TWIGS IN A VASE

“I looked and looked at her, and I knew, as clearly as I know...

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:55:25 -0400

“I looked and looked at her, and I knew, as clearly as I know that I will die, that I loved her more than anything I had ever seen or imagined on earth. She was only the dead-leaf echo of the nymphet from long ago - but I loved her, this Lolita, pale and polluted and big with another man’s child. She could fade and wither - I didn’t care. I would still go mad with tenderness at the mere sight of her face.” ― Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

A candied elegance, visually submerged with attentive sequencing in both vase and matter, these twigs present an upright sensitivity with an apparently impromptu saccharine bloom, peacocking erectly from the stark, urbane surroundings in which we find them. The vase itself showcases a gentle bulbousness rarely seen outside mid-priced fragrance ranges, and thus provides its own scent, albeit a visual one; the scent of virginal teenage nights, of lip-glossed woodland mornings, of fresh per una drapings. These Nabokovian twigs are themselves basking in memories of romance past, inviting the nearby tableaux commerciales and cool eggplant table candles to similarly shed inhibition and grasp hold of the seductive.

(Oisin Share, Guest Editor of Twigs In A Vase)

Bringing nature and the life of the mind into meaningful proximity, a singularly intellectual...

Mon, 13 May 2013 05:01:16 -0400

Bringing nature and the life of the mind into meaningful proximity, a singularly intellectual ensemble offsets sea-toned vintage books with a rough-hewn burst of bronzed woodland finds, literally served to the viewer on a dependable birch-wood tray. The chaotic autumnal branchlings and accompanying desiccated ochre flora reach beyond the frame of the image to hint at the ceaselessness of seasonal change. But it’s the receptacle itself – at once both twig and vase – that provides the wry meta-commentary, subliminally prompted perhaps by the cool presence of the French dictionnaire, home of postmodernist thought, giving this a self-referential depth seldom reached by standard domestic objets. Oui oui, we say, oui oui.

(Greg Thorpe, guest editor of Twigs In A Vase)

A searing vision of Antipodean creativity is represented here in a triumphant crescendo of expired...

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:53:00 -0400

A searing vision of Antipodean creativity is represented here in a triumphant crescendo of expired and partially-expired leaves, a dramatic swathe of eighties tropical-print fabric reminiscent of the carefully tended curtains within a 3-star hotel in Miami Vice, and of course the carefully positioned twig installation itself — presented magnanimously upon a glass-topped faux-iron table. This consists of a swarthy bushel of blackened grass, a confident splay of pre-lit stubby twigs, and a cheeky peplum of viridian foliage. Enhancing this vision de carnivale is a triptych of miniature florabunda-depicting oil paintings, a self-spraying room aroma device, and various objets d’art bearing no relevance to the overall scene.

(Emma Jay, co-author of Twigs In A Vase)

“Darling, when things go wrong in life, you lift your chin, put...

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:12:31 -0400

“Darling, when things go wrong in life, you lift your chin, put on a ravishing smile, mix yourself a little cocktail…”

“The Undomestic Goddess” Kinsella, Sophie

An oversized cocktail glass irreverently steps into the shoes of the standard vase in this coquettish home interiors installation. Wedges of blush, filigree loofah nestle amongst a bounteous swathe of pot pourri in 50 Shades Of Puce, off-set by a duo of polyvinyl chloride roses in schiaparelli pink. A white-frosted fir cone winks atop this deconstructed twigs-in-a-vase re-imagining, like a glistening gob of double cream.

Sian Allen, Co-Editor of Twigs In A Vase

Phallic, sculptural wax flowers are combined with rigid green...

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:26:04 -0400

Phallic, sculptural wax flowers are combined with rigid green grass fronds and accents of white whispy foliage resembling the electric lightning bolts as summoned by Zeus in a moment of emphatic fury. These are encased in glass conical vessels, which are held test tube like by white wooden stands evocative of human spermatozoa. The combination of the new growth twigs and the semen-esque vases are clearly a statement about the timeless beauty of the miracle of childbirth.

(Emma Jay, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase)

A practical, everyday kilner jar is utilised in a startlingly...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:23:00 -0400

A practical, everyday kilner jar is utilised in a startlingly irreverent new manner here: magnanimously stuffed with wire-wool resembling silver tinselette strands, and generously overflowing with vibrant, flame-hued physallis pods that suggest imperial or Oriental court splendour. These are offset by Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka-esque blades of grass, which sharply contrast with the crimson “Nature’s Lanterns”. The cool, stark, Brutalist grey of the ceramic tiles behind only serves to highlight further the cheeky Chinese communist feeling suggested by this classic colour scheme.

(Emma Jay, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photo courtesy of @food_writer)

The instinctive act of humankind was to stand and listen, and...

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:29:58 -0400

The instinctive act of humankind was to stand and listen, and learn how the trees on the right and the trees on the left wailed or chaunted to each other in the regular antiphonies of a cathedral choir; how hedges and other shapes to leeward then caught the note, lowering it to the tenderest sob; and how the hurrying gust then plunged into the south, to be heard no more.”

Thomas Hardy, “Far From The Madding Crowd” (1874)

A literary vision of twig and vase pieces can be seen in the window of this chic north London estate agents. The influence of Hardy’s “Far From The Madding Crowd” is evident in the carefully selected objects in this installation.

The dominating ruddy Quercus twigs sitting erectly in a sturdy white vase represent the virtuous, stoical Gabriel Oak, a nod that is punctuated by a copy of “Angel” magazine resting in the far left corner.

The fragile glass vasette containing Lilliputian twiglets and irregular-sized sprigs of viridian-green umbrage are crudely evocative of Hardy’s heroine Bathsheba Everdene.

Finally, the looming white wooden post in the background, fixed squarely to the laminate faux-wood flooring, serves as a portentous representation of the novel’s stolid antagonist William Boldwood.

A timeless tale of man versus nature, in twig-form. (Sian Allen, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase)

A classic Victorian egg-timer shaped vase is the minimalistic...

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:31:19 -0400

A classic Victorian egg-timer shaped vase is the minimalistic foil for these blonde twisted twigs, reminiscent of the flaxen sea-styled hair of a mythological mermaid. These Siren-esque twig tendrils are haunted by the constricting mesh of spiky fairy lights that entwine them, eerily echoing the fate that surely tragically befell many a maiden of the ocean at the hands of a careless fisherman and his wayward nets. A prime position in the corner window of a sub-standard sandwich shop propels this installation into prominent view, and no doubt causes many a passerby or sandwich purchaser to thoughtfully consider the tales within Homer’s Odyssey as they consume their tepid latte. (Emma Jay, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase).

A mouse-brown, snakeskin-effect ceramic teardrop-shaped vase is...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:16:21 -0500

A mouse-brown, snakeskin-effect ceramic teardrop-shaped vase is casually brought to life by the nonchalant addition of three sticks of raw licorice, eight blades of blackened grass reminiscent of a charred and fire ravaged African tundra, and two realistic English country roses fashioned from the carefully preserved primo tobacco leaves of an expert Cuban cigar-roller from his atelier in Havana.

(Emma Jay, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photo courtesy of Max Tundra, @MaxTundra)

A dynamic duo of highly decorative twigs in vases, consisting of...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:32:14 -0500

A dynamic duo of highly decorative twigs in vases, consisting of one amethyst-hued wire approximation of a vessel containing robust, spiral-ended, metallic purple sprigs, and one LED-lit, hourglass-shaped vase with gently undulating metallic-finished twigs. A paint-scuffed metal window frame is of course the natural context-setting finish to this delightful vista. (Emma Jay, photo courtesy of Vivienne Berryman)

Inexorable hazel twigs starburst determinedly from the mouth of...

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:27:30 -0500

Inexorable hazel twigs starburst determinedly from the mouth of an exemplary crimson vessel, cheekily upstaged by a toilet roll holder in tubular steel (Emma Jay, co-editor or Twigs In A Vase. Photo courtesy of Rob Hyde)

A stately Axminster carpet is the scene-setting base for this...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:08:00 -0500

A stately Axminster carpet is the scene-setting base for this trio of magnificent twig installations. A small yet grandiose tree, created entirely from wire and twinkling fairy lights, is grounded in a silver sequined carafe which has been bedecked with two gleaming ethnic maracas. Flanking this vision on either side are two matching glass vases from which ascend rigidly striking red twigs in tightly compacted bushels. These are interspersed with tropical foliage, fluffy balls on sticks, exotic parrot feathers in varying shades of magenta, and are affixed stoutly within their receptacles with the use of Bonio dog biscuit-shaped stones. A tangle of electrical cables completes this visual carnival with minimum effort. (Emma Jay, Twigs In A Vase co-editor, photo courtesy of @LizzieBonito)

Classic witches broomstick twigs artlessly jut from a squat...

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:19:38 -0500

Classic witches broomstick twigs artlessly jut from a squat obsidian repository which has been “jazzed up” with an over-sized Schiaparelli-pink nylon mesh bow. Simplicity reigns. (Emma Jay, Twigs In A Vase co-editor)

‘The vivid tulips eat my oxygen’, Sylvia Plath, ‘Tulips’, 1961 A...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:25:21 -0500

‘The vivid tulips eat my oxygen’, Sylvia Plath, ‘Tulips’, 1961

A trio of amaranthine sateen tulips create a breath-taking focal point in this decorative interior-design chef-d’oeuvre. Tendrillar-style faux twigs, bound in waxen cloth, writhe distressfully out of a matt, argentite vase like the branches of the fig tree Plath saw as a metaphor for her life in ‘The Bell Jar’. A backdrop of shimmery ‘Assia’ flock wallpaper (14.99 a roll, Homebase), is the final, tragic nod to Plath’s work. Pure poetry.

(Sian Allen, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photographer: Ryan Mair @ryanmair)

Enchanting silver twigs from the magical land of Narnia are...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:44:02 -0500

Enchanting silver twigs from the magical land of Narnia are casually festooned with silver baubles of alternating levels of iridescence; midnight blue, glitter-encrusted forest pine cones; milky-white, opalescent faux poppy heads, and a trio of spiral twig cones. This arrangement spills nonchalantly forth from the lip of an ebony-hued glass vase of impressive proportions. A miniature replica of a Fresian cow is of course the natural off-beat and kooky counterbalance to this imperial splendour. (Emma Jay, Twigs In A Vase co-editor, photo courtesy of Jake Crosby @jakecrosby87)

A grandiose archaic slate-hued Grecian urn vase that surely...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:19:37 -0500

A grandiose archaic slate-hued Grecian urn vase that surely inspired the mighty John Keats’ ode is the majestic starting point for this elegantly decadent twig display. Naturally wild and hardy Wuthering Heights-style twigs are bedecked with crystal droplets designed to shimmer like priceless diamonds, adding a sumptuous overtone and delicate light reflecting quality. As if this display was not fabulous enough, the stylist has employed the use of a toy Christmas angel to highlight the ethereally divine overall spectacle and create festive merriment. (Emma Jay, Twigs In A Vase co-editor)

Stop talking about twigs

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:42:24 -0500

I hate twigs #deathtoallvases

Here, the stylist has enlivened an otherwise featureless...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:30:05 -0500

Here, the stylist has enlivened an otherwise featureless vestibule with a gathering of ashen branches understatedly decorated for the yuletide season. A quintet of pewter heart-shaped baubles is the perfect secular foil for the biblical tree decorations in deep vermillion filigree.

The continual use of red in this twig installation tells us that the stylist has been greatly influenced by the work of Renaissance artist Titian, with the addition of a red plastic thingy - to the right of the achromatic vase - that functions as a unifying feature as well as a nod to the sacredness of the Virgin Mary.

(Sian Allen, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photographer: Alex Berman. Stylists: Lou & Rob)

Gilded woody limbs are spliced with puce and carmine-coloured...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:25:26 -0500

Gilded woody limbs are spliced with puce and carmine-coloured twiggy sprigs and a few casual lengths of silver-frosted catkin branches. Gently twinkling fairy lights emanate a pinkish glow, subtly nodding to the festive season, while a singular violet candle and sleek black plinth keep this twig installation looking fresh and contemporary.

(Sian Allen, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photograph courtesy of Kev Penny, @pEarl117)

A festoon of albino poppies is paired with a duo of winter-white...

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:34:16 -0500

A festoon of albino poppies is paired with a duo of winter-white amaryllis and a plenteous thicket of opaline twigs to create a recherché carnivalesque look, perfectly punctuated by a ‘chichi’ burnished, russet-tinged crucible. The overwhelming sense of whimsy is emphasised by a scattering of Alice-In-Wonderland-style curios, such as the outsized time-piece, the gilded lampettes, and an anthology of chimerical trinkets. (Sian Allen, co-editor of Twigs In A Vase. Photograph shot on location in Cheltenham.)