I LOVE STICKY TAPE

SQUIRREL TAPE DISPENSER

2012-01-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

Cute. Right?

From a very nice website/business: http://www.projectsticky.com

FENCE MESSAGES USING TAPE

2012-01-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

This is a bit of a random one, but i like it. The idea of writing a simple message on a plain old fence with a roll of tape is a good one.

CEEZ DIEM

2012-01-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

Ceez Diem is a graphic artist who uses primarily black electrical tape as his medium of choice. He manages to capture the essence and the freedom of paint or markers just using tape and a razor blade. If you check out his blog you can see an image of his finger with a part sliced off as proof of his commitment to his medium, i was a little bit freaked out. But i love the work anyway, its hard to believe its tape!

AINT ROCKET SCIENCE

2012-01-18T03:38:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a long holiday/work trip to australia - the home land and when i got back to the office i was delighted and amazed to find a non-work related package waiting on my desk, i could tell this, as the tape sealing the envelope was very fun, non-work related looking. Anyway, thanks very much Jon for sending me this tape. I LOVE IT. Especially love the 'mine', 'yours' tape which i will use when i break up from my next relationship to mark the things that i own around the house.

Incidentally, if you would like to buy this tape, i recommend going to this site; http://www.aintrocketscience.co.uk/ and also, these guys are also the genius behind the 'tiny police line' tape which i loved when creating my miniature crime scenes.

LONDON BLACK CAB TAPE

2012-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

A present from a friend Nicola from New Zealand. She knows how much i love black cabs, check out the adventures of Jeeves http://jeevestheblackcab.blogspot.com/ so she found this fantastic woven tape which will be made into some curtain straps for the cab. Its not sticky, but it is cute and does feature a very cute Fairway London black cab.

PACKAGE FROM SWEDEN

2012-01-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

A nice package was awaiting us when we got home to London from our trip to Australia. It was a Christmas care package full of presents from Sweden. It all started with the tape. Even the stock standard packaging tape in Sweden is designed!

Sveriges Viktigaste Packet means "Most important parcel from Sweden". I would love to get my hands on a roll of this!

NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANBERRA

2011-12-30T03:40:00.000-08:00

Mia and i came across this humungous tape at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on our recent road trip down to Melbourne. I recall it was part of an Aboriginal art installation, but i cannot really be sure. It just reminded me of a giant roll of tape made from carpet, it is probably some sophisticated tool or maybe a red carpet for snakes.

MOSHEKWA LANGA

2011-12-28T02:02:00.000-08:00

On a trip to New York in May I went to Moma and found this piece which is made up of smaller pieces all done involving tape. The piece is by South African artist Moshekwa Langa who is one of the country's most prominent young artists. He uses a range of found materials and bits and pieces in his art to create pieces which talk about dislocation, personal history and universal experience. I really love that his pieces are so youthful, interesting and vibrant.

Electrical tape on wood

Me standing in front of the wall of work.

Packing tape features prominently in the work.

Electrical tape covering chip board makes a strong statement.

Again, more electrical tape

LOCAL NEWSAGENT TAPE OFFER

2011-12-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

I went for a little trip down to the local newsagents in Sydney to buy some Christmas wrapping paper and got a little excited when I saw the nice shelves of sticky stationery. I know this is not particularly interesting but wanted to note that Australia is seriously lacking in tape options. Compare this offer to somewhere like Japan or Hong Kong and you would be in tape heaven. In this case i decided to stick to the brand i knew best Scotch even though i really wanted to try Super Clear Tape. Maybe next time. I just couldn't risk it.

On offer - sticky tape varieties

The el-cheapo brand on offer

The more expensive stuff

TAPE ART AT MONA

2011-12-19T02:07:00.000-08:00

I just got back to Sydney from a short trip to Tasmania for the weekend. I had no idea that just down there there is such a spectacular place full of fat succulent oysters, lots of wood work, slightly eccentric people and not to mention it is the land of the skirt over the trouser in terms of fashion. I visited MONA which is the brand spanking new modern art gallery which is a must - see if you are in the area or even if you are not. Aside from some lots of gutz, poo and toilet art, there was also ancient mummies and this tape art installation.

TAPE COVERED CART WHEEL

2011-12-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

These photos show a cart wheel in Williamsburg, New York covered with electrical tape. In May when wandering around the streets, i came upon this little project going on. Electrical tape can be the perfect medium for a bit of upcycling.

GAFFER ART

2011-12-13T03:46:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken at an exhibition-cum-comedy night i went to in Bushwick in May when i was staying in New York for the month. It was part of an exhibition of local artists. It is probably the most interesting use of gaffer tape in art that i have seen, using it in a totally different way than you would imagine. The tape is layered and stuffed into a canvas in a creepy, organic way. It gives the gaffer tape a feeling of life, like it is a living creature. I feel terrible that i didn't get the name of the artist at the time.

FELIPE DE MIRA

2011-12-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

This excellent Brazilian artist uses electrical tape at the core of his work. Striking strong graphic poses with this beautiful material, De Mira is able to create these pieces which are part craft, part art, part graphic design. Read more about them here: http://artoftheday.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/332/

TAPE ON FURNITURE

2011-12-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

There is nothing nicer or more ingenious than placing a bit of gaffer tape onto some pine furniture, putting into an expensive design store in williamsburg and charging a fortune for it. I just wish i had thought of it earlier. But you must admit that this is a very classy effect.

CAR DOOR TAPE

2011-12-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

When my car door doesn't close, i sometimes think about using tape too. However, the key error here is that they used brown packing tape. Everyone knows you should use gaffer tape for this type of application.

TAPE ON GATE

2011-12-11T03:14:00.000-08:00

I think this photo was taken in shoreditch somewhere. A nice use of excess fragile tape lying around.

SEALED

2011-12-11T02:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks Harry for sending me this image, not sure where he got it from, but its nice one.

TACHE TAPE

2011-11-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

ON SALE now at Beyond the Valley in Covent Garden, London. This is my latest tape adventure designed in conjunction with Wai Lee and Mia Wallden.

More images coming soon! A bit of fun for Movember.

CUTLERY

2011-10-25T04:21:00.001-07:00

I JUST LIKE THIS.

TAPE GENERATIONS

2011-09-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

An amazing sci-fi tape installation / art piece on you tube. Mesmorising!

BERLIN BRICK WALL TAPE

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is sort of tape, its sort of wallpaper, but i love it anyway. A pic from Berlin a few months ago.

TIME TO KILL

2011-09-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Like an anonymous ransom note, messages written with tape are mysterious and speak volumes. This one was taken by Ivan Rodic from facehunter in taiwan.

GAELLE REST IN PEACE

2011-09-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

How i like to remember my friend Gaelle. She loved tape too.

DUCT TAPE COMMERCIAL

2011-08-23T02:28:00.000-07:00

Duck Tape Com from Shelli Witt on Vimeo.

ARTIST INTERVIEW: CLAIRE ELLERY

2011-08-13T02:58:00.000-07:00

Here is an interview I did with the wonderfully talented Claire Ellery from New Zealand, I have done a previous post about her a few months ago, and i really wanted to follow up with some information directly from her relating to her process and materials. Here it is.

I love your sketchbook project, ‘Adhere to Me’ combining sticky tape and portraits, where did this idea come from and what is the background?

The idea was simply to draw my family while at home in Scotland. I challenged myself to draw without correcting or discarding. The backgrounds were paint card samples, and the insulation tape was added at the end. On my return to New Zealand I joined the art house co-op sketchbook project 2011, and chose the title ‘adhere to me,’ which related well to the subject, and to the material used. http://www.arthousecoop.com/library/2305

How many portraits are there in total?

30 originally, which then grew.

What materials other than tape did you use?

Mainly Pen and paint cards, there is a dissected passport photo of my partner reconfigured in tape, and a drawing by my niece which I used as a background before drawing her portrait.

What varieties of tape did you use? And which was your favourite to use and why?

Insulation tape has many qualities, maneuverability, vibrancy and variation in colour, masking tape parcel and gaffa tape were also used.

Why did you decide to work in a sketchbook rather than on separate boards or surfaces?

It developed that way. I wanted to store them safely, and loved the idea of an alternative family photo album. The sketchbook touring the US, as a collaborative project that then becomes part of a permanent collection in the Brooklyn Art Library, appealed to me in achieving this.

What kind of techniques do you use with incorporating tape in your work?

Through play I discover different techniques, that’s what’s so great about any art project. For work that requires accuracy, I often use a scalpel, and stick the tape onto acetate to configure the parts before placing them onto a final work.

Do you have any more projects involving tape coming up? For example in your other life as a stylist?

I have been experimenting with windows and glass, the nature of insulation tape lends itself really well to being viewed from both sides, so I have been drawing and taping window displays http://claireellery.blogspot.com/. I’m also part of collaboration ‘2 birds 1 stone,’ and was awarded an artists residency at the Refinery gallery in Nelson NZ. Our first installation was a tape project. https://www.facebook.com/2birds1stone.nz

Window art at Trouble and Fox is a boutique in the heart of Nelson on Bank Lane in New Zealand

YORGA ART

2011-07-30T22:53:00.001-07:00

A beautiful wave made from tape. Hanging over a french town. The latest installation by Yorga the great, otherwise known as Yorga Performeur.

Like a giant spiders web. Capturing the light like crystal. Check out more of the sublime work http://performeur.free.fr/

JAPANESE MASKING TAPE

2011-07-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

Recently everyone has been going crazy about this tape. Its a sort of japanese decorative masking tape which is really cute delicate. Here is a link to a USA site selling it, i love how they have displayed it using these old fashioned swing labels.

http://feltandwireshop.com

GLASTONBURY TAPE

2011-07-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the simplest tape is the best.

We took this one at Glastonbury this year- 2011.

SILVER FOIL TAPE

2011-07-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

I love silver foil tape, its like the jewellery of the tape world. Its metallic, shiny and hard to come by, so when i saw it taping up a humble letter to neighbours at this warehouse in Hackney Wick i was very excited and had to take some pictures.

I mean, seriously, if i had silver foil tape, i certainly wouldn't waste it doing something like this. How very extravagant! Come to think of it is it probaby metallic for some functional reason such as plumbling or electrics and actually its probably not really all that expensive, its not like its real silver or anything... or is it?

Nonetheless, long after this sign is gone, i will still have these images here on this blog.

LOOK BOOK TAPE

2011-07-11T03:33:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Berlin where i went to look at some fashion tradeshows, this is a photo i took of a stand at Capsule tradeshow of a brand's look book taped up on the wall.

Gaffer tape is so fashion.

NOT STICKY TAPE

2011-07-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is not stickytape, but as you might know, i have a section in this blog which is "not tape but cool" which this falls under. Technically, however, it IS tape. This is an image which has been sitting on my desktop for a while so unfortunately i have lost all crediting information. However, i would like to say that again, tape has a huge impact in modern fine arts. So versatile... so expressive.

Mountains of tape all over the floor and walls.

NEW YORK MESSAGE

2011-07-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Tape can say so much... with so little.

This one is from Williamsburg, New York.

TOM SACHS

2011-06-08T04:08:00.001-07:00

Tom Sachs' work is based around popular culture and many of his works use TAPE, and other common and disposable materials. In fact, his work does seem to be about challenging the way we look at objects and materials. I really love the simplicity of this tape 'painting' below which consists of layers of silver gaffer/ duct tape enclosed neatly in a narrow frame.

Based in New York city, Sachs' is best known for his re-creations of icons, such as Hello Kitty and Knoll office furniture. In this below work called Sony TR 81, 1996, Sachs recreates the Sony Handicam including the box all using energiser battery packaging. I think this makes a strong statement about how many batteries are needed to fuel this thing. But on another level, the piece celebrates the iconic status of this handicam which in fact, our family also owned, as one of the first family-ownable compact video cameras on the market.

I love the contrast between the rustic, imperfect nature of how this is put together, paired with the skillful resemblance of the actual product. Its effortless and child-like at the same time as it is highly technical and thought-provoking.

This piece here is a wonky execution of Hello Kitty's head. I love how her face is made from hand-torn pieces of white duct tape. Its unmistakably Kitty but at the same time looks like it has been made by some kind of demented stalker. Slightly dark, but humorous at the same time.

Check out more of Tom Sachs very cool work on: http://www.tomsachs.org

TEMPORARY FIX

2011-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

There are endless uses for tape and endless varieties of tape. Therefore if you do this sum: endless uses x endless varieties, this means i could spend the rest of my life thinking about tape, observing it and doing stuff with it. This is an "installation" in my office's building in New York taken a week or so ago. The lift button was broken and it was replaced with this bit of fancy tape work.

Now, let me point out here that there are actually 3 varieties of tape going on here, The electrical tape binding the wires together in the bottom left, the blue masking (paper) tape covering up the real, defunct buttons underneath and arguably, the yellow tape (which may also be a sticker, but lets call it tape for now) used to write the sign/instructions on the newly functional temporary elevator buttons.

On first view, it just looks like a fairly functional patch up job, but actually, i think this is a little piece of art.

It just shows how indispensible (oh pardon the pun) tape is these days.

TATOO TAPE AZUMI AND DAVID

2011-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of Azumi and David. Not just because they are from my local neighbourhood in London's east (Broadway Market), but because their work continues to be witty and clever. You know when you come across a great idea when a) you wish you thought of it or b) it seems really obviously a great idea.

Enter Azumi and David's Tatoo tape. It features all the classic elements of classic tattoo art for people to go to town in experimenting with what suits them best. Too chicken to get a real tattoo? then this is perfect for you.

I particularly love the photos showing all the possibilities.

And i have to say, my favourite are the nipple piercings shown above. Hilarious!

Azumi and David are not new to the world of tape, i have featured some of their other tape creations earlier on in this blog. (including Shade tape) If you want to check out more of their stuff which includes accessories and apparel, here is their site: http://www.azumianddavid.com

2011-05-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

A fellow tape fan Ellen Schinderman who makes some extremely cute and slightly rude pillows has sent me some photos from a piece she recently saw in sf's north beach (which i gather stands for San Francisco). These pieces for from the corner of 'Grant and Green' for anyone in the neighbourhood who wants to see them in real life.

I really love the quality of tape which allows anything layered on top to jump out graphically and this coupled with the temporary qualities of tape mean that you are not technically breaking the law by sticking tape on the floor and writing on it, so it would be a great medium for graffiti artists with a conscience or thinking of entering the law profession.

In a way this art / piece reminds me of my Poem on a Roll tape which i made in collaboration with Wai Lee and my poet friend Charles Bainbridge. This tape is still selling at Beyond the Valley at off Carnaby street in London... or if anyone want to buy some directly from me, please get in touch.

The messages are clean and simple and graphically beautiful. The kind of stuff you see in big cities when you wander around with no particular aim. Right now i am in New York, residing in lovely and lively williamsburg. I am sitting right by the W'burg bridge right now on a roof surrounded by graffiti and watching the J and M trains rattle by every few minutes. Soon i will be riding to Queens and maybe i'll spot some more tape inspired art.

Its true and how i feel right now: "Since there is no escaping the madness, why don't we embrace it"

If you spot some tape art in your neighbourhood, please email me some pics and i promise to post it.

x

DUCT TAPE IPHONE CASE

2011-05-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Recently i was fortunate enough to be the reciprocant of a hand made protective case for my iphone. My phone was naked for a week or so since my previous case kicked the bucket.

Sometimes i research and write about the latest designs and trends in technology accessories for my day job (when i'm not thinking about tape) so people find it slightly humorous that i have this practically anti-design case for my iphone.

I thought it was only appropriate that i have this hand-made case for my phone as its the earliest iphone that came out over 3 years ago and it practically doesn't even work any more. It does mysterious things like switch itself off mid-phone-call, take 10 minutes to start the camera and the battery, well the battery has its own unique personality.

There are a few clever little design features such as good access to the charging port at the base of the phone, with the surprising ability to not let the phone slip out. The design walks a fine line between being unsupportive and inaccessible. It succeeds with flying colours in my opinion. Its not just because my significant other made it for me with love and care on a rainy day when she got home from work before me.

When i text or email its a little difficult to reach the letters on the edge of the screen such as the 'A', 'Q', 'P' and 'L' keys, but i have started to get used to this and don't deem it to be too much of a problem these days.

The case is made up of multiple layers of duct tape otherwise known as silver gaffer tape. Small pieces which overlap, fold and provide support for this piece of shit phone that doesn't even deserve it. Cleverly there is a phone escape hatch at the top where you pull one piece across and one piece down and the phone can be taken out completely for events such as a change of sim card or a little back rub.

The additional benefit of this phone case is that it is a conversation piece as well as it seems to deter anyone from wanting to knick my phone, as it makes it look shabby chic without the chic. All this being said. i love it.

TAPE HOOKS

2011-05-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

These tape hooks by Torafu Architects just show how obsessed people can get with the stuff (ie. me) Its such a sweet low key idea and clearly inspired by the minimal simplicity yet highly effective sticky stuff that i write about on this blog.

Of course the designers are Japanese, its really has a Japanese aesthetic, apparently the hooks are formed by using tape and allowing the tape to dry in the curled up shape.

Each piece is actually made out of paper which take on the characteristics of tape. I think they are perfect for hanging small little items up on the wall like is shown in these images.

Quite adorable huh?! Read more about this here: http://www.dezeen.com/2011/05/20/tapehook-by-torafu-architects/

CLAIRE ELLERY - ARTIST AND THE MAKING

2011-05-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

Claire Ellery is a New Zealand artist who uses quite a lot of tape in her work. I really love her sketchbook project where she uses tape to layer and create texture and a third dimension.

I am a massive fan of sketch books, the artist's personal playground where i think most of the best ideas are conceived. Doodling, scribbling, creating and just playing is where it all happens.

Its so nice to see process in the making and I love the vividness of these photos of Claire's sketchbooks. Specifically how she uses tape to colourblock sections as well as stick things on.

The portraits made using elements of a variety of tape including brown packing tape, electrical tape and stickers make the art accessible and fun as well as textural and vivid.

I'd love to see the whole book, but glad to be able to post these beauties here.

Check out more of Claire Ellery's work on her blog: Artist and the making - http://claireellery.blogspot.com/

Last but not least is another of Claire's pieces using brown packing tape... perhaps she has had nightmares about libraries!

MY NEW IPHONE CASE

2011-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

My phone had been out on the town for a week or so naked... without a cover, as my last one has pretty much become an embarrassment. Then one day last week i got home to find Mia doing a little craft project in her studio.

These photos were taken when we had realised that she had forgotten to make a camera hole cut-out.

Its a Mia original iphone case made from silver gaffer tape.

There is a little phone escape hatch hidden by a few precisely place pieces of tape. I will have to take a few more images and post them up here soon.

Its a beauty, and just so... ME!

TUSH

2011-04-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I am sorry i have forgotten where this image is from and they are probably rubber bands, not electrical tape, but i love it anyway and wanted to post it here. Maybe its the thrown-together feel, maybe its the colours, maybe its the ridiculousness but for some reason i think it deserves to be here.

I think its from a magazine, if anyone has any more info they would like to volunteer about this image, please email me...

Rachel de Joode

2011-04-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

Artist / photographer Rachel de Joode is based in Berlin, Germany and does some really interesting installations and pieces - some of which involves tape. I really love the oddness of her assemblages combining unlikely objects in surreal settings.

The pieces are both unsettling but addictive to look at, check out some of her other work involving raw chickens and cigarette butts here: http://www.racheldejoode.com/

This is a quote from her site which explains her work "I seek to portray the otherworldliness in the most profane aspects of our world. My work involves the construction of installations that depict people and objects and their performative gestures. I collect and work with tokens from our daily lives, for example coffee cups, carpet spray, sports-socks, pre-sliced bread, venetian blinds or remote controls."

"I portray these modern symbols metaphorically and redefine them in very diverse ways, transforming the ordinary into the fantastical. I aim to break up common connotations and obvious relations, thus deconstructing the contemporary common life."

It all just comes down to everyday life in the end...

SANDRA ERBACHER WHEN FAMILY FAILS

2011-04-07T05:43:00.001-07:00

Sandra Erbacher is a London-based artist, who work with a range of materials including tape. These images are from her exhibition in 2010 titled 'When family fails'.

The pieces seem to use a small variety of tape including some neon colours -yellow and pink and play with the space in which they are installed.

I really like the composition of the pieces and the striking graphic nature achieved through the use of this material. Layering different types of tape on top of each other gives the pieces a slightly eccentric look, maybe like referencing the act of the continuous process of patching up family ties...

I'm no art critic, so i'll just stick to the tape (pardon the pun) These pieces celebrate the ephemeral nature of this material... stuck one day, unstuck the next.

I think i might get in touch with the artist and find out more about her process and story... so stay tuned for more info about Sandra Erbacher.

http://www.sandraerbacher.com

NUMAN/FOR USE TAPE INSTALLATION DESIGN MUSEUM LONDON

2011-03-25T03:38:00.000-07:00

The other week there was a tape installation at the design museum as part of the Brit Insurance Designs of the year awards.

Numan/for Use created a unique installation on the first floor of them museum made entirely from stickytape.

Apparently 45km of tape went into this installation where tape acted like biological tendons stretched in between rigid points and columns.

It was on view for one night only at the design museum. I was going to check it out but got stuck at home.

The inspiration comes from a set design for a dance performance, in which the form evolves from the movement of dancers between pillars: the dancers stretch the tape as they move, resulting in a (tape) recording of the choreography.

You can find more info on foruse by clicking on this link here: http://www.foruse.info/ there are alot of more stickytape installations they have done in a similar style around the world also including some wicked lighting concepts.

TAPE BICYCLE TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD

2011-03-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

I was driving up Tottenham court road in London last night and zoomed past this bicycle covered in tape, I thought it was mega cool, so i rode past it on my bicycle on the way to work this morning to take some pics of it.

The tape says "Life is Moving" and gives a facebook page for the electricsoundcompany. I looked it up today - as would have been the aim of this little guerilla marketing campaign for the new band, the electic. Here is the link:http://www.electricsoundcompany.com/about

The whole bike here is covered with tape and it is just parked on a regular bike lock-up on the Muji side of tottenham court road, on the oxford street end.

I'm not sure how long it is going to remain there, its definitely a fun thing to do with a couple of rolls of packing tape.

Even the seat and the pedals are covered with tape. Go and check it out soon!

TAPE ARTIST IGOR ESKINJA

2011-03-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

Croatian artist Igor Eskinja creates art work which plays with space and two-dimensional metaphors. His installations make use of basic materials applied directly to the gallery’s surfaces which are destroyed once the exhibition is over.

His use of the humble brown packing tape merge different surfaces of the exhibition space, creating optical illusions.

The subject matter of the installations are as beautifully mundane as the materials used to create them. This blending and laying of simplicity makes his work striking and thought provoking as well as graphically eye catching.

I have always loved the rigid nature of tape used to create art pieces and Ekinja executes this concept to a tea. This installation of a simple, abstract tree creates the illusion of it floating in space.

Aside from tape he also uses simple hardware store materials such as here - electrical cord creating the word imagineering in a way which looks as though it is floating in the room or has been superimposed after the photo has been taken.

I love this 'carpet' i think i would love to do this in my own apartment!

See more of Ekinja's work here: www.designboom.com

and here: its amazing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/igoreskinja/

FELT FEET

2011-02-28T04:28:00.001-08:00

I just got some nice new floors put down in my flat and decided to make some little felt feet for my table to protect the floors and make the table easier to move around.

Fortunately, the crafty girl that i am had some felt lying around, and of course, who would ever be without a roll of double sided! So made some custom-sized feet out of these and am very happy indeed with the job done.

Not rocket science in the world of tape... i know, but i thought worth a mention on this blog nonetheless.

ROAD TAPE - MY FIRST AUTOBAHN

2011-02-18T03:31:00.000-08:00

A collegue of mine took these photos for me when she was on her travels. Its tape made into a fully fledged gift, complete with a little toy car.

Its by a German company called Donkey products based in Hamburg, who i have since found out have quite a nice collection of tape for sale in their online shop. Its definitely worth checking out: http://shop.donkey-products.com/de/tape-gallery

A really cute product with designer appeal! i am looking forward to testing this out myself.

Who would want to be restricted to the constraints of a road toy set when you can create your very own landscape with this? I really like how it encourages kids to be creative rather then always live within the boundaries set for them.

A VERY MOVING POEM ... ON A ROLL

2011-02-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

‘My brother just sent me some photos of my Poem on a Roll tape in use. He recently moved and had to put a lot of stuff in storage and used it to pack all his boxes...hopefully the removalist men appreciated such high class tape on the boxes.

He also went to town with bubble wrap and tape on a TV.’

If anyone wants to get their hands on the tape... just email me, i have a few rolls left!

ALL DESTRUCTO: ELECTRICAL TAPE ART ARTIST INTERVIEW

2011-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

ALL DESTRUCTO: ELECTRICAL TAPE ART

I recently got in touch with Benjamin Murphy, the man behind alldestructo.blogspot.com, and some wonderfully striking graphic art using pretty much only black electrical tape. Here is my little interview.

Where are you based and what do you define yourself as (creatively)
Hi, I’m based in Manchester (England) but I’m from a place called Ilkley origionally. I would class myself as an artist who draws, some people have described my work as sculpture but I don’t really agree.

When did you first starting using tape in your art? How did it come about?
I stole the idea off a friend during my BA, I was doing an illustration project that involved using as many different mediums as possible, and he was drawing on his bedroom wall with tape when we were drunk.

What kind of tape(s) do you use in your work? Where do you get them from?
I have only really been using black (and sometimes white) electrical tape, which I just get from a hardware store. But recently I’ve been experimenting with masking tape and brown parcel tape, which I am undecided about as yet.

What do you love about using tape?
I love how it’s still quite a new medium, and much of the processes I am discovering I’m having to work out for myself, as there isn’t really any point of reference to work from. I also love how definite and precise the line is, as with tape the line is exactly the same colour all the way through the drawing, whereas with paint or ink it deviates and some areas are darker/ lighter than others.

What do you hate about using tape?
I wouldn’t say I hated anything about it, but I sometimes wish it didn’t take so long.

What other mediums do you use in your work?
Well I draw in fineliner or biro in my sketchbook a lot. I also write a little and play around with photography.

I love your pieces on clear glass surfaces, its wicked how you can see the same reverse image on the other side, is this something that you planned or did it happen by accident?
Thanks. Yeah I like how the background is always changing and is completely un-controllable. Background isn’t something I really experiment with a lot, so I like how it’s created for me when I work on glass.

How long does it take you on average to do a big piece?
I guess between 12 -17 hours for the biggest ones, but that’s with a lot of playing around and not really getting much work done.

Do you draw them first / do studies or work directly onto the large surfaces?
No I never really plan anything, I’m quite spontaneous and I like to not really know how a drawing is going to turn out. I just work straight onto the wall, a lot of tape is ripped down again but it seems to be the only way I can get anything done. Also I’ve never really been good at making a drawing look like what I’m drawing from, so any kind of planning doesn’t really work.

What other artists / designers are you influenced by?
Well I’ve recently discovered Buffdiss (another link) (thanks to ilovestickytape.blogspot.com), who works in a similar way to myself, which is nice to see. I really like his Greek drawings and the settings in which he decides to work. I also really like David Foldvari and Francesca Woodman. I like their use of black and white, and the strange things that they decide to portray in their work.

Does the tape fall off / go bad over time? How long do your pieces stay up for normally?
Well the first tape drawing I did was a few years ago, but after that I stopped using it and have only recently picked it up again, so only time will tell I guess! The tape can peel off over time if the wall isn’t that smooth, or if it is stretched a little too much when being applied, but other than that it seems to get better with time.

Any parting words for tape lovers?
Yeah check out my website and email me to chat/ collaborate/ art-swap, I’m always interested in new ventures and would love to hear from you!

www.alldestructo.blogspot.com
benjaminmurphy@live.co.uk

UMBRELLA ILLUSTRATIVE TAPE

2011-01-25T07:06:00.000-08:00

These rolls of tape are really cute. Featuring sweet little drawings of people playing in the rain, i really love the colour palette in particular.

I'm not sure where i got these images from, maybe a link from etsy, but i have had them on my desktop for ages and whenever i went to delete them something stopped me, so here i am posting them.

Regular tape with pictures on it usually doesn't really excite me that much, but there is something about these images that just look a little 1950s style and i thought someone out there somewhere would like them... you might even have a roll of this yourself.

Ok thats all i can write about this tape... cute. lovely. sweet.

CONTROL V, CONTROL Z, CONTROL X

2011-01-21T02:11:00.000-08:00

Everyone wants to 'control Z' something some time. I know i do. Stupid things i say or do, i wish i could 'apple z' it as easily as i can do on my mac. I love the simplicity of this image, it brought a smile to my friday!

Cut = control - x
Paste = control - V
Undo = control - Z

LOVE!!!!

PS this is where it comes from = http://pinterest.com/pin/3472862/

TAPE AS A DETERRENT

2010-12-27T02:07:00.001-08:00

Masking tape has many a use. This is one of them. By wrapping tape like a maniac around things, people usually get the idea not to use it, take this tap for example.

Wrap wrap wrap wrap wrap...

Additionally, by writing Do Not Use onthe tape, you can be pretty sure that your message will get across. Masking tape is the perfect tape for this... nice and friendly and papery and whats more, you can write on it!

I like coming across creative uses of tape on my travels, it proves just how indispensible it is!

MANHATTAN SUBWAY TAPE

2010-12-04T04:26:00.001-08:00

Since starting this blog, i have had some fantastic feedback from people all around the world. This one here was sent in by a fellow stickytape obsessive. In fact, this person who emailed me might even be more obsessed with stickytape than me! So thanks Mare, I love all the links you sent me!

This tape is apparently available to buy at the Moma design store in New York, or if this etsy link is still active you can also see it at this amazing etsy shop called WonderlandRoom

Its basically the map of the New York subway printed onto 60mm wide tape. Not only is it gorgeous, but also super functional, and combines two of my most favourite things - maps and tape.

If anyone has any more map tape, please send me pics, links!

STICKYTAPE ON THE CATWALKS KINDER AGGUGINI

2010-11-23T09:27:00.001-08:00

On the catwalks in london this past Spring/summer 2011 shows, there was a designer who did some lovely hats held together with brown packing tape. His name is Kinder Aggugini and his hats, by Stephen Jones shows off some nice tape work.

Not only do i love the use of the humblest brown packing tape, but also cardboard boxes which look like they have been taken out of the recycling bin. Teamed with gorgeous, smart tailored dresses and suits, the contrast between the hand-made aesthetic and the ultra slick really works.

Is that electrical cable i also see on the hat above?

These images illustrate that tape is an amazing material that has been elevated again and again by talented designers and artists. It also shows that you can make some pretty nice stuff out of very cheap materials with a bit of creativity... and tape.

COOL CATS TAPE

2010-11-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

There are so many ways to display and show off a roll of tape... believe me, i know, thats why this is just NOT CALLED FOR. I like tits but not with my tape. No thanks!

However if you like the tape, you can check it out here. http://www.coolcats.fr/goodies/cool-cats-adhesive-tape.html

Thanks Ellie!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... A ROLL OF YELLOW GAFFER TAPE

2010-11-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

THIS IS a little story about a roll of yellow gaffer tape... and three slightly bored people. The story takes place at Broadway market in London's east end. Its stars Gary... my cat Darwin, some household props and thats about it.

We did this tape story for a magazine spread in our friend's art magazine. It was aimed at being 'inspiring' but we just ended up having a bit of fun, its just some of many photos we took and tells the story of a lost cat and strange man...

L

h

YVAN RODIC FACEHUNTS TAPE

2010-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yvan Rodic is the man behind facehunter, the amazing street shot blog which I spend an aweful lot of time looking at. On his other site http://yvanrodic.blogspot.com he posts lots of other random photographs of a more eclectic nature.

...including this piece which looks a bit like a miniature set which has been attached with a roll of Simon Rasmussen packing tape. Simon Rasmussen is a fashion stylist who, actually, uses a little bit of tape in some of his work. Nice.

On his fairly recent post showing photos form Copenhagen, i found some images featuring some pretty mad display of tape.

I really love copenhagen, from spending just a short weekend there a few months ago for the firist time, i really got the feeling that it is a cool place with some interesting stuff going on.

I highly recommend checking out facehunter! and i hope to see more tape featured on the site.

TINY CRIME SCENE TAPE

2010-11-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes i don't think anyone can do anything else cool with tape that i haven't already seen, but then this tape came along and really brightened up my day.

Its tiny crime scene tape by design studio Aint Rocket Science based in North London. They do all types of cool design stuff including websites and graphic design and like me, they couldn't resist the lure of tape.

I LOVE the matt finish of the tape, i LOVE that its a tiny size that you don't normally see in tape and I LOVE the quirky but simple concept that they have come up with.

I have managed to get my hands on some of this tape and have been sealing envelopes of official business in them, couldn't resist, i bet it will bring a smile to the face of the Home Office and the accounts departments that i have been mailing recently.

You can buy the tape through their website at www.aintrocketshop.co.uk, its a very reasonable fiver per roll, they also have some other small things on their site including tiny billboards and tiny posters.

BUY BUY BUY!!! For you stickytape fans out there, you can even get 20% discount when buying online if you enter the code ILOVESTICKYTAPE at the checkout point. Very cool. If anyone buys some and decides to set up their own little crime scenes (stay tuned for my little creations to come in following posts...) Please send me pics and i'll post them on this blog.

I'm loving this tape at the moment - you can also see some more info on this link right here! Including some other crime scene scenarios.

http://www.aintrocketscience.co.uk

GAFFER BACKPACK

2010-11-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

INGENIOUS! Who wouldn't want to turn a LIDL bag into a backpack for fashion week? This guy has done a stunning job of putting a twist on a humble shopping bag. The customisation using silver gaffer tape gives this a very cool twist.

Something to consider doing yourself at home perhaps?

RIDE ON TAPE AT BROADWAY MARKET

2010-10-27T02:54:00.000-07:00

This is part of some sort of ad campaign that i have been seeing around my neighborhood recently and finally got around to photographing. These people have been using striking red tape printed with 'ride on' as a sort of tape graffiti.

Around east london has become a major cycling hub lately, with cool bikes everywhere. Single speed and fixed gear is definitely the way to go. I love how this passion has translated into tape.

Its a bit of a mystery about who has been putting this tape around and why. But i love it.

Ride on! ps. I heart broadway market!

TAPE AND BOOZE AND LONDON CABS

2010-10-26T03:21:00.000-07:00

My partner and I recently purchased a London black cab as our official wheels to scoot around town. The car had been previously owned by a couple of guys who had driven it around europe and turned it into a little party cab by the looks of it.

They installed optics and bottles of whisky and vodka on either side of the doors and it seems for this purpose some black gaffa tape was essential.

We are not sure whether we are going to leave these here or not, they are pretty special, but either way i thought i would take some photos of the set up and post it here on my tape blog.... yet another important use of tape!

STICKYTAPE HELPS WIN NOBEL PRIZE

2010-10-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

Don't underestimate the usefulness or brilliance of stickytape! recently all over the news is the story where ordinary stickytape lead to the breakthrough by scientists in the UK to discover GRAPENE - a flat layer of carbon atoms tightly packed into a 2 dimensional honeycomb arrangement.

Its the thinnest and strongest material now, known to science.

Here is some more info about this brilliant story about tape!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11478645

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=117364

Merci Store Paris

2010-09-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Paris, and no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Merci Store on boulevard Beaumarchais. There are always all kinds of amazing installations going on there and the last couple of times both have involved my favourite thing - tape!

Using the beautiful japanese paper masking tape, the windows of the store were transformed with arabic-inspired designs in geometric shapes.

Where the tape intersects and the light hits, you can see little stars appearing.

Here, strips of tape have been used to decorate champagne bottles. A great idea for a unique and personalised gift!

The slightly crappy photos you see here were taken with my iphone...

Nice idea, and one i haven't seen yet.

Merci merci

JUAN CAMILO ROJAS - TAPE ART

2010-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is a nice place with scale and an even nicer play with tape.

These pieces are by Juan Camilo Rojas and some more of his work can be seen at : http://www.behance.net/gallery/Playground/496926 His is a columbian born, miami based graphic designer who does alot of fun playful things with typography.

This is his website: i really love his work http://www.camilorojas.net/

TAPE DECORATED SHOES

2010-09-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought you were out of ideas of what to do with tape...

We see some tape decorated boots - perfect to get into passing graphic trends without fully committing. Here we see a sort of aztec inspired design using what looks like white and black electrical tape.

PARIS UMBRELLA TAPE FROM ETSY

2010-09-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

This is some lovely graphic hand-drawn tape found on etsy. (follow this link). Its massive and comes in three different colours. Lovely stuff, i particularly like the faded vintage colours, it reminds me of an image from an old children's book.

LIBERTY FLORAL TAPE

2010-09-06T05:16:00.001-07:00

This is the Liberty tape which i have been meaning to blog for a while. I originally saw it at the Merci / Liberty launch in Paris and the people at Liberty were also so kind as to send me a few rolls which i would like to make something pretty out of and also post.

The versatile and iconic print lends itself to all sorts of surfaces... and tape is just another nice application for it.

Its not tape, but it shows the interior of these envelopes with the matching floral print, a nice product to sit alongside the cute little rolls.

SUBLIME THINGS ON jjjjound

2010-08-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is a little creation made with some tape and other stationery cupboard items. I found it on http://jjjjound.com/ whic is one of my favourite blogs of the moment. Full of inspiration and lovely imagery.

MMIINN HINGE TAPE

2010-07-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

This hinge tape wins the spot as tape of the week by mmiinn. You can buy it through their site, www.mmiinn.com. Creating a tromp l'oeil of a row of hinges, its perfect for sealing up carboard boxes. I particularly like the packaging that it comes in.

FANTASTIC MAN MAGAZINE, SPRING SUMMER 2010

2010-07-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

I just came across this mini article on sellotape and thought i would share. Not a bad idea for international travellers.

Sorry if the article is a bit hard to read. I took the photo with my phone...

DIESEL STAND AT BREAD AND BUTTER BERLIN SS11

2010-07-16T02:53:00.000-07:00

This isn't sticky tape, but the Diesel stand at Bread and Butter this season was made entirely from old school VHS tapes. It was in the form of movie cinema and a nice idea for recycling i think.

Good on you Diesel.

MIA'S BOOTS

2010-07-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Long before she met me, Mia had these knee high boots. She loved them but they were falling apart so she fixed them with some black gaffer tape. Smart girl. Sometimes the most beautiful and creative solution comes from the most mundane problem.

I love these boots! Especially when they are on Mia.

JUSTIN STEPHENS

2010-07-01T02:49:00.000-07:00

I like to think this is a giant roll of tape recovered in an archaeological dig at an ancient WH Smith site. Its an art piece by Justin Stephens. I like it a lot.

PAUL FARREL

2010-06-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Paul Farrel is a Bristol based graphic designer who is doing some really nice stuff - including .... TAPE! His simple but striking graphic silhouette style translates perfectly onto tape. Check out the rest of his designs including prints, tea towels, badges and cards. www.paul-farrell.co.uk

LUXIRARE - KILLER CLOTHES AND FINE CUISINE

2010-06-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Mixing a bit of fashion with a bit of food is just my thing. This is a great site... and even better as they do tape as well. It would be quite nice to get my hands on some of this! The photography on this site is particularly stunning.

Here is a link to the site: http://luxirare.com/

GUERILLA MARKETING AD FEATURING TAPE

2010-06-16T05:23:00.000-07:00

Guerilla marketing ad for Amnesty International featuring silver gaffa tape. Clever. Very clever.

RECLAIMED SPORTS FLOORING IN A LONDON FLAT

2010-06-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

The floors shown here are in a Hackney flat and are made from recycled/reclaimed sports court flooring such as from a basketball or volleyball court. The primary coloured markings appear like cute little oddly placed pixels when the flooring is layed in a random way.

I like it.

See more pictures and get more info by clicking on this link http://blog.mckayflooring.co.uk

SPIDERS WEB TAPE INSTALLATION

2010-06-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Dudecraft has posted this tape installation. It looks like a huge spiders web made from clear packing tape.

I couldn't really find out much more about it aside from the fact that its installed in a pretty amazing building. If anyone has any tip offs please email me - like the name of the artist and gallery.

I'd love to see a huge gaffer tape spider accompany this... come down and eat that man.

No.7 SUB AT THE ACE HOTEL IN NEW YORK

2010-06-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

Truly amazing subs from this place in the Ace Hotel... not to mention a nice bit of tape printed with little submarines and made from waxy, papery tapey stuff.

Its worth a visit if you are in NY and in the neighbourhood.

THE MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ART

2010-06-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

I took these photos a couple of weeks ago in Montreal. Just a little tape installation at the Museum of Fine Art. I don't mean to insinuate that the tape installation was part of the 'fine art', but more like it was used to disguise an ugly bit off to the right of the building as a modern design feature.

SOME RANDOM TAPE IMAGES

2010-05-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

Today it is about randomness. I'm feeling the urge to live my life in a more random way. These images are from a new favourite blog - http://jjjjound.com/

DON'T CRY FOR ME TAPE + A SATSUMA

2010-05-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

I recently received a little present on my desk at work. At satsuma covered in 'don't cry for me' tape. A little art installation perhaps? Some snazzy clothing for the humble satsuma? I assume the tape reads "don't cry for me argentina" but maybe it is "don't cry for me, i know i'm going to be eaten and i'm cool with it". Who will ever know?

ACE HOTEL MINI BAR

2010-05-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

I was in new york the week before last, staying at the ACE hotel which is just ACE!! this is the tape found on the bottles in the mini bar, needless to say, i did not indulge, couldn't bare to break the seal. The tape simply reads "this will be your drink" and is made from a luscious thick papery masking tape. Nice.

FRENCH NOTE TAPED TO WALL

2010-05-10T11:12:00.001-07:00

Nothing earth shattering in the world of tape, but a nice photo taken by my brother on a recent trip to France. The humble brown packing tape... and the humble hand written sign. The original facebook 'wall'.

ROB RYAN

2010-05-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Following up on my previous post HERE i finally did get gifted a roll of this rock'n'roll tape by Rob Ryan. My friend wai went all the way up north somewhere and brought it back for me. Thanks wai. Anyway... as you can tell, my trusty assistant Darwin also likes it.

If you get a present from me wrapped up with this tape, take note here, i like you... alot.

TAPE INSPIRED VERTU PHONE

2010-04-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but i reckon someone has let a tape freak loose to design this phone. It wasn't me!

Check it out on; http://www.theblogpaper.co.uk

iamamiwhoami STICKYTAPE COVERED PIANO WOMAN

2010-04-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

This music video is freaky and stunning at the same time. Featuring a very creative use of clear stickytape.

Here is the you tube link, iamamiwhoami is an anonymous electronic music project featuring a mysterious and stunning female singer which gained momentum through viral you tube campaigns.

Here is some more info about the project: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iamamiwhoami
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2WDbAFvt6A

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF GARY... AND TAPE

2010-04-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

As the official tape lady around hackney, last weekend i took it upon myself to orchestrate a photoshoot featuring a roll of yellow fabric tape, and a friend gary who kindly volunteered himself as model... also bringing along the necessary costume items from his own wardrobe.

The shoot (aka fairly crappy photos taken on a digital camera which has been bashed around a few too many times) will be featured in a new magazine coming out called 2010.

Our (my and wai's) entry is about fairly mundane things one could do with a roll of tape in everyday life. Some such situations featured in our 'shoot' (which we possibly found alot funnier than anyone else will) include this one which is a wardrobe/coathanger replacement.

We went slightly overboard and attempted to feature the whole wardrobe taped to my wall. (these photos sadly did not make the final cut that is why i am posting them here now)

I will do another post of the final layout once its published in a few weeks.

I also am in the process of making a you tube video which includes outtakes from the day, one of which includes gary posting 'lost cat' signs around my local neighbourhood and my brother seeing it and thinking that my lovely cat darwin (who is also a key character in the 'story') was actually lost. I was glad to know that upon thinking this terrible thing happened, he decided not to call me, but to post his distress on my facebook wall. I fear FB is taking over my life.

so stay tuned...

LOST CATS

2010-04-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

Tape is good for sticking signs up, like for example this missing cat sign. I hate it when cats get lost. Poor things.

But i do have a thing for 'lost signs'.

CHE GUEVARA TAPE

2010-04-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

OK, i will own up, i nicked this tape from the photocopying machine area at work. I was just sitting there with the evita tape. It was me, i confess. No one claimed it for like 3 weeks, so i took it. If anyone at WGSN is missing it, come and get it.

Looks quite nice on brown envelopes for when you send your expenses in.

LESS IS MORE TAPE

2010-04-14T04:26:00.001-07:00

This is my messy desk at work... and this sort of sums up how i am feeling today. Less is more... I could certainly do with:

less hassle
less work
less complications
less worries
less shit

YVAN RODIC'S TIP TO TAPE

2010-04-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

My favourite blog of the moment is Yvan Rodic's photos on http://yvanrodic.blogspot.com/. I almost couldn't live without this site.

Perousing it the other day i happened upon this photo with text that looks like its made of tape. Love it.

CREATE BERLIN IN EAST LONDON

2010-04-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

This is an old pic from East London during design week i think last year - part of a berlin exhibition. Just liked the typography and strong statement made with a humble roll of tape.

Just think of all the possibilities!

KNITTED POLICE TAPE

2010-04-04T06:58:00.001-07:00

ROBOT clothes projects presents 'Knitted police tape', the first time i have seen tape being made from something other than the normal tapey type materials. The NYC based collective Robot Clothes is an art and commercial research and development partnership, specializing in robotic systems, interaction design and product prototyping.

Its the iconic 'POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS' tape which has been recreated in a knit.

So, i'm not quite sure what this tape is doing strangling this man, but uhh... i suppose another use for this faux tape.

You can check out the flikr set by clicking here: http://www.flickr.com

THANKS TAPESWELL!

2010-03-30T03:46:00.000-07:00

I received a mystery package today and it was most exciting. A box FULL of amazing tapes from my friends at Tapeswell.

So i thought i would take a few pics and post them. I still need to photograph each on the delicious rolls separately as some of them are lace which look much more wonderful 'taped' down onto a surface than rolled up.

From retro floral patterns to delicate laces, i still can't decide which one is my favourite, I particularly love the wood grain packing tape which is simple yet effective.

So THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU, i have definitely got my tape fix for the month.

Oh, i forgot to mention, similar to this flower one here, there is a butterfly one which i also received which is just beautiful.

When i went down to the mail room at work, i could spot which package i thought might have been mine immediately but had to wait patiently until the mail guy finally picked the box covered in tape.

If anyone wants to get hold of some decorative tape for a project or just for fun... here is their site. http://www.tapeswell.com/

Happy days.

LYNNIE'S TAPE PICS

2010-03-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

Its a sunday evening and i thought i would share some extremely nice photos taken by my friend lynnie who has an amazing knack with the iphone camera, i manage to get the worst, out of focus pictures with mine, but she seems to be able to work magic. These photos are from her walk some... somewhere in London...

Its "caution electrical' tape covering some kind of bollard or electrical outlet layered with yet more tape. The photos look amazing.

I would really love to get my hands on a roll of this tape!

If anyone wants to send me some tape pics from your travels, i would love to see them and post them here!

BONMOT POETRY TAPE: BROWN

2010-03-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent photos of my* brown packing tape on tour in London. It was lucky enough to have a photoshoot with a fancy photographer in some slightly odd locations around town (and someone's backyard). I love them.

And i should mention that this tape is for sale. The prices are:

1 roll if you live in UK - £5 (add £1 for postage / roll)
1 roll if you live in USA - US$8 (add $2 for postage/ roll)

Just contact me if you want some. If you live anywhere other than the above two locations, i can still post, the above prices are just a guide, I can quote you a specific price if you contact me.

Check out the other roll which is also still for sale:
http://www.bonmottrading.com/

Both rolls are also being sold in v. cool design store off Carnaby street in London called Beyond the Valley - if you are ever in the neighbourhood.

* designed by Wai Lee and Jacqui Ma

KIDNAPPED

2010-03-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

For someone (me) who is in quite a dark mood today, this made me laugh inside just now. A blog dedicated to pictures of people depicted being kidnapped. hahaha. http://mrhobbs-kidnapped.blogspot.com/

Kidnapping inevitably involves some kind of tape or gagging material... enter the silver gaffer tape which seems to be the most popular when it comes to kidnapping.

I know if i was going to kidnap someone, i'd probably go for white gaffer myself, but i suppose you would just have to go with what you've got. Brown packing tape probably wouldn't be quite as good you'd have to do so many layers that you would be better off just wrapping it endlessly around the kidnapee's head.

The blog is seriously random which i find hilarious, it sort of reminds me of the megaphone shop i once saw in Lisbon... can a shop sell anything more particular than just megaphones? Obviously in the image above the guy hasn't exactly been kidnapped but he is probably feeling in quite a dark place, possibly due to his haircut.

This is not very convincing because christmas packing tape couldn't possibly realistically restrain this victim.

The blog lists credits of what movies / shows these kidnap scenes are taken from - you'll have to check it out for yourself! Have fun.

REBECCA WARD TAPE INSTALLATION AT KATE SPADE NEW YORK

2010-03-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

The lovely Rebecca Ward has been recently featured on the Wooster Collective. This is the video interview that accompanies the article.

The perfect integration of the tape installation into the shop style space really tranforms with the obsessive stripes. The candy colours are girly but also clashy and cool at the same time.

Here is the direct link to Rebecca Ward's site www.rebeccasward.com

And here is my previous 'interview' with her from this blog: 2nd Dec 2009 Interview