kyle@kylebean.co.uk
+44 (0)7745 412773
+44 (0)7745 412773
Since my window displays at Selfridges have been up they have attracted a fair amount of attention and I have received some lovely feedback from the public. As well as being blogged about on a number of motorbike enthusiast websites, the windows have been featured on a number of my favourite design blogs including Creative Review, Notcot and Wallpaper magazine. My displays will be in the windows until 1st September.
Over the last few weeks I have been working on a series of window displays for Selfridges who commissioned me after I pitched an idea to them. I spent last night installing 4 of the 5 windows that I have art directed and crafted. I will be revealing more of this project over the next couple of weeks, but if you are around Oxford Street any time over the next 6 weeks then you will find my displays allocated in Selfridges 'Wonder Windows'. I will also be doing a live installation all day tomorrow (30th June) in the 5th and largest window. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those lovely people who have helped me with the displays.
A few months ago I made some props for Diet Coke. I'm sure many of you in the UK have seen the campaign where puppets on strings in a office get up and dance towards a Diet Coke vending machine. Well to tie in with the campaign a 'Behind the scenes' video has been made where the puppets can be seen interacting with some hollywood dressing room style props that I have made. Diet Coke colours of course.
Following the EP which I designed the artwork for last year, Police Dog Hogan have compiled a new album. My favourite track is called "Shitty white wine". This time around, I have taken the police dog idea to new realms by making a nodding dog complete with suitably comic packaging in the hope of matching the humour in the bands music. More on this project when we get the albums back from the press.
Fashion designer, Olivier Theysken has a new photography book called "The Other Side Of The Picture" which has recently been published. To promote the book, Liberty asked me to create a window installation using the photos from the book. Re-creating a pose from one of the photos, I sculpted a life-sized geometric figure out of the pictures. Working with Owen Silverwood, we then shot the figure under very dramatic spot-lighting to mirror the atmosphere of books photos.
Lots of exciting things have been happening over the last few weeks and all will be revealed in due course. Last week I had the pleasure of working with Lacey at her studio in East London. Lacey has developed an extensive portfolio of still life and fashion photography over the last few years, working with Clients ranging from Sony and Nike to Vanity Fair and British Vogue. The image here gives you a sneak peak at the project we have recently been working on together entitled 'Killing Time'. I have been pushing the level of realism in my card props for this one!
Today was the first day of the 'Artists Open Houses' in Brighton. It is so wonderful to see so much creativity and welcoming people around in my home town. One project that really stood out for me today was the 'Bread Birdhouses', an installation by Nathan Burr. I love how ridiculously surreal and clever this idea is, and whilst I did not actually witness any birds eating it, I can certainly picture the image! The Artists Open Houses are here for the next 3 weekends in Brighton and I urge you to have a mooch around and chat to the local artists. With 243 venues this year there is a lot to see by the sea!
Recently I was asked to make a colourful 'tool' to illustrate the 'Ask the Contractor' article for the New York Times magazine. I decided to construct a somewhat psychedelic electric drill. Here is the result that was printed in last months issue.
Today I received copies of my book 'Guide for the Unlucky' from the distributor in the states. The publication is now available in shops in America, but the release in the UK and Europe will most likely be later in April or May. Those of you yet to see the promo video of my book can view it in the 'shop' section of my website. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me in getting this book published. What an exciting and unique experience it has been!
Over the last couple of days I have had the pleasure of working with Owen Silverwood, a very talented still-life photographer. We worked together on the Liberty shoot at Blink after assembling my organic and typographic set. Owen has an acute eye for detail as I discovered after he noticed a few stray gluey patches on my model work! I hope to continue working with Owen on other creative ventures in the future. This project will be added to my portfolio shortly along with another project or two that I have recently completed.