A card by cul-de-sac

cul-de-sac is a place where thoughtful and beautiful design happens. Integral to our disciplines of graphics, interiors and styling is a passion for creativity and respect for design. Regards, Marco Cicchianni, cul-de-sac design place

Visit cul-de-sac here

Editor’s notes:

Marco and the studio have a rivalry that is deep rooted in anger, aggression and plain face jealousy. Some say, Ashton has based his early success upon projects that he and Cicchianni had collaborated on — even though Ashton flatly ignores and denies any association.

“I was at the center of lot of ideas which were mused in late night clubs, gin joints and shady Kings Cross bars with Andrew in the 1990s, that were later to become the cornerstones of his high flying and prosperous career” Cicchianni adds, “Just ask Graeme (Smith), Andrew basically robbed Smith of his art-design-writing aesthetic and called it his own as well”.

We’ll let the people out there be the judge, maybe there are some comments, heady observations, ideas of the Sydney design scene in the 1990s, pre the Vince Frost, that need to be part of the public record… It would be good to get some real opinions, email us if you’re game, in the meantime drop Marco and his crew a few lines, they are a great force, and their new website says it all, best Toward Hansen

Before

After

A no exit sign in Middle Brighton that comes with a smile.

Glenmoore in Elsternwick

While way finding people loose themselves in bent metal and fibre optic lit forms, one is taken by a inspired piece of metal work signing that also doubles as a gate. This rustic sample found in Elsternwick, in Melbourne has inspired one to dig up some other gates that have more to offer other than keeping people in, or out.

Gates by the late designer Alan Fletcher, London

Gates by designer Ahn Sung-Soo, Seoul

The Queen Mother Gates, London

Kensington Gates, London

Animal Kingdom is a gritty Australian crime thriller written and directed by David Michôd. The film stars Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Luke Ford, Sullivan Stapleton (pictured), Jacki Weaver (pictured) and James Frecheville.

The drama revolves around a criminal family set in Melbourne’s underworld. The film is based on the real events of the Walsh Street police shootings that occurred in Melbourne in 1988.

The sound, art direction, cinematography set a building and brooding backdrop for its players to fall apart and slide into the abyss. It’s an Australian film that creates it’s own set of local clichés, see it on the big screen if you are not faint hearted.

The ultra cheese tune – All out of love by Air Supply, is given a wonderful new context. Along with Mental as Anything’s Berserk Warriors. These tunes are a fantastic late night ballads for friends under the influence of a generous tipple.

Animal Kingdom is in limited release across Australia since June 6, see it soon.

Dear Andy, love Mick x

Stones design by Andy Warhol, circa 1971

Making a something is often under estimated. In the hum of people who make things, a chorus rings clear … writing is a mugs game they say, so is painting, shuffling mouse, designing, along with retouching, or recording.

History dictates an age old situation of the people outside the process of making a thing always assume the time needed to do the making. Is the case for the makers to educate, or the appreciators to discover? One suspects that the makers should entice the consumers with the charm, wit, and cunning of a modern celebrity chef, fine artist or best selling writer.

One thinks that is better to do less assuming, is somewhere to start. I loved coming across this correspondence from front man of the Stones, Mick Jagger, one wonders whether Robert Brown-John, photographer Robert Frank, or John Warwicker was sent such a note… One loves how Warhol did take notice of Mick’s prudent instruction …”the more complicated the the format of the album…” and had a real zipper tipped into (stuck into) the original LP pressing.

The Rolling Stones are the original glam marketers, their roll of art directors and image makers represents some of  the best living, passed practitioners of creative thinking.

As per samples

Stones design by Robert Brown-John

Stones image making by Robert Frank

Stones design by John Warwicker and Mark Norton