Idea Generation Gallery

Illustrator; Intern; Retail Assistant

 When I was at the age of 23 I asked my Mother - what shall I do? Shall I draw pictures? Shall I intern?

Here’s what she said to me…

TRY EVERYTHING & GET EXPERIENCE!!!

 The BIG lesson I have learnt since graduating last year is to have a plan! Get a part-time job doing anything whatsoever- it will not be your job for life!

I thought it would be easy-ish to find the job of my dreams! But it really isn’t!

 Well I’m definitely not rich yet…but I’m working on it. I’m rich with inspiration – but unfortunately that doesn’t pay the bills!

 It’s hard to fight for something you believe in.

(If most of the time you are doubting your belief!)

 The art world is a mine field these days. We are told there is no right or wrong way of expressing ourselves…but if we want to make money out of our craft then it definitely has to be the right way!

I have started my journey through this mine field. I am an unknown artist (except by friends/family and the few friends/fans accumulated through faithful Facebook)

 How do you get where you dream to be?

SELF PROMOTION!

I don’t enjoy it. But you’ve gotta be in it to win it!

So here I go… 

I love to draw from everyday life. From the places that surround us to everyday objects,fashion accessories and our sentimental treasures.

I have been actively promoting and selling my work in the form of fairs and social networking - customizing my illustrations into greetings cards, prints, t-shirts, tote bags and paper based tokens.

Thereby establishing my small business profile called ‘Love Lexi’.

The title ‘Love Lexi’ was originally born from my years of written correspondence with friends. And the ‘sign-off’ developed into a business.

I hope all you artists out there keep on doing what you’re doing – we will all be known one day in some way or other!

 To see more of my work and inspirations you can check out my personal blog at:

www.lovefromlexi.blogspot.com

 Love Lexi

                        Watch this space!!

For the love of Vinyl

Celebrating over 40 years of wonderfully designed iconic Vinyl Album art designed by Storm Thogerson and Aubrey Powell commissioned by renowned musicians of the 1970’s such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabath, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Muse and Biffy Clyro.

The Exhibition is taking place at The Gallery, OXO Tower, Barge House Street, South Bank, London and will be open to the public DAILY 11am-6pm until the 26^th of July 2010.

Lovingly produced Limited Edition, Fine Art prints are on sale as well as a great book “For The Love of Vinyl” which is the first to doc ument Hipgnosis creative output, focusing on over 60  famous designs, also included are  short essays by artists such as Pink Floy d’s Nick Mason and Peter Blake and  a few CD’s which are all reasonably priced. 

We at Idea Generation Gallery loved working with Storm and wish him lots of luck in this new and exciting exhibition, A must see for all, music and art lovers. Entrance is Free!!! 

All systems a go-go this week at IG Gallery - scores of Ray Lowry’s original illustrations and paintings have been flooding in, as have most of the guest contributions. A hugely differing collection of things, bearing in mind the contributions are all re-interpretations of the one London Calling album sleeve.

Preparations are well underway, as we make the final arrangements for the opening next week. To celebrate, and really to relay just how excited we are, we thought we would give you a sneak peak at what we’ve been up to…

The exhibition looks set to be our biggest yet! The private view (June 17^th) guest list is bulging at the seams, and we couldn’t help but notice a few VIPs who’ve snuck in there - 80’s legend Sioxsie Sioux (of Sioxisie and the Banshees), the guys and girls from My Bloody Valentine and we’re anticipating a mini Clash reunion as Clash original percussionist and drummer Topper Headon is joined by charismatic tour manager Johnny Green. Not forgetting Clash tour DJ Barry ‘Scratchy’ Myers, who will be taking us back to the heyday of punk with a DJ set at our after party. We’ve even heard whispers that Mick Jones and Paul Simonon may be coming along.

Many contributing artists will also be putting in appearances, including Harry Hill and his wife Magda Archer, plus our sources inform us that Tracey Emin is now floating about in East London, having returned from her French abode for a few weeks…

Ray Lowry: London Calling runs from June 18^th – July 4^th at Idea Generation Gallery, Shoreditch.

The private view (June 17^th) is strictly guest list only, but all are welcome at the after party at The Horse & Groom – free entry from 8pm.

For More info contact: Rachel.wood@ideageneration.co.uk

Preparations for our upcoming Ray Lowry: London Calling exhibition are well underway here at Idea Generation Gallery - work has been flooding in from contributing artists. We’ve had a sneaky peak at offerings from the likes of Billy Childish, Nick Hornby and Harry Hill – all of whom offer their own, hugely differing, interpretations of Lowry’s seminal sleeve design for The Clash’s London Calling album. Not yet a glimpse of Tracey Emin’s work – we wait with baited (but very excited) breath!

Alongside these new works will be a collection of original Lowry sketches, personal letters, photos, and paintings, some of which will be shown for the first time; offering a not-to-be-missed insight into the life, inspiration and general musings of one of illustration’s greats. So much to display; so much work on its way to us, can’t wait to get it up on the walls.

All is set for quite possibly our best exhibition yet and its all in aid of Ray’s legacy -The Ray Lowry Foundation - which helps to nurture new artistic talent through funding individual art based projects and providing scholarships to students wishing to continue onto higher educational study in the arts. The launch is now only a couple of weeks away and we’ve just sent invites far and wide – RSVP now here.

Never one to do things simply, we’ve decided to go all out and throw a huge after party at our nearby favourite boozer, The Horse & Groom. Located on the slightly quieter side of curtain road, with quirky décor and a laid back vibe, it’s the kind of place we imagine Ray Lowry may have frequented himself. The best thing is it’s only a few mins amble from us at the gallery, so those who have perhaps enjoyed a few too many Becks at the PV do not have far to swagger.

No stranger to live music and raucous crowds, The Horse & Groom seems to us the perfect fit for an evening of jubilation. We’ve sorted a line up of bands and DJs both old and new – all of whom worked with or knew Ray, or have been heavily influenced by him.

The John Moore Rock and Roll Trio will be kicking things off at 9 with a live performance of some back to basics rock and roll blues.  

The band’s made up of John Moore, Phil King and Loz Colbert, who have previously worked with, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Box Recorder, Lush, and The Soledad Brothers.

Their music described as “Lascivious, full throttle, hip swivelling invocations to the horned one delivered with maximum power, magnificent shimmer, and an evil growl” is sure to set the evening off with a bang.

The Clash’s legendary tour DJ the free thinking, inimitable Barry ‘Scratchy’ Myers, who’s played with greats, including Blondie, Iggy Pop and The Ramones; and who brought you Scratchy Sounds will be putting in an appearance with a phenomenal DJ set, harking back to the glory days of Punk, Ska and original Dub.

Somewhere in between we’re giving the stage over to newcomers Rum Shebeen, a 7 piece Clash inspired band represented by Strummerville (music charity set up Joe Strummer’s name). We’re expecting some serious skanking on the dance floor with an electric set full of tribal beats, baseline and a kettle drum before the band head off to Glasto and Secret Garden Party.

This line up alone promises for a great after party but we’re still gunning for a few more names…

For starters, the great Jerry Dammers. Famed for so many things including being a prolific anti-apartheid campaigner, playing at Nelson Mandella’s 70^th birthday tribute concert and creating the epic ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ record – he of course also founded ‘The Specials’ (!!!) A rather busy man we are hoping he may be able to squeeze in a visit for a guest DJ set.

Not content with that we’re gunning for legendary musician and filmmaker Don Letts, who was actually there that night at The Roxy when The Sex Pistols gave their first ever performance, to come along and join us for one of his rare but amazing performances. Of course, The Clash will be invited – a surprise Mick Jones performance anyone?

Can we pull it off? Who knows…come join us at the Horse & Groom from 8pm on June 17^th and find out – free entry to all! (and it runs until 2 in the morning)

For more info contact Rachel.wood@ideageneration.co.uk

Here at Idea Generation we’re gearing up for one of our usual speedy changeovers; The Art of Conversation will be ending on Sunday, so if you’ve not had a chance to come down to see it now is the time.

Our new Exhibition with The Umuzi Photo Club opens on Tuesday May 25th Coinciding with Africa day. It’s the Clubs first UK exhibition so we’re all ready to be wowed by some powerful pictures from the heart of South Africa.

Founded in 2009 and run by young professionals on a voluntary basis The Umuzi Photo Club, based in Johannesburg provides art workshops at schools which do not have sufficient resources to do so themselves. Its aim is to help improve the future of young people, by providing artistic and education skills.

Volunteers provide Saturday workshops for primary and secondary school students, empowering them with skills in photography, whilst promoting artistic self expression, and encouraging debate. These workshops are a great way to get children involved in art, providing invaluable skills the students can carry into later life. The club’s aim to move into digital photography will mark a significant development in the project, providing a basis of the computer literacy for the children.

The club provides both resources and guidance for the children involved, channelling the most promising students into professional photography training, which opens up amazing opportunities for them to enter artistic or journalist training.

Running alongside the Umuzi Photo Club is the Umuzi Zulu for village a photography club for primary and secondary school students based in more developing communities.

To date the club has worked with 4 schools, providing 20 workshops, and reaching over 50 children.

This looks set to be a fantastic exhibition, made up of artworks created by the children of the Johannesburg programme. These images give a vivid and compelling insight into their lives and homes, and are really quite stunning.

And particularly with the World Cup coming up, it’s great to see a different side to the country,

“On the eve of the World Cup, the images the children have taken offer a unique insight into the lives of the less privileged members of the host nation.”

The guardian.co.uk

All prints will be for sale, with proceeds from the exhibition going back to township communities, and used for development projects at the schools Umuzi is involved with.

On opening night there will also be an auction of signed print “Keep Your Eye on the Ball” by Kgaugelo ‘Captain’ Mabjwe (grade 10)

If you’re interested in coming, you’ll have to do it soon, as the exhibition only runs from May 25^th – May 30^th

For more info: http://umuziphotoclub.blogspot.com/

Andrew Farrington

We are all getting very excited here at the IG gallery for the fast approaching London Calling exhibition that will pay tribute to one of the art/punk/rock&roll greats – Ray Lowry.

Originally conceived by art curator and founding member of the Ray Lowry Foundation, Julian Williams, The Right Hand Man: A Tribute Exhibition to Ray Lowry, saw a fantastic collection of Lowry’s photographs, sketches and paintings brought together and exhibited in Manchester’s See Art Gallery, marking the first anniversary of Ray’s death and coinciding with the 30^th anniversary of The Clash album London Calling.

Although the photograph featured on the cover was in fact taken by Pennie Smith (supposedly not particularly taken with the image), it was Lowry who transformed the photograph into the infamous sleeve.

One year on and the exhibition has found its way down to the Idea Generation Gallery, and having undergone some evolutions in the process. Alongside the founding exhibition’s selection of original artworks by Ray, Ray Lowry: London Calling, will also feature works by a number of prominent UK artists. A collection of 30 London and UK-based artists will contribute new artwork, offering their individual reinterpretation of the classic sleeve, and in response to the personal influence that Ray, as well as the broader punk movement, had on each artist.

To name-drop a few, participating artists are all set to include Tracey Emin, Nick Hornby, Billy Childish, Harry Hill and Keith Allen. The finished artworks are now arriving at our doors and things are shaping up to be very exciting indeed. The news on Emin - allegedly one to cut things a little fine time-wise, and so whose piece we are yet to receive – is that she is well underway with her piece. After a chance meeting with Julian in the pub, this is the word from the horse’s mouth! In the meantime we must continue to wait and anticipate…

The Ray Lowry Foundation was founded in 2009 after Lowry’s sad death the previous year. As well as paying tribute Ray and ensuring that his contribution can continue to be appreciated, the Foundation aims to support young and gifted people to develop their skills in higher education, who would otherwise go without the opportunity to do so.

In addition to the artist originals, reproduction prints of various Lowry images will be on sale – to start from the very reasonable price of £70 – as well as a range of printed T-shirts and other merchandise. All proceeds are to go to The Ray Lowry Foundation. 

Ray Lowry: London Calling runs from 18^th June – 04^th July

For more information see Idea Generation Gallery or follow us on facebook

We would, of course, advise you in the meantime to watch this space…

meredithah:

A very cool art project in which designers played a game of Chinese whispers via Skype over a 3-month period. The idea was that a designer would come up with an idea, and the next person or group would have 3 days to interpret and pass it on to the next person. The link will take you to a longer explanation and some of the videos of the process.

A rather splendid video courtesy of Salford’s See Gallery from 2008, featuring the Clash’s Johnny Green. Have a watch - its all about influential rock music cartoonist / illustrator Ray Lowry who sadly passed away a couple of years ago.

Ray Lowry: London Calling, is the next major exhibition at Idea Generation Gallery, starting June 18th. Watch this space…

Its been a busy week as usual for us here at Idea Generation Gallery. The Storm finally weathered as Right But Wrong drew to a conclusion with a hugely successful Off the Wall auction. Storm’s end of show auction was a resounding success with everyone in attendance taking home some amazing bargains (including Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma album cover for a ridiculous £250 – with the frame thrown in!) and a lucky few walking away with pieces for free, having answered questions correctly as part of Storm’s often impossible ‘quiz’.

Not ones for resting on our laurels, the day after the auction the guys (and gals) from Inventory Studios took over the space in preparation for their own exhibition launch! All was mayhem and a little bit of madness as the London based Inventory team, and their German partners Bank, prepared the gallery for the edgy new Art of Conversation exhibition. The gallery underwent a total transformation, with the Art of Conversation team painting a signature wall with the exhibition info, in retro orange and blue - several versions of the poster design are on sale from the gallery for the bargain price of £5.

Signature wall over and done with, the next few days saw a stream of interesting objects and artefacts passing through the gallery doors. As a very crude list these include: a giant floating balloon, rotating aeroplanes, a seesaw, an ancient TV monitor, a collection of intern applications and a giant rubber band ball to name but a few.

To elaborate…the basic premise of the exhibition is an exploration of creativity and innovation through a visual game of ‘Chinese whispers’. Each piece of work was created with the help of Skype hosted conversations between 2 high profile international design studios: Inventory (London) and Bank (Berlin). Over the course of 90 days, 20 entirely original works were created, each in response to the previous piece, with the final outcome taking any form. A very clever idea in our opinion, yet more proof that Skype is becoming one of those indispensible 21^st century gadgets – my grandparents even demonstrated their knowledge of it to me just the other day.

The look of the final finished installation is on the whole slick, neat and ordered as one might expect from a gaggle of designers. However, thrown into the mix are a whole load of interesting works that would definitely look just at home as part of a Fine Art exhibition, or immersive installation. My particular favourite (and that of many a visitor) is Eat sleep Work/Play’s giant floating balloon – an homage to the balloon ride which the first design team were given to kick off the whole design process.

Tuesday just gone saw the formal launch of The Art of Conversation. In expectation of a huge turnout we stockpiled the Becks, filled up the chiller bins and waited in anticipation. Sure enough, the masses soon arrived…

I think it’s safe to say, the interactive aspect of many of the works went down a treat - namely Oscar & Ewan’s Sea Saw (which to the relief of all was not to blame for an accidents) and Simon Elvin’s aeroplane installation – blotto -  not just with the kids, but with everyone.   

With the Becks all gone and an atmosphere of jubilation in full swing, those left carried on up the road to an after party, in associated with Dazed at Dalston’s Stag’s Head. Those of us who had work the next morning remained and pieced everything back together (and had a sneaky play on the seesaw)…

The Art of Conversation: London-Berlin runs until May 24^th here (at Idea Generation Gallery, Shoreditch, in case you hadn’t figured that out already) before moving on to Program in Berlin from the 12th June - 3rd July. Each designer featured in the show has also created a limited edition print, available to purchase from the gallery or from the Art of Conversation’s rather snazzy website – priced £25. 

As another weekend draws to a close Storm proves as popular as ever as he continues to draw in the masses. The weekend was under way with Friday evening’s Eye to Eye (or not), which saw Storm take the hotseat under the all inquisitive eye of psychotherapist Dr John Woods. Woods explored a selection of works, which included both iconic and lesser known images, examining the significance of key elements and themes that reoccur across his work.

Saturday’s activities in the gallery more than measured up to the previous nights’ with a certain crowd pleaser: live body painting! Recreated for all to experience, one of the StormStudio team set about bringing the relatively recent, but hugely popular, Amputecture, to life and legend as it joins Pink Floyd in Storm’s iconic Back Catalogue. The event, which, much like the installation of the show and came as something of a surprise, was the one that many had been eagerly anticipating, and those sharp or fortunate enough to be keeping an ear out on the trusty facebook/twitter, were not left disappointed.

Joint recreations of Amputecture and Absolution take place on the gallery floor.

Amputecture joins the Back Catalogue against an Interstellar backdrop.

If, however, you were unlucky enough on this occassion to miss out on the body painting, we have something of a silver lining in store for this coming Friday 23^rd. With live music provided by jazz musician and guitarist John Etheridge, the StormStudio team will produce live artwork in the IG gallery space. This will echo the creative process by which Storm and his studio go about the initial stages of all of their album artwork. Having said this, the original artwork is certain to be unique as, not only will it be formed in direct response to Etheridge’s music, but Friday’s event will be a first for the team who have never ‘performed’ as a live event and in the company of an audience.

Early origins of some familiar images

Doors will be open from 6.30pm onwards. There is no need to rsvp but we can always recommend arriving earlier to avoid any disappointment. And then of course there’s the Becks - as they say, the early bird catches the worm…

Over the next three weeks the Idea Generation Gallery will be holding a number of special Storm events, all of which will be attended, if not hosted, by the man himself. The first of four will kick off this Friday 16^th April with guest speaker and psychoanalyst Professor Jon Wood. Over the course of the evening, Prof. Wood will discuss in depth Storm’s iconic imagery from a psychoanalytical perspective, and expose some of the underlying and subliminal meaning behind the work. In doing so, he will hopefully not only provide us an insight into the infinitely creative mind of Storm Thorgerson, but also into the complex relationships that lie between music, artist, image and viewer.

The following Friday 23^rd April will see the gallery transformed into a hive of artistic and musical activity, with live performances from jazz guitarist John Etheridge. The main attraction of the night, however, has to be the live artwork that will take place courtesy of Storm and the StormStudios team. This will be the Storm team’s first attempt at such a feat and it would be fair to expect the weird and wonderful to transpire on the night! And, as with all our events, the night will be accompanied by our favourites Becks and Alibi!

Over the next two events Storm will play host, talking the audiences through his experiences and all importantly some of his best loved images. Friday 30^th April will feature an interactive slideshow presentation which will see Storm reveal all about his personal favourites, promising insight into the thoughts and stories behind the images as well as the practicalities involved in their production.

The final event, which takes place the following day 1^st May, will see Storm reunited in the Idea Generation Gallery with fellow Hipgnosis founder Aubery Powell. Together the two will recall to the audience their experiences and stories of their Hipgnosis years, and their time with the many rock legends that they had the opportunity to meet and work with along the way.

Photography © Martin Senyszak

For all the events taking place on a Friday (16^th, 23^rd and 30^th April) the talks and performances will kick off at 7pm, with doors open from 6.30pm. Whilst we are not taking RSVPs, Storm tends to draw a crowd and so we thoroughly advise that you get there earlier to avoid disappointment! The final event of Saturday 1^st May starts at 2pm.

Photograph © John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins

In addition to our four events, Storm will also be coming in for book signings on the Sundays 18^th and 25^th April at 2pm.

If however you simply cannot wait for these events to begin, catch Storm’s audio teaser currently doing the rounds on the BBC website -http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8605975.stm

Our good friends at the Chance Collective have also captured Storm at his best in their mid-installation interview - http://bit.ly/dlmHck

For more information please see our website or follow us on facebook and twitter

Recently there has been an overwhelming flow of nature/travel programmes on the television, which pleases me greatly as the majority are truly amazing, such as Life by the mighty David Attenborough. It got me thinking about a area I used to visit a lot in rural Dorset when I was a kid.

The place in question is Zig Zag Hill, aptly named because its winding road that runs through it is in fact zig zagged. It is a motorists nightmare, and even the guys from Top Gear have road tested it. I learnt from the internet that it is the UK’s most bendiest road…But for you cyclists and motorcyclists or just general thrillseekers out there, it is seen as a great challenge to tackle its sharp bends…

I’m digressing slightly here, as the main reason for this posting is to bring about the amazing artefacts I have uncovered from its chalky slopes… My brother,sister and I whilst walking the dog, would rummage around and pick at the chalk surface and find such things as fossilised shells, perfectly intact, but of course fragile, weird and wonderful sea creatures embedded in chunks of rock…and I also found lying under a tree nuggets of meteorite….

I also found out from the internet that the area is owned by the National Trust, and is also an area of scientific research, so I don’t think they would have taken too kindly to a bunch of kids digging up the landscape!

It got me thinking how many billions and trillions of years old these fossils were, and also the fact that Zig Zag Hill is miles away from the sea! Generally when people think of fossil collecting, it would be on the coast of Devon or Lyme Regis, Dorset, where you can go on group fossil hunting expeditions.

So if you’re ever heading that way, check out Zig Zag Hill, and even if its not for the fossils its a great place for a picnic and stunning views…

Everyone has one of those ‘great little places’ they either heard about from someone else, came across by accident or found after hours of wandering through the backstreets with only a vague sense of direction and an A to Z. But it’s places like these, hidden in the labyrinthine streets of East London, known only to those in the know, that help uphold this area’s reputation as London’s creative hub.

If you find yourself on Arnold Circus, look behind a metal door into the old Rochelle School now A Foundation, and you’ll find precisely one of these places- the Rochelle Canteen. While the technicalities of having a café in an old bicycle shed are intriguing enough, the Canteen, situated in the school’s overgrown playground, has become a long standing and long loved addition to East London’s artistic community.

Every weekday, Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson serve up delicious homecooked lunches, priding themselves on only using the freshest, seasonal produce- a welcome change from the usual fare to be found in our lunchboxes. The Canteen has not only been providing needed nutrition to the inhabitants of the surrounding A Foundation studios but has also become a popular meeting place for local creatives. It’s this communal atmosphere, a place where people can refuel their bodies and minds, that reflects the same sense of community that exists within the artist’s studios- the same community spirit that has permeated through East London’s artistic neighbours since the 13th century!

This fact alone explains why the proposed closure of the Rochelle Canteen by Tower Hamlets Council has caused such an outcry amongst this tight knit community.  Originally, the canteen was merely a provision for the A Foundation studio artists but now word has spread of these infamous weekday lunches bringing visitors from further afield. The alleged ‘problem’ is that this was not the original purpose of the canteen and combined with the fact that the canteen makes most of its money from off-site catering, the Council has threatened to close them down. The Canteen simply want to carry on as they are now- no opening hour extensions, no alcohol license, just the permission to keep catering external events, a vital source of A Foundation’s income.

However, in the shadow of the now imminent closure, the ongoing battle with the Tower Hamlets planning office has been joined by neighbouring creative residents in the hopes of combining forces to raise awareness of the canteen’s plight. Rallied together by Anthony Bennett of A Foundation, along with Idea Generation and The Chance Collective, East London’s artistic residents are determined not to let the Rochelle Canteen go down without a fight and, as you’d expect from these East London types, it is going to be a loud one.

To help increase this volume, we’re asking people to make a stand by contacting the planning office directly, either with the template letter or your own message, to help us prove that the Canteen’s current and proposed working will not ‘impede quality of life’, as the council suggests, but in fact- will do exactly the opposite! Letters need to go to Nasser Farooq either by email: nasser.farooq@towerhamlets.gov.uk or by post: Development and Renewal, Mulberry Place (AH) PO Box 55739, 5 Clover Crescent, London, E14 1BY.

Remember to quote reference Application PA/10/00037 in your letter and, if by email, copy Anthony Bennett into any communication then he can keep track of all the support: anthonyb@afoundation.org.uk.

You can also view the full application online here using the same reference number.

We cannot let the Canteen be closed down. We need to work together to make sure the council understands the power of a community and the effect closing the Rochelle Canteen will undoubtedly have on our creative community.

thatisabsurd:

A Storm is coming…

Storm Thorgerson is, in his own words ” [a] graphic designer, film maker & tennis fiend” he is also the designer behind a vast amount of iconic album covers. Until today, I was unaware of just how many iconic album covers he was responsible for (even though several reside in my parents loft).

It’s amazing to think that some of the images created were done prior to the invention of digital photography or a profound knowledge of desktop publishing.

If you would like to see more by Storm, a collection of his most recognisable work is now on show at Idea Generation Gallery in London until 2 May 2010.

Original story courtesy of the BBC

A few images from Storm’s private view

before the crowds..

Storm recreates his Muse - Absolution, as seen from the IG balcony

Variations on a theme - celebrating Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon’s 30th

and the crowds arrive…

busy on the balcony!

And last but certainly not least a few gems courtesy of John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins!!!

Photograph © John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins

Stormy weather comes with territory in April and, right on cue, April 1st brought the expected floods from the sky but also floods of people from the streets into the Idea Generation Gallery to celebrate the opening of Storm Thorgerson- Right But Wrong.  

Call it pathetic fallacy or artistic irony or whatever philosophical or metaphysical term you care to use, but as the finishing touches were being made to the huge Storm Thorgerson installation, the delicate sound of thunder (I make no apologies for my blatant Pink Floyd pun) was heard rumbling around the sky. As a fan of all things pun-related and of meteorological coincidence, this moment as the storm set in filled me with joy. A storm on the opening night of Storm Thorgerson’s exhibition. Priceless.

After a week not unlike Challenge Anneka- remember that early 90s TV show where contestants had to run around the country completing various challenges to eye wateringly tight deadlines- one of the gallery’s most involved installations was completed. Highlights included a hunt down Brick Lane for a wooden chair, a plant pot, a mirror, vases and a tree branch. All without the aid of a nifty helicopter like Anneka had. But as the gallery began to fill with people, the general consensus was ‘my word it was worth it’.

With the paint still wet on the walls and the storm outside finally subsiding, our very own Storm took to the stage as our compere for the evening to officially open the exhibition. Being First Thursday and the night before Easter weekend, the streets of the East were full to the brim with artistic revellers but if your name wasn’t on the list, you weren’t getting in to Storm Thorgerson: Right But Wrong.

In true Idea Generation style, it was a Becks filled evening with quizzes and speeches by the man himself to keep everyone entertained. Storm even raffled two of his original works, Pink Floyd’s The Divison Bell and one of the re-workings of The Dark Side of the Moon with proceeds going to Cancer Research.

Never one to do things by half, Storm’s photos are literally jumping out of their frames into the gallery, with escaping tree branches, leaking photos, shadows of flying figures overhead and strange hallowed monuments, this exhibition really is one that must be seen to be believed.

and the Storm commences….

Idea Generation Gallery is filled to the brim with all manner of objects, cut-outs, frames and LOADS of people.

VERY exciting. more pictures to follow tomorrow…

Muse- Uprising © Storm Thorgerson. Courtesy of Idea Generation

For more Storm photographs, news and exciting events at the Gallery, make sure join the Idea Generation Gallery Facebook Page!!

Yes…this is 700 actual, real-life beds…on a beach…in Devon (none of that Photoshop business). Created by Storm Thorgerson for the cover of Pink Floyd’s album A Momentary Lapse of Reason, the creation of such a mammoth design was inspired by one Floyd’s lyrics, as Storm elaborates…

“The design for the large array of beds on a beach comes from a line in one of the songs ‘Yet Another Movie’ from the album . ‘Visions of an empty bed’ -  wherein I reversed the single and plural becoming a ‘vision of empty beds’. These beds are real wrought iron Victorian hospital beds each weighed an effing ton. They are laid out in the vague shape of a riverbed, ho ho, and what you see is what you get - approx 700 hundred beds on a seashore. It took 30 people, 2 tractors,and 3 flatbeds all day to arrange them, then it rained and we had to come back two weeks later and do it all again… i make that two lapses of reason. When we’d completed the shot which was used on the cover we turned away to congratulate each other, turned back and all the beds were under water,as the tide had turned rather more quickly than we had envisaged… wet dream or what?”

Storm Thorgerson: Right But Wrong begins April 2nd with us here @ Idea Generation Gallery, London