Rat's Eye-View !

 A Rat’s View of the Chrysler Building (c) Oliver Fluck

A Rat’s View of the Limburg Cathedral (c) Oliver Fluck

We just had to share with you all these fantastic 'Rat's eye-view' photographs by Oliver Fluck. Oliver is a self-taught photographer, originally from Germany, now living and working in the US.

Until 14 April, Oliver is donating all proceeds from the sale of his photographs (available as prints or postcards - see his site) to the Red Cross appeal to help victims of the earthquake in Japan.

Oliver regularly releases new images on his blog so be sure to check it out here http://www.oliverfluck.com/blog/  and you can follow him on twitter @fluck

Something Fresh!

We thought it was about time we featured some great design from across the Pennines!

Paul Barber, aka Something Fresh, is a freelance designer and illustrator from Manchester. We fell in love with his quirky and fun website and were really impressed with his interpretation of a Helvetica Fact Brief (above). The brief was to find a fact or statistic and illustrate it in any way but the text could only be Helvetica. Although the font is now unrecognisable, the foundation of the font can still, with time, be traced back.

To see more of Paul's work, including examples of client work, or to contact him about the opportunity of him undertaking some work for you, please visit his site here http://www.somethingfresh.co.uk/

Wood Made Good Chairs

We love these chairs spotted on 'Wood Made Good' part of Made Good Designs based in Glasgow, Scotland.

Made Good design and make unique handmade furniture using traditional techniques.

They are a small company with a big passion for being different and claim to be able to make "just about anything you can imagine as long as it’s made from wood".

The chairs featured are registered designs of PF Collections Limited of Long Eaton, Nottingham. They are handmade in their factory in Long Eaton.

For further details, please check out their site here http://www.woodmadegood.net/home

Water Pressure Lighting - Chandeliers

 "Rogue wave" (c) Water Pressure Lighting

 "Lawn Sprinkler" (c) Water Pressure Lighting

 "Crashing Wave" (c) Water Pressure Lighting

"NYC Sewer Grate" (c) Water Pressure Lighting

CO9 Cloud love this "Water Pressure" lighting series of Chandeliers by Dwellings Ltd of Brooklyn, New York City.

The series takes its inspiration from one of the most basic elements in our daily lives - Water. The idea was conceived by designer Evelyn Hutter during a bath renovation project whilst searching for the perfect lighting to hang above the tub!

To contact Water Pressure Lighting or to see and learn more about their range please visit their site here http://www.waterpressurelighting.com/ or follow them on Twitter @waterpressure

Conceptual Works by Todd Baxter

We love these conceptual pieces by Photographer Todd Baxter. We recommend checking out his site, and especially the Owl Scouts project... http://www.baxterphoto.com/

Richard Chai Fall 2011 Mens Collection

We salute New York designer Richard Chai for his modern Fall 2011 Mens Collection. We love his choice of layering and lengths, using tattooed young models for his show - demonstrating his direction away from the other main players more 'safe' sometimes repetitive choices. We think this collection epitomises the current trend towards Urban Style.

Yorkshire's Abandoned Built Heritage - Mark Cooke & Joe Stenson

(c) Mark Cooke & Joe Stenson

(c) Mark Cooke & Joe Stenson

(c) Mark Cooke & Joe Stenson

North Bar in Leeds is currently hosting a thought provoking exhibition, 'Recent Perspectives of Abandoned Places'. Mark Cooke and Joe Stenson, aka LeedsUrbex, have a limited selection of their work featuring, we recommend popping down for a beer to check it out!

Focusing on derelict, often ignored and usually unnoticed spaces and structures, their work captures Yorkshire's abandoned built heritage beautifully.

Over the past year Joe and Mark have been researching, visiting and photographing abandoned industrial spaces, hospitals, schools and mills to document the decay of these forgotten corners of our society.

Exhibition @ North Bar - 24 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU from 8th March 2011 - 5th April 2011

Available Framed for £40 or simply the Print for £15, CO9Cloud's favourite is the 'Lonely Chair', what's yours?

For further details regarding the exhibition, its contents or the photographer’s work please e-mail: jjstenson@gmail.com  Twitter @LeedsUrbex www.flickr.com/photos/j-st

Great new way to create that feature wall!

CO9Cloud love the effect these wall coverings can create. Made by Dreamwalls they look great in both commercial and residential properties. We're already thinking about what we could do with the kitchen or the studio! Check out Dreamwalls' site here... http://www.dreamwall.co.uk/

Andrew Corlett - Photomontage

A couple of us guys from CO9Cloud checked out Test Space Leeds's 'Sampler' exhibition this weekend. The exhibition had loads of great work on display but we were instantly drawn to that of the talented Andrew Corlett and in particular his piece "The Fall" (above).

The original 'photomontage' images are hand made (as opposed to digitally) and the attention to detail is impressive. Andy collects his images from books he finds in charity shops and has a wide and eclectic range including “The Colourful World of Cats” and “The Royal Family at Home and Abroad”!!!

To read more about Corlett's work check out his blog here http://andrewcorlett.blogspot.com/ or you can e-mail him direct on andrewcorlett@hotmail.com .

To find out about other Test Space Leeds events, visit them here http://www.testspaceleeds.com/

Animal 'hair hats' of Japanese artist Nagi Noda

Sometimes you see something that makes you think "whatever possessed them to do it?", that's the case here but we are thankful for it! Taking headwear to a new level, please check out Nagi Noda's site here http://www.naginoda.com/   ... Speechless!

Designer Silversmith - Christopher Perry

 Elegant Coffee Pot

 Orb Clock

 Exploding Mustard Pots

 Star grey jug & cups

Tumbler Cups



CO9Cloud love to see designers keeping traditional skills, arts and crafts alive whilst continuously modernising the styles created. That's why we had to shout about Christopher Perry, a designer Silversmith from Sheffield who trained under the best. Check out more of Christopher's great work here... http://www.christopher-perry.co.uk/

Chococo

Ok we know its not quite Easter yet but we thought we'd all give you all an early 'head's up' about these gorgeous Easter Eggs by Chococo.

Chococo cafe and kitchen can be found in Swanage and is the creation of the Dorset based Pubeck Chocolate Company. Fine them here... http://www.chococo.co.uk/

Henry Moore Exhibition, Leeds Art Gallery

So good to see the sun shining today, really feels like Spring! One of our girls from CO9 Cloud has just spent a leisurely lunch break wandering round the new Henry Moore exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery. It was great to see so many people out and about enjoying the local legend’s work. In particular, CO9 Cloud were happy to see a group of primary school children sitting quietly, engrossed in their sketches of Moore’s paintings and sculptures, some of whose attempts were really quite good!

We really recommend checking out this exhibition, which runs until 12 June 2011. The gallery is free to all and run lunchtime tours as an introduction to the new Henry Moore exhibition, see their website for details http://www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery/

We think this is definitely worth the train fare up from London, across from Manchester or even down from Edinburgh for a great day out. If you are planning a visit to Leeds be sure to check out the blogs of CultureVulture and LeedsGrub which include the insider's guide to all the great things to do in Leeds, as well as where to eat, sleep and party! Links below...
http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/ 
http://leedsgrub.blogspot.com/ 

Revolutionary New Ballet Shoe by Sprout Design

Photograph (c) Sprout Design

One of the girls here at CO9 Cloud knows the pain caused by dancing on pointe all too well. We are therefore very excited about Sprout's Amazing Revolutionary Ballet Pointe Shoes Launched for Capulet!

Photograph (c) Sprout Design
Sprout Design's shoe takes away the need to wear two pairs of shoes at once (as many professional dancers do to alleviate the strain) and will prevent shoes wearing out so quickly. In their own words "Sprout's new shoe will last months rather than hours and initial trials have indicated its "a miracle" and "amazingly comfortable" as it dramatically reduces the pain of going on pointe." more here

Stunning "Take me Dancing" Series by Andrea Stajan-Ferkul

Photograph (c) Andrea Stajan-Ferkel

CO9 Cloud adore the gorgeous art work of Andrea Stajan-Ferkul.

The featured set of Acrylic and Graphite Framed Textured Illustrations are currently our favourite pieces, however, we were torn between these and the "Slipping into something more comfortable" painting.

To see all of Andrea's fabulous work, please check out her website here... http://www.andreastajanferkul.com and we understand the "Take me Dancing" series is also available as prints from www.canadianartprints.com