This week Things champions guinea pigs, lost lands and New York City

Date
9 June 2012

“Let me see that Thiiiing, I like it when the beat goes, like it when the beat gooooes […] that thing thing thing thing thing.” That Sisqo song was about Things right? Regardless, in his prime that man was a delight, as is this week’s wonderous Things. Euro 2012 manages to make another sneaky appearance, an intriguing analysis of archival material digs its way in, a furry and quirky album cover, a branding mag and a little slice of New York City in black and white form all come together in chorus of such unity and birdsong a musical tear is quavering (geddit?) on my cheek. So make haste and read as you’re then invited to try and remember other songs inspired by Things – a kareoke session will follow and just a heads up, Jimi’s Wild Thing will be my pièce de résistance…

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Ben Branagan, Luke Pendrell & Eva Verhoeven: Doggerland

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Ben Branagan, Luke Pendrell & Eva Verhoeven: Doggerland

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Ben Branagan, Luke Pendrell & Eva Verhoeven: Doggerland

Ben Branagan, Luke Pendrell & Eva Verhoeven: Doggerland

Time to exercise our brains with this publication that analyses retrieved archival material. Now don’t leave just yet, this is actually a project that not only informs but also bring joy in its presentation. Called Doggerland it refers to the term used by archaeologists and geologists when referring to a former landmass in the North Sea that connected the UK to mainland Europe during the last Ice Age, but has since been swallowed up by rising sea levels.

In this project, Ben Branagan, Luke Pendrell and Eva Verhoeven have banded together to create this wonderful booklet that dissects a collection of damaged and questionable artefacts around this disappearing land and suggests the possibility of spaces both real and metaphoric. It sounds like heavy stuff but the clean layout and minimal text allows room for these examinations to really sink in and be considered by the viewer. As part of the Submerged Territories series, it’s an interesting take on a fascinating topic.
www.johnfrumpress.co.uk

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Quiet British Accent: England, Not England

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Quiet British Accent: England, Not England

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Quiet British Accent: England, Not England

Quiet British Accent: England, Not England

If you asked, I’m sure most people would say that art and sport go together as well as cucumber sandwiches do on a sizzling hot summer’s day i.e. not well. But Quiet British Accent are trying to bridge that gap with their art and clothing company focused on sporting culture and breaking down barriers. Their newest venture coincides with the start of Euro 2012, with this newsprint publication England, Not England. Inspired by the feelings conjured by the England national football team both here and overseas, it uses an array of visuals including things like an old England shirt, emails, vintage fonts and table football figures – it’s a great addition to the parafenalia surrounding this year’s championship.
www.quietbritishaccent.com

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Elisa Noguera: Kinnie The Explorer LP cover

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Elisa Noguera: Kinnie The Explorer LP cover

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Elisa Noguera: Kinnie The Explorer LP cover

Elisa Noguera: Kinnie The Explorer LP cover

When I was a child I had a black and white guinea pig called Rainbow – it was clear, even then, that I was destined for creative things. My fondness for these furry creatures hasn’t subsided either, so immediately this LP that got sent in from the band Kinnie The Explorer had me reaching out to stroke it with the brilliant cover photographed by Elisa Noguera. While I can’t comment on the music (sorry no record player!), the rears of guinea pigs on pedestals set against garish wallpapers are fun, surreal and fantastic. Giving the everyday some importance, it’s made me realise guinea pigs on the cover are a must if I ever produce my own record.
www.elisanoguera.com
www.kinnietheexplorer.com

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/thelistencollective/: /notes from new york/

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/thelistencollective/: /notes from new york/

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/thelistencollective/: /notes from new york/

/thelistencollective/: /notes from new york/

I’ve always dreamed of going to New York but still even in my adult years I have yet to venture across the atlantic and pretend that I’m in every “let’s make it in New York!” Hollywood movie there is. So to give me a snapshot of the city that never sleeps is this lovely zine /notesfromnewyork/ from /thelistencollective/, a London based studio that makes films, music, photography and whole host of other creative things. The high contrasts of black and white in these images work really well and take us on a journey around New York’s streets. There’s a real intimacy and closeness, where cliché shots are avoided and a more genuine perspective of the city is presented. And with this just being the first in series of self-published zines /thelistencollective/ are producing, I’ll definitely be looking out for the others.
www.thelistencollective.com

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Richard Crabb: Uusi #4, The Craft Issue (Nokia brand magazine)

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Richard Crabb: Uusi #4, The Craft Issue (Nokia brand magazine)

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Richard Crabb: Uusi #4, The Craft Issue (Nokia brand magazine)

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Richard Crabb: Uusi #4, The Craft Issue (Nokia brand magazine)

Richard Crabb: Uusi #4, The Craft Issue (Nokia brand magazine)

My only affinity with Nokia is the fact I owned both the 3210 and 3310i mobiles sequentially in my youth. But as a brand they’re working hard to help people understand them as a company, and as result their magazine Uusi caught our attention. Created by Design Studio, issue four is the craft issue and they’ve enlisted a range of illustrators and other creatives, including Alan Kitching to demonstrate how Nokia are tackling their ongoing business challenges with an emphasis in execution and innovative thinking. It’s like softening the biro lined corporate side with coloured chalks (if you wanted a visual) and the result is a well-designed and considered snapshot into the company. It’s great to see a big organisation like Nokia inviting their consumers in and getting them to understand how they operate.
www.wearedesignstudio.com

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About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

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