TAINT Magazine

TAINT: the intersection between art and politics

number one: the gender issue

summer 2014

Pandemonia

INTERVIEW BY NIALL UNDERWOOD
PHOTOS BY LOUIE BANKS

http://www.taintmag.com/

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Please could you start by telling us a little bit about what you do.

I am a Fine Artist. The role of the artist is a unique position – one that can illuminate and affect society. As part of my artistic production I created a celebrity. I constructed her out of signs and symbols that point to modern day myths. By exhibiting my celebrity “Pandemonia” at events such as fashion shows, product launches and art openings, my image and ideas have spread virally through the media. Pandemonia is an artistic intervention.

So did you ever expect Pandemonia to slip so successfully into the 'front row'

At fashion shows there is a strict hierarchy which dictates who sits where. I had no idea how the 'powers that be would react. When I arrived, the press photographers, the audience and security spontaneously began performing 'Pandemonia'. Pandemonia was photographed by the press pack and placed centre front row.

You've talked before about how Pandemonia allowed you to take your work from the gallery and to exhibit directly within society. Why might this be an important transition for art to make?

My work is about our culture, so I took it directly to the people and into the everyday so as to create a discourse. Going outside the boundaries of the art system has opened it up to more possibilities. It has blurred the lines of illusion ans reality.

If the work was originally exhibited in a gallery it would be labelled and contained. Presenting it in its current format has caused a lot of confusion and kept it alive, It instigates questions rather than completeness. It is a form of détournement.

Technology is changing us. To make the work current it seemed to me to be important to use social media.

I chose to use the celebrity motif partly because people relate to celebrity and because celebrities are 'cross platform'; they translate well through all media platforms.

The work operates on the plain of myth. Myths, identities and ideas of normalcy are perpetuated and reinforced through adverts and the media. I wanted my work placed in situ amongst these. My images now get carried by the very same media, it's been shown in top glossy magazines and television around the world.

"By placing alternate images in the mainstream media an artist can attempt to reveal and affect the mechanisms of how things work."

My celebrity functions differently from the traditional celebrity. If you decode her she is more like a Trojan Horse. Being carried by the mass media allows the work to form an internal critique.

As the wok gets more established I can see it re-entering and working in the gallery setting.

Do you feel that Pandemonia has been received and appreciated as an artwork?

That really depends on the viewer. My work is democratic in the sense that it appeals to all sorts of people and that it allows them to make up their own minds about it. I think it is good to fall in between definitions, finding t5he cracks is one way to reveal something new.

The democratic appeal of Pandemonia is something I found initially interesting about the work. Where contemporary art can often be conceptually elitist, Pandemonia appeals to masses as something else entirely. The very same media who did not recognise Tracy Emin's bed as an artwork appear to have welcomed and promoted Pandemonia as a celebrity.

That is how a Trojan Horse works, it appears as one thing but inside it is something else. Our 'guardians' – those who choose what to report – accepted Pandemonia with open arms. I wanted the work to get good exposure because it relates to what is going on in culture now, not to just the select few. When I constructed Pandemonia I was thinking of semiotics. The signifier and the signified., An equation where the viewer fills in the blanks.

Any advertiser knows that media space is at a premium and that blondes are especially popular with the media. It was a question of realising the moment. SO I fed the media back their own imagery. I made a point of keeping away from exhibiting in the gallery. I showed Pandemonia in non elitist places where it would give the press an easy narrative to write around. She is the perfect blank canvas to hang stories off of.

You touched on the possibility of the work returning to as gallery context. Is this something which may happen soon?

I have various projects in the pipeline. The context, or 'framing', is crucial to how the work is perceived. The work needs to function beyond the walls of the gallery.

Pandemonia takes an obviously female form. Do you conciser this a reflection on the way in which the media expects women to aesthetically please?

Yes and no. For me that is too simplistic an interpretation. Pandemonia is an allegory. I chose to make her female because in advertising the Female is the emblem of our market society. The myths and aspirations of our times are played across her body. Her image is the most effective advertising device known to mankind. Her image sells. Both men and women like to look at her.

I liked what you said about market society; this fe-male-inspired emblem does seem to be used relentlessly, and to advertise such a vast quantity of products. Pandemonia has responded well to this idea, but do you see any way that we, as a society, can move towards this not being the case?

It's a symptom of the capitalist cycle. Advertising functions to create demand where there is none. Demand needs to be created to pay debt, Debt is the driving force behind money creation.

Myth and Image are the motivators behind our desires. By placing alternate images in the mainstream media an artist can attempt to reveal and affect the mechanisms of how things work.

TAINT

Automatic Art. GV Art

Automatic Art: human and machine processes that make art

4-26 July 2014
GV art,
49 Chiltern Street
London W1U 6LY

It had been a sweltering hot day at home for Pandemonia and Snowy, by 7pm the temperature had dropped and they both felt the need to go out. After flicking through their PV invites and they settled for the London Art and Science gallery GV_Art

At the gallery Pandemonia and Snowy were greeted by GV owner Robert Devcic.
Robert briefed them on 50 years of Automatic Art: human and machine processes that make art, exhibition.

Then Robert whisked them downstairs, to the back gallery space, where he introduced Pandemonia and Snowy, to British Computer artist William Lathham.

Will was all fired up and engaged P&S with his interactive of Human Mutator2 Reflector in time piece of work. Both P&S were captivated by the work.

Pandemonia and Snowy moved from one playful demonstration with Will, to another by British Constructivism artist Peter Lowe.
Peter explained his transformable construction of 5 groups of 5 stainless steel tube with aluminium, an exhibit Snowy wanted to get his paws on.

But the gallery was filling up with guests and Pandemonia needed a escape the heat and find a thirst quencher, so they shifted to the bar, in the outdoor gallery court yard.

There, they encountered the new guard of Science and Art, in the comely shape of Westminster College student Robbie Anson Duncan, (who Snowy discovered Robbie has become a Westminster fashion department muse), Robbie was so taken by Pandemonia & Snowy, he asked to be snapped.

That done, another guest jumped in and asked "can I do a selfie with you" Pandemonia and Snowy obliged him.

Then Pandemonia and Snowy entered back into the gallery & cast their beady eye's over Ernest Edmonds, Four Shaped Forms, Acrylic and digital print on canvas.

Snowy, recognised fellow conceptual artist Alexander Hidalgo. Pandemonia recalled their last meeting was at Freeze Art fair when they were with their two chums Nick Rhodes and his partner Maria Suvio aka Nefer.

Pandemonia and Snowy then took to the stairs, to see ground floor exhibits.
No sooner had P&S reached the ground floor, there were mobbed by a host of fun loving art enthusiastic children, that stormed the gallery and surrounded P&S, with their mum pleading for a pix.

Being children friendly Pandemonia & Snowy consented and then were free to see artist Harold Cohen colourful "Coming Home"

Malcolm Hughes - Relief Maquette

and Nathan Cohen, "Crossing" black white and grey work.

Having seen the work Pandemonia and Snowy were given a hearty send off by Charles Gollop and Robert, who thanked P&S for coming.

As Pandemonia and Snowy waited for their cab, they were set upon by ex Vidal Sassoon master crimper Billi Currie.

Billi's own salon was next door, and tried to enticed Pandemonia in, forever the hairdresser couldn't resist checking out P hair and its superb gloss, bounce and condition.

Pandemonia politely refused, so Billi called out his team and a one of their client's joined them, to see the marvellous tresses of Pandemonia and it's creative hair style.

"My hair, is, all my own work" Pandemonia said as P&S waved everyone goodbye and piled into a taxi for cool comfort of home.


photo/copy: Stephen Mahoney

PUPMAG

PUPMAG issue 2 Summer 2014.

15 minutes.

Photo: Romy Treebusch



Pandemonia
Artist

"I created Pandemonia from mass media imagery, then fed her back to the very same media. She is like a modern day Trojan Horse. On the surface she is the consumerist vision in person; forever young, tall and glossy etc. Under the veneer, the work promotes discourse; a dismantling of that same image. She is an allegory for living in the 21st century and operates in the social sphere. She is democratic because it is the public that made her. There is no institution or public body behind her promoting her. People vote for her with their camera phones. Her image has spread virally around the world."



Pandemonia
Artist

"In showbiz, identity is ones trademark. Identity is something you wear and one’s humanity is not reducible to a single identity. We wear “masks” to help navigate between public and private spaces. Oneself is more than ones job or any other isolated slice of ones identity."

NRC next... The modern Trojan horse

NRC next interview by Christel Don

English Google translation

I am the modern Trojan horse

She goes through life in a large latex suit / / And give her true identity / / What do accomplish this British living work of art ?

Saturday, May 17, 2014

She is more than two meters long , fully dressed in latex , often accompanied by her white inflatable dog Snowy . In England they are more than five years, a phenomenon. With its cartoonish appearance she sits front row at fashion shows , and there are few famous Britons not been in the picture with her. Slowly but surely getting the rest of the world in its sights : Pandemonia . This week is a living work of art for the first time in the Netherlands .

While the British style icon orders tea, the question arises how practical such a hot drink when you tightened is in a non - breathable suit and even talking requires effort . "I have indeed occasionally to vent . " Pandemonia have yet to comment about her identity , but the stubble around her mouth and deep voice make it unlikely that a woman hidden under the latex.

You never fail ? Talk about yourself in interviews, why
" If I reveal my identity , it creates noise. I would suddenly instance Joe Blogs are also known as Pandemonia . Then the focus shifts to my personality rather than the ideas that I want to convey. This would be much less interesting. "

What exactly do you want to say with your extravagant looks ?

"I 'm an artist . If you look at me , you will not see me , but my work . After 2000, the focus on celebrities in the media flight. Increasingly, they appeared on the front pages : stories about who they went out , kissed , or where they were spotted drunk . That fascinated me immensely and made ​​me think . What does it say about our society ? Suddenly I thought, why can not there instead of some celebrity is not a work of art at that spot in the newspaper ? A work of art that produces discussion. "

Why was that art Pandemonia ?

" Pandemonia is a catalyst that would continue to go about our culture and the way we shape our society . Dialogue people thinking Actually, as a kind of modern Trojan horse . I copy first role models , stereotypes and myths that dominate the media. Subsequently apply them in their own way and I give them back to the media . "

That sounds a bit vague . Give an example .

" For example I am blond, slightly pinkish blond moment , but a variant of blonde. The media love blondes more than brunettes . That's a stereotype . Just look at classic movie stars , who are all blond. They simply become more obvious . "

So you create an inflatable blonde hair as a sort of parody ?

" Exactly . But I use the same language as the media , I use the same stereotypes , so I then appear through the same media channels back into the picture . "

On the pictures you often find yourself with an inflatable dog . What is its function ?

" Snowy is my icebreaker. Even the most rigid people thaw when I introduce him . That again , happens every time very striking . " It is intriguing and surprising at the same time , interview someone who hides literally from head to toe in a rubber outfit seems influenced by artists such as Andy Warhol , Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons . Where you normally looks for the moment someone shows something of his mask fall , that will not happen quickly at Pandemonia . Anonymity is part of what she wants to wear out. A bigger mystery is why what drives it most of the year to go as a life-sized latex doll life.

" Art in a gallery or museum has been closed. It is in a safe area . I did not hear from museums , but I avoid that context aware . I go directly to the public. "

How do you get money ?

" Sometimes I get sponsored by big brands who invite me to an event . I wear something commissioned . All I do that only if I 'm behind the brand. Furthermore, my travels generally paid by the person inviting me . Or I sell some of my art . "

How important is identity still these days ? "

" We all wear masks . Identity slips from our fingers . Think of how technology evolves . We are not the only ones who decide what happens to our identity . Facebook can be used without permission and pictures on websites can be published so information about us . "

Finally , how do you be such a stereotype ?

" Think carefully about what you read and what you consume . Images you see are always paid by someone . And the reason that someone pay for, because they sell a product . Your whole identity is built around products . Realize that and create your own history . You only live once . "


Origional....Dutch

Ik ben het moderne paard van Troje

Ze gaat door het leven in een groot latex pak // En zwijgt over haar ware identiteit // Wat wil dit Britse levende kunstwerk bereiken? zaterdag 17 mei 2014

Ze is ruim twee meter lang, volledig in latex gehuld en gaat vaak vergezeld door haar witte opblaashond Snowy. In Engeland is ze al ruim vijf jaar een fenomeen. Met haar stripachtig uiterlijk zit ze front row bij grote modeshows en er zijn weinig bekende Britten níet met haar op de foto geweest. Langzaam maar zeker krijgt ook de rest van de wereld haar in het vizier: Pandemonia. Deze week is het levende kunstwerk voor het eerst in Nederland.

Terwijl het Britse stijlicoon thee bestelt, rijst de vraag hoe praktisch zo’n heet drankje is wanneer je strakgetrokken zit in een niet-ademend pak en zelfs praten moeite kost. „Ik moet er inderdaad af en toe uit om te luchten.” Pandemonia laat niks los over haar identiteit, maar de stoppels rond haar mond en de lage stem maken het onwaarschijnlijk dat er een vrouw onder het latex schuilgaat.

Je praat nooit over jezelf in interviews, waarom niet?

„Als ik mijn identiteit onthul, ontstaat er ruis. Dan zou ik opeens bijvoorbeeld Joe Block zijn, ook wel bekend als Pandemonia. Dan verschuift de aandacht naar mijn persoonlijkheid in plaats van de ideeën die ik wil uitdragen. Dat zou veel minder interessant zijn.”

Wat wil je precies zeggen met je extravagante looks?

„Ik ben kunstenaar. Als je naar mij kijkt, zie je niet mij, maar mijn werk. Na 2000 nam de aandacht voor beroemdheden in de media een vlucht. Steeds vaker verschenen ze op voorpagina’s: verhalen over met wie ze uitgingen, zoenden of waar ze dronken gesignaleerd waren. Dat boeide mij mateloos en zette me aan het denken. Wat zegt het over onze maatschappij? Opeens dacht ik, waarom kan er in plaats van zo’n beroemdheid niet een kunstwerk op die plek in de krant? Een kunstwerk dat discussie oplevert.”

Waarom werd dat kunstwerk Pandemonia?

„Pandemonia is een katalysator die mensen aan het denken wil zetten door de dialoog aan te gaan over onze cultuur en de manier waarop we onze maatschappij vormgeven. Eigenlijk als een soort modern paard van Troje. Ik kopieer in eerste instantie rolmodellen, stereotyperingen of mythes die in de media overheersen. Vervolgens pas ik ze op eigen wijze aan en geef ik ze weer terug aan de media.”

Dat klinkt een beetje vaag. Geef eens een voorbeeld.

„Ik ben bijvoorbeeld blond, een beetje rozig blond momenteel, maar een variant op blond. De media houden meer van blondines dan van brunettes. Dat is een stereotype. Kijk maar naar klassieke filmsterren, die zijn allemaal blond. Ze vallen gewoonweg meer op.”

Dus creëer jij een blond opblaaskapsel als een soort parodie?

„Precies. Maar ik gebruik wel dezelfde taal als de media, ik gebruik dezelfde stereotyperingen en daarom verschijn ik vervolgens via dezelfde mediakanalen weer in beeld.” Op foto’s sta je vaak met een opblaashond. Wat is zijn functie?

„Snowy is mijn ijsbreker. Zelfs de meest stijve mensen ontdooien als ik hem introduceer. Dat gebeurt iedere keer weer, heel frappant.” Het is intrigerend en bevreemdend tegelijk, iemand interviewen die zich letterlijk van top tot teen verbergt in een rubberen outfit die beïnvloed lijkt door kunstenaars als Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein en Jeff Koons. Daar waar je normaliter zoekt naar het moment dat iemand iets van z’n masker laat vallen, zal dat bij Pandemonia niet snel gebeuren. Anonimiteit is onderdeel van wat ze uit wil dragen. Een groter mysterie is daarom wat haar drijft het grootste deel van het jaar door het leven te gaan als een levensgrote latex-pop. „Kunst in een galerie of museum is afgesloten. Het zit in een veilige ruimte. Ik heb niks tegen musea hoor, maar ik mijd die context bewust. Ik ga direct naar het publiek.” Hoe verdien je eigenlijk geld?

„Soms word ik gesponsord door grote merken die me uitnodigen voor een evenement. Dan draag ik iets in opdracht. Al doe ik dat alleen als ik achter het merk sta. Verder worden mijn reizen over het algemeen betaald door degene die me uitnodigt. Of ik verkoop wat van mijn kunst. ”

Hoe belangrijk is identiteit nog deze dagen?”

„We dragen allemaal maskers. Identiteit glipt uit onze vingers. Denk aan de manier waarop techniek zich ontwikkelt. Wij zijn niet meer de enigen die bepalen wat er met onze identiteit gebeurt. Facebook kan zonder toestemming foto’s gebruiken en op websites kan zo maar informatie over ons gepubliceerd worden.”

Tot slot, hoe voorkom je zelf zo’n stereotype te worden?

„Denk goed na over wat je leest en wat je tot je neemt. Beelden die je ziet worden altijd door iemand betaald. En de reden dat iemand er voor betaalt, is omdat ze een product verkopen. Je hele identiteit is gebouwd rond producten. Realiseer je dat en creëer je eigen geschiedenis. Je leeft maar één keer. ”

Pandemonia in Amsterdam. day 1

After several hours of umming and arring, Pandemonia and Snowy decided what to take to Amsterdam, then they packed everything ready for their trip.

British Airways were very accommodating, and Pandemonia and Snowy arrived at the capital's hidden gem, Hotel Toon, Utrechtsestraat 18, Old Centre, Amsterdam, 1017 VN.

Hotel co-owner Sal Knuvers personally greeted them and showed them to their spacious suite.

The following morning, Snowy was quick off the mark and had the red collar on at the blink of an eye. Pandemonia smiled at him and slipped on the vibrant pink and lime green dress with tomato red band, matching red handbag, gloves and a pair of high heel peep toe Melissa shoes, and cherry picked some Balenciaga sunglasses. A once over in the mirror they were ready to face the day.



At the Hotel cafe, Pandemonia and Snowy had a cup of tea and a 9am interview with journalist Christel Don. Christel it transpired was an in depth reporter who viewed this assignment seriously and asked pertinent questions, in an attempt to get insight into Pandemonia the artist for NRC Hollands quality broadsheet newspaper.

The hour long interview flew by and came to an end in time for the hand over to Annemarie Van Gerrevink co-owner of Pup Creative Agency. Pup Creative Agency

Annemarie pulled out her laptop and showed Pandemonia and Snowy a break down of the day's schedule. That done, they had time for a brief photo call for all concerned, this pleased Sal, who found himself to be the male centre of attention.



Pandemonia and Snowy were delighted with Annemarie's calm professional approach and explained they couldn't pass the day without popping heads around the door of Museum Bags and Purses, to say hi to the staff, Berenice Beaumont and Jacquline Van Maaren, having made a promise the night before.

Once inside the museum Pandemonia & Snowy were captivated by the vast collection of bags, from spooky skeleton doggie bags on the ground floor to Louis Vuitton trunks and 1930's plastic bags on the second floor.



Plus, a rare full beaded Katerine Baumann "Diet Coke" Minaudiere Evening purse, and in the same cabinet the world famous Judith Leiber cupcake purse the sister to Patricia Field's choice for the pivotal wedding scene in "Sex and The City" movie.



Adrenaline fix over, it was time to leave the museum. Pandemonia and Snowy stepped outside and behold the chauffeur of Uber car's on hand to ferry them to the studio They were driven post haste to Studio Witman Kleipool.

On arrival Pandemonia and Snowy were greeted by the Pup Magazine creative team, all keyed up and ready to shoot Pandemonia and Snowy for Pup Magazines second bumper issue Snowy discovered is to be released 20th of June.



The magazine's Creative Director Thamar Luthart took one look at the Pandemonia test shot in daywear and pulled out a portrait image from June issue mock-up, and after a confab with the photographer Romy Treebusch, they were unanimous. The red gloves next to Pandemonia's face was an ideal fit with the mag layout. All that was required to fit the remit was a change of sunglasses, Diesel sunglasses replaced the Balenciaga, and the team commenced firing on all cylinders.


Photo: Manoah Biesheuvel

The fever pitch shoot captured on film, by Manoah Biesheuvel, the city's top film maker, who was quietly looming in the background.

Red shot over, there was an intermission during which, Pandemonia and Snowy changed into their next ensemble. Pandemonia reached for the canary yellow fitted dress, bag, vintage shoes from Camden and Vans sunglasses, Snowy's donned a coordinating collar. They returned to the scene of the crime and everyone snapped back into work mode.

As a consequence of the teams keen diligence the shoot was running way ahead of schedule. The next stop gap was when Pandemonia had to change into another outfit. This time Pandemonia plumbed for a the cobalt blue, deep V-neck, A-line dress, matching bag and Melissa Estrelicia shoes and Snowy added his collar too.



And before they resumed Anne Mestrom PR guru from Ganbaroo PR showcases halted proceedings to enable journalist Georgette Koning a 30 minute interview. Georgette thanked Pandemonia and Snowy for being punctual and let slip "I'm flying out of the country in a couple of hours to interview someone else". Georgette asked for a quick snap and proceeded to rush out the door.



Pandemonia and Snowy returned to finish the shoot which ended in record time, and the team chorused "we look forward to seeing you tonight at the shoot wrap dinner".

Pandemonia and Snowy reverted to their earlier daywear garb and climbed into the Uber car that transported them to the 5 star Hotel Conservatorium.



There they were met on the Hotel forecourt and given a warm welcome by Nicole Canoy Marketing & Communications Manager and her new assistant Nina Van Spyker, followed by Schilo Van Coevorden the celebrated Executive Chef of Tunes restaurant.

Inside the hotel Pandemonia and Snowy were taken to a secluded area by Nicole and Luara Kemp interviewed Pandemonia for Pup Magazine.



After Luara was satisfied she had enough copy for her article Pandemonia and Snowy took leave and joined Annemarie and Manoah in the Brasserie and Lounge for lobster soup and watched them both devouring the a scrumptious lunch, prepared presumably by Schilo, while Nicole explained to the group "we're fully booked and have a really good return business".



Lunch over Nicole escorted Pandemonia and Snowy through the hotel. P&S were transfixed by the hotels Violin chandelier display.



Outside the hotel's main road entrance, Pandemonia and Snowy found a new ally in the shape of a Dutch motorbike Police officer who kept his eagle eye on the road and zoomed off only when the P&S Uber car pulled up.

Pandemonia and Snowy were now free to be tourists and visit various places logged in the smart phone, accompanied by photographer Peter De Krom. Peter was there to get a reportage picture for a newspaper.



Pandemonia and Snowy's first port of call, Amsterdam's historical 13 Century Dam Square. Here Pandemonia and Snowy were hoping to get insight to the city's alternative culture from street entertainers a common sight in this vicinity.



However No Show. P&S assumed on this glorious sunny day street entertainers had skipped the square, perhaps to lay in the park and soak up the rays. Luckily Peter got his shot there.

The next place on the Pandemonia and Snowy list was Amsterdam Central main line station. However, when they arrived their eye's met with an overwhelming sight, rows upon rows of bicycles thousands of them.



Unfortunately, Pandemonia hadn't packed suitable attire for cycling.



They eventually reached the Central station at 4 minutes to 5pm
A peek time for teenagers, who surrounded Pandemonia and Snowy as they made a mad rush to get home.

Pandemonia and Snowy took their lead and headed back to the hotel to recuperate and dress for dinner.

Fully rejuvenated Pandemonia and Snowy chose very carefully what to wear to Lion Noir restaurant, knowing it ranks as one of the capitals elegant hot spots. Pandemonia went for the eau de nil green with fuschia pink cuffed wrap dress, bag, Vivienne Westwood/Melissa wedge sandals and Just Cavalli sunglasses. Snowy teamed his look with the same daring fuschia collar.



At the Lion Noir, they were met by the dashing owner Serge Rijn, who after he'd seated Pandemonia and Snowy comfortably raced off to fetch the menu.

Pandemonia and Snowy were delighted to meet, Dineke Van Den Heuvel the Fashion Director.
Dineke was the person who spotted Pandemonia and Snowy, when scanning the fashion pages and was instrumental in getting P and S on board for the Pup Magazine shoot.



When the whole crew were seated, Snowy seized the roll reversal opportunity and popped the camera and captured Dineke, Annemarie, Pandemonia, Thamar and Elouise on the razzle.

As midnight approached Pandemonia saw Snowy showing signs of exhaustion after a 15 hour day. So P bid the gang afscheid (which is the Dutch equivalent to au revoir), tucked Snowy under the arm and bundled into a cab back to the hotel.



In the hotel kitchen, staff provided Pandemonia with a bed time hot chocolate drink and wished P&S a good nights rest. In their suite Pandemonia and Snowy too fatigued to talk , curled up in bed & went fast asleep.


photo/copy: Stephen Mahoney

RCA Fashion 2014

Snowy was over the moon that morning, when Pandemonia flashed him their invite to the Royal College of Art fashion show.
Pandemonia & Snowy scanned the wardrobe and they opted for metallic blue ensemble, agreeing this would be appropriate for todays event.

In the taxi, their excitement grew to a fever pitch, aided and abetted by a traffic jam, one that caused Pandemonia and Snowy to arrive just in the nick of time.
At the entrance, they were informed the show was about to start, so speedily took their pew, and found themselves sat next to Claudia Croft The Sunday Times Newspaper Fashion Editor and Style Magazine's Head of Fashion.



Claudia gave Snowy a lady like squeeze, exchanged a quick how do you do with Pandemonia, did a snap, and then show commenced.


Designers: Nam Jung Choi, Chloe Orange, Ida Gro Christiansen, Jung Sun.

The runway collections were awash with garments that were tailored, sculptural, knitted and in digital prints, some that were bright vibrant colour palette, to others that had a transparent plastic overlays, that gave updated 60s spin to outfit.



After the show, Pandemonia and Snowy were asked to pose for pictures by some of the guests.
Which they duly did, as well as say hello to fellow artist Duggie Fields and the co-author of 1982 "Sloane Ranger Handbook" Peter York- real name Peter Wallis.



As they were easing their way out, Snowy spied two former heads of fashion of St Martins College of Art, Sheila Brown and Bobby Hilson.
Sheila and Bobby, Snowy whispered in Pandemonia ear, are acknowledged by fashion industry veterans, as the two most influential people in fashion colleges for the past 30 years.
When the late (Lee) Alexander Mcqueen showed Bobby his portfolio, applying to do a pattern cutting course, it was Bobby, who put Lee straight and told him, NO, you have to do a degree course, and the rest is history.



Pandemonia moved from two dynamic women, to another, Wendy Dagworthy RCA Head of Programmes and Dean of School.
Wendy has been the driving force of fashion at RCA since1998, and after last years Pandemonia RCA Lecture had invited P&S to come to the fashion show.

So it was only fitting for Pandemonia and Snowy to thank Wendy and after giving the obligatory farewell air kiss, they soldiered on to the exit.



They were halted yet again, this time by the undisputed icon catwalk fashion photographer Christopher Moore.
Snowy recognised Christopher, who'd been the doyen of Fashion Suzy Menkes photographer for more years than Snowy could count, and in Christopher's youth, he'd worked alongside Cecil Beaton.
Christopher has documented the Haute Couture collections, ready to wear and college shows around the globe since the1960's.
Chris got pally with Pandemonia & Snowy and confessed "I still get a kick out of shooting shows".

On that note Pandemonia and Snowy left feeling fully fashioned out, and got a cab straight home, where they curled up on the sofa & had a catch up on their NBF Ferne McCann latest escapades.


photo/copy: Stephen Mahoney

A day in Berlin

Saturday, after a hearty German breakfast Pandemonia and Snowy were fully fortified.
Looking out their window seeing the sun shining down,they decided it was ideal weather conditions for a city hike.
Pandemonia and Snowy got decked out in appropriate garb; Snowy in a chocolate brown collar; P a baby pink, light caramel and chocolate brown day dress, accessorised by a chocolate brown bag, Balenciaga sunglasses and a pair of Vivienne Westwood/ Melissa shoes. This was followed by obligatory Mirror check.

Pandemonia and Snowy then jumped a cab rendezvousing at the Galerie Kornfeld, Kunsthandel Fasanenstraße 26, 10719 Berlin.



Snowy and Pandemonia waited patiently at the entrance to the gallery for Freddy to take them in and show them around.



Inside the gallery, Pandemonia and Snowy joined the visiting art enthusiasts and viewed the works of Hurbert Scheibl, Babylon, Thomas Paul all exhibiting.



During a silent moment when Pandemonia and Snowy paused to reflect on what they'd seen, Snowy realised late comers had mistaken them both as sculptures. How bizarre!



Outside the gallery while Pandemonia and Snowy scanned the street looking for their guide the actor Stephan Luca.

A cyclist stopped and said "you're beautiful, perfect in every way, so beautiful" Flattered Snowy stuck his nose out and was promptly met with tickle under his chin.



Pandemonia spotted Stephan and sped off in a 4x4 vehicle to the first of the Berlin landmarks - the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Saturday shoppers did a double take,as Snowy and Pandemonia sashayed by, arm in arm with their handsome city guide Stephan. Back in the car, on the way to the Brandenburg Gate, Stephan let it slip "I'm in a mini TV series The Crimson Field playing Anton Ehrlich"
Snowy decided when he gets home, he's going to iplayer and watch Stephan in action.


photo: Camilla Douraghy

At the Brandenburg Gate, Snowy was blow away not as you'd expect by the gate but at the sight of his new best friend Freddy Kornfeld. Freddy gave S a gentle squeeze while inviting Pandemonia and Snowy to accompany him to Gallery Weekend Berlin cocktail that night at the old Berlin Airport Tempelhof. P&S replied "we'd be delighted"

photo: Camilla Douraghy



Pandemonia and Snowy excused themselves when brother and sister act sidled up next to them, neither spoke English. However they mimed they wanted their picture taken with them and P&S obliged.



As they turned to leave, they were held up by Fatima and her charming girlfriends, all of whom wanted their picture taken together too. P&S felt compelled to do so.


photo: Camilla Douraghy

Moving away from the gate, Pandemonia and Snowy spotted Freddy's gallery car but were perplex as to where Freddy was!

No matter, the ever dependable Stephan was on hand and knowing P&S both have a natural attraction to towering beauties he whisked Pandemonia & Snowy to Fernsehturm the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe.



After Pandemonia and Snowy had seen the Fernsehturm, the rays of midday sun made them uncomfortable. In the square outside P&S, scanned the horizons for Stephan to escape the heat.



Unbeknownst to them Stephan was close by and intuitively sensed their plight & swept Snowy and Pandemonia off their feet and back to the airconditioned car.


photo: Camilla Douraghy

They traveled next to East Side Gallery - Berlin Wall and it was here Pandemonia and Snowy had a heart to heart with Stephan, and P&S discovered Stephan to be a real gentleman, open minded and with a love of life.


photo: Camilla Douraghy

Their confab was disrupted by an eager couple wanting to immortalise their visit to Berlin with a picture of Pandemonia, Snowy and the Wall.



This sparked off a crowd of onlookers and Pandemonia and Snowy's pals entered into the spirit of the moment, out came the mobile phones and cameras.

Snapping over, Pandemonia and Snowy did a final lap of the wall and then toddled off back to the hotel to freshen up for evening.

In their suite, Pandemonia and Snowy prepared for the evening's outing. P selected a cobalt blue dress, a pair of Estrelicia Melissa shoes, and Swarovski sunglasses & Snowy a matching collar for the night ahead.



In the hotel lobby their chaperon Freddy Kornfeld ushered Pandemonia and Snowy outside to the waiting cab, one that ferried them to Gallery Weekend Berlin cocktail at Tempelhof.


photo: Maxime Ballesteros for Purple Magazine

The cocktail party was heaving with 1.500 guests, including Gallery owners, artists, collectors, Journalists, and over a glass of bubbly Freddy extended the invite to come back to his apartment.
Snowy gave Pandemonia the nod, having been tipped off earlier by Mamuka Bliadze, Freddy's business partner, that he was expecting at least 30 other guests for light finger food super and drinks. They arrived back in the centre of Berlin, and found themselves in a swank art dealers apartment, and it was just as Mamuka said buzzing with warm friendly art lovers.



Towards the end of the night Snowy led the party pack for one last photo opportunity, then Pandemonia scooped up S, waved a fond farewell and thanking their hosts and guests for a wicked weekend in Berlin, they raced back to the hotel to pack in preparation for their am flight back to London.


photo/copy: Stephen Mahoney