Hasta La Ideas

Photo: Sim Goodwin

I have been a regular visitor to the New Blades degree show – which focuses purely on modelmaking, model design, special effects and character creation course – for the last nine years, since I graduated…

2013 saw attendances from The Arts University Bournemouth, University of Hertfordshire, University for the Creative Arts and University of Bolton. The quality of the work has come on in leaps and bounds since I was a modelmaking student! I think one of the reasons for this could be the now common presence of machines such as laser cutters and 3D printers.

This year there were 98 exhibitors, with such a wide range of creations to see. There seemed to be a shortage of architectural models though, which is the area that I work in and have done since graduation. It is also the area from industry that attends in greater numbers, looking for the emerging talents, so it seems silly that there were so few.

Photo: Sim Goodwin

There were three gems of models that caught my eye at the private view, the first of which was created by Annie Iorizzo, a student on the Character Creation & Technical effects course from University of Hertfordshire.

She captured such a great character and true likeness in her creation of an orangutan; it’s cheeky, true-to-life face caught my eye almost immediately.

Photo: Sim Goodwin

My second pick of the show was a wonderfully executed model of a bridge made by another University of Hertfordshire student, Joshua Horobin.

It was made using maple timber and had a lovely effect with strings, with each one going through a meticulously drilled hole in the carved wood with tiny, neatly arranged screws holding them in place and under tension.

It’s common knowledge in architectural modelmaking that you cannot hide any mistakes with a wooden model, as you can’t fill or spray to get rid of them which is why I had a close look and wasn’t disappointed.

Joshua was awarded the runner-up prize of a silver plated scalpel for the Best in Show.

Photo: Sim Goodwin

My final mention from this degree show is of Tom Le Gallez, a student from The Arts University Bournemouth.

He made a beautiful 1:6 scale model of Slimsfab’s The Haymaker motorbike, with such great attention to detail it even had the Kawasaki branding on the engine.

Tom has made this bike to an exceptional level it is no wonder he was awarded not only the Best Product Model accolade but also the prestigious gold plated scalpel for the Best in Show, too. And if I might add, it was very well deserved.

New Blades was at Holborn Studios, 49-50 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED. More details at modelshop.co.uk/Static/New-Blades.

Pink Floyd fans may recognise the cover of our June issue. It’s the original marked-up artwork for Dark Side of the Moon: one of a number of treasures from the archive of design studio Hipgnosis featured in the issue, along with an interview with Aubrey Powell, co-founder of Hipgnosis with the late, great Storm Thorgerson. Elsewhere in the issue we take a first look at The Purple Book: Symbolism and Sensuality in Contemporary Illustration, hear from the curators of a fascinating new V&A show conceived as a ‘walk-in book’ plus we have all the regular debate and analysis on the world of visual communications.

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