Watching: Tim Barber's Untitled (Central Park)

Published on 27 January 2012

Post 1950, my knowledge of art begins to diminish rapidly, and thus I tend to refrain from referencing post-modern or contemporary works. Because, you know, nobody wants to be the douchy person who talks with an authoritative tone about art movements they know nothing of...

Nonetheless, that doesn't stop me from at least admiring the modernist forms of art. And since our collective visual lexicons have been enriched (or overstimulated, depending on whom you ask) by social media, it's often a pleasantly anachronistic experience to look at photography as art. Don't get me wrong, I can see the ironies of traditional photography as it stands in 2012.

Who takes the time to print and hang digital images these days, what with the ease of Instagram and Facebook? Archival photo prints seem so outmoded and analog; who's going to 'like' or 'share' that prized Richard Avedon or Jurgen Teller work hanging on our wall? No one, unless you invite them over and you've got a, gasp, real life friend to watch it with you.

You know, in person. With a drink in hand, perhaps?

That's exactly why Tim Barber's Untitled (Central Park) piece resonates as it hangs, in an old-timey fashion, on a wall that's not of the Facebook variety. Online art purveyor Exhibition A has an archival printed, stretched-canvas version of the work available through a 50 print run on their members-only site, and I'm seriously thinking of snapping one for myself.

Even though the work is a semi-intangible reproduction of a very real place, the resulting image itself is tangible. It's there, it's hanging in a three-dimensional space, and we can relive that captured moment infinitely through the image. Not to mention how bloody cool the My Little Pony pink hair looks against the greens.

I know, anyone can take pictures of central park; if they've got a smart phone, they can even whiz the image off to their 1,639 followers, and that's fine. But to see this particular scene, you've got to be there, standing in the exact spot that Barber stood, perhaps having a very real emotional response to the view.

Which is priceless - either through a real-life encounter or via an image like the one above. Because, when last I checked, you couldn't broadcast actual, emotional experiences through social media. As yet...

PS. if you're thinking of browsing Exhibition A's contemporary art selections, allow me offer you an invite.

NB Image Courtesy Exhibition A/Tim Barber

Balmain's refined edge for pre-fall 2012

Published on 26 January 2012

Balmain's Olivier Rousteng is making a believer out of me. Which is a pleasant surprise, to say the least, given that I'm the furthest thing from the rocker-babe that Balmain generally dresses.

Refining the hard, glossy overtones that were favoured by his predecessor, Christophe Decarnin, Rousteng's pre-fall 2012 collection for the house offers another, more approachable way to do edge.

The tight, feminine pieces and bold elements are still there, but now the aesthetic is balanced by deftly applied androgynous touches; the oversized jackets were perfection when paired with those calf-length, body conscious shifts.

If only that retooled Moto was available before pre-fall collections hit the shelves...

NB Images Courtesy Style.com

Proudrace's Easy Uniformity for SS2012

Published on 25 January 2012

Pat + Rik... These two guys behind the Manila-based, minimalist label Proudrace just get it. They understand how to make utilitarian separates that are unassuming yet outstanding in the way that makes you want to buy their stuff and wear it right this moment.

The SS2011 set is only comprised of simple jersey and cotton designs. However, the slouchy pieces are done in a smart manner that belies the seamless construction, not unlike the work of a young Rick Owens experimenting with draping and black for the first time.

The boys say this season's Gang Of collection is about, 'a curiosity with the uniform dressing of various religious groups, memories of House of Style, the supermodels, and a love for teenage youth'. And I see the influences in those relaxed peter-pan collars on sheer cropped tops; with the stand-issue pants; and certainly with the ascetic skirts and somber dresses.

It should all be depressing and drab, but somehow, Proudrace makes the austere finish very wearable - desirable, even...

NB Images Courtesy Proudrace

Required Browsing - La Marinere

Published on 24 January 2012

I love a good Tumblr as much as the next person. And I absolutely love a good boater's style Breton shirt, a la those featured on the image-heavy Tumblr, La Marinere - it's the best of two favourites in one spot.

Collated by blogger Lapine de Lune, the site features images of the simple tee worn in the utilitarian, easy manner that made it an enduring classic in the first place.

I highly recommend you take a look-see, if only for more novel ideas on how to style your stripes...

NB Image courtesy La Marinere