ARE YOU MODERN?

Do you consider being modern important? I don’t own a smartphone, never bought a pair of trainers or downloaded music from the Internet. However, I consider myself thoroughly modern having been through Punk to supporting Occupy London and setting up an online shop. 

Georgians Revealed is a current exhibition at the British Library (see previous post). It shows how the Georgians invented modern life, from interior decorating, tea time, department stores to entertainment and sporting events. But it also shows that none would have been possible without the slave trade.

 

 

“One’s got to be completely modern” – Arthur Rimbaud

Do you own an apple phone? How do you feel about the workers assembling these phones committing suicide over their working conditions? Did you know that Steve Jobs was classified as a sociopath even by the FBI?

There is a dark side to modernity. What do you think about modernity these days? Is it all about technology and less about progressive ideas?

            

 

Inspired by my own interest in the Georgians, and Toile de Jouy invented at the end of the 18^th Century, I created a collection of rings for today. They bring the needle felting technique together with Toile de Jouy appliqué. I also designed Valentine’s Day cards with a Georgian themed collage. Modern is also recycling the old for a new life cycle.

You can purchase these through my online shop: https://beta.folksy.com/shops/vivelarepublique

GEORGIANS REVEALED

Georgians Revealed: Life, Style and the Making of Modern Britain is an exhibition at the British Library to celebrate the 300 years anniversary of the period, starting 1714. Mainly made up of printed material, it is worth visiting for the parallels it is possible to make with contemporary living, from the British obsession with tea to interior design, pantomimes and shopping. It feels all strangely very familiar.

Outdoor installation of a Georgian garden dedicated to George I

What caught my eye was the beautiful shop display. And more particularly the Toile de Jouy Georgian dress. Tea towels and aprons are on sale. Which is odd because Toiles Jouy were produced in France (see my page about the history of Toile Jouy) and became popular during The Regency period, Empire in France, the last part of the Georgian era. 

 

Check out my apron in Toile de Jouy below. It was selected as Favourite Finds by Folksy. 

 

  
They also sell cushions with Georgian prints. Again, I sell similar cushions. My shoe collage cards are inspired by the Georgians. Similar shoes are on display at the exhibition.

This exhibition is at the British Museum, King's Cross, and runs until the 11th March. It costs £10 or £5 concession.