Craft Victoria Almanac

MARCH 2009

Fabulous Fashions

At Craft Victoria we are dusting off the sewing machines and bracing ourselves for fashion overload! In March, two new events are launched as part of the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009 Cultural Program. European based Chicks on Speed are due to hit Melbourne with their first Australian solo exhibition Viva La Craft!, which will transform Craft Victoria's galleries into a live workshop, studio and performance space. Want to be involved? Check out the full program of activities and events on our website. Also this month, a collaborative installation by Melbourne based fashion design studios, Alexi Freeman and MATERIALBYPRODUCT, will adorn the enCOUNTER window space.

If you can't read this email, please click here to read online.

Banner image: Photography: Emre Unal, Art Director: Mustafa Tunc, Fashion: Chicks On Speed (Kathi Glas / Melissa Logan / Alex Murray-Leslie), Styling: Chicks on Speed, Mehlika Aydogan, Photography Assistant: Sezer Arici, Erdi Dogan, Styling Assistant: Muge Boz, Producer: Gunes Zahid, Make Up: Georgie Billington, Hair: Omur Donmezdemir.

GALLERY

Chicks on Speed Viva La Craft! 12 March – 24 April 2009 Galleries 1, 2 & 3	Chicks on Speed Viva La Craft! The Poster	Chicks on Speed Public Program
Functioning as both a work in progress and a space to exhibit the real results of experimentation and research, Viva La Craft! will transform Craft Victoria's three gallery spaces into a laboratory of craft development. Traditional techniques of millinery, silk screen printing, ceramics, patchwork, tapestry and fashion tailoring will be combined with new research in technical innovation. Importantly, Viva La Craft! will feature the outcomes of collaborations with international and Melbourne-based practitioners, deconstructing and redefining established craft processes. Opening: Thursday 12 March, 6-8pm To be opened by Abi Crompton, Director, Third Drawer Down Chicks on Speed will be doing an auditorium DJ set Viva La Craft! is part of the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009 Cultural Program.	Viva La Craft! will be accompanied by a limited edition poster designed by Chicks on Speed and developed especially for Craft Victoria. The poster is A1 size (594 x 841mm) in an edition of 110 and is available unframed, $110 or framed, POA. Call COUNTER to order on 03 9650 7775.	While in Melbourne, Chicks on Speed will be presenting several artist talks and collaborating with local practitioners including Irene Grishin-Selzer, Dylan Martorell and weavers from the Victorian Tapestry Workshop. A number of themed workshops, lectures and film screenings are also on offer as part of the public program. Visit the Craft Victoria website for more details. Craft Victoria members skilled in needlepoint, embroidery and tapestry weaving also have an exclusive opportunity to contribute to Viva La Craft! Three textile projects will be developed collaboratively in the gallery spaces over the duration of the exhibition and require your participation! To register your interest email chicks@craftvic.asn.au no later than Thursday 12 March.
Images: Photography: Emre Unal, Art Director: Mustafa Tunc, Fashion: Chicks On Speed (Kathi Glas / Melissa Logan / Alex Murray-Leslie), Styling: Chicks on Speed, Mehlika Aydogan, Photography Assistant: Sezer Arici, Erdi Dogan, Styling Assistant: Muge Boz, Producer: Gunes Zahid, Make Up: Georgie Billington, Hair: Omur Donmezdemir.

enCOUNTER [24/7 window]

Alexi Freeman, Monochrome, AW07 (detail), 2007. Photography: Thorsten Richter. MATERIALBYPRODUCT, Soft Hard Hard Harder SS08 (detail), 2008. Creative direction: 3 Deep Design.

Alexi Freeman and MATERIALBYPRODUCT
AFVMBP0309CV247LMFFCP
until 22 March 2009

Fashion design studios Alexi Freeman (AF) and MATERIALBYPRODUCT (MBP) are actively engaged in the exploration and promotion of hand processing techniques in contemporary design. Alexi Freeman draws upon dry-point etching methodologies to produce his signature geometric motifs; MATERIALBYPRODUCT appropriate markers of construction as templates for print design. Together, as collaborators 'AFVMBP' they explore the new garment hybrid AFVMBP0309CV247LMFFCP, both an experiment in form and an exchange of design vernacular.

Part of the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009 Cultural Program.

Beck Wheeler, Totally Totem, 2009

Beck Wheeler
Totally Totem
23 March – 1 March 2009

Illustrator, textile designer and artist extraordinaire Beck Wheeler has created a range of handmade, hand painted, functional pepper grinders. This new body of work, Totally Totem, is sure to impress even the most discerning of dinner guests!

COUNTER

Third Drawer Down – Chicks on Speed, Girl Monster tea towel $35
bartley

Chicks on Speed, It’s a Project book $90

New in store

COUNTER is excited to announce that it will be carrying a range of Chicks on Speed merchandise to coincide with Viva La Craft! We have the limited edition Third Drawer Down Girl Monster tea towel, designed by Chicks on Speed. Also available is the fun-filled It’s A Project book. Die-cut, over-printed, and assembled from many different paper stocks, this publication resembles a Chicks on Speed scrapbook, full of press clippings, personal mementos and printed ephemera. Includes a poster, CD, a collaborative pattern with Jeremy Scott, a tote bag, and a unisex shift dress that can be customized!

We are pleased to introduce Newcastle based textile designer and screen printer Simone Madigan, the mastermind behind the label States of Nature, specialising in hand-printed scarves and timber brooches.

Tasmanians Dick and Dora have created new laser-cut steel and timber pendants, including the Falling for You leaf designs to complement your Autumn wardrobe! Or take your pick from the new range of intricate fine silver jewellery by Melbourne based Joanna Levinson.

Lovely Maiike cot quilts have hit the shelves, made out of beautiful vintage linen and Australian wool (Yes, they can be ordered in big people sizes as well!).

Expert wood turner John Stewart has just delivered a selection of small bookends made from River Red Gum. These superb pieces are the perfect addition to any bookshelf or mantelpiece.

CRAFT HATCH

Mixmasha (Tasha Hassapis)

Craft Hatch Emerging Designers' Market

Held on the second Saturday of each month, Craft Hatch is a market that showcases the work of student and emerging designers. Craft Hatch is a rare opportunity for you to purchase the freshest, hand-made products direct from the designer; including homewares, metal and polymer jewellery, purses, badges, clothing and more. With a strong environmental consciousness, many of the featured artists have re-crafted found, common and recycled materials into practical, contemporary craft.

Upcoming market dates for your diary are Saturday 14 March and Saturday 4 April 2009 from 11.00am – 4.00pm at the City of Melbourne's City Library, 253 Flinders Lane. Featured March stallholders include: Box Hill TAFE Jewellery, Lisa Engelhardt, Moj Habibi, Jen Hall, Tasha Hassapis, Deirdre Hoban, Myf Kemp, Ellen Kocjancic, Cate Lawrence, Kim McGeachin, Jules Musgrove and Catherine Preston.

CRAFTBASE

Emma Sulzer, Puma Cat, 2008

New makers on Craftbase

Craftbase, our online imagebank, continues to attract new Professional Members. Last month's new designer/makers are:

Paul Mills, Metal
Marta Roca, Paper
Emma Sulzer, Fibre

Craft Victoria encourages all Professional Members to get involved and showcase their work to an international craft and design audience. For more information, download the Craftbase Userguide or contact Craft Victoria.

View Craftbase online.

CRAFT VICTORIA EVENTS

Melinda Young workshop
Ball of Thread

Repeated due to popular demand! Create wearable jewellery from your own ball of thread. Participants will need to bring a reel of medium-heavy weight cotton or poly/cotton sewing thread, a pair of sharp sewing scissors, a packet of sewing needles in mixed sizes and a selection of small found objects that complement the thread in some way.

Date: Thursday 5 March 2009, 5.30-8.30pm
Venue: Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Cost: $15 Craft Victoria Members/$25 Non-Members

Position Vacant
Business Development Manager

Craft Victoria is seeking applicants for a part-time Business Development Manager to implement the New Craft Made in Victoria project. This project aims to create craft and design retail products in response to commercial briefs devised by the project partners. New Craft Made in Victoria is funded through Arts Victoria, and is led by Craft Victoria, with support from the Victorian Tapestry Workshop and Zoos Victoria. Download the Position Description here.

Deadline: Monday 16 March 2009

Call for Exhibition Proposals
Craft Victoria 2010 Exhibition Program

Craft Victoria is now accepting exhibition proposals for the first half of 2010. Individuals and groups are welcome to apply. Proposals are examined by an exhibition committee with representatives from each of the major media. We encourage applicants to contact Craft Victoria's Coordinating Curator Nella Themelios before submission. Download the Exhibition Proposal Guidelines here.

Deadline: Monday 30 March 2009

craft³
Craft Victoria's new national event

Craft Cubed is a festival of contemporary craft and ideas. There are three components to this new event – a curated members’ exhibition at Craft Victoria, an international online design project, and a public program. The festival will run from 30 July to 12 September 2009. More details will be available on Craft Victoria's website shortly.

UPCOMING LMFF EVENTS

The Melbourne Design Guide
2009/2010 Edition

The comprehensive guide to Melbourne's design scene has been updated, with the 2009/2010 edition due to be launched this month. To coincide with the L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival, a fashion walk will be available on the Melbourne Design Guide's website from Friday 6 March.

Order your copy of the 2009/2010 Melbourne Design Guide from COUNTER on 03 9650 7775.

e.g.etal
The Giving Beads

100 of Australia's most exciting jewellery designers have each produced one unique bead. These beads are then strung together to make a series of necklaces. The results will be auctioned at a special ticketed event, with all proceeds going to beyondblue. For ticket availability, email e.g.etal.

Date: 10 March 2009, 6.30pm
Venue: Comme, 7 Alfred Place, Melbourne

Off the Kerb
Give/Take

Alexi Freeman, Thorsten Richter, Milly Sleeping, Naomi Tettmann and their respective collaborators will create a series of four discrete installations exploring the concept of 'giving and taking' in fashion. Developed collaboratively with Craft Victoria's Nella Themelios.

Dates: 15 – 22 March 2009
Venue: 66B Johnston Street, Collingwood

The Rose Street Artists' Market
Nurtured at The Rose Street Artists' Market

Rose Street is hosting a special fashion-themed market to showcase emerging local design talent with a focus on sustainability. Craft Victoria members include Klei, Greg Mann, Mattt, Sunggee Min, Gaye Naismith, Jude Ng, and Temono. There will also be Fashion runway shows held throughout the day.

Date: 21 March 2009, 11am-5pm
Venue: 60 Rose Street, Fitzroy