21 July 2014

China Design Centre Student Exhibition.

After the surprise of the V&A exhibition,  the China Design Centre contacted me to invite me to take part in an exhibition at the China Design Centre on Store Street. Until I took my work to the venue, I didn't know very much about it, but on arrival at the exhibition launch, it was great to see and speak to other designers. It did make me wish that my Chinese was better than it is. But it is really great to be a part of a young Chinese community of designers, which I never really imagined I would encounter. As a British born Chinese in a London university, it is a strange limbo being one of few non-international Chinese, although I am very good friends with lots of international students. But nonetheless, I could appreciate the mix of Eastern and Western influences in all the work, and I particularly loved the jewellery, graphics and product design at the exhibition. I took Ani and Rosa to the launch with me, and it was interesting to explain to them some of the more Eastern concepts and lifestyles.











I've met some really lovely and motivated designers, and I really look forward to becoming more a part of this initiative. I swear, I will try my best to swot up on my Chinese.

Mechanika with Anima Collective.

Amongst the many things going on at the moment, Rosa and I have been working on a little animation project set by ANIMA Collective. They are a group of contemporary composers, musicians and animators, collaborating putting animations and films to live music. Every year they run a competition to filmmakers, animators and composers to find each other and collaborate to a theme. This year the theme is MECHANIKA, and the screening will be in the Brunel Tunnel Shaft, which is now a venue for many theatre and musical events.

We've known about the project since June, and we had been working to pitch an idea first which was due in July. We got in contact with composer Adi Chase through a friend, and continued to collaborate with her. We have since found out that our group is one of ten finalists, which means that we'll be able to perform in the space, and follow through with our idea! From the performance, we have a chance to win £600 between animators and composer. We were more interested in performing in the space; we visited the Brunel Shaft together, and immediately could see the potential in our project inside. We thought it would be a great place to have our first ever screening.

We're so excited to take part, but it does mean our schedule is getting to be pretty tight! I'm looking forward to getting to make things and actually do some animation with Rosa, and we had been meaning to do a little project together. I am glad that I haven't been able to get a placement this summer, because I have managed to find a million things to do instead, which has worked out for the better really. I'm starting to be able to taste the end of my time at Uni, and I'm making the most of it as much as I can! Staying in London over summer has certainly paid off, as although I'm doing so many things, I do really feel like I'm having a break at the same time, and also able to spend time with my wonderful housemates.

As much as I would love to show you some samples, I think it's wisest we keep it fairly under wraps until later! So I shall keep you posted.