Nr°41_IMAGE OF THE DAY

It took us a while, to set up the right template for my blog, I know. Creating something for yourself is always more difficult. You keep questioning yourself if that's what you want, if the vibe is good, if it reflects what you want to express. 

But we did it. Happy? Yes.

Time gives you time to reflect. Thats good. Always.

So, whats new besides the brand new lay-out and template? 

Even more focus.

I always had multiple sensors, aerials or antennas” as I call them, to feel what’s going on in the world, what is coming and why. It always felt natural. I try to cover an interesting scope. From fashion, over design, food, modern art, communication, nightlife and other stuff that keeps me going. Beauty, disturbance, emotion, curiosity, warnings and hope.

“ It’s about seeing the first ripples in the sea, to be ahead of the wave and not behind.”

I see it as grabbing contemporary culture. The culture that influences our behavior, our choices and our values. It's personal. Off course.

Hope you like it. Let me know. React. Talk. Discuss.

Welcome back! Kate

©Photo Kate Stockman_the squid stories/ November 2013 Bricklane London 

Roa love_a life inspiration story

It started with this drawing, on a wall just opposite our hotel The Hoxton in London.

As we are huge fans of Roa's work (see previous posts), we immediately recognized his hand. After posting this image on Instagram, the conversation manager of The Hoxton texted us that this was only one of many Roa murals in the neighbourhood.

Great.

Off we went, to look for all Roa work.

We had no plan, no tips, we just followed our instinct.

Just walking around was one option. Asking for tips in a nearby gallery was another one.

We stepped in at The Pure Evil Gallery, a street art specialized gallery with a most kind owner, who told us funny enough that he was Roa's first gallerist, and he had some work in his cellar. 

What a coincidence...

Check out what we found in the cellar, under the stairs…

... This big ROA piece, sprayed on some old cupboards and in excellent shape. A left-over from a previous exhibition. We found number 2! And Charlie draw us a map with some other Roa murals in the surrounding streets. Off we went! Thanks Charlie!

Charlie, owner of the Pure Evil Gallery and street artist himself, happy to help out and give some tips about Roa. We'll be back mate!

Two streets further, lost again, we entered a small agency, to ask for the road again. It seemed to be a PR agency, and you won't believe it: also they were early believers of Roa's art work. A beautifull 3D piece was installed in their client meeting room. Ah, if we could have bought this one, right here, right now.... Thank gou guys, for letting us in!

A real Roa piece in the meeting room....

We continued our Roa walk. On this huge parking lot, we think we spotted another one, behind some left-behind-cars. But, we couldn't enter the venue. A movie crew was working there. SHIT.

I'm sure it was one. Have a look.

And so, we walked and walked. And discovered one Roa after another. each time, a revelation. Admiring the boldness, the technique (scratching his cans very closely on the wall) and always one hell of an animal, placed so perfectly on the available spot. Taking over, without harming the others present. Just walking by.

Man, I love it.

This one, we had to look very carefully. This small piglet, hidden underneath a window of a small store. Fell a sleep, I guess.

And yes, we found the big bird. Magnificent. Strong. Looking over the neighbourhood.

Again, the bird next to other work, in perfect harmony, each for it's own audience, an inspiration for each other.

This 'little fella' was the last one we found that day.... Enormous, and at first we just walked by without noticing him. very weird. Looking and not seeing... And then there is that moment, when you look up, and this huge one is revealed to you. You don't understand why you missed him, and you know, you'll never will.

Fabulous.

Yeah, we know. We're huge fans. I don't mind admitting.

If one of my readers knows Roa in person, please pass this 'ode' to him.

I know, in my home town Ghent, there are also Roa murals, hidden in some deserted spots. We'll walk and find them too.

And please let Roa know, we live in an old factory building, and we have loads of room to host one of his (sleeping or awake) animals. I'm not kiddin'. Give us a call.

©ALL photos by Kate Stockman and Ivan Missinne_THE SQUID STORIES

London Shoreditch walk_a life inspiration story

Visiting a city is nice when you have time and no agenda, no city apps and no hip-guide. Just follow the scent, the vibe, the noise, the silence.

This post just a photo impression on our city walk in Shoreditch. (Next to come: our Roa walk that started also by accident and a walk trough Bricklane).

Enjoy!

Boxpark Shoreditch is a pop-up mall based in the heart of East London. Boxpark is constructed of stripped, and refitted shipping containers, creating unique, low cost, low risk pop-up stores.

Filled with a mix of fashion and lifestyle brands, galleries, cafés and restaurants – Boxpark places local and global brands side-by-side, creating a unique shopping and dining destination.

Boxpark is not some run-of-the-mall shopping centre. It’s a living, fertile community of brands packed with talent, innovation and attitude that puts creativity and fashion back where they belong: on the street.

© photo Boxpark

The EAT frenchise is everywhere in London. Nice window display with their coffee bekers.

Street art rules in Shoreditch. Everywhere you look, there are amazing pieces to spot. Some by known artists, others but anonymous designers, leaving their traces.

Work by Australian Jimmy C.

Commercial posters become 'paper street art', other artists reflect in another way and use the street walls as a canvas for their 3D work or other non-spray-can murals. (see below)

Mirrors in the square windows of this minimal dark grey box reflect the opposite street designs.

Established artists from UK and abroad together with numerous less known or unknown locals regularly contribute to this ever-changing art scene. Check out all kinds of graffiti, stencil, wheatpasting, sticker art, poster art, street sculpture and street installations. 

 Beach Blanket Babylon: A London bar and restaurant in Shoreditch. A club for the discerning without requiring a membership. Weird, 'Wunderkamer'-like decorations build a great atmosphere.

Franze and Evans, an eatery with modern food & quality with catering & deli service.

Work by Stik, a regular artist in the streets of Shoreditch.

Shop and bar 'Les Trois Garcons". 

At Purple Shop: collections of kids wear suitable for newborns, babies to 12 year olds. The collections of tee shirts, slouchy jersey pants, sweatshirts and beanie hats are produced from fair trade, organic and ethical fabrics, all of the silk screen printed designs are hand produced in their Brick lane studio. They also design, create and up-cycle denim pieces into re-worked mini jeans, skirts and dresses.

© photos by Kate Stockman_THE SQUID STORIES