Tim Walker Exhibition Somerset House

Report On Tim Walker ‘Story Teller’

Tim Walkers fantastic fantasy world is full of dream like images with boundless originality. This is currently showing at Somerset house in London. The photographer is known for his descriptive fairytales included within his images- ‘Day Dreams into Photographs’. His images appear to be told through the world of childhood and this exhibition emphasis the magical sense of the larger than life.

The beautiful white charming walls set the perfect scene for the fairytale adventure to begin. The presence of the life size props in relation to the photographs gives an aspect of a theatrical experience. The layout of the exhibition makes you feel like you’re floating through, exploring the next corner of Tim Walkers wonderful imagination.

The genre of this exhibition is completely uplifting sending us into a feeling of nostalgia as if we’re a child once again, looking at the images within our favourite bedtime story. ‘Very often there’s a kind of nostalgia built into a photograph by virtue of you talking it. You’ve taken the photograph and its immediately a thing of the past the moment you press the shutter’

The oversized props include spitfires, insects playing instruments, white swan boats, skeletons all used to increase the sense of wonder. The gallery itself seemed overpowered by the acclaimed props such as the large-scale doll looming over the exit door. These oversized creations appear to be integral within his photographic story where as his portraits offer an entirely different perspective. Furthermore the portraits tend to illustrate a sharp, defined and distinct focus on his subject however, included is usually a Tim Walker twist within styling, presenting a comical appearance.

I found the exhibition to be very informative including descriptions by every piece, along with the added quotes from Tim Walker in a beautiful font, positioned strategically around the exhibit, in a unique fashion on the historical simplistic white walls. I thought the idea of having Tim Walkers quotes around the exhibit was an immensely good idea, as this gives you an insight within the whimsical mind of Walker. The quotes tended to be complex comments, mainly based upon perceptions, leaving you questioning the meaning and making relations to your self.

Walker’s work includes some of the biggest names in the creative industry. Alexander McQueen, Helena Bonham Carter, Agyness Deyn. Everyone wants to grab a sense of the forever fairy tale experience. I believe that’s the appealing aspect to most viewers of Walkers work. It’s almost like an allusion ‘ pictures that should be impossibly to construct’ are being created, and for real. No photoshop to create his magical aspects, which makes it ever so hard to interpret as reality. Possibly the idea of childhood again- the ability to believe, growing up can mean knowing too much, forgetting the possibilities that can be created.

Overall I really enjoyed this exhibition and was really suspired that the admission was free, I would have definitely paid to see the wonderful fantasy world of walker. Opens your eyes and makes you visit the possibilities through the innocent world of childhood.

Defining fashion in the 21st Century

When starting to think about what defined the 21^st century so far, I seemed to struggle. Over the last 11 years I couldn’t pin point any mainstream fashion styles that have set the trends. When looking back over the previous eras, we symbolize each era with a cliché such as 1960s hippie and mod culture or 1980’s punk/rock style, however so far the 21^st century has re visited so many different styles its hard to distinguish a description of the decade that’s gone by.  It seems as though the 21^st century is less about creating new styles but more about regenerating the trends from past eras.

The past is always a source of inspiration and influential designers of the 21^st century such as Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Galliano all revert back to the previous eras for ideas for their latest collections, whilst bringing a modern twist which is then publicised/ shown in an innovative new way. From the early 21^st century fashion shows became more elaborate and theatrical, larger venues, allowing exciting and creative ways to showcase the collections.

Another aspect that I thought of was the recession and the impact that would have had and will continue to have on the 21^st century. Although many people may take influence from the designers and the current trends set, it is still said that the money wont be spent in the higher end designer stores but the value high street shops.

I thought in order to get a feeling of some of the 21^st century fashion I would indulge into some of the most influential designers/ brands of the time so far, Firstly John Galliano.  Although he hit some scandal over an alleged anti-Semitic tirade in a Paris bar, causing his dismissal at Dior which begun on 1^st march 2011, he is still an un-miss able piece of the puzzle over the fashion decades, not missing a creative beat within the 21^st century including snippets over many previous periods, Goth rock trench, 1950’s silhouettes and many more. Not forgetting bringing creative drama and excitement with every collection, often emphasised by the elaborate accessories and props.  

Stella McCartney is the 21^st century girl who created her fashion house early century showing her first collection October 2001. McCartney has grew and grew jumping into different areas of the fashion world, such as Adidas by Stella McCartney in 2004, collaboration with high street brand h&m in 2005 (completely selling out) and 2010 new born up to 14years range.  What brings McCartney out in the new age is her refusal of animal skins and use of fur in her designs and incorporation of sustainable practices, Stella being recognized as ‘queen of eco-fashion’

The last designer that I’m going to touch base upon for the influence within the 21^st century is the Alexander McQueen brand. McQueen has always been known for his eccentric vision and unbounded imagination within his designs and how to accessorize those to the maximum. He was named international designer of the year twice in the 21^st century and his brand was greatly continued by new creative director Sarah Burton. Burton claiming her own right to the stage with global recognition after designing Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. Furthermore in 2012, she was named in Time 100, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In conclusion With TV & internet giving access to global trends and fashion, the public in the 21^stcentury are not restricted to particular fashion but with the on going references back to the previous trends we can pick and choose our favorite’s incorporating our own contemporary twists perhaps ideas from the leading designers or high street brands.