Transcript Villa Design Group

Villa Design Group
By Amal Idris
Villa Design Group
• VDG consists of 3 members
• Than Hussein Clark, James Connick
and William Joys
• Formed in 2011 at Goldsmiths,
University of London
Villa Design Group
• Inspired by theatrical sets and architecture, Villa Design Group uses
installations, drawings, objects and performances to explore the
resonance of queerness in a dynamic world.
• Work develops from their research of queer histories and figures, such as
the 19th-century Russian writer Nikolai Gogol.
• VGD uses historical framework to construct environments and situations
that recreate the past, using it as a model to question contemporary
political formations and desires.
• Inspired by 1980s Italian design and architecture group (Memphis and the
Ballet Russes), references in their work range from literature to the history
of fashion and decorative arts.
• VDG seeks to create “queer objects”—objects “coded with narrative
possibilities, which…can perhaps smuggle in a kind of radical moment
that does not depend on visualization of a radical body.”
Memphis Group
• Italian design and architecture group founded in
Milan by Ettore Scottsass in 1981.
• Often
incorporated
plastic
laminate
and
characterized by temporary design, featuring
colour decoration and asymmetrical shapes.
• Originally, name was taken after the Bob Dylan’s
song “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis
Blue Again” which had been played repeatedly
during a meeting with designers.
• Drew inspiration from Art Deco and Pop Art.
A collection of objects
Memphis Group
• Produced and exhibited furniture and design
objects.
• Colourful furniture has been described
“bizarre”, “misunderstood” and “loathed”.
as
• Memphis designs served as inspiration for the
Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Christian Dior haute
couture collection fashion show.
Ballet Russes
• A ballet company established in 1909 by
Serge Diaghilev.
• Diaghilev launched his first Russian ballet
in Paris where the audiences were dazzled
by the dancing and striking designs.
• Designed by Russian-born artist Léon Bakst.
His bejewelled colours, swirling Art
Nouveau elements and sense of the erotic
review dance productions as total works of
art.
Ballet Russes
• The designs and colours used forged a new aesthetic in
the 20th century. Knowledge of the company’s
revolutionary ballets filtered through to theatre, fashion
and daily life, including interior design.
• Ballet scores and music Diaghilev commissioned
continue to be performed in concert halls around the
world.
• Over 200 different versions of The Rite of Spring have
been choreographed.
• Created a century ago, Ballet Russes’ achievements
continue to inspire the worlds of art, theatre, music and
dance, including influencing Villa Design Group.
Than Hussein Clark
• American
• This antipathy to authenticity betrays Clark’s
affinity with the stage. Studying acting years
before he did fine art, Clark also writes scripts,
designs sets and directs performances – both
as a solo artist and member of the Villa Design
Group which he formed with James Connick
and William Joys at Goldsmith’s College in
2011
James Connick
• British
• Recent and upcoming performances and
exhibitions include Edinburgh Art Festival;
Blue Moon at Mathew Gallery, Berlin; KUB
Arena; Kunsthaus Bregenz; Bundeskunsthalle
Bonn; Mathew Gallery, New York; and
mumok, Vienna.