saturday pink martini

Not the drink, the band - or "little orchestra". I stumbled across Pink Martini listening to tunes on you tube last night, and couldn't get enough of these folks!



The band was formed 15 years ago by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, he explains that the group draw inspiration from the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940's and 50's, with a more global perspective. Well, I am just in love!

Friday Favourites!

Let's start with some tunes!



I really admire Sia, for her musicality, messages of love and sparkle, and it is just pretty awesome that she hangs with JD Samson of Le Tigre fame.

jd samson & sia

I also love this exciting combo I saw on the Craftivism blog - QR Code in textile crafts. Is there anything more rad?!

pic from Craftivism

Here is something else a little subversive - the photography of Mariel/Clayton. I love this pop art vs realism and a bit of dark humour. I hope you are not offended by her work - she says on her facebook page: "A doll photographer with a subversive sense of humour. I'm not a man-hater, I wasn't abused as a child, I'm not 'dark' or 'disturbed' or 'mentally scarred'... I just find certain things funny."

"equality"

"inhibitionism"

Have a delightful weekend! 

Over & out,

Captain Plaknit

home is where my heart is

Here is a short promo film for a project I am working on the moment. I am really passionate about the arts ability to be a catalyst for social change. Which is what the Home Is Where My Heart Is project is all about. Now in its fourth year, the exhibition is the culmination of a project that partners young emerging photographers with young homeless people, who are asked to take a photo that captures their interpretation of home. It is the simple act of sharing knowledge and skills that makes this exhibition so powerful - for the young people involved, the photographers, and the audience. 

Next week is exhibition curation week, which I am exceptionally proud to be working on, with a dedicated and awesome team. On opening night, and throughout the exhibition, prints of the photographs will be sold to raise funds for the youth services that work with street present young people. I can't wait to see the faces of the young people, and to witness the reactions of the audience - it gives me that feeling of being part of something bigger than myself, and being a small part of making a positive change in someone's life. 

imagine this!

Rose Skinner is local Perth artist who creates incredibly colourful and crazy installations and art works.

I really love her style and imagination.  A little bit Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory . . . with an edge.

I have a not so secret love of vintage (and new!) childrens' toys, so I greatly admire the intricacy and fun-loving nature of Rose's use of toys in her work.

So detailed and eclectic!

Rose's website has many more weird and wonderful works of art. I do encourage you to take a peek :) 

Sir Sigmund Seabeard

I have mentioned before this fabulous new canteen and bar in Perth - Bivouac. They are located very conveniently right around the corner from one of my work places, Propel Youth Arts WA - great for the morning earl grey tea or a lunch meeting!

I have completed my beareded custodian, and it is hanging! You can read more about Amanda and Anthony's concept of the bearded custodians here. They are on the look out for more artists to take on the challenge to create their own - are you up for it?!

Bivouac have included an interview with me on their blog about Sir Sigmund Seabeard, if you fancy a read.  Another fantastic beard was created by Rose Skinner, whose work I have admired for along time. The third beard is a turf beard, imagined and produced by the owners of Bivouac, Amanda and Anthony.

I hope you get a change to drop by for a coffee, or some of their delicious tapas, pizzas, or bouzy breakfasts!

yarn graffiti documentary

I am really excited to see this film project come to fruition. I am a little bit - alright a LOT - passionate about yarn graffiti, and have certainly done my share of it in lil 'ol Perth! So I am really pleased to see that someone - namely Sarah Gonzalez - is making a Yarn Graffiti Documentary. Yay! Documentaries don't just make themselves, so Sarah and her team are asking for your help to get the project off the ground. If you are as excited by yarn bombing as I am, head to their fundraising website and give generously!

swapsies!

I have joined in once again for the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

This round, the theme is BLOOM . . .  I am thinking of creating with the inspirations of . . . .

Captain Plaknit's very own "Bloom Where You Are Planted" crochet creation,

or maybe, in a super hero kind of way, a boom bloom?!?!

or maybe something more literal, like the amazing Australian wildflowers that are starting to bloom. . . 

What do you think? Are you joining in the swap too?