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Branding and Pattern
12 July 2019 
Hi the MLE,
You know I'm known for liking identities that involve repetition, and here is yet another new example. You are correct, this logo is not for everyone. In particular, the circular logo does not work well very small (it would not be legible), or in certain areas with restricted real estate, such as the top of their brewery (fourth image above, where the circular signage would not be legible, hence the less interesting and more plain repeating pattern). But in application as a poster or on drink glasses, it works quite well indeed (second and third image above).
More info here.
Suzan -
GILBERT & GEORGE the great exhibition
7 June 2019 
MLE,
Finally saw this exhibition! It was one of the best I've seen in ages. I have never seen so little change over time in an artist's work or life - and the fact that it works is incredible.They met at Saint Martin's School of Art in the 60s, and have been a couple ever since.Since meeting, they have also worked together as "Gilbert and George" ever since.They have been living in the same house on Fournier Street in London since the 60s as well.They've been wearing nothing but tweed suits for the past 50 years.They have been going to the same cafe for breakfast at the end of my street for about the past 20 years. (I've seen them there! The owners told me that once Madonna surprised them for breakfast, as she really wanted to meet them and this caf was one of the least likely places anyone would expect to find her).
They have also been going to the same Turkish restaurant in Dalston for dinner everyday for about the past 20 years.Finally, the medium of their art has been pretty much the same for the past 50 years as well: huge pieces make up of many squares, almost always very bright colours featuring red, and almost always featuring the pair, looking directly at the viewer. You can be in a room with a different artwork from a different decade on each wall, but they all blend seamlessly together. And often you cannot tell when the piece was even made. So little change.I often say that, living in London, I never have to change, because change is happening so quickly all around me, all the time. Sometimes it is a struggle to hang on, so Gilbert and George feel reassuring...
Top image: 1977
Middle image: 1984
Bottom image: 2013SuzanPosted in: art -
NEW sears logo
25 May 2019 
Hello MLE,
As you may know, Sears announced a new logo on May 1st. Are they still in business? Well yes, their Canadian stores closed a few years ago, but about 400 of their American ones will remain open following a narrow escape from bankruptcy. Of course it's a bit of a "no-brainer" that the new logo looks like the AirBNB logo (middle icon above). However, having just read the rationale behind the Sears logo, and it seems that this rationale has been copied from the Habitat logo (bottom icon above), yet not executed as well:
The new icon was created to represent both home and heart, this shape also conveys motion through an infinity loop, reminiscent of one getting their arms around both home and life.
Well, at least not many Americans are familiar with Habitat. I wonder if this new logo is a sign things to come for Sears...
Suzan
Posted in: identities branding -
THE FUTURE of the internet
10 May 2019 
Hi MLE,
Just came across this site that I think you would really like.It is not some new site selling something, but rather it is part of the "Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative" – the European Commission’s new flagship programme working on building a more democratic, inclusive and resilient internet. The NGI “hopes to empower everyone to take active control in shaping the future: the internet does not just belong to those who hold power today, but to all of us.”It's a beautiful site. An interactive timeline charts the past (eg: "Wikipedia founded in 2001") and the future (eg: "2039 we run out of lithium and can’t make new smartphones.")It also has lots of interesting articles including an interview with Oobah Butler, who famously got a completely fake restaurant to the top spot on TripAdvisor, who shows the flaws in the systems that influence us.It got me thinking about such things as "what happens when your language isn’t supported by apps, websites, and keyboards?"
Enjoy!Posted in: web -
SOVIET-ERA sanatoriums
18 April 2019 
Hi MLE,
Those vast complexes built under Stalin and subsequent leaders... I've had my eye on these for a few years, ever since various photographers have been using them as subject matter for books and galleries.In Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Union republics, the term 'sanatorium' is generally used for a combination resort/recreational facility and a medical facility to provide short-term complex rest and medical services. Unlike western holidays, which the Soviets perceived as lavish and idle, holidays in the USSR were entirely purposeful: their function was to provide rest and recuperation so that workers could remain efficient and productive.Eligible individuals received vouchers to stay at particular sanatoriums for a specified period of time, either at subsidised rates or for free. In principle, industrial workers and those with medical conditions were to be given priority, but in practice those with money and connections were prioritised instead. Today, guests consist of a large number of second world war veterans and pensioners who are treated free of charge for stays of up to a number of weeks.In the early days, every aspect of sanatorium life was controlled and monitored by staff in accordance with a strict schedule. Guests would start with a visit to the resident doctor, who would draw up a tailor-made programme of mandatory callisthenics, dietary recommendations and treatments. Gradually, a more relaxed sanatorium culture developed over the course of a century, and today guests can even undertake whatever treatment they like and come and go as they please.What I find really amazing is the treatments, that are still available today. Please see the images above, from top to bottom (yes these photos were taken just a couple years ago):Crude oil bath for 10 minutesMagnetic therapyMineral water bathOxygen bathParafin wax treatmentSalt air treatmentUltraviolet light nose and throat disinfectantThere were 1,829 new sanatoriums built across the USSR by 1939, and they continued to be built right up to the 80s. In their peak, these sanatoriums were visited by millions of citizens across the USSR each year. Dozens are still open for business.But those open for business are hard to find... However, after a search I have discovered Hotel Aurora Issyk-Kul, in Kyrgyzstan. This might be an option. It was built in 1979, not as old as I would like, but it does offer most of the therapies above. I would love to go:SuzanPosted in: travel architecture