29. Employment
Since February 2013, I am working as a graphic designer at the AA Print Studio, London.
28. Sipp Tiergarten
Artist book, in the works, more information to come...
27. Hello, goodbye
Talk/ recital/ stand-up show. Camberwell College of Arts, London, 6th Februray 2013. Lovely lecture hall.
26. Metal Meltdown Needs You! (2011 – 2013)
In April 1987 Jeffrey A. VanderClute wrote "Metal Meltdown needs you!". In April 2011, Werkplaats Typografie answered. Metal Meltdown was the title of a metal zine produced in Maryland, USA, by Jeffrey A. VanderClute. Aside from merely being a strange and quirky piece of graphic design, Metal Meltdown was taken very seriously by its original author-editor, who when in zine-writing mode summoned his alter-ego, the sick and twisted 'KLUKE'. I discovered Volume I of Metal Meltdown at a New York zine stall in late 2010 and organised a gathering to coincide with the 24th anniversary of Volume I of Metal Meltdown, set in the basement of Werkplaats Typografie, Arnhem. The aim of this memorable night was simple – to attempt to answer Jeffrey's request for contributions. Although 24 years late, these new contributions were sent to the P.O. BOX address mentioned in the magazine. Surprisingly enough, the KLUKE replied: "You had a 24th anniversary party for METAL MELTDOWN and you forgot to invite the eDICKtor-in-chief?!".
At a London bookshop in January 2013, I retold the story of that fateful night in Arnhem, its aftermath and what the resulting correspondence tells of zine-making culture, or self-publishing in general.
25. Reveries from Millennium Green or a Narrative Guide to Thirsk and District (2013)
Reveries from Millennium Green or a Narrative Guide to Thirsk and District is a four-part periodical commissioned by Kunstverein, Amsterdam, specially written, produced and posted to its members throughout 2013. Become a member of Kunstverein to receive it!
24. A Study of Reading Habits (2012)
Each week the display table in the entrance of Thirsk Library changes. Between 8th – 15th October 2012 I displayed a selection of related items, photographs and texts from my time in Arnhem and beyond.
23. Desk (2010 – 2012)
My old desk, Werkplaats Typografie, Agnietenplaats 2, 6822 JD Arnhem, the Netherlands.
22. Everyday Is Like Sunday (2012)
The Werkplaats Typografie commissioned me to produce the latest information brochure about the school. I decided to write a pocket book about Arnhem, since the city is an often forgotten but integral part to the history and the day to day life of the WT. Everyday Is Like Sunday is composed of three chapters, each being the daily walks I took through Arnhem from the Werkplaats Typografie (Agnietenplaats 2) to each of the three places I lodged at during my two years in the city. The book was printed at a local printer and is free of charge, to order your free copy, contact the Werkplaats Typografie. Perfect for prospective Werkplaats Typografie participants, Arnhem enthusiasts, midnight ramblers, horror fanatics, old or new romantics, conspiracy theorists, military historians, architecture boffins and connoisseurs of 1980's British pop music...
80 pages, 165 x 105mm, published by Werkplaats Typografie, Arnhem, June 2012
21. Office of Mark Simmonds Newsletter (2012)
The Office of Mark Simmonds Newsletter is a monthly newsletter of sorts first published in Arnhem in March 2011. In July 2012, the then total of 25 newsletters were compiled for the first time to commemorate the office's imminent relocation from Arnhem to a then unknown destination.
20. I Want You, I need You, I Love You (2012)
Pilgrimage to Elvis Presleystraat, Arnhem, Wednesday 13th June 2012. In August 1965, The Beatles met Elvis Presley at his Hollywood mansion. According Albert Goldman's 1988 biography of John Lennon, 'The Lives of John Lennon', after the meeting, Lennon in typical sharp fashion asked "WHERE'S ELVIS?". Indeed, what had happened to the King of Rock 'n' Roll? Yet, a look at the map of Arnhem suggests that Elvis resides in an ordinary street on the southern edge of this Dutch city, in name at least. In a very distant echo of the winding roads of L.A's Bell Air hills, Elvis Presleystraat is located in the meandering post-1990 Arnhem suburb of Rijkerswoerd. Before heading back we walked to John Lennonstraat, which by coincidence, or something more, as these things tend to be in the land of the gods, is located very close by.
19. "You, leave me, aaahhhh Brrrrr-eath-lesssss!!!" (2012)
Movie night poster. 841 x 594 mm
18. Invite (2012)
Printed invite for the Werkplaats Typografie End of the Year Show 2012. 353 x 250mm
17. Duifkampioen (2012)
These trophies were retrieved from a 'New Zealand Apples' box on Agnietenstraat, outside the Werkplaats Typografie. After a year sitting under the black table behind my desk, they were once again shown the light of day and displayed in all their glory, albeit for a few days at the start of June 2012 in a room at the Werkplaats Typografie. The trophies and medals date from the 1960's to the 1980's and are mostly pigeon related, but there are a few medals for cycling, wrestling and poker. The honourable remnants of a secret Arnhem society.
16. WT Residency Website (2012)
In collaboration with Stefano Faoro, programming by Tomáš Celizna.
15. He Knows I'd Love to See Him (2012)
Contribution to 'Vacanze da Trame 2012', an annual project by Erica Preli. Vacanze da Trame, takes the form of a publication and an exhibition and series of live performances at the Libreria Trame in Bologna, Italy. A part of my contribution was a used as the backdrop, which later inspired a visiting choreographer to create a dance. For real.
14. Flag (2012)
13. ISIA Urbino/ Werkplaats Typografie Summer School Website (2012)
The summer school is attendended by many people from many different countries. So to show this diversity, the information could be read in the numerous languages of previous participants, ranging from English to Finnish, Portguese to Chinese, Korean to German. In collaboration with Stefano Faoro. Programming by Tomáš Celizna.
12. Mary Shelley Facsimile Library Rubber Stamp (2012)
The rubber stamp made in January 2012 for the Mary Shelley Facsimile Library, an annex of the Werkplaats Typografie library. The stamp was adpated from a portrait of Mary Shelley by Richard Rothwell originally painted in 1840. The Mary Shelley Facsimile Library is an ever-accumulating reference library of facsimile-format thesis bibliographies, inaugerated at the Werkplaats Typografie in September 2009. The stamp measures 40 x 25mm.
11. De Olifantenkooi #7 (2012)
'De Olifantenkooi' is a periodical pamphlet about architecture, published by Architectuur Lokaal, Amsterdam. At the time of print, each edition of Olifantenkooi is designed by a different Werkplaats Typografie participant and the project had various restrictions or perameters – no colour, no images, format A4 and the page number begins where the last edition ended.
8 pages, 297 x 210mm, published by Architectuur Lokaal, Amsterdam, January 2012
10. "I know you didn't kill him!!! I know!!!" (2011)
Movie night poster. 640 x 455 mm
9. Library Plaque (2011)
A quote from the 1955 Philip Larkin poem 'A Study of Reading Habits'. I got the plaque made to hang outside the Werkplaats Typografie library in winter 2011. The plaque measures 150 x 30 mm.
8. Mary Shelley Facsimile Library (2011)
The Mary Shelley Facimile Library was relocated from Arnhem to New York from 30th September to 2nd October 2011, as part of the New York Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1, Long Island City, New York. The Mary Shelley Facsimile Library is an ever-accumulating reference library of facsimile-format thesis bibliographies, inaugerated at the Werkplaats Typografie in September 2009. Below are three examples of facsimiles I made/donated to the Mary Shelley Facimile Library along with images from the reading room. The room was furnished by the contents of a New Yorker's appartment.
7. Werkplaats Typografie Time Capsule (2011)
To commemorate the ending of the Werkplaats Typografie Beginning of the Year Show 2011, a 6m long, 25cm diameter capsule was purchased in Weesp, and transported by bicycle 100m before it was couriered by van to De Ateliers in Amsterdam. It was ceremonially filled and sealed on Sunday 10th July 2011. Two days later the time capsule was placed securely in a purpose built catacomb beneath the Werkplaats Typografie, Arnhem, where it will remain till Friday 10th July 2111 when it will be exhumed and opened. The Werkplaats Typografie Time Capsule and its contents are registered on the International Time Capsule Society database at the Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The purchase and transport of the capsule would not have been possible without the help of fellow WT colleague Boris van den Eynden.
6. ISIA Urbino/ Werkplaats Typografie Summer School Website (2011)
The summer school lasts for two weeks, which seems like a long time. But with experience (I attended the inaugural summer school in 2009), it goes quite fast. Starting at the top, the four countdown timers represent the time left till the start of the 2011 summer school, the dealine for applications, and how long since the 2010 and 2009 summer school ended. How participants spend their time in the small Italian town of Urbino is up to them, but they cannot control the inexorable march to time. Yeah, time. In collaboration with Ines Cox, Stefano Faoro and Ine Meganck. Programming by Tomáš Celizna.
5. A Story By J.M.A Biesheuvel (2011)
Designed with Ine Megank. A book about writing, story telling, translation and interpretation. Artist Jort van der Laan translated 'A Journey Through My Room', a story by Dutch writer J.M.A Biesheuvel from Dutch to English (prior to this book's publication in June 2011 the story was not availible to read in English). Yet this translation is incomplete. The missing lines and paragraphs of the story are made visible throughout the book as blank spaces. The format of the book and design of the interior was copied from a 1984 collection of Biesheuvel's stories titled 'Reis Door Mein Kamer' owned by the artist which includes the story 'Reis Door Mein Kamer' or 'A Journey Through My Room'. To buy a copy, visit Werkplaats Typografie or Dutch Art Institute.
86 pages, 200 x 125mm, published by Dutch Art Institute, Arnhem, June 2011
4. The Happy Slave (2011)
A book about the making of a book, by an intern about an intern. In March 2011, I invited artist Jeroen Marttin to become my intern with the task of designing a publication of his own work under my guidance. Jeroen was provided with a work space and use of the office facilities, which included a typewriter, photocopier, laser printer and various items of stationary and other such tools including a coffee machine. Over four months and bi-weekly four hour shifts, the publication was designed by Jeroen, edited and later laser printed in an edition of 300, bound and rubber stamped at the Office of Mark Simmonds. Despite my intern Jeroen's valiant efforts, I am credited as the book's designer. To buy a copy, visit Werkplaats Typografie or Dutch Art Institute.
36 pages, 297 x 210mm, published by Dutch Art Institute, Arnhem, June 2011
3. The Zeeland Acropolis (2011)
Journey to the Dutch town of Cadzand to visit the longest piece of art in Europe, Sunday 27th March 2011. According to holland.com, the piece (the website does not give the title, artist or date of the work) consists of 'Doric columns and design street lights' and one's experience of the work is like 'Walking on the Acropolis'. With this in mind, to mark the Werkplaats Typografie's epic odyssey by train, boat and foot to Cadzand, two plastic Doric columns were carried throughout and placed at the western extremity of the work, perhaps making the longest piece of art in Europe a little bit longer. I later discovered that the work is titled 'Boulevard Cadzand' (1987) by Dutch artist Karin Daan.
2. Rubbings from the Werkplaats Typografie (2010)
Some A4 rubbings from the Werkplaats Typografie, collected in October 2010 and displayed at the New York Art Book Fair 2010, MoMA PS1.
1. "Hercules has no need of money!!!" (2010)
Movie night poster/ flyer. 297 x 210 mm
Alma Mater
Werkplaats Typografie, Arnhem, the Netherlands, 2010 – 2012
London College of Communication, United Kingdom, 2006 – 2010
Leeds College of Art, United Kingdom, 2005 – 2006
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