Big-headed Art

About a year ago, as I was gazing out the window of a coach whilst heading down the M62, I saw what I thought was a giant white head on a hill gazing right back at me. And then it was gone, we'd passed, and I had no idea what, why and even IF it was there. But of course, it was. I look out for it each time I pass, and it literally is a huge sculpture of a head. It wasn't until I was watching Channel 4's Big Art programme that I discovered the 20 metres high 'Dream' was designed by Jaume Plensa. It takes the form of the head of a girl with her eyes closed, in a seemingly dream-like state. The artist intended the sculpture to represent looking towards a brighter future and creating a beautiful place on what was a former spoiler heap.



I think the piece is highly inspirational and the 'brighter future' is well-represented as Dream pays no attention to the relics of heavy industry around - or beneath - her. Her zen-like meditation will remain no matter what.

Sculpture in Painting

The Henry Moore institute in Leeds' latest exhibition explores the relationship between art and 3D. A campaign, starting next week aims to maximise the number of visitors by using large-format graphics, posters, and giving away free merchandise. It sounds like the campaign might reel in the visitors, but I just hope the exhibition itself lives up to all the hype. Having seen several exhibitions at the Henry Moore institute, I can't say I've ever been overly impressed; The last one, 'The New Monumentality' was hardly exhilarating.

Tetley's Good Earth

The identity, branding and packaging of a new range of Tetley products, 'Good Earth' is currently underway. The new product is organic and is based around 3 principles to display its properties:

- Good for the planet
- Good for others
- Good to you

The 'secret' halo above the 'e' in the logo reflects the product's 'goodness', as do the soft lowercase letters. Not obviously linked to Tetley's, and with a sense of honesty attached to it, I think this product will prove quite popular.

FACT

FACT (The Foundation for Art & Creative Technology) is a Multimedia complex in Liverpool which was founded in 1989 to inspire people, and promote film, video and new media. FACT offers many opportunities for audiences, and a support system for artists.



The building itself is aesthetically impressive, covered in zinc tiles and LED columns; it's the perfect home for such an expressive and stimulating complex. Facilities include galleries for moving image and streaming media broadcasts, a Medialab for workshops and the development and production of artists' projects and The Box gallery and projection space. Not to mention a cafe, bar and 3 cinema picture house, screening the latest arthouse releases.

FACT really is an inspiring organisation, providing endless opportunities in the world of film and new media. Definitely worth a visit at least.

3 Minute Wonder

3 Minute Wonder is a short Channel 4 Television slot where first time Directors and Producers can broadcast their work to a large audience. Channel 4 is aiming to help new talent break into the very competitive UK Television industry - something that they might not be able to do by themselves.

Channel 4 provides the Directors with £4,000, and offers them their assistance in making their short film. This is a great way of getting their name out there, and pushing them one step further towards their ultimate goal. Channel 4's 4talent also runs competitions, so the winners get even more publicity. Any up-and-coming Director should jump at the chance to help their career, and when handed on a plate like this, it is the perfect opportunity.

This is one example of the short series, a 3 minute documentary about street art:

Books on the Edge

"I am attempting to blur the line between objects, sculpture and photography"

Butterfly

Texan artist Cara Barer bases her work on taking photographs of the edges of pages, in whimsical and elegant positions. Her inspiration came when she photographed whe intricately bent pages of a wet Yellow Pages book. After this, she moved onto other books, carefully positioning the pages into beautiful designs on a studio black background.

Barer does not consider herself a photographer, but simply an artist who uses photography. She takes into consideration the size of the book, the quality and colour of the paper, and her designs are often even influenced by the content of the book.

The final photographs are really impressive, and display great depth - it's unclear how they have been created on initial viewing, but I think discovering the 'page design' only makes them even more effective and inspiring. What an absorbing and original type of art.

Shitake

Essential Wear

These are just one of the Freebies given out at this year's Freshers - Miniature shopping bags containing free condoms. The bags have images of men and women on them, bearing bold statements such as 'I've got Chlamydia' and 'I've got Gonorrhoea'. The reverse side of the bags say 'He/She won't be wearing this, so make sure you use a condom'. I think these are really successful, as the message is clearly and bluntly delivered, free condoms are received, and the small bag is really unique and handy. Perfect for the intended target market of students!