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[itswilliamjones]

PICTUREBOOK – a Theme Park™ product

The PICTUREBOOK project is an art-book by multi-media artist Darren Le (Min Bow) with a launch event/ exhibition that expanded on the themes in the book.

PICTUREBOOK is the first project hosted by creative company Theme Park.

‘Picturebook’ is an interactive activity book for adults invoking childish nostalgia, exploring artist Min Bow’s struggles transitioning to adulthood while harboring a child-like imagination. Working in the world of advertising, where ideas are steered by money and diluted to fit the cynical idea of ‘demographics’ that need to be ‘targeted’, Min Bow explores the frustrations of imaginative compromise. He utilities his knowledge of the traits and fundamentals of advertising to materialise stories, emotions and key points in his creative journey throughout the Picturebook project; an 88 page book, mini movie and exhibition. Picturebook questions the purity of our  childhood imagination. The toys we played  with and the worlds we thought up are not as  pure as we once believed. Picturebook unpacks these worlds whilst questioning how far we, as adults, are  separated from them. Min Bow uses these dreamworlds to convey his conflicted creative journey in London. Playing with advertising logic, Picturebook juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the realities of consumerism. How free really where we as children? How free are we now?

"Through collage, I attempt to visually explain the emotions, stories and ideas which have formed my creative journey.  The conflict between the images create new stories which are my own. I explore the storytelling capacity of images to illustrate my life. Each page captures a different part of who I am. Picturebook features quizzes and activities just like the ones from my childhood. While my background is in music, I feel like I understand the world in visual terms. I wanted my art to reflect this. Picture book is intended to challenge the reader in a different way. Eye wanted the viewer to look at visual clues throughout the pages to piece together the stories. Enjoy finding the Easter eggs. Picture book is a reflection of my life but also the ticket to its next stage. Buy one get one Free(dom). This is a showcase of my world. Catch me if you can."

- Min Bow

  My roles in the project included:

Curator: Using my understanding of the artist to develop, refine and guide the artist’s practise, and collaborated to realise installation and video shoot ideas including sourcing materials and props.

I also collaborated on art-works and event ‘attractions’, for the exhibition, as well as the exhibition design/ aesthetic and floor plan/ layout.

Creative director/ Design: Creative consultant for content of Picturebook and product packaging as well as redesigning the book cover. I collaborated on the book’s branding and aesthetic by designing promotional material including a poster and hand-made badges.

Event Planning/ Management: I had regular meetings with the artist to refine and help relay the concept of each art-piece for the exhibition, placing and planning the works whilst considering the space and customer experience.

For the event set up I formed and executed a plan that included organising and co-ordinating a small install team.

Promotion: I helped to organise photo/ video shoots for adverts including taking the role of co-set designer, creative consultant for concepts and editing, camera operation, set co-ordinator and ‘behind the scenes’ photographer.

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 Teaser advert - ‘Hue Hefner’

Hue Hefner is a teaser visual for PICTUEBOOK - Directed by Min Bow.

“Inspired by the 8 hidden rabbits within 'PICTUREBOOK' & a reference to the 'Hugh Hefner' story, who burrowed $500 to print the first Playboy Magazine that led to a million pound Playboy Empire. This is my rendition, 'HUE HEFNER'.”

 Behind the scenes:

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Buy-1-Get-1-Free

‘Buy-1-Get-1-Free’ is a advert/ mini movie that was screened at the PICTUREBOOK launch event.

‘Buy-1-Get-1-Free’ is based around the barbie character ‘Paige Turner’ who helps the Picturebook Kid (Min Bow) to escape from the Piggy Banks so he can be free to purse his creative journey.

See a snippet & behind the scenes photos below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @minbow_ on Mar 22, 2020 at 3:50pm PDT

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  PICTUREBOOK Exhibition - The Book Launch

In March 2020 the Picturebook was launched at The Department Store in Brixton.

Picturebook; The Book Launch, hosted by Theme Park, is an experiential and playful exhibition celebrating the release of 'Picturebook'.

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The Picturebook lives on...

After a successful launch of the Picturebook, the full campaign was a little cut short by a the global pandemic of 2020... But since then the PICTUREBOOK is now available in off-license’s around East and South London, also the Picturebook Soundtrack is now available online - A selection of tracks that played on the launch night, with some original beats by Min Bow mixed in.

https://soundcloud.com/themeparkworld/picturebook-mix

[itswilliamjones]

Maison Margiela - <i, Margiela> - Concept proposal project

I collaborated with Sun-ah Chun, a Visual Merchandising student on a concept proposal for a capsule collection and temporary retail/ exhibition space based around the idea of Genderless fashion.

“Maison Margiela presents the <i, Margiela> genderless capsule collection by introducing a new concept of space: 'Storeless'. [Storeless]: unlike a typical, static physical retail store, 'Storeless' holds the possibility to be manupulated into various forms depending on particular design adopted in the chosen city Pushing the boundaries of what a retail space is, the brand will create a space where boundaries are undefined and possibilities are multiple and expandable.”

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For this project I contributed with:

Concept curation: To hone the Genderless concept and use it to create an idea that holds the concept throughout the building design, interior design, customer experience, and collection. Then collaborated on a promotional campaign that creatively put across the concept to the public.

Building/ Interior design: Collaborated on the idea of a Storeless’ temporary space that provides the possibility to be changed into various forms reflecting the Genderless idea, whilst guiding the customer through the Genderless concept and the collection.

Designed a space that contains exhibition spaces to engage and inform the customer: created open installation spaces to relax and a retail space with a customisation area; displays and changing rooms. Sourced and researched interior objects and materials to use in a Computer Aided Design virtual model of the ‘Storeless’ space.

Capsule Collection: Helped refine the collection concepts and designs as well as acting as  creative consultant on collection colour palette.

Promotion: Designed a branding campaign that reflects the ‘i Margiela’ Genderless concept, that included posters and unique merchandise.

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The <i, Margiela> genderless capsule collection and ’Storeless’ concept is designed to create a space where all stereotypes and presumptions based around gender are broken down and re-approached in a fresh new way. Where ideas can be approached liberally without judgements.The design of the whole ‘Storeless’ space will act as an extended metaphor for the conventions of gender to be deconstructed and redefined as open and expandable idea.

  Collection

<i, Margiela> will feature a new genderless capsule collection range of 21 pieces that revisits the idea of deconstructed garments as a way to deconstruct the ideas of gender stereotypes in fashion. This range will focus on designs that can be adjusted to be styled in different ways on different body shapes.

    Space

The 'Storeless' space will be constructed as a temporary metal structure that houses a retail space, social space, and various exhibition rooms, that guide the customer through the <i, Margiela> collection and concept, touching on a brief history of Martin Margiela’s impact on genderless fashion and a collection of artworks displaying Genderless values by artists local to each city location.

    Promotion

<i, Margiela> represents focusing on the individual rather than on gender stereotypes. The 'i' image from <i, Margiela> poster works as a way to intrigue the viewer to find out more about the <i, Margiela> genderless concept, and lead them to visit the 'Storeless' space.

   Merchandise

- Tote bag

Printed Tote bag with the 'Storeless' image on the front and a unique collaboration with the resident artist from each city on the back. Each artist's tote bag will only be available in the 'Storeless' space in their local city. Design example below shows Alexandra Leese's photography from her collaboration with the London 'Storeless' space.

- Vase

'i' shaped vase made with vinyl plastic is an inexpensive fun object that represents the <i, Margiela> genderless concept and can be displayed in a home as a reminder of the <i, Margiela> experience, and of the genderless values.

[itswilliamjones]

‘Wayfinding’__Photography installation for Barbican ‘Forget Me Not’

Wayfinding 🚻 ↗️

The term ‘wayfinding’ is used in the context of architecture to refer to the experience of choosing a path within a built environment. The Barbican is a notoriously difficult building for finding your way around. Structures and details in and around the building can be interpreted and stored by memory but distances, locations and time may be remembered differently than they appear.

‘Way-finding’ is a series of photographs showing details found on an orientation trip around the Barbican. They are displayed alongside a selection of graphical way-finding signs and other details of the building taken from 35mm slides from the Barbican Archive.

                 This work consists of 40 photographs of details found around the Barbican (4 of them made out of badges for people to take away with them) displayed with 35mm slides from the Barbcian archive of graphical ‘way finding’ slides and other details from when the Centre first opened.

See below for some making of pictures...

            See Below for some of the original photographs used in the series.

[itswilliamjones]

Barbican - Young Curators Group + ‘Forget Me Not’ Exhibition

In 2019 I was selected from a written submission to be part of the Barbican Young Curators Group.

The YCG was a 8 month curation course with the outcome of an independently organised exhibition at the Barbican

During this time we attended group sessions at the Barbican as well as talks with archivists, curators and mentors from Barbican, Tate and The Women’s Art Library at Goldsmiths.

As a group we worked closely with the newly established Barbican Archive, and created a group exhibition that showcased work from the archives alongside commissioned work from other young creatives.

Forget Me Not: Reassembling the Barbican Archives

Investigating the politics of archiving and its potential to frame future experience, Forget Me Not: Reassembling the Barbican Archives, is a response to the process of institutional forgetting and an exploration into the implications of curating the past. Through the use of never-before-seen archival material, the Barbican Young Curators present a show that blurs the line between historical narrative and creative response, to present an alternative way of remembering the Barbican. By questioning whose history the archives represent, and with what authority, this show foregrounds histories that are in danger of slipping between the cracks in the concrete.

As well as a printed zine to accompany the exhibition.

After some exploration of different theme’s for the exhibition as a group we where left to independently organise the Forget Me Not exhibition.

This included:

Marketing: - Designing posters/ Writing press release/ Social media/ emailing and inviting contacts.

Writing brief for artists & selecting artists from submissions.

Working with artists to organise and provide advice and materials needed for artworks.

Event planning: Creating weekly agendas + schedule / following up and updating timelines.

Working on Exhibition display design, sourcing materials whilst keeping in budget and being resourceful.

Working with the archive team to find and display archive material.

Exhibition room layout/ path and design

Producing exhibition info and a record of the project in the form of a Zine.

Working with an Illustration collective to document the opening evening.

Forget Me Not: Reassembling the Barbican Archives

                                                    All photos by me & Catarina Rodrigues

[itswilliamjones]

Barbican - Instagrammer in Residence__2019

After entering in early 2019 i was chosen to be the Barbican instagrammer in Residence in June 2019.

During this month I photographed many events including:

- Lee Krasner Exhibition - AI: More Than Human - Barbican Walking Tour - Barbican Architecture Tour - Sound Unbound

plus various small photo series of my own.

View my profile on the Barbican website here

      Lee Krasner - Exhibition 2019

                    AI: More than Human - Exhibition 2019 

            Sound Unbound

[itswilliamjones]

Build Your Own Archive! - Workshop for The Barbican Archive Residency

Barbican - Build your Own Archive!

I planned, hosted and executed a public workshop at the Barbican to fit a family friendly brief for The Barbican Archive Residency weekend 2019.

“Join us for a fun creative workshop to design and build your own archive! A playful introduction to archiving, craft your own personal archive and add it to a collaborative new Barbican tower with its own archive collection. Suitable for families and children aged 6-12. Workshop led by members of the Barbican Young Curators group.”

[itswilliamjones]

Woolwich Print Fair 2018 & 2019

During 2018 I produced a series of Collograph prints from my life drawings. See more of this series here One of these prints was selected to be displayed at The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair 2018.

“22-25 NOVEMBER 2018. UK's largest contemporary print fair curated by Brocket Gallery.”

http://www.woolwichprintfair.com/

I made some business cards for the event (see below - back & front)

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I was accepted to display and sell work again in 2019 -

[itswilliamjones]

Life Drawing__

I started attending drop in life drawing classes in 2017

[itswilliamjones]

[FUTURE/POWER]__ICA EXHIBITION__2018

14th-17th February 2018 my work was chosen to be displayed in the group exhibition:

[Future/Power] hosted by the ICA held at Croydon Art Store.

[itswilliamjones]

Shaun Sky - 'Still Thinking’ Album__2018

Debut album from UK artist Shaun Sky, featuring Wu-Lu, Min Bow, Dae Street, Kojey Radical & more...

                      CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL ALBUM

my roles:

Executive Producer

Recording Engineer

Mix Engineer/ Creative Mix Engineer

Additional production incl. Bass, Guitar, Programming, Remixes & all between track Transitions

Co-Campaign Manager

Creative Consultant

Sales/ Distribution Manager

                                         view full album credits

“Fresh face Shaun Sky brings mellow vocal tones spaced out over some beautiful astro beats.” - Stamp The Wax

Spotify Artist page

Soundcloud

SHORE THING  - Single + visual announced on TRENCH Magazine March 1st 2018

“Exclusive: Poetic South London Rapper Shaun Sky Serves Up A Visually Stunning Shore Thing”

- TRENCH Magazine

Also featured in

Clash Magazine - “ Shaun Sky's 'Shore Thing' Is Stunning”

The Province - “Shaun Sky’s thoughtful, carefully constructed bars sit front and centre on ‘Shore Thing’“

Certified UK - “Shaun Sky gives us clean visuals with some amazing frames.”

click here to stream SHORE THING

cover art by Shaun Sky

first footer photo by Chiamaka Ojechi second footer photo by Bardha Krasniqi

Shore Thing video produced by paq works

[itswilliamjones]

shiukai __art exhibition__2017

Solo art exhibition displaying works by Shiukai Alfie @ newgatestudio

www.shiukai.com

Campaign manager

Assistant-curator

Logistics management

Gallery assistant

[itswilliamjones]

Bracken & Hake __Book__2017

Bracken & Hake - A book by Lewis Bentley about our travels wild camping around Cornwall.

Illustrations by Shiukai Alfie

Art Director/ Printing + Manufacturing

Design/ Layout using In design/ Illustrator/ Photoshop

Edited/ curated illustrations

Cover set in gold foil

Inner cover white acrylic silk screen

Co-Author / Proof reader/ text editor

First batch of books sold out at Shiukai Alfie’s Solo exhibition -

However I have now made some more copies, email me if you would like one.

whosociety@gmail.com

[itswilliamjones]

D’vo - ‘2+2=22 Vol. 1-4′ __Cassette Comp__2016

Compilation Cassette tape from UK producer D’vo

https://whosound.bandcamp.com/album/2-2-22-vol-1-4

Art Director / Promoter / Producer

Cassette Artwork/ Poster Design

Organised Launch Party @ Ritzy Brixton, lncl. booking acts

Ran limited Cassette competition

Organised/ over-viewed editing of promo video shoot

[itswilliamjones]

Tha Dots Lab - ‘Something That Way’ __Album__2014/15

Debut release from producer Tha Dots Lab - “Something That Way”

https://whosound.bandcamp.com/album/something-that-way

Art Director/ Campaign Manager:

PR

Artwork

Posters/ Design

Manufacturing/ hand printing T-shirts & Cassette Tapes

Organizing/ coordinating/ Overview editing of Photo shoot/ video shoots

Creating short album promo edits

Launch party organization (incl. booking acts/ venue, promotion & hosting/ merch table)

“Tha Dots Lab’s Something That Way is a science lesson on how to make good Hip Hop music, effortlessly using every element of the periodic table for full effect.“ - Wordplay Magazine

photographs & video camerawork by Florence Jones

[itswilliamjones]

Ras Mat-I + Concrete Youth __12″ vinyl__2014

Debut 12″ single from Italian Reggae singer Ras Mat-I and UK producers Concrete Youth.

Mixed and Dubbed 1 track for Side A 

Managed sales & distribution

Available from

Juno

Sounds Of The Universe

Dub Vendor

& more

“Concrete Youth (uk) meet Ras-Mat-I (it) with a new 12" available via Blue Ribbon Records Riddim recorded mixed and mastered @ the Lion's Den (uk)Vocals recorded at M2 Studio's (it)”

https://concreteyouthsound.bandcamp.com/

[itswilliamjones]

Inkhouse __EP__2013

https://soundcloud.com/inkhouse/sets/inkhouse

Debut self titled EP from Indie Band Inkhouse.

Mixed & co-produced the EP

Added additional programming (drums, synths & atmosphere)

Provided 1 remix as a bonus track.

Released 28 April 2013. Track 1 // written by Andrew James, Laurence Kelly and Sabiyha Rasheed Track 2 & 3 // written by Andrew James and Laurence Kelly Track 4 // Written by Andrew James

Recorded in Andrew's bedroom. Mixed and co-produced by William Jones Additional Programming by William Jones Mastered by William Jones Artwork by Katie James and Andrew James