‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag
‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Detail of ‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Detail of ‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Detail of ‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Detail of ‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Detail of ‘The Grand Bizarre‘ at Lush Oxford Street. Window display by Studio Xag.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Still from ‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
‘Presenting The Grand Bizarre at Lush Oxford Street’ by LUSH TV.
Saemundur Thor Helgason, commissioned by LUSH cosmetics (2016). install view, Dissent as an iPhone App’ at arebyte gallery London.
Commissioned by LUSH Cosmetics
‘Dissent as an iPhone App’
curated by Angels Miralda
arebyte gallery London
2016
A spectacular, tiered, whirling display created from reclaimed wood and dazzling circus bulbs. Wooden hands clutch shimmering star bubble bars while flashes of animation peek through spinning zoetropes and the magical story of LUSH is presented on bespoke illustrated TVs. More marvellous displays spread through LUSH stores around the UK, featuring juggling hands and bright multi coloured bulbs. Reclaimed board units showcase LUSH products while illustrated TVs screen LUSH videos.
- Words by studioXAG
Saemundur Thor Helgason’s ‘Commissioned by Lush Cosmetics’ (2016) is visible, glowing behind the window glass, from the Arebyte building yard. Wooden mannequin hands partly painted in green, magical spinning zoetropes and a set of fake cardboard TVs depicting vintage-looking footage of product promotions are neatly placed on a large metallic shelf. The installation was once exhibited by cosmetics brand LUSH at their shop in Oxford Circus and through this conscious dislocation Helgason gives visibility to the generally hidden process of making a living as an artist. Money tends to be a taboo and the way many artists survive economically remains shrouded in mystery. In response, this sort of ‘unreadymade’ has a very precise and pragmatic purpose: to minimise the labour and maximise the profit of an artist, blurring the two realms of the ‘survival side job’ and ‘artistic career’.
- Words by Gabriela Acha
The work was displayed at ‘Dissent as an iPhone App’ curated by Angels Miralda at Arebyte gallery in London, together with works by Daniel Keller & Ella Plevin and Debora Delmar Corp.
‘Dissent as an iPhone App’
curated by Angels Miralda
arebyte gallery London
2016
A spectacular, tiered, whirling display created from reclaimed wood and dazzling circus bulbs. Wooden hands clutch shimmering star bubble bars while flashes of animation peek through spinning zoetropes and the magical story of LUSH is presented on bespoke illustrated TVs. More marvellous displays spread through LUSH stores around the UK, featuring juggling hands and bright multi coloured bulbs. Reclaimed board units showcase LUSH products while illustrated TVs screen LUSH videos.
- Words by studioXAG
Saemundur Thor Helgason’s ‘Commissioned by Lush Cosmetics’ (2016) is visible, glowing behind the window glass, from the Arebyte building yard. Wooden mannequin hands partly painted in green, magical spinning zoetropes and a set of fake cardboard TVs depicting vintage-looking footage of product promotions are neatly placed on a large metallic shelf. The installation was once exhibited by cosmetics brand LUSH at their shop in Oxford Circus and through this conscious dislocation Helgason gives visibility to the generally hidden process of making a living as an artist. Money tends to be a taboo and the way many artists survive economically remains shrouded in mystery. In response, this sort of ‘unreadymade’ has a very precise and pragmatic purpose: to minimise the labour and maximise the profit of an artist, blurring the two realms of the ‘survival side job’ and ‘artistic career’.
- Words by Gabriela Acha
The work was displayed at ‘Dissent as an iPhone App’ curated by Angels Miralda at Arebyte gallery in London, together with works by Daniel Keller & Ella Plevin and Debora Delmar Corp.