LOVE MY POLAROID OF THE WEEK: KURT COBAIN

Iconic Polaroid of Kurt Cobain with his pet kitten Spina Bifida, circa summer 1990. The period in which he wrote most of the classic 'Nevermind's best known songs, such as Smells Like Teen Spirit. Taken from the 2008 publication, Cobain Unseen by Charles R. Cross.

LOVE POLAROID CLASSIC FACTORY JACKET WHITE

Loving this Special White Edition of the legendary Polaroid Factory Jacket. The latest addition to Impossible Project's Polaroid Classic line of accessories! The jackets (along with the black editions released end of last year) were originally worn by the Polaroid staff during the 70s and 80s. It's a vintage sporty piece but yet elegant design that features the Polaroid logo above the legendary Polaroid rainbow stripe emblazoned across the chest of the jacket. You can pick up one of these special pieces of fashion for a very limited time at The Impossible Project or Polaroid Store for around £61.00/$84.99.

::LOVE MY POLAROID OF THE WEEK - RICHARD HAMILTON BY JOHN LENNON::

Richard Hamilton. From Polaroid Portraits, John Lennon, 1971

Richard William Hamilton CH (24 February 1922 – 13 September 2011) British painter and collage artist.

The above snapshot taken by John Lennon is one of 128 Richard Hamilton polaroid portraits. The project began in 1968 when Hamilton offered his artist friends a Polaroid camera and asked them to take a picture of him. Each snapshot not only captured the changing appearance of the subject but also the personalities and distinctive styles of the other artists. Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, John Lennon and Francis Bacon were among the artists that took part in this modest project which ended in the new year of 2001. Click here to view some pages of Richard Hamilton – Polaroid Portraits (Vol. 1,2,3 & 4).

::LOVE MY POLAROID OF THE WEEK - HOMEMADE POLAROID::

Don't mess with Monty Python by Homemade Polaroid, 2012©

A different kind of Polaroid this week - a Homemade Polaroid! If you love a surreal world made of simple graphic signs like the one above, follow the iconic blog here and facebook page. The first Homemade Polaroid poster - photo lessons is still available to purchase from the blog shop. 

::LOVE WILLIAM WEGMAN POLAROIDS::

©William Wegman

Artist William Wegman is best known for his remarkable collection of compositions employed by his Weimaraner muses. Cleverly juxtaposing them against non-canine subjects and human situations with the use of a Polaroid 20x24-inch camera. The series began with a fruitful twelve year collaboration with first his first dog, Man Ray before moving on to the more famously Fay Ray in 1986. Wegman's cast of characters continued to grow a few years later with the litter arrivals from both Fay and her daughter. Hundreds of his unique large format photographs are now well known through exhibitions, books, magazine covers and his bestselling calendars. In 2010 Wegman's Avalanche, a 20x24-inch Polaroid depicting Man Ray being covered in flour, was auctioned for the sum of $30,000 as part of the Polaroid Collection Auction at Sotheby's in New York. His photographs, paintings and videos have been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally. Check out more of Wegman's work here and facebook.

::LOVE TIME ZERO - THE LAST YEAR OF POLAROID FILM::

Polaroid made the shock announcement of discontinuing instant film in 2008. It signaled the end of an era and more importantly - an unique art form. Polaroid artists around the world were in mourning, snapping up the last remaining supplies of instant film to feed their passion for that bit longer. Time Zero is a captivating documentary about the last year of Polaroid film. It chronicles the death - and rebirth - of instant film, sharing some intimate moments from several familiar Polaroid artists, former employees and the admirable reinvention efforts of The Impossible Project. The documentary is directed by Polaroid photographer Grant Hamilton who is renowned for his amazing abstract Polaroid work. Time Zero is premiering at the highly acclaimed 2012 Independent Film Festival in Boston (the birthplace of Polaroid) on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 12:30pm. For the documentary's web site click here, information about the movie can also be found on facebook and twitter. Check out the abstract Polaroid work of Grant Hamilton here. 

[LOVE] MY POLAROID OF THE WEEK - ANSEL ADAMS

 

 

©Ansel Adams (San Francisco, California, 1902–1984)

Aspens, Northern New Mexico, 1958

Mural-sized gelatin silver print

You can find this amazing image in the Ansel Adams publication Polaroid Land Photography. Available to purchase from amazon.co.uk & amazon.com prices start from £88.96/$84.68. Also visit Amazon's Ansel Adams Page and Ansel Adams website. Aspens, Northern New Mexico was part of the huge Polaroid collection begun by Edwin Land, the inventor and founder of Polaroid. The image was auctioned off in 2010 for the sum of $494,000 by Sotheby's New York.

[LOVE] POLAROID ADVERTSING 1949 - 1957

August, 1949. An early advertisement introducing the basic concept of instant photography with the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95.

December, 1951. A Christmas-themed advertisement that notes the potential social and fun aspects of instant photography.

January, 1954. Another Christmas-themed ad in a different format. It also introduced the new Model 110 Pathfinder camera.

October, 1956. In this ad, Polaroid advertised the ease of purchase via credit with convienient weekly payments. These time-installment purchase plans were often mentioned in Polaroid ads from the 1950's.

July, 1957. TV host, Steve Allen took part in several commercials for Polaroid on his television show in the mid/late 1950's. This magazine ad is in the style of a typical Steve Allen TV ad.

I ♥ Skyler Stonestreet - Polaroid

Skyler Stonestreet is an exciting upcoming artist from Santa Barbara, USA who have just released 2 EP Set Shoebop Anonymous: Side A & B. Lead off track from EP Side A: Polaroid is a lovely catchy tune that will stick in your head for days! Although Skyler is shown using the new Polaroid Z340 instant digital in the video, her initial inspiration came from the Polaroid 300 instant camera. Recalling a love crush at a music festival, captured with mini instant photographs, forever. Shoebop Anonymous: Side A & B is available to download now from itunes.

[LOVE] KATJA SONNEWEND

Katja Sonnewend is a photographer based in Berlin, Germany. Originally from Poland, she has exhibited all over the world at various galleries and festivals. She has an interesting quirky edge to her artwork, and over the years has built up an impressive digital and Polaroid photography portfolio.

Her latest fashion editorial for Contributor Magazine was shot completely on Polaroid and Impossible film. A refreshing change to the usual digital and Photoshop process on today's mainstream fashion magazines.

Contributor Magazine covers fashion, film, art, culture and food. Together, talented contributors give their take on the latest in modern culture. Click here for the rest of Katji's fashion editorial.

To see more of her beautiful photography, please visit here.

I ♥ Amanda Mason - A Land Far Away

A Land Far Away from Amanda Mason on Vimeo.

Recently Australian photographer and designer Amanda Mason compiled a video slideshow for PushPullPhoto a monthly photography slideshow social event in Sheffield, UK. The slideshow is entitled A Land Far Away and Amanda used a combination of Polaroid Chocolate film and Impossible film for her striking images.

I ♥ The Gold Cartier Polaroid Spectra

Have you seen these?! This is one of only four 22 carat gold Polaroid Spectra cameras made in 1988 by Cartier! Among it's dazzling features are three shades of gold, decorated with a sapphire top, handle, small strap and comes in an original red Catier presentation box. And as you can imagine this one comes at a cost with an estimate selling price of over £10,000!!

Check out the auction site here

I ♥ Instant Gratification: From Polaroid to Impossible at the Jennifer Schwartz Gallery, Atlanta

If you are in the Atlanta, USA area make sure you check out this upcoming interesting exhibition Instant Gratification. Celebrating the recent resurggent interest and new life in instant film in the 21st century. The show explores the magic of the material and takes each artists own unique approach to instant film from straight traditional imagery to experimental abstract.

Featuring photography by Chloe Aftel, Grant Hamilton, Mikael Kennedy, John Reuter, Amber Fouts, Kendrick Brinson, David Walter Banks and Magnus Stark. The Opening Reception takes place on Saturday, October 15 from 7-10pm at the Jennifer Schwartz Gallery and the show runs through to November 26.

Full press release here

I ♥ Artist Polaroids From Lollapalooza 2011

Stereogum armed 23 bands with Polaroid Cameras and Impossible film at Lollapalooza's twentieth anniversary over last weekend. There was performances from big headliners such as Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and Muse. But it was the supporting bands that were the interest for some instant film fun! Black Lips, Arctic Mondays, Noah And The Whale were among the bands that contributed snaps on how they passed their time in Grant Park. Especially loving GroupLove's cartoon decorated snaps! Click here to see the final product!

I ♥ Christine Berrie's Polaroid Drawings

Loving the breathtaking Polaroid drawings from Glasgow graphite and colour pencil artist, Christine Berrie. She loves creating detailed visual images that celebrate vintage models back in the day. Her work has featured in many big publications such as The Guardian, New Scientist, Time Out and Wallpaper. You can purchase museum quality prints at her etsy shop

I ♥ Urbancase Polaroid Candle

Loving this cute Polaroid Candle from Urbancase on the materialicious site. It is made from 100% beeswax and will burn for about 40 hours. All Urbancase candles are made by Big Dipper Waxworks in Seattle. Would look great alongside your favourite Polaroid cameras! Find one here

I ♥ Polaroid Week 2011

Polaroid Week 2011 is already in full swing! Join in the fun by making your own Polaroids! And if want to share them to the world (or admire at the participants) head over to the Flickr group.

Impossible are also celebrating by sharing some of their favourite shots taken with various Impossible Project film daily via their blog.

And what I am doing on Polaroid Week you may ask? Well I will be celebrating snapping happily away with my newly purchased Fujifilm Instax 100 Camera! Watch this space!

Happy 'Roid Week! : )

I ♥ Your Magic Universe

 

ARTAZART in Paris have just launched a grand contest, inviting you to discover and shoot the magic pieces and moments of your world. The contest started on 20 May and all images have to be submitted by 20 September. And there is also a very special sponsor for the contest, the famous poladdict herself PATTI SMITH!! Patti is no stranger to the instant world with her combination of music, poems, drawings...and Polaroid, during her career many years ago!  

Click here to read all details about Your Magic Universe and submit your images until September 20 to win some awesome prizes!

I ♥ Mark Griffiths Polaroid Prints

I simply adore the beautiful nostalgic camera and photograph print series by Mark Griffiths. A talented artist and lifelong Polaroid enthusiast from Swansea. 

Printed on quality heavyweight 180gsm matte paper on an Epson 7800 printer using Epson Ultrachrome K3 ink for a very long lasting life. Each print is hand signed and dated by the artist. A worthwhile treat for any Polaroid devotee! Check out more of Mark's work here etsy store

I ♥ Good Life Polaroid commercial #2