While the built world grows faster than the natural, Pasquero and Poletto are integrating the latter into the former to find a balance. Their 2018 living installation superTree combined architecture and innovation to create an artificial tree that produces more oxygen than a natural tree. The glowing canopy and main trunk of the tree were entirely photosynthetic, powered by colonies of cyanobacteria which produce ten times more oxygen than the leaves of an actual tree. The most popular of their designs is the Photo.Synth.Etica, more commonly known as the algae curtain. Two square meters of this curtain facade has the equivalent capacity to absorb CO2 to a mature tree. The two square meter curtains contain around fifty litres of microalgae culture, weigh a hundred times less than a mature tree, and take up ten times less space. Algae curtains do the same work that planting a tree does, but allows for a more discreet and economical integration of sustainability into city spaces. 

Pasquero and Poletto are bridging the gap between artificial and natural, showing that the two are not as different as we may have thought. Their unique approach redefines what sustainable practices look like, articulating it in a way that is palatable to all, even the sceptics. 

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Commissioned by The Kensington and Chelsea Council and presented by the organisers of Kensington + Chelsea Art Week, the High Street Windows project is a set of visual art interventions taking place in empty storefronts throughout the borough. The aim is to engage passers-by in a celebration of culture and creativity with empty stores transformed into public artworks dealing with important current issues.

The commission titled ‘Good Vibrations’ is from multi-disciplinary artist Paul Robinson, known professionally as Luap, who has transformed the windows of the disused All Saints store on Westbourne Grove with a thought -provoking piece that addresses issues around mental health and wellbeing.

LUAP wants to share his difficult journey with mental health in the hope that he can inspire others not to feel so alone and to seek help when help is needed. His campaign also supports CALM, the mental health charity which runs a suicide helpline.

An adult-size Pink Bear features in almost all the work by LUAP; it acts as his alter ego, muse and model, his escape and a bridge to dealing with mental health issues. In ‘Good Vibrations’ the artist presents the Pink Bear standing alone in a forest.

“We then had another session where I visualised and drew the tree I wanted to be… And so I shed my negativity and embraced positivity. As my branches spread and my leaves sprouted, I grew a bridge to connection, enabled by nature. I hope this work will be able to help others to find solace.  Hopefully, it brings some positive energy.”

The artist describes how nature inspired his recovery from adult loneliness and depression.“Initially, it all started with a single tree photographed in diverse environments, then superimposed on wallpaper invoked from my childhood. It reflected me and my mood. Drifting, guarded, isolated, a solitary tree in a forest surrounded by trees,” he continues “I have the feeling many of us feel like an isolated tree in a forest full of people. The pandemic has only served to expose this harsh truth ever more.”

Disconnected from people around him, in his younger years, LUAP was diagnosed with dissociative disorder. As he entered adulthood his depression deepened and with it the vast disconnect. Upon discovering Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) he was able to explore his mental health issues with a therapist; she turned on a different light when she asked him to draw a tree or three to represent emotions or people in his life, how he felt.

Organiser Vestalia Chilton comments, “LUAP’s work is so relevant at a time when the population has been through such a traumatic twelve months. It is hopeful, inspiring and it reminds us of how isolated some have felt this past year. We hope that it resonates locally and reminds people that although we may feel isolated we are surrounded by likeminded souls.”

The council is working to support our residents and give a helping hand to our high streets in a creative and reactionary way. The pandemic has had a colossal economic impact on our communities, on mental health and wellbeing; many freelancers have lost their livelihood. This project aims to lift the spirits while giving much needed support to the artists and landlords.” Cllr Catherine Faulks

Public art installations in empty retail spaces have already been created for the High Street Windows initiative by artists Ian Kirkpatrick and Fiona Grady in High Street Kensington, with Dotmasters, Alexander Ikhide and Gala Bell installing work in South Kensington.

High Street Windows is part of a growing trend across the capital to transform disused retail units into spaces for inspiring art and follows the announcement that the former Oxford Street Debenhams will be reimagined as an art space. The series of installations in the Royal Borough lead up to the annual Kensington + Chelsea Art Week, a major celebration of public art for all to enjoy this summer.

Good Vibrations – 290 Westbourne Grove until 15 April 2021
@kcawlondon @luap

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Linen has many modern applications partly because its characteristics from antiquity are still recognized even today, as the simple fact that it does not absorb humidity as readily as cotton and that it is naturally wrinkled, but with some technical performance criteria like it being waterproof, crease-resistant, offering impressive protection from UltraViolet rays. Today, linen has a sporty and more modern appeal to it, all thanks go to its ability to blend with most other fibers as well as its special finishing techniques. In fact, the industry creatives have made a resigned linen characterized by its melange effect. From just a simple linen fabric to more intricate shapes such as linen sheets, curtains, tablecloth, it has it all.

When linen landed on vogue, we had no one else to give credit to but the younger, environmentally conscious consumers. Even better, the creative minds in linen supply chains keep developing new production methods to come up with new products like winter linen, fluoride and formaldehyde-free waterproof linen, stretch linen, and decorated linen that supports specific digital printing techniques. At this point, you can forget about all textiles that went out of fashion: today’s linen is the most innovative we have ever seen, naturally sustainable and stands proudly against the test of ages.

Versatility Factor

Linen is one of the most versatile fabrics out there. It can be used in more than one way, with sturdiness perfect for both industrial and upholstery products. Curtains, tea towels, tablecloths, and bedsheets are common-sight household items made from linen. Also, linen has been utilized as canvas material for many oil paintings by artists. Linen was actually part of the materials that were used to make the U.S. dollar bill! You can also wear woven linen to a soft, breezy finish, something that makes it ideal for anyone’s summer wardrobe. 

Earth’s friendliest flax plant 

First off, did you know Linen is produced from flax? Yes, and it’s an extremely versatile plant. Every part that makes up flax plants has one or more uses, and all parts have been used in the production of worthwhile products – nothing goes to waste, and the production process is impressively cost-effective. One of the by-products thrown off the assembly line in flax processing is Linseed Oil, one of the best wood preservatives out there, particularly in varnishes. Another thing you probably didn’t know is that Flax is highly resilient and can easily grow in some of the poorest soils on the planet, using far less moisture than cotton.

The UN-FAO (UN- Food & Agriculture Organization) recognizes that flax requires thirteen (13) times fewer treatments and pesticides than Irish potatoes, yet it is only about 1 percent of the planet’s apparel fiber usage.

Just how eco-friendly is linen? Here are reasons why

Flax is a plant that grows naturally. It requires no extra water besides rainwater, something that makes it one of the eco-friendliest fabrics available

Because it is a natural fiber, linen is both recyclable and biodegradable

The entire flax plant is usable in one way or another, leaving no chance for wastage

According to the assertion of the European Confederations of Hemp and Linen, flax is friendly to the environment and can be used to preserve land 

Flax requires very little energy to process

Linen yarn is strong by nature, which means manufacturers don’t need to incorporate the starching process during weaving and spinning

Linen fabric can be easily recycled into insulation materials and paper used in the car industry.

If you compare flax linen to cotton, it comes out to be several times stronger, meaning clothing, upholstery, and window hangings made from linen are made to last, instead of ending up in landfills within a short time.

Other benefits of linen

Besides being the most stylish and biodegradable fabrics ever seen in fashion history, linen is inherently moth resistant. Note that although this fabric is fully biodegradable, it is still made of flax plant fibers, meaning it must be untreated (i.e. free of dyes) for it to be biodegradable. It also comes with impressive natural colors including ecru, ivory, grey, and tan.

Linen can withstand great temperatures, making it one of the fabrics you would generally use for lounging on a hot tropical island or raiding the jungle. It absorbs more moisture without necessarily holding bacteria. In fact, it is actually stronger when wet with water than dry and can become more soft and pliable the more you wash it. It just gets better and better!

And on the dark side…

Linen’s production process takes a lot of time and a fair share of work. As such, linen can be expensive to produce (remember, we earlier mentioned it’s only cost-effective when you consider that no part of the flax plant goes to waste – that and that only)

Organic linen isn’t the easiest to find either. Although according to the words of Bead & Reel, “much of the linen made in China is grown with several agrochemicals and their processing method also tends to higher impact, Japanese and European linen is more natural and involves low impact methods… as a manufacturer or consumer, you can also be confident that high-quality linen from Japanese and European mills is a sustainable choice”.

Another flaw of linen has something to do with its fibers – because the constituent fibers lack elasticity, they are prone to break along any permanent creases that form over time. This is something you should be mindful of with respect to parts that are always bending or creasing, such as the region where the collar of your shirt folds down.

Also, the wrinkling may be a con at times – you need to be careful and choosey with the kind of garment you settle on.

In a nutshell 

Linen is one of the versatile fabrics with sustainable sourcing and processing we have today. Linen is one of the most versatile fabrics out there. It can be used in more than one way, with sturdiness perfect for both industrial and upholstery products.

Every part that makes up flax plants has one or more uses, and all parts have been used in the production of worthwhile products – nothing goes to waste, and the production process is impressively cost-effective.

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As a symbol for exploring the unknown, trolls are a prevalent creature in Scandinavian folklore. Said to live far away from human activity in mountains and caves, trolls are solitary beings that perfectly echo the lonely sentiments many have been feeling during the pandemic. Dambo draws from these fairytales in order to rekindle a sense of adventure and community in Denmark for young and old audiences alike. These sculptures are built in a way where travellers can climb on and interact with the trolls while wildlife can grow to embellish it with entangled roots and flowering shrubs, ultimately nurturing a harmonious relationship between people and the environment.

This is not the first troll hunt that Dambo has orchestrated. These mythical giants are clustered across the globe in Denmark, Belgium, South Korea, China, and the US. With a digital treasure map and poems engraved in stones near each sculpture, Dambo’s installations begin as enjoyable activities and end with a new understanding of the beauty in nature and the role sustainability plays in preserving it.

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Gallenkus draws awareness to social injustice, war, hunger, and climate change by comparing pictures such as a child holding a gun versus a child holding a guitar or a child wearing clean white sneakers versus a child wearing plastic wrapped in fabric on their feet. Many of his photos seem to share this common theme of children. By playing on the innocence and fragility of children in such awful and unjust situations, Gallenkus awakens a deeper sense of urgency in an audience that has learned to become numb to the sight of such atrocities. Last November, on International Children’s Rights Day, Gallenkus published his first book titled Parallel Universes of Children. Featuring fifty of his collages representing children’s rights and quotes and facts about children’s lived realities, this book is an additional call to action, advocating the essential rights every child should have regardless of their circumstances or geography.

Gallenkus is delving further into his brutally honest art by working on his skills as a photographer. While living in Istanbul, Gallenkus is currently learning to master his abilities with a camera in order to have more control over the images used in his art. His humanitarian endeavours have already touched the hearts of millions and will continue to spread empathy around the globe and encourage change within structures of power.

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Popper uses a range of materials to bring his enchanting installations to life. From steel, fibreglass, concrete, wood, and natural fibres, his work explores many different textures that are often paired with a pop of vibrant plant life. Lush ferns and forest greens can be found bursting at the heart of his sculptures. Popper sculpts the head and torso of the female body in many of his works, giving mother nature a human form. With her head titled and her eyes closed, these sculptures are a serene, almost comforting, sight to look at. Popper designs these installations to be interactive. Observers can walk into and through them, allowing the art to be appreciated from every angle. 

With the pandemic, Popper’s main venue for his installations has been cancelled for the time being. This has pushed Popper to create more permanent works. His most recent sculpture “Thrive” is a permanent 8-metre tall statue in Florida. The installation features a woman opening her cracked chest to reveal a fern garden. This piece of art aptly communicates a sense of broken beauty in times where many are trying to find joy and beauty amongst the chaos COVID-19 has incited. 

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‘With Script, you’re very much buying a piece of art,’ says Baker of this new apparel genre. ‘It’s not just about clothing people; it’s about creating a piece of art in a different form.’ Closely involved in the creation of the shirt from start to finish, the product will bear one of Baker’s most iconic images, Half-Pint, first created 15 years ago of his son wearing a panda mask.

Following its initial launch, Script will continue to announce a series of new and exciting artistic unions of cult collectibles. Seasonal partnerships and products will be made available throughout the year. While many of the major fashion houses have led the charge in blue-chip artist collaborations, Script’s offerings will include exclusively licensed pieces of art produced by collectible talents in smaller quantities.

Founded by collector and multidisciplinary entrepreneur Eric Perlman through his love of art and the apparel industry, Perlman wanted to merge the fields of creative expression together. Driven by an ambition to create a brand that would make collecting more accessible, he has launched Script to produce wearable art via luxurious limited-edition garments, sourcing visuals from well- known artistic practitioners.

Available in a limited run of 500 black and 500 white, the collectible editions feature top-quality Pima cotton construction with Peruvian woven fabric. All are hand screen printed and embellished in the USA, with each shirt individually numbered and accompanied by a corresponding numbered COA, hand-signed by the artist.

See more at www.script.art

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Matee turns plastic waste from Nairobi into highly durable paving bricks, or as she says, turns trash into cash. Nairobi alone generates 500 metric tonnes of plastic waste every day, which as you can guess, only a fraction of is recycled. At only 29 years old, Matee spearheaded local efforts to find a cheap and sustainable way to deal with this dilemma. Her company, Gjenge Makers compresses plastic waste and sand at 350°C to create bricks that are half the weight and double the durability of concrete bricks. Gjenge Makers has recycled over 20 metric tonnes of plastic and creates 1000 to 1500 bricks a day. Matee and her team source the plastic from factories and recyclers in Nairobi. Often receiving the material free of charge, Gjenge Makers is able to offer their bricks at an affordable cost for schools and homeowners, providing additional solutions to housing poverty in Kenya. 

Matee’s entrepreneurial endeavours took determination and personal sacrifice. Before Gjenge Makers, Matee was a data analyst and engineer in Kenya’s oil industry. In 2017, she quit her job and set up a small lab in her mother’s back yard. She spent a year using all of her saving trying to develop the right ratios for her paving bricks. Her hard work won her a scholarship to attend a social entrepreneurship training programme at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she used their material labs to finally perfect the bricks. Today, Matee’s efforts are thriving and gaining recognition. Her company has won five awards, one of which was the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth Award. With plans to expand from paving blocks to building blocks, Matee hopes to bring Gjenge Makers to other parts of the African continent. Gjenge Makers has created 112 job opportunities for garbage collectors, women, and youth groups in Nairobi. Not only do Matee’s efforts advocate for sustainability, but they are inspiring and supporting the next generation of female entrepreneurs in Africa.

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This fabric of the future grows overtime, transforming in shape and form in response to different humidity and temperature levels. Once it has reached the end of its life cycle, the glass-like material decomposes when soaked in alkaline water. This process can take from one to twenty-four hours, depending on the temperature of the water. Developed in a laboratory, Yang uses algae extract and sericin, a silk cocoon protein that is usually a by-product of textile manufacturing, to bring her material to life. She then pours the solution into a casting mould created with 3D printing and laser cutting technologies and lets the biomaterial solidify. The results are a crystal-like webbed dress tinted with hues of translucent sage and seafoam green. The hydrophobic properties of sericin cause the dress to crease and twist in response to the environment, simulating the movements of an ocean creature. 

Yang’s design exists primarily in the virtual world. While the material and its characteristics are real, Yang’s exhibition of it was a virtual animation. To show how the textile works while minimizing waste, she used 3D technologies to generate simulations of how the dress reacts in different environments. As the project’s tagline “From physical to digital, material to immaterial”  suggests, serpentine lace is truly a fabric of the future that travels through dimensions, defying everything we’ve known fashion to be. In an effort to combat the abhorrent amount of waste the fashion industry produces, Yang has created a biodegradable and digital solution whose captivating presence opens the discussion to how this innovative material can be introduced to a commercial market.

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1. GOOD GROOMING

Style doesn’t mean breaking the bank to get the most lavish of clothes. The first step to style is good grooming from head to toe. Women who are well-groomed even without having the latest trends will always look elegant and well put together. Grooming entails not leaving the house without a shower, making sure the clothes are clean and in decent shape. Hair and nails should be clean and well maintained too. All this has an impact on how other people view you as a person and what you stand for.

2. USE STATEMENT PIECES

Style needs to be simple to come naturally but make no mistake – effort is a must! Style requires common sense in acquiring clothes that embody your physique and are attractive enough to catch people’s attention. These items of clothing are what we call “statement pieces” and they help us stand out from the crowd. For instance, to stay on top of your style game, one could pair a basic outfit with a statement piece such as a Bottega Veneta bag. This will instantly spruce up the entire outfit and leave you looking sophisticated. A keen note to remember is to not over-do by wearing too many statement pieces. This creates a busy look and makes it seem as if you are trying too much.

3. FITTING IS KING

The simplest of ways to make your style pop is by wearing clothes that actually fit. A good tailor is an investment to guarantee the clothes fit well like a glove. This is what demarcates a sharp look and one which is sloppy. While creating your wardrobe, focus on achieving quality over quantity. A well-made outfit is more flattering than having plenty of ready-made pieces that don’t give the body that perfect silhouette.

4. ACCESSORIZE

There is nothing that brings a look together as the accessories do. The right kind of accessories can elevate an outfit from plain to fabulous in no time. There are different types of fashion accessories that one can use to coordinate a look from handbags, shoes, belts, shawls, jewellery and the list goes on. Accessories are designed to draw attention to that piece and the person wearing it hence giving them the ability to stand out from the rest. Only one statement piece should be worn at any time as over-accessorising will leave you looking like a clown. In case you want to add some more, make sure they are simple so that they don’t detract from the main attraction.

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Comic Books

It might seem a bit silly to say that art in comic books is undervalued, considering it’s one of the core things that make up comic books. While the appreciation for the often gorgeous illustrations in comics is very apparent within the comic book community, people outside of it rarely give it a second thought. Considering that a mere comic book page consists of several panels depicting beautiful artwork, it’s a shame that so many overlook the effort going into it. 

Online Casinos

Here’s one you probably didn’t expect to see on this list. There are plenty of places art is underappreciated in online casinos, but the main one comes with the games these operators host. If you visit a new online casino in the UK, like Casimba, you’ll find that it’s packed with a plethora of different games you can try. From classics like Poker, Roulette, and Blackjack to modern online slot games, online casinos have the entertainment part down to a T.

While everyone can appreciate the fun time online casinos provide, the artwork and effort put into making casino games often go unnoticed, especially when the slots are in question. A big chunk of modern slots includes various illustrations and designs. Since these slots come with different themes, they feature artwork inspired by ancient civilizations, fantastic fairytales, and scenic locations! It’s easy to see that the illustrated work in these games is incredibly detailed once you gloss over them, but unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to do that.

Video Games

Building on our previous talk about online casinos and the games they host, it’s easy to say that the same kind of sentiment applies to most traditional video games as well. Thankfully, things are starting to look up when it comes to art in this field. With gaming becoming one of the most popular hobbies worldwide, more and more people are exposed to the beautiful art direction many traditional console and PC video games take.

The trouble with art in video games comes from the separation of digital art and 3D modeling from other traditional art forms. Because most of the work for video game visuals is made with technology, plenty of people in the artistic circles don’t take it seriously. Naturally, this is a massive shame considering the incredible visuals many video games sport. Whether you like to enjoy games on PC or mobile, take time to appreciate their beauty on your next gaming session.

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With a background in sculpting and painting, Libertíny explores the relationship between man and nature. His honeycomb sculptures reflect his desire to create controlled randomness and replicate the imperfections of nature. His vases and busts of golden hexagons are a result of an attentive collaboration that takes patience and support. Specific temperatures are needed for honeybees to activate their wax production glands and secrete wax. Disturbance is also a factor to consider, seeing as it can disrupt the comb-making process, prolonging the progress and even causing the bees to start all over again. These are only a few elements that Libertíny had to consider in order to sustain the healthy and thriving mutual relationship needed to make his artwork. Pivotal to every sculptor’s craft is the material used. Luckily for Libertíny, beeswax is one of the most durable natural materials. With the potential to last thousands of years without deterioration, beeswax contains a protective substance called propolis that is used as an antiseptic barrier for honeybee’s hives. 

The themes of endurance and strength seen in the making of Libertíny’s art are further highlighted by the subjects he chooses to create.  Many of Libertíny’s wax figures draw from ancient Egyptian and Roman history. Most notable of his work is a wax bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Inspired by a portrait made in 1345 B.C, this bust evokes a deeper connection between the impact of strong female figures like the queen of a bee colony and a queen of Ancient Egypt. This valuable message is further driven by the fact that the relationship between bees and humans can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where beeswax was a prominent part of everyday practices.

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