth a look any time of the year, but right now you can also see the “Oscars of the design world” - the Designs of the Year 2012 exhibition. Check out the Orb-it by Black and Decker, it’s the future!
NYC
Thank you to @gnarlyripped and @momosek for sending me these great shots taken from the New York subway last week. Sad to hear their Hipsters aren’t as trendy as ours, how disappointing. I hope the pancakes and waffles made up for it though. I’m always suspicious of how friendly everyone is in New York - sad isn’t it that London has turned me into such a cynical and sceptical bint.
Have nice day.
Guerilla Crochet
Just outside Hackney Town Hall (opposite Hackney Picturehouse) the trees have been adorned with super cute knitted jumpers, cardigans, crochet and pom poms! Stripes, harlequins and patchwork - hand crafted tessellation of the wooly kind!
Where did they come from? The only clue is this hand written message taped to the trees:
“This tree jumper has been made with love to make people smile… and will be taken down soon yarnbornbuk@gmail.com”
They definitely made me smile, thank you guerilla crochet :)
Blockbusters
A TV game show that ran from 1983 until 1990 - basically my entire childhood.
Its presenter and telly legend, Bob Holness, has sadly passed away today.
For the rules of the game check out this link to Wikipedia however my interest in the game is the alphabetical honeycomb, if you will, 20 interlocking hexagons arranged in five columns of four, each hexagon contained a letter of the alphabet.
Fun facts:
- Holness was the subject of an urban myth, claimed to have been initiated in the 1980s by broadcaster Stuart Maconie who, while writing for the New Musical Express (in a section called ‘Would You Believe It?’), claimed that Holness played the saxophone solo on Gerry Rafferty’s 1978 song “Baker Street”
- Bob Holness also presented Call My Bluff 1996 - 2003 (BBC Two)
- Blockbusters is the origin for the expression, “Can I have a ‘P’ please Bob?” often used to express the need to use the WC
For a hit of nostalgia please enjoy the opening titles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ7MvW5uBJM
Rest in peace Bob.
