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Guest Blog

Friday, May 11, 2012

Sonia Rentsch : Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist – Create

A huge THANK YOU to Sonia Rentsch for her fantastic Guest Blog this week- Lucy and I are so grateful for all the time and effort that went into creating this series! Be sure to bookmark both Sonia’s blog and website, this lady is going to be SUPER famous. – Jenny x

cre·ate v

1. to bring somebody or something into existence
2. to produce something as a result, or make something happen
3. to use imagination to invent things or produce works of art

Image styled by Sonia Rentsch, photograph by Willem-Dirk du Toit

Some ideas, once they have actually come into being, seem incredibly obvious, even if they were genuinely difficult to generate.

For me, however, the most exciting ideas are about challenging the obvious conclusion, through a process of trial and error, discussion and evolution.  There are plenty of good ideas, but I’m always curious about what makes them great. To me – a successful still life idea is one that should translate to the viewer minus explanation and to an extent remain in your memory after it has passed.

A fruit tree, so simple and evocative, is beautiful in and of itself – but how do I make it more? In a world saturated with imagery, how do I ask people to look again? Not just at the objects but at some bigger story – not just the beauty of the fruit tree, but the exploratory mischief of Eve.

If you made it this far than thanks for sticking out the ride. Just so you know – I’m much funnier in real life.

The CREDITS with enormous thanks.

The photographer: Willem-Dirk du Toit
The studio: Shoot Me Productions
The re-touchers: Those guys upstairs
The ideas curator: Eleanor Jackson
The assistant: Aleksandra Nedeljkovic
The Design Files
And You.

Stay in touch yeah.

- Sonia x

Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Sonia Rentsch : Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist – Define

Oh me, oh my! Sonia Rentsch has knocked my socks off every day this week and today she has done it again! Sonia adds another beautiful word to the ‘Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist‘ and has me wondering, what do my hands say about me…? -Jenny x

de·fine v

1. to give the precise meaning of a word or expression
2. to state or describe something clearly
3. to identify somebody or something by a distinctive characteristic quality or feature
4. to show something clearly, especially in shape or outline (usually passive)
5. to mark a boundary, edge, or limit

Image styled by Sonia Rentsch, photograph by Willem-Dirk du Toit

What defines you? Your personality or character?

Obviously, beyond the boundaries of this image, there were two people in a room staring at these objects through a camera lens, trying to shape an anecdote, to direct your eye towards specific objects, to convey a personality without a human voice.

While it may seem from the outside that my job is merely to move items around and have them sit pleasantly in a space, it’s not the full story. Unlike an image of people, whose innate “personality” expresses something inherently distinct, successful Still Life imagery tries to bring inanimate objects to life. Like ventriloquists, the photographer and I work together to shape a dynamic narrative using the tools of placement, light and shadow.

One more day to go. Will you pick me up a coffee?

- Sonia x

Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Sonia Rentsch : Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist – Construct

Today’s Guest Blog from Sonia Rentsch is a fantastic view on what it is like to live and experience life in the city. Building works, busy cars, always changing and lots of lipstick. Walk through any city and you will see all of those things. -Jenny x

con·struct vt

1. to build or assemble something by putting together separate parts in an ordered way
2. to create something, such as a theory, as a result of systematic thought
3. to draw something accurately using given measurements

Image styled by Sonia Rentsch, photograph by Willem-Dirk du Toit

I believe that cities, well, the good ones anyway, are built upon a thousand ideas that never stop growing. The ideas I mean, not the cities.

Like a lot of city-dwellers, often I can look and look at the built city surrounds and forget to see them for what they really are: things that are constantly changing with light and motion.

The best thing about this city is that it didn’t get there alone. It started as an idea built of blocks and lipstick but through trial and error what looks like chance – the casual reflection of skyscraper and cars – is actually the calculated construction of whimsy.

Apparently, some anthropologists think that lipstick mimics the flush and swell of sexual arousal, which is why women in many cultures colour their lips.

I don’t know what they could be talking about.

- Sonia x

Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Sonia Rentsch : Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist – Concept

Sonia Rentsch continues with her series – ‘Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist‘, today challenging our perception of breakfast! To see more of Sonia’s fantastic work (some of which you can buy as prints!), be sure to visit her website. You should also make the time to visit her ridiculously brilliant blog – so good! – Jenny x

con·cept n

1. something that somebody has thought up, or that somebody might be able to imagine. Also called conception
2. a broad abstract idea or a guiding general principle, such as one that determines how a person or culture behaves, or how nature, reality, or events are perceived
3. the most basic understanding of something
4. a method, plan, or type of product or design

Image styled by Sonia Rentsch, photograph by Willem-Dirk du Toit

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Why, there’s nothing starts the day off right like a healthy breakfast. Don’t you think?

Take this meal for example. There’s no meat, no wheat, no dairy, no animal products, no grains or preservatives. Looks like a healthy breakfast, walks like a healthy breakfast but still kind of quacks like a duck. Probably the only thing missing is a decaf soy flat white.

It’s the concept of breakfast, but it’s not breakfast.

Personally, I think that a good concept is the basis of everything, it’s the sui generis energy that brings a great end product.

I mean, we’ve all had breakfast a thousand times, but what is it that really makes it a meal?

Gotta run – I smell bacon cooking.

- Sonia x

Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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Monday, May 07, 2012

Sonia Rentsch : Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist – Sketch

This week we are SO EXCITED to welcome Sonia Rentsch to the Guest Blog. After falling head over heels in love with all of Sonia’s work, some of which we featured in an interview with her earlier in the year, we are very chuffed that Sonia has created this very beautiful series – ‘Dictionary of a Still Life Stylist‘ just for TDF! Thank you Sonia! – Jenny x

Hi there. Welcome to a week with me! I usually let my work do the speaking so this is a fun challenge. Where to begin?

sketch n

1. A drawing or painting that is done quickly without concern for detail.
2. A quick comic routine or piece of acting that is part of a variety show or comedy revue.
3. A short written or spoken account that conveys just a general outline or idea, with little detail.
4. A short, often descriptive, piece of writing.

Image styled by Sonia Rentsch, photograph by Willem-Dirk du Toit, photo re-touching by CHE, shot at  Shoot Me Productions studio, with assistance from Eleanor Jackson and Aleksandra Nedeljkovic.

Typically, when I start a project it’s just me and a cup of tea, a few objects and a basic idea. A sketch.

Since back in my student days, I’ve erased my sketches one after the other without care. I would ignore the lecturers and students alike who reminded me they were important reference points worth holding onto. I like to erase, it gives me a fresh vantage point to start again minus distraction – liberated from what came before.

This idea started initially with a full set of colour pencils. I began by laying out patterns, then a rainbow (obvious) and a self portrait (sadly it bore much likeness to Angelica Houston in Witches). I fiercely sliced my thumb later that day which put me to pondering how important my hands are to my job. An idea is sketchy until it becomes real. Or sometimes until it simply makes sense.

A light bulb moment.

See you tomorrow?

- Sonia x

Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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Friday, May 04, 2012

Renew Newcastle – Strip of a Lifetime

We have had an AMAZING time discovering Newcastle this week and I cannot wait to visit with all these fantastic tips in hand! A huge thank you to Siobhan for being our Guest Blogger this week, and profiling a great variety of Renew Newcastle projects. Be sure to bookmark Siobhan’s blog, The Novocastrian Files, for more Newcastle news and subscribe to the Renew Newcastle newsletter here. Happy weekend!! – Jenny x

Paula Birch and her 1960′s photo booth at Strip of a Lifetime – photo by Sean Fennessy

Big THANKS to TDF for giving Renew Newcastle the opportunity to shine a light on just some of the projects currently operating, and on Newcastle in general. It’s been ace!

This last project highlights just one exciting outcome of Renew – giving people with a niche interest the platform to share their idea and passion with the community.

Paula Birch channels a fair slice of Amelie with Strip of a Lifetime, a photo booth and 60s/70s vintage props hire station, and an art gallery dedicated to showcasing original artworks from photo booth and lo-fi analog artists. Polaroid & Lomo fans rejoice! It’s hard not to be taken for a trip down memory lane with a fully operational 1960s photo booth in-store (also available for event hire).  Remember the feeling of anticipation waiting for your photo booth pics to be developed? Oh, the joy!

Visit: Shop 20 (upstairs), Market Square, 119 Hunter St, Newcastle.
Tues & Sat 12pm to 4pm, Thu & Fri 10am to 4pm, or by appointment.

Photo strips of Lucy and Siobhan!

Can you give us a super brief bio about yourself and your practice?

I’ve been a practicing architect, photographic artist and vintage collector for 10 years, although it’s been 20 years since I started my most precious and personal documentary of my life through the lens of old photochemical photo booths. I’ve moved around a lot, at least a different place every 2 years, including a year studying each in Olso, Papua New Guinea and San Francisco. I returned to Newcastle only a year ago after finishing my degree here in 2002 and was tutoring in architecture at The University of Newcastle and running my own architectural design studio. About a year ago, I sought and imported my first traditional black and white 1960s photo booth.

How have things changed for you since being part of the Renew Newcastle?

I’ve met so many interesting and like-minded people.  I feel as if I’ve been adopted into Newcastle’s most creatively celebrated community.

Some of the props available for hire at Strip of a Lifetime

One big lesson you’ve learnt from the whole experience?

That carpet and glue do not like to part with concrete.

What’s your favourite local neighbourhood and why?

Newcastle East as it offers all one needs to live a charmed life, within walking distance.

Newcastle’s best kept secret?

Newcastle Ocean Baths. Time stands still there.

Finish this sentence – ‘Newcastle is…. ‘

ReNewable.

- Siobhan x

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Posted by Jenny at 5:55 am
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