European theatres photographed from the stage, by Klaus Frahm

We never really think about just how much work goes into a large theatrical production, and these behind-the-scene photos reveal a world that we don't usually consider. It is the world behind the stage, the world we don't see as spectator while being entertained.

Hamburg-based photographer Klaus Frahm is the creative eye behind these images, which are part of his series titled The Fourth Wall. Taking photos of European theatres from the stage towards the spectators, he opens up a secret door and let's us peek into the magic of what is behind the scenes. The juxtaposition of the ornate and opulent theatre seating area in contrast to the stage is quite dramatic. The lit-up theatres seem to create an image within an image, framed by the dark, high-ceilinged and dominating warehouse-like back-stage. These massive spaces can be up to three times bigger than the theatre itself, and appear quite cold, with scaffolding, electrical equipment, and props...

Despite a certain coldness and emptiness of the back-stage, I do like the notion of the unveiling of a certain magic, a secret space not usually shared with the viewer. And not only does Frahm's work divulge back-stage secrets, it actually turns the notion of 'stage' on its head. In his photos, the spectators become the centre-stage, while the back-stage is the viewer.

Source - thisiscolossal.com

Images - thisiscolossal.com

Photography - klaus frahm

Related Nest of Pearls post - The softest of beauties, by Peter Gentenaar

Matt Shlian's paper masterpieces will take your breath away...

One of my favourite parts of studying Interior Architecture was making models out of paper and cardboard. Paper is this incredible material that sits there patiently, all plain and white, innocent even, taunting you to grab it and transform it. It is one of few materials that is fairly inexpensive, readily available to all and, most importantly, it let's you express yourself in so many ways; through drawing and painting it, ripping it, through crushing it or delicately folding it. I find that it is as though a character already lives within the paper and simply waits until we release it, bringing to life what the paper was always meant to be.

With that in mind, it may not come as a total surprise that I am very much in awe of the work of Matthew Shlian. He is an amazing paper engineer who's work is rooted in print media, book arts and commercial design. The pictures I've included here range from projects across 2013 and 2014.

What was extremely interesting to discover was the artist's own take on the work that he does, and even more so, his collaboration with science. With a select group of scientists, Matt works on the nanoscale, translating paper structures to micro folds. Their joint investigations extend to visualising cellular division and solar cell development. I mean, WOW! What an inspiring and different angle to perceive paper art from. Matt further explains that Researchers see paper engineering as a metaphor for scientific principals, while he sees their inquiry as basis for artistic inspiration.'

Over and above the collaboration with science, the paper sculptures are simply divine to look at. There is such harmony and peacefulness in their perfect geometry. The fact that the paper sculptures are in one colour, means that you have all the time in the world to lose yourself in the texture of the folds, the search for the repeating pattern, the play of light and shadow. To find out more about the featured projects and discover more of Matt's work, you can visit his website here.

Source - mattshlian.com

Images - mattshlian.com

More on Matt Shlian via his blog - mattshlian.blogspot.com

Related Nest of Pearls post - Paper pearls

Layers of paint and love define Kiki Slaughter's studio

Painter Kiki Slaughter builds her large-scale abstract artworks in the enchanted ruins of a 377-square-foot studio in Atlanta. The space is set within a 19th-century cotton gin factory converted to contemporary art studios and gallery venues, all sitting on 12 acres of land within the heart of the city. The bare, industrial bones of the artist’s studio space offer big windows, hardwood floors, exposed brick, and tall ceilings, of which many surfaces have become layered with pigment, in a similar fashion to her paintings. 

Amongst the surfaces covered with colour and pigment is a set of beautiful vintage French chairs that the artist had picked up at one of her favourite stores. Slaughter then had them covered in her fabric with a fun pop of pink piping.

The studio's paint-covered floors are juxtaposed by tall ceilings with exposed rafters. The colour hasn't quite splashed so far, and therefore we find that the ceiling is perhaps the only element of flat, natural colour. On the back of the main wall of the studio is a pair of large paintings titled 'Rebel Rebel' which measure an impressive 5x8 feet apiece (below image).

On another wall, a beautifully exposed brick surface, we find a large painting called 'Spring Cleaning'. It hangs above a collection of canvas strips which are soon to be made into a sculptural piece (below image).

Not far along, a beautifully humble and simple glass container sits quietly with one paint brush in it (below image). It is one of many that the artist uses to mix colors. "You can tell from its opaqueness that a lot of colors have been mixed!," Slaughter says.

There is such humanity and 'realness' in this studio. We take such care to keep our homes clean and pristine, but in reality we need to create and leave our mark. I find that Slaughter's studio is an amazing example of giving a presence and a voice to everyday objects. She hasn't just stuck to expressing herself on canvases, but also given colour and life to glass jars, the studio floor and walls, random rags, and beautiful French furniture.

Source - designsponge.com

Images - designsponge.com

Related Nest of Pearls post - Inspiration for a creative 2013

Spellbinding artistic exploration, by Toshitaka Aoyagi

My happiest years in terms of education were by far the four years I spent studying Interior Architecture at UNSW in Sydney. One of the many reasons for that happiness was that we were encouraged to explore space, composition, depth, movement, and the art of what architecture could be, through the making of models. Be it of paper, plastic or metal, these explorations of space were incredibly rewarding for the aesthetic soul, because whereby you tested how your architectural ideas would come to fruition in the physical sense, you were at the same time creating art. I still have a number of my models at home, and I keep them with the greatest of pride.

Which brings me to the spellbinding work of artist Toshitaka Aoyagi. His work, albeit of course a million times more refined than what we would have done at uni, presents us with a series of collections where Toshitaka uses models or 3D artworks to create the most sublime studies of space.

In this post I have included three of Toshitaka's collections. From top to bottom they are Open (a collection of 8), Bend (a collection of 10), and Area (a collection of 10 also). More of Toshitaka's captivating work can be found on his Behance page. And a short interview with the artist can also be viewed at Coeval Magazine.com.

What I find fascinating about Toshitaka's art is that it is based on minimal shapes and what appears to be simplicity in execution. However such perfection in visual balance could only be the result of a much more complex process of refining and elaborating the key elements that comprise each artwork, and then putting them together in the perfect composition.

What is also very alluring in viewing Toshikata's art is that it takes you on a journey. His work is presented in collections within which each piece has its own charisma, it's own story, and it's own special role to play within the full series. And yet while different, the pieces within a collection have a true harmony with one another, as they unfurl from one to the next...

But perhaps the three aspects that give me the greatest viewing pleasure in the featured works in this post, are the balance of order versus chaos, the study of negative space versus positive, and the use of simple asymmetrical geometry. I think that I can stare at these pieces for eternity...

Source - toshitaka aoyagi & coeval-magazine.com

Images - toshitaka aoyagi