See, I wasn't kidding about the people at the Design Museum. It looks like they actually made an event for the scarf-wearing Artistes. I'm not sure if that ranks above or below Star Bucks screenplay writers on my personal scale of Contempt to Hate. Once I consult with Alex I will let you know. I present Glam Night Knit Night: "BE GLAMOUS, BE CHIC BE COSY AND BE SEEN." BE AFRAID!

"Dress code: party frock or cardy." (Seriously)

I'm too busy to make stuff like this up. I will not be attending.

Update: After some deliberation I have decided that it is better that the Design Museum ropes these people and keeps the streets clean and safe. I salute their efforts.

Private Party for a Dead Frenchman

I became a member of the design museum the last time I was there and they sent me an invitation for this 'private event' via email. Congratulations, Design Museum: The black on yellow got my attention. You win this round.

I got to see a lot of 1950s chairs, desks and prefab houses. The best parts were a house that was built into a mountain and a conversation that went from Tin Tin, to a model house, to Stargate SG1, to Richard Dean Anderson, to MacGyver, to making fun of the cultured, artsy scarf-wearing brigade of scenesters that stood around drinking wine next to the museum shop.

Catching Up to Myself

Two weekends ago I did a few touristy things but I was too lazy to get the pictures off my phone when I got home and then I forgot about them. The pictures are pretty awful and blurry but they're all I have. The first two are from the Design Museum, I got a membership so I (hopefully) will be going back more often. I have access to 'special events' and I have free entry for myself and someone else for a year.

This was from an exhibit of some British fashion designer's work. The rectangles on the wall are different patterns he created or used, I'm not sure which.


This taken from the other side of the wall with patterns on it. You can see some of his dresses and behind them is a collage of more patterns, pictures, and ... etc.


This is the famous crack in the Tate Modern. I don't get modern art. I can make up excuses for my mistakes after-the-fact too. You see how I took the picture? It was intentionally bad. I WANTED it to be crooked, pixelated and poorly lit. You can play along now too, help me finish this sentence: I [thing we're making an excuse for] to symbolize the [current event|social movement] and to [reflect|reinforce] the [characteristic of the subject].


I don't think I was supposed to take photos in this area but I only figured that out afterwards. Oops, oh well. 80's twist: I rebelled and took pictures where I wasn't supposed to to symbolize the struggle and oppression in North Korea and to reflect the free, expressive nature of this sculpture.

Obviously I don't have the capacity to appreciate real* art. I really prefer place like the Design Museum because generally the work they show will have to have a purpose - like architecture, fashion, ads ... typography even.

* The kind of art that you have to stare at for anywhere between 10 minutes to several hours (depending on how dedicated you are and how little a life you have) making humming noises** to score scene points with the respectable connoisseurs around you that are doing the same thing.

** "Hmm, now with more pulp!"

Tomorrow's To-Do's

Today was pretty good. I worked on my presentation all afternoon and I think it turned out pretty well. I might post a link after I finish having it proof read. I conquered the washing machine. And the rainy morning turned into a beautiful, clear afternoon. One of the contacts that the owners of Artifact-Software set me up with got in touch with me and his friend is going to give my CV to his boss. If I do find work, I still plan on applying for a web internship at The Design Museum once I know my availability. If that time falls towards the end of my stay instead of now that might even work out better. I don't have any expectations but I feel like everything is under control now and I should be happy however all of this turns out.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to The London Dungeons. I'm not exactly sure if it's a ride or a tour or something else but I booked my ticket on Sunday so I'm committed. You can try to find out more about it here http://www.thedungeons.com/ but their website doesn't seem to be too useful (an opportunity?). Tonight I had a disgusting amount of unflavoured rice for supper, I guess it was a little healthier than Best Chicken but my stomach still hurts.

The Design Museum

Timely procrastination forces creativity at the expense of deadlines.

I was working on a concept for my 'special' application for an internship at The Design Museum (www.designmuseum.org) all night. I was happy that I would have something wonderful to send off in the morning. Something SO wonderful they would call me up within the hour begging me to work for them for the rest my time here, all expenses paid. Sadly, when I 'woke up' around midnight and realized that I hadn't done anything, I forced myself to get started. About 10 minutes ago (2:30 AM) I had a much better idea so I'm going to call it a night. At least the hard part is done, all I have left is to actually do it. Actually, the hardest part will be not having a better idea and starting over again. If all else fails, I can apply with a normal cover letter and CV but I want to do this as much for the job as to prove (to myself) that I can express myself creatively.

As for letting all of you in on my plans for the future, that will be put off until (hint) I hear back from the museum, because I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. Until then, feel free to guess.

Design Museum

The highlight of my trip so far - and the only touristy thing I've allowed myself to do, incase I still don't have a job next month.

The Design Museum borders the Thames. This is a giant head with the outside of the museum in the background (you can see the writing on the wall).

They had a section about some company that created theme fonts. This one is called "Expletive Script" and I can't remember what it was based on. The picture is really awful but I still wanted to put it up.

They had a section making politcal statements about current events. This was one about consumerism and North Korea.

I felt really good after going there. There was a really amazing architectural exhibit and it made me realize how "in the box" my designs have become. I bought a book about web portfolios so I could see what other people have been doing. I'm planning to redesign mine next week to keep busy while I wait for them to install my internet. Maybe being disconnected from everything and everyone will make me go crazy and thus become an artist instead of a designer.

I plan to get a membership there, it's really cheap for people under 26. Something like £20 instead of £150. (The bonus to being at an internet cafe is that I can make the symbol for pounds.)