Monthly Archives: August 2011
DIY Postcards
Have you ever tried making your own postcard? Drawing may be the most obvious medium, but personally, I collect so many flyers, packages and magazines that it makes sense to record my trips through collage. In fact, along with eye mask and mints, I always have mini-scissors and a glue-stick in my travel pack.
I’m in the midst of rounding up a whole bunch of DIY postcards, and if you’d like to be included, or if you know of some great examples, please email hello@skiptownonline.com. To get the ball rolling, here’s a postcard I made years ago, when I was SO excited about completing my first round-the-world trip. I’m SURE there are so many better attempts out there, so please, show me!
The Fine Art of Travel: Suburbia Mexicana
In a major photographic project spanning over three years and five categories, Alejandro Cartagena examines the vast and interconnected problems caused by unplanned urban sprawl in Monterrey, Mexico. Since 2001, profit-driven policy has allowed extensive expansion of the city, contained only by the surrounding mountains. At this pace, the development of necessary amenities falls behind, and residents face an ever-growing distance between themselves and citizens in more affluent areas.
Effects are also found in the natural environment, with rivers particularly vulnerable (see the ‘Lost Rivers’ chapter). However, change is most keenly felt in ‘Fragmented Cities’, where Cartagena records, in trademark documentary style, the uniform rows of (strangely cheerful) houses invading the landscape.
Istanbul treasures
A friend recently asked if I had any recommendations for a European getaway in November. I immediately thought of Istanbul, which has remained a vivid memory ever since my first (and only) visit a few years ago. It’s a beautiful city, with the sparkling harbour giving a sense of space that balances out the crowded streets and dense markets. Another nice thing about Istanbul is that even though it’s a huge, modern city, it still has a very distinct cultural style – and as a result is a wonderful shopping destination.
Latitude is an online store that fuses travel and fashion, giving the shopper a carefully curated taste of some of the world’s most iconic cities. Of course, Istanbul is represented, and since it may be a while til my next visit, perhaps a little long-distance shopping may be in order. Here are some favourite items.
Time Travel: Turn-of-the-century Vienna
Images (from top)
1. Vienna Court Opera, 1902
2. The Wittgenstein family, circa Summer 1917, via Deskarati
3. Vienna Municipal Ball, 1904 by German painter Wilhelm Gause
4. Josef Hoffmann fabric sample, via Julia Ritson
5. Postcard from Gustav Kilmt to Emilie Flöge, via Leopold Museum
6. Austrian fashion designer Emilie Flöge
7. Cabaret Fledermaus, 1907 (lithograph)
A place called Hokkaido
A world away from Japan’s hectic mainland lies the quiet, lush island of Hokkaido. In one week, we enjoyed beer in the Sapporo sunshine, met with friends old and new, joined locals at the Rising Sun music festival, and drove through the mountains (yes, through!) to ‘the edge of the world’ until a summer mist descended, through which we saw bears, deer, dolphins and even Russia!
We’ll take you there, soon.
The Fine Art of Travel: Intersections (Denmark & Iran)
As much as the excitement of travel is found in differences, it’s also about discovering connections, right? That moment when you realise you’ve found a kindred spirit in a completely different culture, on the other side of the world – that’s pretty special.
But sometimes, there’s no need to even board a plane. ‘Intersections’ is a dreamy series of double-exposures by two friends (Julie and Shokoofeh) from two very different countries (Denmark and Iran) revealing their surprisingly similar daily realities.
August Link Love
1. The Epicures gives the low-down on Puerto Natales, Chile.
2. Private Island round-up by Apartment Therapy.
3. Revealing Timbuktu photo series by Brent Stirton for National Geographic, via Creative Roots.
4. From Here to There – a book about hand-drawn maps, via Pattern Pulp.
5. Jonathan Adler totes featuring location graphics.
6. Seesaw take a trip to beautiful Arcosanti, an experimental town in the Arizona desert.
7. Unpretentious, delicious seafood in Waipapa Bay, New Zealand, via Trufflepig.
8. Professional photographers share their favourite point-and-shoot cameras on Photoshelter.
The Fine Art of Travel: Horizonville
When Swiss photographer Yann Gross decided to do some budget travelling in his own country, he chose a somewhat unusual destination - the tourist-free, highway dominated Rhone Plain. He hoped that this industrial belt, though unappealing to the average pleasure-seeker, would hold stories and characters to challenge the Swiss stereotype. Indeed this was the case. As documented in his series ‘Horizonville’, communities in the valley have embraced the American dream, complete with trucks, tattoos and country music, despite many never having visited the USA. As Gross says, “They feel a sense of belonging to another culture that they don’t really know. Far from the Swiss stereotypes, the confusion of symbols and the lifestyle of the people take us in a strange atmosphere, a dreamed reality that doesn’t exist in facts.”
Skip Town in Seoul: The first 24 hours
One night in Seoul and I think I’m in love. Here’s a few pics from our first day exploring the city which included visits to Millimeter Milligram, Takeout Drawing, a shopping spree at A Land and more than our fair share of Korean BBQ.
Much, much more to come!
Bound for Seoul & Hokkaido
I was inspired to do a packing post by Daydream Lily, who was in turn inspired by I Love Wildfox. It might look like a lot, but believe it or not all this junk fits into a medium sized backpack with room to spare. I guess that’s the good thing about travelling to warmer climates! I’m going to a wedding, by the way, hence the impractical heels.
We’ve lined up some really fantastic photographers to feature while we’re gone (ah, the joys of auto-cue) plus a few other bits and pieces, so don’t go away!
I’m really, really excited about what’s in store for us on the other side of the equator. We’re visiting a bunch of talented locals while we’re there, and will put together a special ‘on-location’ series once we return.
See you in two weeks!
*photography by Jess (low light + no flash = grainy pics!)
