REVIEW OF 2010 : EMILIA ZIEBA

Hi guys I'm Emily and I would like to tell u a bit how I became Alun's assistant. One day I accidentally came to an Art Direction page surfing in the internet. What I've saw there interested me so much that I decided take a risk and write an email with my portfolio to mysterious Mr Alun Davies. That's how I started my adventure with London and this local, international artistic world. After few hours of traveling and got lost few times I landed in really strange place full of ruined, deserted buildings. I felt horror breeze and thought how come anyone can be here for more that 5 minutes and create such a wonderful things like Alun's, impossible. Especially that no one was there the time I came. After a while when I get myself together I called the number which I found on the internet page. Few signals and nice, male voice welcomed me warmly and invited for a cup of coffee. I felt suprised so much especially with my permanent fear from talking on the phone with lisping English people, I could totally misunderstood and catch something like not 'pop in for a coffee but for example "put in fold in coffin haha ;P Short massage from Alun with direction assured me that I should take my bump and go to his place what I've obviously did. There met me another surprise because the door was opened by a young, handsome man not old and bald with a moustache and big belly, like I supposed. :P We've had nice, quite long conversation about work he already did and my experience as well.

The following day I've been invited to hist studio. Except basic intern duties like to give, to fetch, to sweep Alun was asking me to sort out his stuff and make simple props and accessories for the shoots, films and music clips among set for Glass Magazine, the feathers accessories for SHOW studio, Boudoir set for OFFICE Magazine, Painted backdrops for ANOTHER Magazine and Costumes for Samuel Chase. Cutting, gluing and painting, mostly how to do fab things reallysimply and shortly and get amazing final effect and make zajebisty (I couldn't use other than polish expression ;) climate in photos, movie or music clip to effect what I had in mind. Fantastic experience indeed! To be in the center of artistic world, among many different professions. To watch a team of make up artists, stylists, models, photographs and by building a set to become an author of a background for beautiful costumes, events, shoots and young debut stars music clips. Hours of hunting feathers in neighboring parks and cemetery ... How many my emotions and filings accursed in those places, how many steps in miles walked through, sat in the tube during journey to the studio or shoot places, on the way to meet new adventures, to build new fantastic world full of magic, artists performance, later admired for people which bought the freshly printed glossy magazines. The difference is that I took a part in this whole history which was given to me. From a big mess of many different things thrown away on the floor to ready made sets to rebuild later on, and placing props back in boxes, cases, packages. That is how I'll feel after I come back to my polish reality.. like an empty studio waiting for the new set will keep waiting for the new challenge this time with totally different people in absolutely different place in the world.


















































Above are images of two models made as an answer for "human against civilization" sentence inspired by Jean-Paul Chrles Aymard Sartre philosophy.

I graduated Poznan Academy of Fine Arts in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Stage and Costume design. I am on my second part of the studies at the moment. I have already been working as an assistant and trainee in several theatres in Poland during my studies.

Despite the fact that my education and work experience has prepared me for the position of stage and costume designer, I am also interested in interior, exhibition and set design. Last term of my studies I spent abroad and courses which I chose during my studies at Lithuanian Dajles Academija was completely connected with interior and exhibition design. After that I started to think about work in this field seriously.

SAMUEL CHASE AT THE SECRET GARDEN PARTY

Here are a few pics of Samuel Chase's customized costume I made for his Secret Garden Party last week, I wasn't able to make it but however here are a few images done by Samuel a few day's before. There are big plans for Samuel future gigs so keep an eye out for future dates and tours.

Rosie Knowles Signs out for Now!

After my day off on the Saturday I was back in the studio bright an early helping Alun prepare for the photo shoot for German fashion Magazine Sleek. I was very excited due to the fact I have never been on a professional photo shoot before and anything to do with high fashion clothes and shoes will always have my hearting pumping. After a quick trip to Tesco to get breakfast for everyone, I started to finish off a dream web capture which was going to be used for the shoot. The making was so simple but so effective I am looking forward to seeing what the photographs will look like!

Due to the fact that Alun was designing the set I was given the task of going to The Camden Crawl to dress Samuel Chase for his performance. At first I felt rather nervous because I would be in control of how Samuel would look. I found the Jazz club were Samuel was playing and waited outside to be taken backstage which was all very exciting as I passed all the people queuing to get in. The night went really well and I was able to take a few photographs.






















The next morning I was back at the studio helping Alun tidy up after the photo shoot. I knew that later that day we would be starting the new project for Machine A which I mention on my last blog. At lunchtime another intern Amy was introduced as she would be helping out as well with this new venture. We arrived at Machine A very impressed with the space and the shop which was ultra cool. We met the owner Stavros Karelis who was very friendly and got painting the space black. When it was time to go home I was feeling very excited for Friday to see what everything will look like, I was very tired but happy because I had made a new friend in my fellow intern Amy.

The next couple of days we finished painting the room and started making the graves. Before we knew it, it was Thursday and time to take everything to Machine A for Friday. I was impressed with how everything was starting to come together and I couldn’t wait to see the pieces designed by Charlie LeMindu. As always organised chaos erupted on Friday with everyone trying to finish everything off, it was fun because everyone got involved helping each other out to get it all finished and perfect. And this is exactly what happened. The set installation looked amazing, which came together really well with the sound and the gorgeous naked women looked fabulous in their head pieces by Charlie LeMindu. Amy and I quickly ran to Marks and Spencer’s to get changed and before I knew it I had finished my two weeks with Alun and was drinking a Peroni with a massive smile on my face.

Samuel Chase at the Camden Crawl

Here is a better picture of Samuel Chase wearing the encrusted star neck piece costume I made for his tour and festival dates, we are currently working on some new additions. This picture was taken at the Camden Crawl, photography by Chris Gent. and you can listen to some of Samuel's music at www.myspace.com/samuelchasemusic

Samuel Chase at the ICA

Here's a quick pic of Samuel Chase on stage at the ICA last night. Wearing the crystalized and encrusted neck piece I made for him this week. Hopefully some more detailed pictures soon!

Rosie Knowles

Hi I'm Rosie Knowles currently interning for Alun Davies Studio, I am a 2nd year Theatre and Performance design student, studying at LIPA in Liverpool.

At the start of this week after getting a little lost I arrived at Alun Davies Studio. I was given my first task to buy fabric for Alun's costume project for Samuel Chase (singer). With my A-Z in one hand and my tube map in the other off I went on the first of many mini adventures around London. I returned successful and was presented with my next task of finishing off disco mirror covered cuffs for Lady Ga Ga's dancers. I thought this was most exciting because I find her so fascinating so to be actually working on something she will see was fun. I even got the chance to drop off her clothes. My friends were impressed when I told them that evening as it wasn't the average Monday.

The rest of this week I have been helping Alun finish off Samuel Chase's costume for his first performance at the ICA which took place yesterday night. Samuel's performances are based around audio visual effects interacting with his music, which are then projected onto him as he stands alone with his microphone. Alun's design was to create a collar which would have a major impact under the lights, so I have been gluing all sorts of sparkly crystals, broken glass, bondage straps, whistles, nails, door hinges, feathers to name just a few which appear on the piece.

Finally having covered the whole piece we proceeded to pack everything up and head over to the ICA. This is where Samuel was able to see the finishing touches we had done and also the addition of a smaller collar to go over the larger piece. I helped Alun attach the collar and then it was out front to see the performance. The piece really worked great under the lights considering how dark it is when all the other lights were out. I really enjoyed the different colours and Samuel's shadow which gave a very mysterious silhouette. After a lot of well deserved congratulations it was time to have a glass of wine and head home for bed.

Coming up next week I will be assisting Alun on MACHINE A fashion art installation which sounds very exciting so I look forward to telling you all about it!


http://machine-a.com/

Here is a little look at what work I have done recently while at university....