Piero Gilardi

Piero Gilardi is an Art Povera artist from Italy who focused on social relations through art and had a huge influence on the movement in the late 1960's. The pieces that he creates are mostly made from foam which he carves into the different shapes. Gilardi's work is the type that would work in theatre for a play or pantomime as they are bright and look almost real from a distance but for pieces of art they didn't really impress me. The nature pieces used to be interactive but over time they have become to delicate for people to touch. The stone pieces looked effective and the colours and patterns used made each stone look realistic a couple of the pieces hade cleverly been cut to make it look as though a small river was flowing through the rocks.

The idea for the nature carpets comes from the an idea that Gilardi had when chatting with a friend about what it will be like in the future. He thought about the image that Si-Fi films gives us of the future and thought of a more natural enviroment but everything would be made from synthetic materials for a more hygieneic and comfortable living. Using the theme of ' the furture' is a Controversial topic as they are many different theories and superstations on the topic. I could explore films that have been made based around the furture and put my own spin on them or research into what other people opinions are on the topic.



Vin Burnham

Vin Burnham is an award winning costume designer and has worked on feature films, TV commercials, TV, theatre, opera, ballet and rock n roll. Vin Burnham was always surrounded by theatre and performers, both her parents were actors and her grandfather was an opera singer.  

Her long list of works includes the Chronicles of Narnia in 1988, Batman in 1989, the Fifth Element in 1997, Wind in the Willow in 2007 and Zing Zillas in 2010. But before getting any of these jobs Burnham went to art school but dropped out before she got her degree and went on to work selling programmes and working behind bars at West End theatres. She then got a lucky break at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden in the prop department and then went onto work in the Wardrobe department at the Nottingham Playhouse where she created her first creature. After many doing many jobs Burnham decided to go a freelance with a close friend in London as costume maker for Oscar winner James Acheson.

Vin Burnham is also the creator of the Little Costume Shop which shows of small scale models of opera and ballet dresses in her own designs. Most recently She has created the Little Wedding Dress Shop were she creates small scale mementos for peoples wedding days. Burnham has also published a book in 2009 named the Best Ever Kids Costumes, which reminds me of what Iain Simons said about writing a book to help getting your self known.

 

Iain Simons

Iain Simons is now an event producer, researcher and a festival director for one of Nottingham's biggest festivals, GameCity which started in 2006 and is now held annually in Market Square. The festival is for gamers and non-gamers to come together in Nottingham and play some of the most up to date games and play on the newest consoles. 

All types of creative designs are involved, including dance, architecture, art and sometimes theatre designers who help create the surroundings and atmosphere of the game by bringing parts of the game to life. Simons wanted  people of all ages to have the opportunity to try the finished products and have fun at the same time. Before Simons came up with the idea for GameCity he had many different jobs including a piano player, performer, follow spot in a theatre, musician, writer and once was a journalist for video games which meant playing and reviewing them.

Iain Simons talked about making your self known, write a book, send emails, ask around, create propsals and invoices as this all adds up on your CV and is great for gaining experience.
The idea of bringing people together through videos games is something that could keep growing and developing into something much bigger than what it is today as new games and technology are always being released.

Gillian Lee Smith

Gillian Lee Smith is an artist and model maker who originally studied costume design at university were she learnt to illustrate characters which she now uses in her work today. Smith's inspiration comes from the idea of story telling, personal emotions and the use of imagination, helped by her job working with people with dementia were she uses objects to stimulate memories.

Her work includes mixed media pieces with media like acrylic, chalk, ink, water colour and oil pastels which create a dark but almost mystical, fairy-tale feel to the pieces. Within her sketchbook, along with costume and character designs, is writing of her most deepest inner thoughts which she then develops into her larger mixed media pieces.

   

I absolutely loved the pieces that I saw at the creative industries day and would defiantly consder buying one. I think the appeal is the use of emotive faces and colours that Smith uses I also like the idea that she links her job with her passion as I think it's something thats quite rare but is something that everybody would love to be doing. I am defiantly inspired by her works and I really want to try using the theme and design of her works but put them into a textile format.