Designer Look Out: Andrea Brena.

A few weeks ago, my interns and I experimented with arm knitting as a fun craft project in the studio. As we learned more about the art of arm knitting, we were curious to know more about how this popular trend started, and came across a young designer who has used this knitting technique in his work, Andrea Brena.

Andrea Brena is currently a student at the Design Academy Eindhoven located in the Netherlands. His work ranges from arm knitted furnishings to dynamic light sculptures. His creations appear interesting, beautiful, and playful all at the same time as he builds his concepts around simple ideas. 

His latest project, Knitted Army, is a collection of arm knitted furnishes from recycled fabric scraps. The idea behind arm knitting is that it doesn't require any tools! Therefore, anyone can arm knit and create something out of nothing. Andrea Brena encourages and challenges his viewers to take what he has created and use it in a new light.

I admire his artistry and ambition to think outside the box, and create stunning pieces of furnishing with only his arms. In my opinion, this is true craftsmanship, and an inspiration to the possibilities of what can be created with or without the tools you are given.

.Photo from:  http://dmy-berlin.com/en/festival_2012/news/thankyou 

Photo from: http://media.designerpages.com/3rings/2012/10/29/andrea-brenas-knitted-army-at-bauhaus-archive-berlin/

Photo from: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/260505159669117859/

Photo from:  http://media.designerpages.com/3rings/2012/10/29/andrea-brenas-knitted-army-at-bauhaus-archive-berlin/

Photo fromL http://dmy-berlin.com/en/festival_2012/central_exhibition/andrea-brena

The Art of Street Art - POW! WOW! Haiwaii.

Living in the city, graffiti is commonly seen everywhere, and has been known as a form of vandalism, creating a negative connotation for any art displayed on city streets and walls. Though some may argue that urban street art started off through graffiti tagging, it is now being recognized as a respected form of art and gaining attention from the public whether it be political, social, or just self expressive. And with street art more refined today, publicizing any form of art through graffiti tagging or street art has always been an effective way to make a statement. The motives of street art are separated by the creative attitude of the artist, and is created to be shared for the audience to relate to or think about. As an artist, I enjoy exploring different genres of art, and with my husband being a street artist, I become more exposed and appreciative of this particular genre.

I'm a huge fan of POW! WOW! Hawaii, a project created by my friend, Jasper and Amy Luu Wong, which is a shining example of what street art can surmount to. POW! WOW! is an organization and collection of artists that create murals all over the world. On their website POW! WOW! describes their name as, "a term that describes a gathering that celebrates culture, music, and art." POW! WOW! has grown into a global network of artists who organizes event, gallery shows, lecture series, schools for art and music, mural projects, concerts, live art installations across the globe, in addition to creating a collaborative creative space in Honolulu named Lana Lane Studios.

The murals created by POW! WOW! artists enhance the appearance of urban landscapes and constructively adorn city walls with vibrant, pictorial murals. Most cities are busy and can seem serious at times, and the beauty of street art causes people to pause for a moment and enjoy their surroundings even if it is just for a few seconds. In run down and dilapidated areas, street art can transform an area and create opportunity for further growth. I'm extremely appreciative for all the work that POW! WOW! does and the communities it helps build as a result. In addition to creating murals throughout the world, POW! WOW! Hawaii has also created educational programs and discussions for young students and aspiring artists through art workshops and music courses. It's crucial in preparing the next generation of artists who will each have their own impact on the world, and I have the utmost respect for what they are doing to for the art community.

Below are a few examples of their work found around the world.

Mural by Brendan Monroe and Candybird at the Taipei Artist Village for POW! WOW! Taiwan 2014.

Abstracted shapes and forms by Kofie in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Murals on a massive wall in the Ximen district of Taipei. Created by Kamea Hadar, Reach, Jeffrey Gress, Mr. Ogay, Bobo, Debe, Seazk, Dzus, Easy, Yok and Woes for POW! WOW! Taiwan 2014.

Mural for Versace by Tristan Eaton in Kaka’ako, Hawaii. 

Mural by DAL for POW! WOW! Hawaii 2013.

Mural by Rone and Aaron De La Cruz at Tungnan University for POW! WOW! Taiwan 2014.

Phat Knits that Caught our Eyes - Bauke Knottnerus.

As a designer, I find inspiration for DeNada in all areas, shapes, and forms as well as from other artists and designers.

One artist that has recently captured my attention is Bauke Knottnerus, a Dutch designer who has incorporated large-scale knitting into structural forms of artwork and furniture. I've mentioned mega knitting on the blog before, but Knottnerus is taking it to the next level by creating elaborate installations with oversized PVC knitting needles and giant threads.

I love that form follows function in Knottnerus' creations. His collection titled "Phat Knits" could be viewed as a sculptural art collection or as a collection of modernly designed furniture. In an article on Trend Land, Knottnerus said, “These things I make could end up as furniture or as textiles, it’s more like creating media that can be used to construct a coat or a carpet or a curtain.”

Somehow art, design, and fashion always end up connecting back to one another. Just like one knitting loop to the next!

Bauke Knottnerus photographed by Michael James O'Brien
http://dianepernet.typepad.com/diane/2011/04/bauke-knottnerus.html

Photo: http://thpfashionblog.com/2011/05/09/from-balenciaga-and-spain-de-young-san-francisco-to-unravel-knitwear-in-fashion-momu-antwerpen/

Photo: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/26458716535805669/

Photo from: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/26458716535805667/

Photo: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/26458716535805671/

Phat knits - Bauke Knottnerus from MoMu Fashion Museum Antwerp on Vimeo.

Mary Walker Phillips: Knit as Personal Expression.

Mary Walker Phillips.

For years, knitting has been a key technique of producing clothing and accessories. Designing these pieces not only provides creative liberty, but the actual production of these designs is an art form through knitting.

Mary Walker Phillips, a renowned artist, teacher, and author, changed the face of knitting by breaking boundaries of traditional methods of knitting. She did this by implementing different materials such as linen, silk, paper tape, or fine metal wire. She utilized this practice as improvisational art with no rules to allow a free form of art to create personal manifestation. In addition, she was the pioneer of incorporating different materials such as bells, seeds, and mica as embellishments. She exceeded the materials and pattern norms by using lace as inspiration, aiming to communicate ambiance and vision through yarn.

Here at DeNada, knitting is not just about creating an accessory, but it establishes our identity through different materials, colors, and methods. I aim to convey my personality and the atmosphere through my individual pieces. Like other art forms, knitting is an outlet and allows me to portray my personality into tangible collections.

Examples of Phillips' hanging knit tapestries that break boundaries of pattern.

Mary Walker Phillips in the process of creating a knit pattern.

Phillips' hanging knit tapestries that use texture as a means of expression.

A knit swatch that exemplifies Phillips' use of  textured yarn.

The Art of Installation and How It Inspires Me.

Art has the ability to inspire, influence and transport. Installation art in particular removes the divide experienced by a viewer while standing in a museum examining a painting or sculpture. Instead, installation works of art engulf the visitor by creating a multi-sensory experience and morphing perception of reality and space.

In order to push artistic boundaries at DeNada, I look to installation art for inspiration. Knit accessories are my medium of art through which I strive to provide customers with a multi-sensory experience shaped by style, warmth and utility. Below are some of the very works that have influenced my creative process in the studio. 

Do Ho Suh Home Within Home Within Home Within Home Within Home
Suh created this piece using purple fabric. His childhood Korean home is suspended within his first apartment building in the US. 

Tomas Saraceno In Orbit
The monumental mesh construction suspended over 25 meters above the piazza of the K21 Standehaus museum in Dusseldorf, Germany

James Peterson Cryochrome
This immersive piece was featured at Coachella 2014 and was inspired by the ice caves of Russia. Cool temperatures and spinning, illuminated walls made this pathway an experience for anyone who crossed it. 

Alex Chinneck From the Knees of My Nose to the Belly of My Toes
Chinneck enjoys creating spectacles for locals and does so here by transforming an 11 year old abandoned building into one whose facade is sliding down. 

Rain Room at the Barbican, 2012 from rAndom International on Vimeo.
The Rain Room makes it possible for visitors to walk through water without getting wet. 

Guest Blog: Our Intern's Art-Filled Trip to Colombia.

Hi everyone! Vinisha here - one of DeNada's spring interns! I recently took a trip to Cartegena, Colombia where I had the opportunity to experience the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of Cartagena de Indias, taking place from February 7, 2014 - April 7, 2014. The Biennal highlights international contemporary artists in order to enhance the arts scene in Cartagena for the purpose of cultural enrichment of the community. 

As I walked through each exhibit, certain pieces caught my attention. And since I started interning at DeNada, I have learned to appreciate textural and fiber techniques in fashion and art as a whole.  

Below are works of art that I felt made a huge statement and utilized interesting techniques.

Ximena Garrido-Lecca

La Trama (2013) Copper

Katie Holten

137.5° II (2008) Crocheted wool and tacks

Sheila Hicks

Lares and Penates (1990–2013) Found materials

Kimsooja

Thread Routes Chapter 1 (2010) HD video (16 mm) with sound

At the Intersection of Fashion, Art and Photography: Mate Moro and Nora Gyenge.

The realm of fashion design is not limited to fashion itself. Rather, it is influenced by a network of music, literature, theatre, and the list goes on. This network thrives on the constant sharing of artistic ideas. As the lead fashion designer for DeNada, I am constantly inspired by everything around me. I recently stumbled upon the works of Mate Moro and Nora Gyenge- two individuals who have found a way to blend their artistic specialties in order to create breathtaking campaigns for fashion designers and magazines.  

While Moro acts as the photographer and Gyenge the stylist for the majority of their projects, it is clear that the collaboration of the duo on the creative concepts is what works. Moro and Gyenge conceptualize photographic masterpieces by honing in on the relationship between the subject and the geometry of surrounding space.  

Check out my favorite photos below.

Filled Field

Filled Field

Yayoi Kusama & Louis Vuitton Collection for The Room Magazine

Yayoi Kusama & Louis Vuitton Collection for The Room Magazine

Painting a Portrait of Peru.

DeNada was born in 2005, as a product of my pursuit in creating an accessories line that blended modern styles with Peruvian elements. Art has always been a source of inspiration for my collections, and so I decided to share the works of artists who, like me, incorporate a piece of Peru into all that they do.  

Cecilia Paredes was born in Lima, Peru and currently lives and works between her native city and Philadelphia, PA. She transforms herself using make-up and body painting to create what she calls “photoperformances.”

The Landscapes Series - Cecilia Paredes

The Landscapes Series- Cecilia Paredes

Nani Cárdenas studied Fine Arts at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Many of her pieces are installation works using unconventional materials.

Redes Series- Nani Cárdenas

Via Lucis- Nani Cárdenas

Ana Teresa Barboza was born in Lima, Perú in 1980; where she continues to live and work today. She uses embroidery as an artistic medium to explore the human body and interaction.

Modos de Vestir Exhibition- Ana Teresa Barboza

Modos de Vestir Exhibition- Ana Theresa Barboza

Ernesto Arrisueno was born in Lima, Peru, where he completed a Bachelor of Architecture, and later moved to Australia in 1989. His works incorporate surrealist elements of both Peru and Australia.

The Power of a Dream- Ernesto Arrisueno

The Lecture- Ernesto Arrisueno

For more Peruvian art inspiration, check out our Pinterest board at http://www.pinterest.com/denadaknits/peruvian-culture/