Ever since my last post, I’ve been intrigued to see what might transpire by using the patterns and detail under the lid of a Fazioli Piano, as inspiration for a collection of shoes.
The lines that provide the structure of the plate.
The curves on the bridge, and shapes they create.
A plain bootie style helps to enhance this initial idea for a heel.
The search for inspirations that resonate can be a fascinating part of the process when designing shoes and developing ideas.
It’s an intriguing journey and results in more unique, distinctive ideas when the source of inspiration is a little more unusual.
I’m neither a pianist nor a connoisseur of Pianos, but since my last post, I’ve been intrigued by the various tenuous links I started to notice.
The immediate visual, scenic connection, of a piano being played on a beach reminded me of The Piano; the 1993 film written and directed by Jane Campion. It had been years since I’d seen the film and was curious about the detail, so I sat and rewatched it a few nights ago. Aspects of the opening scenes – the protagonist being rowed across a sea and landing at a dramatic beach – reminded me of Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, which I wrote about in New Letters recently.
The night preceding The Piano, I’d watched The Power Of The Dog; a slow burning masterpiece also written and directed by Jane Campion. I’m not sure whether it’s a theme in her movies, but there was – playing a smaller but significant role – a piano!
FAZIOLI
Nick Cave’s tongue-in-cheek letter written in response to a fan also came to mind.
He’d been asked which Piano he’d played for his Idiot Prayer performance at the Alexandra Palace.
It was a Fazioli.
Handcrafted in the North East of Italy, in a small town called Sacile.
They are a beautiful instrument.
Herbie Hancock won’t play anything else, and has them written into his contracts.
The view inside a Fazioli is exquisite. An elegant colour palette and intricate pattern of strings; perfectly positioned and rich in vibrations.
All laid beautifully inside their polished majestic case.
“An instrument that reacts to your thoughts and leaves nothing else to desire! … No other instrument inspires so much love, joy, freedom and brilliance as Fazioli!” Inspiring words from Georgian pianist Ketevan Sepashvili.
https://astoka.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FAZIOLI-308.jpg7501998Anthony Stokerhttps://astoka.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/aSTOKA-reg-k100.svgAnthony Stoker2021-12-18 19:36:432021-12-19 15:55:05INSPIRATIONS THAT RESONATE
Earlier today, I spent some time immersed in the music of Hania Rani.
Especially this video, shot in Iceland, directed by Neels Castillon, featuring dancers Mellina Boubetra, Janina Sarantsina and Fanny Sage.
A beautiful mix of being dramatic, while exuding calm; elegance and emotion.
Alex Kilbee, AKA The Photographic Eye, recently shared some fascinating insights in to the work of photographer William Klein.
In the last few days I listened to a wonderful conversation between Malcolm Gladwell and David Epstein at the 92Y – talking about his book RANGE – which is about how generalists succeed in a specialised world. And how, if we experiment in lots of things earlier in our lives, we have a greater breadth of experience to bring to our specialism later on.
So it was interesting to see the parallels across mediums of creativity – how Klein explored the breadth of his range – initially interested in abstract painting and sculpture, to a career behind the camera; from photojournalism to fashion photography, from documentary to feature film making.
https://astoka.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/William-Klein-streetshot.jpg7281106Anthony Stokerhttps://astoka.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/aSTOKA-reg-k100.svgAnthony Stoker2021-11-28 19:40:192021-11-28 19:58:32WILLIAM KLEIN : STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
The upholstery fabric BMW developed for their iNEXT concept car a few years ago has me wondering how fabric can play a part in storytelling.
They’re painting a beautiful picture in this concept video
A FAZIOLI INSPIRED HEEL …
/in Art, craftsmanship, Design, Footwear Design, music, Shoes, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerEver since my last post, I’ve been intrigued to see what might transpire by using the patterns and detail under the lid of a Fazioli Piano, as inspiration for a collection of shoes.
The lines that provide the structure of the plate.
The curves on the bridge, and shapes they create.
A plain bootie style helps to enhance this initial idea for a heel.
INSPIRATIONS THAT RESONATE
/in Art, craftsmanship, Design, film, music, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerThe search for inspirations that resonate can be a fascinating part of the process when designing shoes and developing ideas.
It’s an intriguing journey and results in more unique, distinctive ideas when the source of inspiration is a little more unusual.
I’m neither a pianist nor a connoisseur of Pianos, but since my last post, I’ve been intrigued by the various tenuous links I started to notice.
The immediate visual, scenic connection, of a piano being played on a beach reminded me of The Piano; the 1993 film written and directed by Jane Campion. It had been years since I’d seen the film and was curious about the detail, so I sat and rewatched it a few nights ago. Aspects of the opening scenes – the protagonist being rowed across a sea and landing at a dramatic beach – reminded me of Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, which I wrote about in New Letters recently.
The night preceding The Piano, I’d watched The Power Of The Dog; a slow burning masterpiece also written and directed by Jane Campion. I’m not sure whether it’s a theme in her movies, but there was – playing a smaller but significant role – a piano!
FAZIOLI
Nick Cave’s tongue-in-cheek letter written in response to a fan also came to mind.
He’d been asked which Piano he’d played for his Idiot Prayer performance at the Alexandra Palace.
It was a Fazioli.
Handcrafted in the North East of Italy, in a small town called Sacile.
They are a beautiful instrument.
Herbie Hancock won’t play anything else, and has them written into his contracts.
The view inside a Fazioli is exquisite. An elegant colour palette and intricate pattern of strings; perfectly positioned and rich in vibrations.
All laid beautifully inside their polished majestic case.
“An instrument that reacts to your thoughts and leaves nothing else to desire! …
No other instrument inspires so much love, joy, freedom and brilliance as Fazioli!”
Inspiring words from Georgian pianist Ketevan Sepashvili.
HANIA RANI : PIANIST, COMPOSER, MUSICIAN
/in Art, film, music, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerEarlier today, I spent some time immersed in the music of Hania Rani.
Especially this video, shot in Iceland, directed by Neels Castillon, featuring dancers Mellina Boubetra, Janina Sarantsina and Fanny Sage.
A beautiful mix of being dramatic, while exuding calm; elegance and emotion.
This performance too.
WILLIAM KLEIN : STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
/in Art, Fashion, Photography, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerAlex Kilbee, AKA The Photographic Eye, recently shared some fascinating insights in to the work of photographer William Klein.
In the last few days I listened to a wonderful conversation between Malcolm Gladwell and David Epstein at the 92Y – talking about his book RANGE – which is about how generalists succeed in a specialised world. And how, if we experiment in lots of things earlier in our lives, we have a greater breadth of experience to bring to our specialism later on.
So it was interesting to see the parallels across mediums of creativity – how Klein explored the breadth of his range – initially interested in abstract painting and sculpture, to a career behind the camera; from photojournalism to fashion photography, from documentary to feature film making.
THE BEAUTY OF AGRICULTURE
/in Art, Design, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerAn inspiring artistic homage to the beauty of agriculture from STUDIO ROOSEGAARDE.
FABRIC STORYTELLING
/in Design, material, Stories, Uncategorized /by Anthony StokerThe upholstery fabric BMW developed for their iNEXT concept car a few years ago has me wondering how fabric can play a part in storytelling.
They’re painting a beautiful picture in this concept video