Hasta La Ideas

Currently on show at the Ultralounge space in Selfridges London is a project by artist duo The Girls, which celebrates their love of the magazine photo-story and a general nostalgia for the days of analogue…

The project, a collaboration between the Photographers’ Gallery and Selfridges, sees The Girls transform Ultralounge into a workspace/den where they will create three issues of ‘The Paper Eaters: Long Live the Photo-Story!’, a magazine based on the photo-story magazines of the 1980s. A range of artists and designers will call into the space during The Girls’ month-long residency and will contribute to the project. Visitors to the space will be able to buy copies of the magazines (at £2.80 each), plus enjoy other nostalgic activities including 1980s makeovers, a dance floor, and photo opps.

Pages from the first issue of the magazine

The Girls see the project as something of a homage to paper. “Whilst we realise that the digital age has its place, and we make use of it like everyone else, we don’t feel that it should replace traditional methods completely,” they explain. “For instance there’s a growing trend for not printing photographs at all, they only live digitally. We feel quite nostalgic about real prints, and our old family snaps are increasingly treasured. In our minds digital photo frames are the height of ugliness.

“Growing up in the 1980s meant that our childhoods were very hands on, practical, about getting messy, dressing up, Blue Peter, using our imaginations, making our own toys out of cardboard, wool and other found items,” they continue. “We are reminiscing about a bygone era that we enjoyed immensely and which is now part of our make up, thankfully. The work we make now is a direct result of pre-internet experimentation and a hands-on approach.”

The Paper Eaters: Long Live the Photo-Story! will be at Ultralounge in Selfridges until April 29. More info on the project is here.