TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PICKS OF THE TOP 20 INSPIRING OBJECT HISTORIES CHOSEN BY THE LAND OF LOST CONTENT TEAM

If you want to know more about some of the items on the LOLC website, why not you check out the Object History page? Just login to your LOLC account and go to Object History or follow this link http://www.edu.lolc.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Main_Page to take you into a world of inspiration! The Object History page will open your eyes to the interesting backgrounds to many objects from the LOLC site. We have now made it even easier for you to search for articles by adding a menu in the navigation bar on the main page. It will show Object Histories currently available to help you find what you want to research. This will be updated regularly. Want a little summer inspiration…..? The LOLC team have chosen their top 20 to get you started. If there is anything you would like to see on there, or if you have a contribution then please email us on lolc@wlv.ac.uk.

ENJOY!

Hello I’m Kacper.

I am a 22 year old, fresh Wolverhampton University animation graduate. I work as the web designer for the Land of Lost Content. Everything on the site you see, the edu website, the forum, and object history page….I’ve set them all up. I learnt about web designing before I even knew the word animation. For the last few years I treated it as a hobby, doing www pages for friends, and my old private site about Lord of the Rings! Since joining the Land of Lost Content team I have been training to build websites on a more professional level. I hope in near future you will enjoy our exciting new ideas we are currently developing.

In my free time I enjoy socialising with friends, going to the cinema and parties. Due to the nature of my work I try to spend most of my time, when possible, outside, trying not to be another integrated part of my computer. I do like ice skating, roller skating, fitness, playing tennis and volleyball. I am also great fan of fantasy literature. My favourite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan. At the moment I’m eagerly awaiting for my University diploma, so I can apply for MA in Art & Design and learn even more about things I do.

Kacper Lebiedziewicz

Sarah Richards

I am a final year student at Coventry University. My work has already won a nomination in the Roses Student Awards 2008 and has been entered into the D&aamp;AD Student Awards. LOLC has formed an important part of my research throughout these projects. The vast range of imagery available to search through, from different eras, gave me a large range of material, not limited by date.

'Vivre la Paris'
The two campaigns submitted were developed to advertise www.lastminute.com and drive traffic to their website. They show the ‘last minute aspect to the service, conveying different situations where a person has discovered the site and then gone on to book a trip inspired by what they have seen. The two campaigns also convey the variety of different activities that lastminute.com can offer by highlighting the person that used lastminute.com in pink. It asks the question, ‘I used lastminute.com, did you?’ influencing the viewer to want to go and find an adventure on the website. As the campaign is targeted at the residents of Paris, all of the copy is in French to be as authentic as possible.

'Great Scout'
The direct mail book is designed to remove old assumptions made about the Scouts and make them cool to kids. It reverses the common question to children of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ and demonstrates to them how becoming a Scout can help them in the future. The design illustrates several different jobs which would be perceived as ‘cool’ and informs the children that these professionals were Scouts when they were young, inspiring them to do the same, get a cool job and be prepared!

If you would like to contact Sarah her email address is: SarahJRichards@live.com

Rebecca Wainwright

LOLC has been invaluable to my research into past time periods. I have been able to use images from the vast database for inspiration into types of clothing, lifestyle and hobbies. LOLC has helped me to develop my own modern twist and create a collection which celebrates looking into the past, encouraging people to recycle and show it is exciting and interesting to look back at their history and family background.

'Memory Lane'
My work is a capsule collection for girls aged 6-10 yrs based on happy childhood memories, bringing back the nostalgia of the countryside and the seaside with a modern twist. I have produced four garments; a collection of exploration and adventure using traditional and vintage fabrics raided from my own Granny’s attic!

I have included vintage fabrics and other fabrics which replicate my theme with a nostalgic aura. I am now looking forward to making further outfits for the fashion show, and taking part in the show itself which takes place at the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday June 4th.

You can view more details Rebecca’s research and planning for her collection at the below address: http://6dd003rwainwright.blogspot.com/ or alternatively email Rebecca at: rhwainwright@hotmail.co.uk

Julia O’Connell

I’m a textile artist from Coventry University. LOLC has been an invaluable tool for my inspiration and research as it is based on found prints and images from the past. My working process involves scanning my images onto linen or cotton paper, which is then fed repeatedly through my domestic ink jet printer (crossing my fingers at the same time that it doesn’t jam). I then machine and hand embroider stitches onto the fabric.

'Home Maker'
To produce my degree show work, I emailed people asking them what particular object, however mundane or inexpensive, helps or helped make their house a home. The response was fantastic with many wonderful stories received. Some of which included a 100 year family griddle for making Welsh cakes, to the gaffer taped frying pan that lovingly comes out on special Sundays for big breakfasts. One particular story is a marriage proposal made on Christmas Eve in 1988 and now, every Christmas, baubles and home made decorations bought in 1988 are neatly packed away and the box is inscribed with the same but new message - ‘not to be opened until Christmas 1999, 2000, 2001’ and so on. I was inspired by a rummage through my attic which helped me find a bag full of 1940’s hand painted glass lights and a box of unopened ‘Tiny Tom’ crackers. These were a real find of a once coveted, but now forgotten treasure. For my show I’ve made 16 covered brick ‘doorstops’ to link with my wonderful email stories, which are also projected during the show.

My ‘Home Maker installation is in the Lanchester Gallery, at Coventry University from 31st May – 5th June, and I’ll be there sewing more stories each day.

If you would like to contact Julia her email address is: julia@theatreabsolute.co.uk

If you want your work to feature here then please contact us with images & approx. 200 words on lolc@wlv.ac.uk

The first Bank Holiday of May caught me foolishly attending Builth Wells Collectors Fair over the border in Wales. Many things tempted me, including a small fairground bumper car; which I regret I couldn’t buy. I did spend a couple of pounds on a theatre poster, I liked it because it is dated (1930) which most are not, and you have to make a guess. It also has a reference to Mickey Mouse; this is very early in the history of Disney. I also bought a doll’s push chair (buggy) which is made by Mobo. It is all metal, although not in the best condition. I paid £25; this I think was very cheap because it is quite rare; I have never seen one before. As you squeeze alternate sides of the pushing handle it makes a ‘baby crying’ noise. I have no idea how it works, it’s just amazing it still does!

Last month (April) I bought a whole lot of paper memorabilia concerning the life and career of ‘Continuity Girl’ including film scripts from the early 1950’s. There is her stool (printed ‘continuity’) and lots of letters headed with the names of many important film companies. I bought the whole lot from a dealer I know; he had got it from the lady herself. A window on a life which may otherwise have gone unrecorded. Great stuff!

If you want to go and visit the Land of Lost Content Museum then the address is:
The Land of Lost Content
The Market Hall
Market Street
Craven Arms
Shropshire
SY7 9NW
Tel: 01588 676176 Opening Hours – 11am – 5pm everyday but Wednesday, January – November

HEMINGWAYDESIGN | UPDATE

HEMINGWAYDESIGN | PREVIEW

Are you looking for something to keep the creative juices flowing over the summer holidays?

Check out the links below to see what we’ll be trying to catch this summer.

http://www.newdesigners.com/page.cfm/Link=1/t=m
New Designers is a great place to be! Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, it worth a visit. You will get to see hundreds of new graduates and their work. We will be there too!

http://www.midlandmorecambe.co.uk/
If you get opportunity go and look at Urban Splash’s new development in Morecambe. They have just finished redeveloping the beautiful 1930’s Art Deco Midland Hotel. Well worth a look.

Go to London and see a host of interesting things, such as China Design Now exhibition at the V&A and the Frock Me Vintage Fashion Fair on the 8th of June at Chelsea Town Hall, or Brighton on the 22nd June at the Stallis Benney Theatre