Ian Berry and Tonello nominated for Film Award!
Ian Berry and Tonello have been nominated for an inaugural Blue Lenz Award in the Best Sustainability video category for 2021!
The short documentary was filmed in Italy at Tonello HQ by Stefano Gnata who followed the process of creating the Secret Garden for a special installation at the San Fran Flower Mart in San Francisco. Filming the washing and lazering of the special Cone Denim fabric and the creation of the vines, flowers and wisteria that goes in to creating the hanging trellis. Alice Tonello, the Marketing Manager and head of R&D, along with Ian Berry were interviewed prior to the installing of the piece in California in 2018.
Blue Lenz YouTube channel has amassed a library of videos that spans educational to inspirational content around the denim community. They feature a community of creators including mills, consultants, designers and industry insiders who contribute to making this channel a go-to resource for denim.
Blue Lenz was founded to provide a more evergreen, centralized space for the outstanding content being produced. With more than 300 videos live on the channel, they thought it was time to recognize some of the best denim videos featured on Blue Lenz.
For the first time, Blue Lenz Denim Video Awards will be hosted during Bluezone later this month in Munich, Germany.
Click the images to see images of the final result in San Francisco.
Ian Berry said.
“It’s great to get this mention amongst so many great videos clips and all promoting good causes and ethics. I’m particularly pleased for Tonello who put so much work into the collaboration and support me greatly to get a nomination from an industry they are central to. And also good luck to my friends at Carved in Blue/Lenzing/Tencel who have put so much effort into bringing the industry together and now with these Blue Lenz awards. Of course both have supported me over a number of years and along with Pepe Jeans and Cone Denim have been great partners, not least at the latest museum show at Museum Rijswijk in The Netherlands. It will be no shame coming a runner up to any of these films created.”
The other nominees in the section are :
Best Sustainability – Connection to the UN SDGs
True Cost of Apparel Industry – BBC/Mostafiz Uddin
Artistic Fabric Mills – Tracing the Lifecycle of a Jean – SDG 12
Tonello x Ian Berry – Secret Garden @ San Francisco Flower Market
Jeanologia – Handman – The Revival of Jeans Manufacturing
Artistic Milliners – Organic Cotton in Pakistan
“Over the past several years, we have seen increasing use of video to explain denim design, history, environmental and social impact,” said Lenzing’s Tricia Carey. “With the pandemic, videos became a way to connect globally as we have had limited in-person meetings. With this in mind, we believe the denim industry needs to celebrate the incredible creativity, people and concepts. This led to the start of our Blue Lenz YouTube channel several years ago and now to the first denim video awards to showcase the best video storytelling of the global denim community.“
They enlisted a panel of seven judges who hail from around the globe to pick and choose the cream of the crop:
Margherita Verlicchi, Menabo – Italy
Michelle Branch, Markt & Twigs – United States
Wouter Munnichs, Long John Denim – Netherlands
Neha Celly, Nece Gene – India
Erin Barajas, Interesting Monsters – United States
Panos Sofianos, Bluezone – Germany and Greece
Kelly Harrington, Trademark Blue – United Kingdom
The awards cover eight categories. In addition to bragging rights, the winners will receive a certificate, and they will be featured during an awards presentation at Bluezone in Munich, Germany.
If you’re attending Bluezone, join us on Aug. 31 at 3 pm CET as we announce the winners live during a ceremony. They’ll also be sharing a video of the presentation on their Carved in Blue Instagram.
Behind the Brands Podcast - Ian Berry
Talking on the Behind Brands Podcast Ian Berry spoke with Warren Parker-Mills which was something of a change for them in regards to this week's episode, as, Ian Berry isn’t really a brand. Well, he is, but you know.
Warren says ‘as we chat in-depth with the super talented artist, Ian Berry. Ian has showed his incredibly impressive work at exhibitions and Installations across the globe and was recognised as being one of the "Top 30 under 30" within the Art World. Ian scours, thousands of pairs of Jeans to locate the perfect shade of Denim to use in his 'blue based' creations. ‘
’Take a listen to understand his ongoing relationship with Denim and how he uses the fabric to depict day to day life and 20th Century culture.’
https://lnkd.in/e5xAFyp
If you want to see Ian's work in real life, head to Museum Rijswijk in the Netherlands, his work will be available to view until the 5th August.
Museum Rijswijk Reopens
Splendid Isolation
5 June - 15 August 2021
Museum Rijswijk, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
After a long period behind closed doors the 5th June see’s Ian Berry ‘Splendid Isolation’ Exhibition at Museum Rijswijk in Holland reopen. It will be then be prolonged until 15 August 2021. To mark the opening Mixed Grill put it in its Top 11 Shows to see in Holland and FD marked it as a ‘Must See’ as galleries now reopen across the Netherlands.
It was also on TV West Nieuws in the Zuid-Holland Noord region, where curator Diana Wind guides around the show and talks about Ian' Berry’s work with only denim jeans. (all in Dutch)
As well as other platforms on the Omroep West platform.
Ian Berry Splendid Isolation at Museum Rijswijk by Omroep West
Get your tickets now to see Ian Berry’s art in denim at Museum Rijswijk until 15 August.
#iclapfor x W1 Curates X Make it Blue
Today is the one-year anniversary of the start of the Clap For Our Carers campaign in the UK. Artist Ian Berry collaborated with Make it Blue along with David Bailey, Keira Knightly and Ringo Starr with art that was displayed on the 36 giant screens of the W1 Curates public art platform, a giant exhibition space covering the exterior of the Flannels fashion store on London’s Oxford Street.
The exhibition, presented by arts curator W1 Curates, was the pinnacle of the #LightItBlue campaign which was reignited at the start of the year. Major sporting and entertainment venues, national landmarks and historic buildings across the capital have been illuminating blue on Thursday nights in a gesture of thanks to the NHS and all those on the COVID healthcare frontline and has provided a positive back drop of iconic images that will forever be remembered when looking back at this time.
Ian and Elliott Berry’s #iclapfor Pin Your Thanks badge at W1 Curates photo Ben Waugh
In marking the finale of the nine-week W1 Curates show, today, 25 March, is also the one-year anniversary of the #LightItBlue campaign that has prompted landmarks and buildings to illuminate blue in 23 countries across six continents.
Heading the list of landmarks to light blue for the NHS in recent weeks are The London Eye, County Hall, City Hall, Trafalgar Square, Madame Tussauds London, London Stadium and Olympic Park, the O2, The Shard, Tower 42, One Canada Square, Selfridges and Wembley Arch.
Wembley Stadium Make it Blue #lightitblue
#LightItBlue is organised by MAKEITBLUE CIC, the #LightItBlue campaign was created by members of the UK events and entertainment industry. It began on Thursday 26 March 2020 when over 100 of the UK’s most famous buildings were illuminated blue to coincide with the nationwide round of applause for the NHS and care workers. Since then, territories in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States have joined the campaign.
Ian Berry has also spent much of the last 12 months seeing his and his six-year-old son's #iclapfor clapping hands artwork projected in support of all on the frontline onto buildings all around the country, and abroad.
A new painting by legendary Fashion photographer David Bailey, CBE has also been included in the one-day show at W1 Curates to mark the one year anniversary. Previous artists to display have included Vhils, Michael Craig Martin, Ian Davenport and Helen Downie. At the heart of London’s iconic Oxford Street, W1 Curates projects powerful art to the people by transforming the exterior of Flannels’ Flagship store into a giant exhibition space. Using state-of-the-art technology, W1 Curates exhibits the best art with digital prowess and unmissable innovation.
Famed photographer David Bailey also contributed a piece of his artwork. photo Ben Waugh
Tim Owen, Director of the #LightItBlue campaign said: “We love these images, which absolutely chime with our existing collaboration with W1 Curates. For the last nine weeks artists have interpreted messages of thanks and respect to the NHS in their own unique and beautiful way, so they could be displayed and shared digitally with the world.
photo Ben Waugh
Also illuminated was the Pin Your Thanks project that Ian Berry joined with the Iclapfor hands turning into a pin badge. With art contributed by public figures including Emeli Sandé, Keira Knightly, Joe Lycett and Ringo Starr.
photo Ben Waugh
The Pin Your Thanks is ’The People’s Medal’ #pinyourthanks charity fundraising initiative, which turned the designs into pin badges that say a heartfelt thanks to those who have helped during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can buy a badge here
W1 Curates say that masterpieces should be for everyone, not just the privileged few. Too often, wonderful art can feel exclusive, secluded within dusty galleries or intimidating exhibitions. It can appear inaccessible, upper class or even old fashioned. Instead of being ignited with powerful art, people on the street are bombarded with urban advertising. Mark Dale, Founder, says
“For me, when shoppers rest their bags down and stare at the incredible art, it’s the best feeling in the world. Giving everyone the opportunity to experience art, to access it right on the high street - amid all the noise of city life, it provides this little oasis. Shoppers and workers are left feeling ignited and inspired. That’s why I do it. We bring art to the people, we open those doors, and who knows where that could take them?”
We’re proud to be showcasing works from some of the most innovative artist from around the world.
All #LightItBlue venues are using existing LED technology to illuminate their structures, facades and screens to ensure the campaign adheres to the critical instructions for people to stay at home. All those involved in the campaign are acting on a pro bono basis.
Ian Berry is proud to collaborate with all of these important initiatives of the last year.
Ian Berry in the Year of Covid - A look back
Angle of the North | Drone Works North East
‘‘The thanks first came from the people, you saw kid’s on cul-de-sacs celebrating their new heros but as the weeks went on it seemed all the pictures were politicians and celebrities and the goodwill faded. It felt like who it was from, overshadowed who it was for.’’
Ian Berry
Ian Berry with his son, Elliott with #iclapfor
The last year of Covid 19 has touched everyone’s lives no matter where they are in the world, and professions from those direct on the front line to those with the knock on effects of lockdown.
Most artists lost all their shows with some ‘going virtual’ but for Ian Berry he found three of his exhibitions still on (some were lost) and not only on, but large solo shows and in foreign lands. Many isolations and quarantines later we are now looking at the anniversary of the start of lock down in the UK as he prepares for a memorable event at a great location this week to mark the occasion.
Here we look back at the huge number of things the artist originally from Huddersfield but now living in Poplar, East London, has got up to often with his son Elliott by his side.
Stay Behind Close Doors at Museum Rijswijk
From setting up a photo in isolation juried show for a museum, to lighting up a message of gratitude in almost every town and city in the UK and Ireland and many around the world, to collaborating with an Oscar Winner to remaking his Lock Down Living Room all of course in the material he sees the world in… denim.
Stay Behind Closed Doors
For many years not only did Ian Berry use denim in his work he has portrayed isolation in urban environments, whether in an empty bar, a lonely soul in a launderette or with Behind Closed Doors, people in their own homes. The latter body of work took on a new life with people now being told to stay home, many, alone.
Ian works from photoshoots he sets up, and last March all of his got cancelled. They were to be people in their own homes. Life now already imitating art. Before lockdown he started to ask photographer friends if they could shoot themselves in their own homes due to the restrictions and as the photos came in, Diana Wind, curator of Museum Rijswijk in The Netherlands and Berry decided they were so good that they should be displayed in the museum also and they made it wider for anyone to enter in what became a juried show.
A Stitch in Time Niki McDonald by Alec Dawson, Sydney, Australia
Denise Stock, Munich, Germany
Ian Berry's home isolation work in denim
Entries came in from all over the world from professional photographers and amateurs alike. 16 were chosen to present in the Museum alongside many dozens more that were lasered to create a denim backdrop. As a great record of the time period they captured Olympic stars training with the event off to people playing games at home. Below, famed New York photo journalist Martha Cooper captured the nightly 7pm clap for the Carers in Manhattan.
you can see more of the project here
Marha Cooper, New York
#ICLAPFOR from Lands End to John O’Groats -
and almost everywhere in between and to countries far and wide…
On Thursday 26th March, the UK followed many other countries around the world with an applause for those out on the frontline caring for us. It came from the people, and at 8pm the night skies erupted with noise in what will one day be remembered very positively. Ian’s son then aged 6, Elliott, wondered what it was all about in a week that broke up his home schooling. His parents could explain it to him and he was hooked - especially being told of people he knew personally that we were clapping for while he was engaged and so interested.
Elliott like many children made a rainbow…
..and sent it to his grandma. But he wanted to make more art
After making a rainbow to send to his grandma he wanted to make more art and he asked his father about clapping hands. Elliott took the photos of his dad clapping hands. Ian Berry then set about making them in denim, not only blue but universal, while Elliott sat next to him drawing. They realised that to portray clapping, they had to show the motion. So they made two. And animated it.
It was intended just to send to some friends to say thank you but one day when Elliott was watching a movie on the projector he said ‘can we put the clapping on the projector?’ The next minute it was being beamed off the balcony… They lived in a building in London where the roof could be seen from miles around but the projector wasn’t strong enough. He looked online and it lead to Andrew Hall of See The Bigger Picture in Newcastle. Once discovering what they wanted to do with a projector he said ‘I can do that’ and this was the starting gun for it to be beamed all over the world.
Through Andrew and some of Ian’s other contacts word got out and it ended up lighting the lonely night skies on places like the Baltic Contemporary Arts Centre in the Newcastle/Gateshead, to Edinburgh Castle and the V&A in Scotland, Conwy Castle to Cardiff City Hall in Wales, all over Ireland and from John o’Groats on the Northern most tip of the island of Britain down to Lands End, the southern most tip in Cornwall and so many towns and cities in between.
It also was seen as far as Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Mexico City and Sweden and more along with in the USA like New York, LA, New Orleans, Princeton and a beautiful one in Greensboro North Carolina know as ‘Jeansboro’.
click through to see images in each location
With it, online they asked the question, who do you clap for? #iclapfor …
This brought thousands of answers from family and friends to neighbours to whole groups of people we were thanking - many who had been overlooked at the time like people working in the prison services, unpaid carers, and so many other people on the Front Line. These answers were projected on the Angel of the North in Gateshead. By making it more personal, who can begrudge you clapping for a family member?
Angel of the North | Drone Works North East
While the projections were temporary it lasted longer and spread online and in the press and people sent the animation to those they were clapping for. It also got a lasting memory with the mural painting in Walthamstow in East London together With Wood Street Walls and ATMA - on a doctors surgery too! Not only that; Berry never actively sought to ‘do anything’ in this time, he had a full schedule of shows to do and ‘well, I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon, there’s times I wonder if I had, what really could have been achieve with this. The beauty of it was that it was so much more than me. It was never about me. Maybe a little Elliott, but it was who it was for, not from.’
With this mindset Ian Berry invited other artists to send in their clapping hands.
‘I loved to see mine and Elliott’s light up the night on different buildings. Looking back it was amazing to see a quiet street and then see an ambulance or other worker go past. But if it was left up all night, or, done with a council or body that tells people it was going to happen, well, who wants to see the same thing! One of my favourite parts of the initiative was having over 20 artists from all over the world sending their art in and seeing it projected. No one wants to clap alone!’
In the UK the clapping happened every Thursday for 10 weeks. In New York it lasted longer, and it was every night. Having been around a lot of these places we saw the positively both in the action and with the projection. While once pay rises came into the conversation of course we wanted the staff get paid well, especially the nurses. #iclapfor in fact managed to turn the claps in to money raising around $10,000 for NHS Charites Together and Doctors Without Borders before stopping donations once you could get a badge with Pin Your Thanks. But it was more about putting the good will into the night sky.
For the NHS birthday on the 5 July there were special projections on the White Cliffs of Dover, Coal Drop Yards in Kings Cross, at the Piece Hall in Halifax along with two tributes at Hospital at the Royal Brompton in Chelsea, London and the RVI in Newcastle. See more at the dedicated website #iclapfor
Pin Your Thanks Jacket with Jenny Beavan OBE
Ian Berry was asked to join Pin Your Thanks an initiative set up by volunteers in South East London to give a ‘Heartfelt Thanks’ to those who have supported us. He joined public figures like Ringo Starr, Keria Knightley and Joe Lycett and now the Clapping Hands had another legacy - the ‘Peoples Medal’ that were given as a small thank you to those on the frontline.
The Charitable foundation was launched with a projection on London’s South Bank starting with the Clapping Hands then unveiling it as a badge, and then the other badges like Anoushka Shankar and David James. Rita Ora and young competition winner Evie have been added since. Berry joined the others in singing a Christmas song, the 12 days of Christmas.
Ian Berry worked with double Academy Award winner for costume design, Jenny Beavan OBE. They made a denim jacket with Blackhorse Lane in London and lined with with all the letters of support for Pin Your Thanks like Stephen Fry, Dame Emma Thompson, Harry Hill and many more. The Jacket was adorned with all the different care worker badges who had been answered with #iclapfor symbolising all those who had gone above and beyond during Covid-19.
The badges were pinned and sewn on, alongside with acknowledgements for the NHS and Volunteers. Pin Your Thanks through the sale of the badges and the denim jacket are raising funds for NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters.
There was lenticular posters made of the clapping hands and were installed in hospitals along with in the Museum Rijswijk which debuted the collaboration with Beavan and a short documentary you will see below. You can get a poster here
Lockdown Living Room
With getting caught up unintentionally with the charity initiatives it is easy to forget Ian Berry is an artist with still a lot going on. While his 15 years of collections were shown in the museum it all ended up falling in under ‘Splendid Isolation’ which was brought together connecting the various bodies that have looked at lonely melancholy scenes all in indigo blue. With his shoots cancelled he was forced to look closer to home for inspiration.
‘I have lived in many places and while sometimes I portrayed what was around me I often moved somewhere I then flew off somewhere else. Like from Sweden to London, then when I lived in London I went to America a lot to base work from. With lockdown, and the beautiful spring we did have, I was forced to see what was around me here in East London and I liked what I saw. It was quite a lesson.
Berry ended up remaking his whole living room and bedroom in denim. With his Chesterfield sofa made in Cone Denim, the plants all in old jeans to the record collection and even a window, looking out to a #Iclapfor projection.
The Museum Rijswijk showed 30 pieces of work of Ian Berry’s art in denim spread over numerous rooms and his 15 year career with the material. From Behind Closed Doors to the lonely soul on the subway, to a newsagent - who were very much on the front line this last year. The show itself is now locked down, but will be extended into the summer. Berry also had a solo show in the Levi Strauss Museum in Germany and one in Basel.
And finally…
‘Do remember they can’t cancel Spring’
David Hockney
A reincarnation of the Secret Garden, first shown in the CMA in New York in 2017 was curated at the end of the exhibition in Holland to echo David Hockney’s words with his new work a few weeks into lockdown in 2020.
All made out of denim - vines and flowers hang down from the museums roof echoing the museum garden and representing the nature. Of course denim and jeans are great contributors to the global issues and environment, especially with the fast fashion and over production and consumption. Showing the flowers and wisteria made out of something originally started as a plant. We all hope for a better future and take many of the lessons of the last year to learn from, not least the way we saw the nature bloom and pollution decline.
Below you will see a short 5 minute documentary about what #Iclapfor was about narrated by Ian Berry and Fiona Berry, his sister, that wrote a poem as Berry Poetic. We hope it will relive some of the memories and positivity of this time last year. We see it that not only have some not got the pay rises that the year deserved, but they also no longer get the gratitude. And this doesn’t mean just the clapping, it ran its course. But the free coffee here, or the queue jump there. All the little moments in a day, that made a big difference, not from government, not from a celebrity, but, from the people.
Watch out this week to see what we’ll do to mark the years anniversary along with the great folks over at Make it Blue. .
A big Thank You to all those supported.. fully listed on www.iclapfor.com but including Cone Denim, Tonello, Tencel, Famore Cutlery, Pin Your Thanks and many more!
Ian Berry x Jenny Beavan OBE x Pin Your Thanks
The Jacket by Ian Berry, Jenny Beavan and Blackhorse Lane for Pin Your Thanks
Ian Berry with #iclapfor asked the question 'who do you clap for?' and the project got thousands of different answers from around the world. Ian was then invited in to join Pin Your Thanks to design a badge, the clapping Hands seemed an ideal first choice straight away.
He was asked to join by one of the founders, his friend Jenny Beavan OBE and then progressed to talk about a collaboration to add to it. What could a costume designer that feels most comfort in denim and an artist produce, a denim jacket of course - and what goes with a denim jacket, pin badges! They worked with Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow for the jacket and it was then pinned with the answers to #iclapfor, with badges from a range from the various medical workers to teachers, bus drivers and prison workers - all the many people we were grateful for during the pandemic.
The inside was lined with the letters of the many famous backers like Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Harry Hill. Of course they included all the Pin Your Thanks specially designed badges. Beavan hand stitched these into the jacket and they pinned the badges on starting in the early weeks of lockdown! Working remotely from Ian Berry’s studio and Jenny Beavan’s south London home.
About Jenny Beavan OBE
Jenny Beavan has been nominated for the Oscar for Costume Design ten times, claiming two Academy Awards - for A Room with a View in 1986 and Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015.
Since then Beavan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama production.
She is known for films such as Howards End, Sense and Sensibility, Gosford Park and The King's Speech as well as her work in theatre.
at the time of her latest Oscar win that made the headlines, she said
‘I am a real jeans person. I have clothes to dress up in, but [the Oscars] was a really conscious thing of not just doing the plain black suit. I am British with a slightly rebellious character; I always have been. But, actually, in truth, you’ve seen me. I’m short, I’m fat. I really would look ridiculous in a gown. What I was actually wearing at the Oscars was sort of an homage to Mad Max — a kind of biker outfit. I thought, “If I can’t beat them, or if I can’t sort of join them, then why not try doing something a little bit fun?” And George [Miller] loved it. The [vegan] leather jacket had the Immorten Joe symbol on the back and I was just giving a little wink to Mad Max.’
The 12 Pin Your Thanks badgers on the denim jacket, joining Ian Berry is Kiera Knightley, Ringo Starr, Joe Lycett, Emelie Sande, Dame Sarah Storey, Anoushka Shankar, David James MBE, Billie Temple and of course, young Evie! Get one here
Ian Berry's exhibit is running from the 1st December 2020 till 13 June 2021. The museum shop also stocks all our 12 pins and they can now be seen on the streets of Holland for people to say thank you. Want to add yours to your denim jacket or gift one to another? Buy one here - a perfect gift to say thank you this Christmas.
Post exhibition the Pin Your Thank jacket will be auctioned to raise money for their charities.
Ian Berry with his Pin Your Thanks badge at the Museum Rijswijk in The Netherlands
Ian and Elliott Berry, 6, sporting the badge at the Shard in London.
…and finally.. can you spot Ian Berry singing with a former Beatle?
Ian Berry | Splendid Isolation | The Book
Museum Rijswijk | Jap Sam Publishing
£23.00
Ian Berry’s new book, SPLENDID ISOLATION is out now and available to order online on ianberry.art - The book is a collaboration with publisher Jap Sam Books in The Netherlands with the Museum Rijswijk to coincide with the Solo Museum show of the same name.
It includes
· a forward by both Museum Rijswijk curator Diana Wind and Director Arnoud van Aalst
· 160 page paperback book
· Over 150 images in full colour (well, full of blue)
· Looks over some of his 15 years of making his artwork using only denim jeans
· Many images show detail shots of his work that have to be seen to be believed.
· Includes work from 2020 fully updated with Hotel California, the #iclapfor project and Stay Behind Closed Doors photo project as well as all the installations from around the world.
A page from the Splendid Isolation book showing Hotel California
The book was launched at the 2020 Virtual Art Book Fair (VABF) organized by Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) with Jap Sam. The fair was originally scheduled for Fall 2020 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. It then debuted at the Museum shop at Museum Rijswijk and was popular with visitors. You can now get it here, online.
The book comes signed by the artist Ian Berry and you can also request a message to be sent. We can post around the world with the postages below, including a special launch offer.
Postage
· £2.50 to the UK (Free pre Christmas with FREESHIPPING code at check out)
· £8 within Europe (Half price with EUSHIPPING code) and to the rest of the world and £10.00 to the rest of the world (half price with HALFWORLD at check out) pre Christmas
About
Ian Berry has emerged as an exciting young British artist over the last decade. He has been making virtuous figurative paintings and installations of denim for over 15 years. He uses discarded jeans, cuts them up into pieces and sorts according to hue like a painter places his colour nuances to his palette. At first glance the work seems two-dimensional, but when you zoom in, you can see how different layers of denim are placed on top and over each other. The ‘paintings’ are in fact denim collages so perfectly put together. They are almost impossible to distinguish from a realistic painting. Ian Berry also makes three-dimensional denim installations, which have been on display on multiple continents and at museums.
Ian Berry is a socially committed artist. With his work he responds to topical developments in society. His work is made of denim not only because he likes the material, it is as well because the textile industry is one of the most polluting industries. In his work he asks attention for this. In 2019, Ian Berry was proclaimed one of the 50 most influential people in the denim industry in the world and had been named a top artist un 30 in the world in 2013.
This eponymous publication accompanies the first solo-exhibition of Berry in the Netherlands. Ian Berry | Splendid Isolation, Museum Rijswijk, November 29, 2020 – April 5, 2021.
Illustrated with numerous images that aim to convey the depth and texture of Berry’s work, which explores our urban environment and examines community issues, or the lack thereof. With this everyday material he portrays contemporary life, and for him there is no better medium to depict it than the material of our time, denim jeans.
Ian Berry (1984, Huddersfield UK) is based in East London. He is internationally known for his works made out of only pairs of jeans.
A spread from the book, Ian Berry, Splendid Isolation.
ISBN
978-94-92852-30-4
Graphic designer
Tim Ho @duotone.hk
Number of pages
160
Book size
24 x 24 cm
Binding
Paperback
Date of Release
29 November 2020
Language
English and Dutch
Ian and Elliott Berry’s #iclapfor is feature in the new book Splendid Isolation
With Thanks
Along with Museum Rijswijk and Jap Sam Books the book was made possible by the museum show principle sponsor Pepe Jeans London, along with Tencel, Famore Cutlery, Cone Denim and Tonello.
ABOUT Jap Sam Books, headed by Eleonoor Jap Sam, is an independent international publishing house based in the south of the Netherlands. Our publishing house publishes titles that explore developments in architecture, art, philosophy, design, photography and theory as well as the fields that touch them, such as urbanism, landscape, sociology and history. Jap Sam Books has been established to reflect, connect and respond to developments in these fields, by bringing out a range of critical and reflective books for an international audience. We believe in a multidisciplinary approach and cross-border thinking.The books that we publish are not only educational and inspirational, but also very beautifully designed, and all produced in close collaboration with our contributors.
Amsterdam Denim Days 2020
Don’t be scared, come through and join the Amsterdam Denim Days 2020 ONLINE. All are welcome. Its also free!
Artist Ian Berry joins the line up for Amsterdam Denim Days 2020 as it goes online. Ian Berry was the first name to join the first Amsterdam Denim Days in 2013 and for the debut New York edition in 2017. This edition has a local flavour with friends like Amsterdenim, Kings of Indigo, Benzak and Tenue de Nimes to name just a few presenting. While London based, Ian Berry’s upcoming show will be of course in Holland and not far from Amsterdam - in The Hague at the Museum Rijswijk at the end of November.
You can hear more about this major solo exhibition along with news from the Levi Strauss Museum in Germany - as well as win some prizes by tuning in via zoom on Saturday at 16:00 (15:00 UK) where you will find Ian Berry live in his studio.. surrounded by denim.
The Program of event - Ian Berry at 3pm UK time
Ian Berry now joins the First Edition of Denim Days online. Many events are canceled due to the current global situation, but luckily Denim Days is going online with their denim event. It will be the first time that they will color all screens blue and with Berry be able to talk about an event, that at this moment, is still on and in Holland.
There is an action packed Two days online starting on Friday.
A strong Dutch contingent and initiatives such as Scotch & Soda, Amsterdenim, Kings of Indigo, Sashikodenim, Benzak Denim Developers, Tenue de Nîmes, and Dutch Denim Repair.
But, also international parties are joining as Nobrandedon, Fit & Craft, Bluehanded, Ginew, Blue States Denim, Kaiser Tekstil, Officina+39 and right before Ian Berry, his friend White Weft.
Speakers slated for October 30 include Tencel’s Tricia Carey, denim consultant Sue Barrett, ADD’s Lucel van den Hoeven. On this same day Tencel will also host the “Future Heritage” session.
On October 31, the program is as interesting as it lines up personalities such as Miles Johnson, Wouter Munnichs - who will interview Ian Berry
The Amsterdam Denim Days 2020 event is supported by Tencel - also a great supporter of Ian Berry
Ian Berry will have a Solo Exhibition at the Museum Rijswijk in Holland 2 Dec 2020 to 4 April 2021
Click to sign through to register for FREE
Where
Via Zoom. Register via the link here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sF6x0KxPQTmk_SCih5_MhQ
When
Friday October 30, from 15:00 (CEST) onwards
Saturday October 31, from 15:00 (CEST) onwards
Watch all the event or just join for Ian Berry at 3pm UK time on Saturday!
Ian Berry's installation in San Francisco
Ian Berry’s installation in denim at the San Francisco Flower Mart. Credit: Lawrence Anderson Productions
From the birthplace of Levi Strauss in Germany to the place he made his name
A new permanent installation in San Francisco.
Where
San Francisco Flower Mart
https://www.newsfflowermart.com
Kilroy Innovation Center (temporary location)
660 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
Credit: Lawrence Anderson Productions
Intertwining a past to a future
20 meters x 80cm made in Recycled Denim
photos by Lawrence Anderson
A hanging trellis with flowers, leaves, vines, wisteria and chrysanthemums welcomes visitors, but it is no ordinary flora but a dense structure that blooms in blue, indigo blue. Each piece cut from jeans and denim.
Cascading high across the wide-paned windows as a floral curtain, this piece is a solemn and bold reminder of the industrial history of the United States. The denim from this piece was sourced from the last denim mill in the United States, Cone Denim’s, White Oak in Greensboro, North Carolina.
This piece was commissioned for the Kilroy Realty for the Kilroy Innovation Center to pay homage to the blue-collar jobs being preserved by the new San Francisco Flower Mart as well as portray the sustainable credentials and support Kilroy’s commitment to sustainability and art within its developments.
Credit: Lawrence Anderson Productions
click here to see a gallery of images from the San Francisco Flower Mart
Denim has been Ian Berry’s medium for over 15 years and one thing he loves the most about it, is the history though time and its symbolism but also its origins. Representing the Flower Mart in the material famed in the city dating back to the 1870s and the official fabric of California will show that the great new building respects and embraces the city’s heritage.
Of course, it was the immigrant to America, Leob Strauss who emigrated from Buttenheim in Germany to become Levi Strauss and make the garment what it is today. Ian Berry is currently exhibiting in the birth home of Levi in Bavaria starting a tour of his work that takes in many cities across the world.
Credit: Steelblue, LLC
The democratic nature of this famed material is also a mark of this project’s preservation of blue-collared jobs and a bridge between the old and the new in this innovation. And of course, denim transcends all boundaries all over the world and ever since the 1800’s the Flower Mart has been ethnically diverse, and this history should be celebrated.
While the city was built on gold and ‘white gold’ turned to jeans, now San Francisco is a world leader in technological innovation as a key industry as other industries waned. The true leaders know that we have to lead a sustainable future, and Kilroy is at the forefront of this and put simply the up cycled nature of this installation of worn and scraps of denim that pays tribute to its past and builds for a greener future.
Tonello
Blue is also green with Ian’s friend’s at Tonello in Italy, an international leader in the production of garment treatment technologies, developing innovative equipment for the apparel industry. Ian has been working with Tonello for four years now since the Secret Garden in the CMA in New York and their relationship has flourished to make numerous other installations. In Ian’s work normally everything is just worn jeans and scissors, whereas the large-scale installations he turns to Tonello.
With the installation for the new San Francisco Flower Mart, Tonello helped was (with ozone) dozens upon dozens of yards of the Cone denim and laser cut the vines to make the Trellis. Ian travelled to Italy to work with the specialist team in the region also famed for its denim industry
Ian working with the Lazer Blade at Tonello
Alice Tonello, head of marketing and R&D said
"Having the opportunity to work with Ian Berry is always amazing. We are using denim in a different and inspiring way, and it's something that in the industry usually doesn't happen.
When he asked us about this new project, we were so happy and so proud to be part of it. The installation in the San Francisco Flower Mart is an example of how collaborations and friendships can lead to unexpected and surprising results as well as portraying a message in a beautiful way."
Ian Berry saw the San Francisco links to the denim history at the Levi Strauss archive with Tracey Panek.
Credit: Lawrence Anderson Productions
Tracey Panek, Levi Strauss & Co. Historian said
“Since the birth of blue jeans by Levi Strauss & Co.in 1873, denim and Levi’s® have been a foundational part of San Francisco’s history, culture, and political landscape. Denim constituted the working clothes for the builders who erected the city and the engineers who raised its bridges; it was the canvas of self-expression for hippies, the uniform for gay activists, and the business attire of today’s entrepreneurs. Denim will continue to be the common thread in San Francisco’s future fabric and that's why it is great to see it acknowledged in this amazing installation by Ian Berry.”
Kilroy Realty Corporation
Kilroy Realty Corporation
San Francisco Flower Mart
The origins of the San Francisco Flower Mart go back to the late 1800s when flower growers brought their product to Lotta’s Fountain in downtown San Francisco to sell to local flower shops. The need for a centrally-located space to bring together the ethnically-diverse groups of flower growers led to the opening of a market at 5th and Howard Streets in 1924.
In September 1956, the grand opening of the current San Francisco Terminal marked the establishment of an industry icon. As it has for more than a century, the San Francisco Flower Mart continues to witness the evolution of one of America’s greatest cities. Today, there are over 60 wholesalers and purveyors of cut flowers, potted plants, and floral supplies that service the floral industry of the Bay Area and beyond.
Credit: Lawrence Anderson Productions
As the city evolves, the San Francisco Flower Mart Project will keep these timeless businesses in operation. After almost 65 years at 6th and Brannan without any major renovations or updates, Kilroy Realty Corporation is planning to build the Flower Market a brand new, efficient, and environmentally sustainable wholesale marketplace at 901 16th Street in San Francisco’s historic Potrero Hill neighborhood.
As Central SoMa prepares for major growth and reshaping into a vibrant, transit-oriented neighborhood, Kilroy will lead the historic San Francisco Flower Mart site at 6th and Brannan into its new role as the focal point of a dynamic, mixed-use space that offers a unique take on the urban lifestyle.
Kilroy Realty Corporation
Once the development is complete, the installation will move in from the Kilroy Innovation Center. More information about San Francisco Flower Mart may be found online at www.newsfflowermart.com.
Ian Berry. Splendid Isolation. Museum Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Ian Berry. Splendid Isolation
Paintings and installations made of denim
December 2, 2020 - April 4, 2021
British artist Ian Berry (Huddersfield, 1984) has been creating virtuoso figurative paintings and installations from denim for over 15 years. He uses old and discarded jeans, which he cuts into pieces and sorts them according to colour, in the same way that a painter juxtaposes the successive shades of a colour. At first glance the work seems two-dimensional, but up close, you can see how the different layers of denim are placed on top of and over each other. The paintings are collages of denim that are so perfectly put together that it is almost indistinguishable from a realistic painting.Ian Berry also makes three-dimensional installations of denim such as the work Secret Garden (2018) and Record Store (2017), which have already been shown at museums on different continents.
Ian Berry. Splendid Isolation is the artist's first solo exhibition in the Netherlands. There is a generous choice to see from the different series he has made over the past 15 years, such as Behind Closed Doors, Hotel California and The American Jean. Record Store, a complete record store made of denim, will also be on display but displayed within a home scene reflecting the year.
Ian Berry is a socially engaged artist. His work responds to recent developments in society. His work is not only made of denim because he likes the material, but can be linked to jeans being one of the most polluting as part of textile industry and his recycling draws attention. Ian Berry was named one of the 50 most influential people in the denim industry in 2019 and a top 30 artist under 30 by Art Business News.
The Corona pandemic is an important topic in his most recent work. His clapping project is an animated denim projection of clapping hands to thank the medical sector for their commitment to Covid-19 and to all people for coping with the lockdown. This project has been projected onto buildings throughout Great Britain, Ireland and over a dozen other countries including the United States. The animation is also part of the exhibition in Museum Rijswijk where you can see a small documentary of the journey and story.
Following the lockdown in Great Britain, Ian Berry started the Behind Closed Doors photo project through his website. He has called on professionals and amateursphotographers to make a photo about what the lockdown means to them personally. A selection of the photos will be included in print or projected in the exhibition.
A catalogue will accompany the exhibition, which is available in the Museum Shop.
For more information, please contact Diana Wind, curator of contemporary art, dianawind(at)museumrijswijk.nl, telephone +31(0)630388366.
Museum Rijswijk Herenstraat 67, 2282 BR Rijswijk, Netherlands
Ian Berry. Splendid Isolation
Schilderijen en installaties gemaakt van denim
29 november 2020 – 4 april 2021
De Britse kunstenaar Ian Berry (Huddersfield, 1984) maakt al ruim 15 jaar virtuoze figuratieve schilderijen en installaties van denim. Hij gebruikt oude en afgedankte spijkerbroeken die hij in stukjes knipt en op kleurschakering sorteert zoals een schilder de opeenvolgende tinten van een kleur verf naast elkaar plaatst. In eerste instantie lijkt het werk tweedimensionaal, maar wanneer je er dicht bij staat, is te zien hoe de verschillende lagen denim op en over elkaar heen zijn geplaatst. De schilderijen zijn collages van denim die zo perfect in elkaar gezet zijn dat het bijna niet te onderscheiden is van een realistisch schilderij.
Ian Berry maakt ook driedimensionale installaties van denim zoals het werk Secret Garden (2018) en Record Store(2017) die al op verschillende continenten bij musea te zien zijn geweest.
Ian Berry. Splendid Isolation is de eerste solotentoonstelling van de kunstenaar in Nederland. Er is een royale keuze te zien uit de verschillende series die hij in de afgelopen 15 jaar heeft gemaakt zoals, Behind Closed Doors, Hotel California en The American Jean. Ook zullen verschillende installaties te zien zijn.
Ian Berry is een maatschappelijk geëngageerd kunstenaar. Hij speelt met zijn werk in op recente ontwikkelingen in de maatschappij. Zijn werk is niet alleen van denim gemaakt omdat het materiaal hem aan staat, maar ook omdat de textielindustrie een van de meest vervuilende industrieën is. Met zijn werk vraagt hij daar aandacht voor. Ian Berry is in 2019 uitgeroepen tot een van de 50 meest invloedrijke mensen op het gebied van de denimindustrie.
De Corona pandemie is een belangrijk onderwerp in zijn meest recente werk. Het project clapping is een geanimeerde denimprojectie van klappende handen om de medische sector te bedanken voor hun inzet tegen Covid-19. Dit project is door heel Groot-Brittannië en in de Verenigde Staten geprojecteerd op gebouwen. De animatie maakt ook deel uit van de tentoonstelling in Museum Rijswijk.
Naar aanleiding van de lockdown in Groot-Brittannië is Ian Berry het internationale fotoproject Behind Closed Doorsgestart via zijn website. Hij heeft professionals en amateurs opgeroepen een foto in te sturen die laat zien wat de lockdown voor hen betekent. Een selectie van de foto’s zal in print of geprojecteerd opgenomen worden in de tentoonstelling.
Bij de tentoonstelling verschijnt een catalogus die in de Museumwinkel is te verkrijgen.
Voor meer informatie kunt u contact opnemen met Diana Wind, curator hedendaagse kunst, dianawind (at) museumrijswijk.nl, telefoon 0630388366.
Ian Berry at the Levi Strauss Museum | Buttenheim
A socially distanced opening in Germany.
On September 13th Ian Berry opened an exhibition at the birthplace of the inventor of the modern jean, Levi Strauss. In a museum that looks back over the life of one of the world's most iconic names, it now also examines the years of Ian Berry's work who of course makes all of his work out of the material so synonymous with the man who emigrated from Germany to make his fortune: Denim jeans
In these strange times it was great to get an event on, but the opening happened in restricted circumstances, thankfully with a warm German evening in the sun, a socially distanced crowd watched as the Mayor, Michael Karmann welcomed Ian Berry to the town of Buttenheim along with curator Tanja Roppelt. Many guest had travelled from all over Germany as well as Austria to see this opening, in the year of the 20th Anniversary of the museum.
Scroll through to see images of the exhibition by Peter Weigelt or click here
For the last 15 years Ian has been crafting his work out of the indigo dyed textile and this will commence two years of museum shows for the Yorkshire born artist. Many works are on display throughout the museum including from the Behind Closed Doors and Hotel California collections and the exhibition will help mark the special 20th Anniversary of the museum. They are located in the two main galleries with The Record Store and the Secret Garden in the windows of the shop/reception. The oldest piece in the show is 10 years old, ‘Commuters’.
Scroll through to see images of the Socially Distanced opening or click here - by Peter Weigelt
It was Berry's first showing of his work in Germany and he was there to meet the guests at the opening who had brought items to sign, as well as gifts - and of course… old jeans! many who had known Ian’s works for many times were surprised to find how layered they were in real life, after only seeing them secondary.
Once again a version of the Secret Garden was hung, with the help of Cone denim and Tonello in Italy.
‘It’s great to show in such a historic place, with the help of two companies that are doing so much for the sustainable future, with Tonello and their specialist washing machines and lasers and Cone denim who have partnered with Oritain with their unique scientific approach to provide greater visibility into the story and traceability behind their cotton’s origin.’
A special projection also was shown at the museum in Buttenheim.
There was a projection of #iclapfor on the front of the museum once it dropped dark. Iclapfor was Ian and his son’s project that has spread around the globe to show thanks for the key workers around the world as well as asking who people clap for. A documentary was shown in the film room and an emotional audience were very receptive.
As we head back in to darker times, with restrictions tightening and infections increasing it is still important to remember those who are supporting us through this. You can find out more about #iclapfor at www.iclapfor.com
‘It was such a great experience to meet so many people and to be looked after so well by the people of Buttenheim - especially Tanja Roppelt, (the curator) who worked so hard with me to get this show on and we shared so many nice stories as well as Mayor Michael Karmann and his family who showed me around the towns and villages with satisfaction. The great Bavarian food and beer was part of this experience but spending time with these people and learning about their community was inspiring, seeing once again (as previous locations) how their passion and pride makes things happen.’ Ian Berry
Elizabeth Steeger seen through the crowd at the opening
About the Museum
Ian met Elizabeth Steeger , the lady who in the spring of 1983 was trying to organize a “German Fest” and wrote to the former Mayor of Buttenheim, asking for information about the birth of Levi Strauss. This started intensive research to be conducted in the register of births and deaths of the Jewish community of Buttenheim and the emigration documents of the Bamberg state archives and finally it proved that Levi Strauss was born in Buttenheim, a town in the Upper Franconian district of Bamberg. Not only that, they discovered his house was still standing and was one of the oldest houses in Buttenheim.
The district council bought the house in 1987, which was built approximately in 1687 and today is classified as a historical monument. An elaborate renovation of the dilapidated half-timbered house began, during which the house of birth of Levi Strauss was reconstructed as true to the original as possible. The idea to donate a museum to the history of indigo and denim took shape.
Ian Berry with curator Tanja Roppelt and Mayor Michael Karmann
‘the museum is impressive both in its renovation of the past, as well as its more contemporary extensions. I was actually really impressed to find this stunning place and was an honour to spend so much time there, and help celebrate their 20th year. For anyone who can ever get there whether during my show or in years in future, it is a brilliant place for history lovers and denimheads’ Ian added
The museum opened in September 2000 and revolves around the world’s most famous pair of pants and the biography of Levi Strauss. Visitors gain an insight into the lives of rural Franconian Jewish Community, the world of the immigrants, the beginnings of the textile industry and of course, all about the phenomenon of jeans. Short films, audio guides (in many languages), moving graphics and a collection of different pieces made from the legendary blue cotton cloth show the development of the jeans that serves as a meeting point for the curious, collectors, specialists and jean-wearers of every age.
An exhibit in the Levi Strauss Museum in Buttenheim
After over a decade of success, the Museum planned to begin its next chapter by adding on an extension to the Levi Strauss birth house. With the help of Levi’s great-grandnephew, Dr. Douglas Goldman in California, the Museum was ceremoniously opened on May 21st, 2011, marking the beginning of a new phase in the Museum’s history.
When the Museum opened back in 2000, hardly anyone anticipated its rapid success. Nevertheless, both Museum guests and professionals has seen the Levi Strauss Museum become a popular success and going strong in its 20th year. Every year, thousands of people visit Buttenheim from all over the world in order to experience the Museum and see where the idea of Jeans all began. Due to the high number of visitors and the many projects and events, the 130 square meters of the original birth house was almost always filled to its maximum capacity. Therefore, the Museum decided to extend to a neighbouring house, which would give the Museum over 500 square meters of available display space after renovations. The new extension allowed the Museum to continue to develop the Levi Strauss experience with a new archive to store the Museum’s historical collection and help preserve their historical pieces.
While everyone had to wear masks, some were more creative. by Peter Weigelt
‘I really must thank everyone who made this trip so enjoyable, especially Tanja Roppelt and Michael Karmann and all the people I came across from the hotel to all the visitors who came to see the work.
The main regional paper, InFranken, reported';
’Völlig unprätentiös und ohne irgendwelche Starallüren freute sich der Künstler, dass er seine Arbeiten, quasi am Ursprungsort des Denim, dem Geburtsort von Levi Strauss, zeigen kann.’
(Completely unpretentious and without any starry airs, the artist was happy to be able to show his work at the place of origin of denim, the birthplace of Levi Strauss.) while commenting on how it was a big draw to be able to bring Ian to the museum.
About the Artist: Ian Berry
Ian Berry has been working with denim for the last 15 years, but he is more than the material he works with. During the Covid period his work took on a new life, having spent years portraying isolation. His Behind Closed Doors body of work became life for most of us, he had painstakingly crafted beautiful homes out of only denim but with a haunting scene of loneliness. Even his bar scenes or the work from Hotel California depicted a perception of solitude.
He works from photoshoots he either takes, or directs, and all of them were cancelled in the first week of lockdown. Many people sent him photos of their home isolation. Then, along with his son Elliott, 6, he made two applauding hands. Clapping for the health heroes had been a big part of British life for the first ten weeks of the Covid period. Ian’s son was particularly captivated and it enabled Ian to explain more what was going on while he was engaged. What started as a personal project between father and son, ended up been beamed all over the world via projections. It covers the whole of the UK and Ireland and was seen as far as Australia, Colombia and Brazil amongst many others. It became a big campaign called #iclapfor and a film will be shown at the museum.
Ian, original from Huddersfield lives and works in East London amongst thousands of pairs of jeans that he recycles to create almost photorealistic pieces and installations. He has been named a top 30 artist under 30 in the world as well as a top 50 name in denim worldwide in 2019 and now he will show at a historical home of one of the materials of our time.
This will start a series of museum shows. On November 28th Ian Berry will open Splendid Isolation at the Museum Rijswijk in Holland. The show at his home town of Huddersfield (in the center of the industrial revolution) is under doubt regarding Covid but in the fall of 2021 a large solo show will open at the National Museum of Textiles (Textiel Museet) in Boras, Sweden. Further shows are TBA due to covid issues.
Ian Berry at the Levi Strauss Museum, Buttenheim
Details
13 Sept - 8 November 2020
Marktstr. 31-33 96155 Buttenheim
Phone: +49 95 45 - 44 26 02
email: levi-strauss-museum(at)buttenheim.de
*Due to the current situation, the planned two-day anniversary celebrations cannot take place within the planned framework and will be postponed to a later date.
News
News from the studio of Ian Berry
NEW!
Ian Berry’s, SPLENDID ISOLATION is out now and available to order online. The book is a collaboration with publisher Jap Sam Books in The Netherlands with the Museum Rijswijk to coincide with the Solo Museum show of the same name.
The book includes
· a foreward by Museum Rijswijk curator Diana Wind and Director Arnoud van Aalst
· 160 page paperback book
· Over 150 images in full colour (well, full of blue)
· Looks over some of his 15 years of making his artwork using only denim
· Many images show detail shots of his work that have to be seen to be believed.
The book was launched at the 2020 Virtual Art Book Fair (VABF) organized by Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) with Jap Sam. The fair was originally scheduled for Fall 2020 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. It then debuted at the Museum shop at Museum Rijswijk and was popular with visitors. You can now get it here.
The book comes signed by the artist Ian Berry and you can also request a message to be sent. We can post around the world with the postages below, including a special launch offer.
Postage
· £2.50 to the UK (Free with FREESHIPPING code at check out)
Postage outside the UK will come up at Check out.
Along with Museum Rijswijk and Jap Sam Books the book was made possible by the museum show principle sponsor Pepe Jeans London, along with Tencel, Famore Cutlery, Cone Denim and Tonello.