Exploring boundaries through creativity

Date
27 January 2016

Four speakers discussed topics that ranged from photographing the rich culture of Ghana to “setting up a workshop in an alleyway.” The audience learnt a lot about boundaries – learning to set their own and pushing them.

First to get behind the lectern was Kevin King, founder of Secret 7”. The project invites creatives to interpret seven tracks from seven musicians pressed 100 times to vinyl and design covers for them. Kevin was honest in his analysis of what it took to get the project up and running. “Quite quickly I was at the office every day, and dragging my friends in at the weekend,” he said. Describing every step it took to turn Secret 7” into the immensely popular convergence of art and music that it is now, Kevin’s chronological presentation revealed the realities behind working with someone who lives on the other side of the planet, and noticing that you’ve accidentally photographed something you’d rather not. “I rang Jordan at three in the morning and asked him to retouch the dick out of the shot,” said Kevin of a Chapman Brothers shoot. Kevin also touched on navigating the potential minefield of merging one creative concept with another. “When I showed it to Robert for approval he hated it,” said Kevin when talking about sharing David Shrigley’s interpretation of one of The Cure’s singles with Robert Smith.

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GT: Kevin King at Nicer Tuesdays

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GT: Kevin King at Nicer Tuesdays

Second to take the stand, creative partnership Isabel + Helen shared its experiences of exploring the universe for Selfridges’ Christmas windows and finding the best platforms for audience engagement on opposite sides of a music festival. Revealing the beginnings of their partnership, Isabel and Helen revealed that they didn’t always have people’s unwavering support. Following a collaborative project at university the pair received some bleak feedback. “Our tutors made us promise to never ever ever ever ever work together again, but here we are.” Not deterred by these words, their presentation went on to showcase the fantastic diversity of their projects and the occasionally less than glamorous creative processes behind them.

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GT: Isabel + Helen at Nicer Tuesdays

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GT: Isabel + Helen at Nicer Tuesdays

Next up was east London native Charlie Kwai. Not unfamiliar with crowds of new and expectant faces, the street photographer’s presentation was delivered with charisma and a consistently deadpan sense of humour. Charlie discussed his collective Tripod City and its recent expedition to Ghana. “My day consists of walking around in circles for hours, taking pictures of obscure things,” said Charlie. Keen to expose the contrast to this that Tripod City experienced in Ghana, Charlie’s presentation unveiled the adjustment required to being a trio of photographers in a country that frowns upon photography. Reflecting on the key to travelling the world taking photographs, Charlie said, “capture the universal connections that we all share.”

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GT: Charlie Kwai at Nicer Tuesdays

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GT: Charlie Kwai at Nicer Tuesdays

Brave and profound, Pentagram’s Marina Willer was the final speaker to take to the Nicer Tuesdays stage sharing the story and process behind her Red Trees project. “I never had the courage until now,” said Marina when presenting her reasoning for undertaking the project. Telling the emotional stories of her Czech family’s plight during Nazi occupation, Marina touched on the importance of using mediums such as film to educate and influence, saying: “we should always look to past to work for a better future.”

Having created a film that explores her heritage, Marina spoke of the joy of working with her father on the project and wanting to create something for those who have supported her. “I hope that I can do something that makes people proud.”

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GT: Marina Willer at Nicer Tuesdays

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GT: Marina Willer at Nicer Tuesdays

Event partner: Revue

Revue is a tool that enables you to easily create an email digest that helps you to communicate with your network. The platform provides a sleek landing page where people can subscribe, allowing you to decide where and with whom you share it. With a click of a button, you can compile your tweets, stories, or interesting articles you’ve read that week to share with your subscribers. Attendees at Nicer Tuesdays will are offered a special discount for the service.

Visit www.getrevue.co to get started.

Supported by Park Communications

Nicer Tuesdays is also supported by Park Communications one of London’s eminent, most friendly and approachable printers.

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About the Author

Milly Burroughs

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