blog

two months on...

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:41:00 -0600

Two months on from the brand launch and the people of Penrith have been embracing their new brand and making it their own. Here's a small snapshot of community contributions from the Penrith is Here Facebook page. Some crazy, funny and interesting additions! You can see more here.

Sydney Motorsport Park brand launch

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:00 -0600

A few members of the Gen.a team headed down to Eastern Creek to celebrate the launch of the new Sydney Motorsport Park brand.

Penrith Brand Launch

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 -0600

Celebratory morning tea at Gen.a studios!

UN visit

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:33:31 -0600

The bright coloured ceiling is the work of a Spanish contemporary artist. It is the world expressed by the shapes of the sea floor – looks incredible in real life!

Ultimate Animals

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:30:00 -0600

Inspired by the genius of Karl Pilkington's ultimate animal creation, the Gen.a team recently shared their views on what would make the ultimate animal. Here are the revealing, humorous and somewhat disturbing results…

-----

JACQ: ‘regardless ... You are still going to mate with this’

(Image above)
Peacock fascinator: Everybody loves a hat
Head of an owl: When you are this hot you will need to keep your wits about you
Tail of a peacock: Always be noticed
Body of a dwarf rabbit: ooooh so soft
Flamingo legs

-----

LUCILLE (Photographic and illustrative rendering provided)

-----

EVE (Photographic and illustrative rendering provided)

The brain and arse of a monkey, monkey's love to throw their own poo among other fluids.

The legs of a cheetah, so they can leg it from the scene of the crime, poop and run.

Face of an Aye Aye, the aye-aye is often viewed as a harbinger of evil. Others believe, should one point its narrow middle finger at someone, they are condemned to death. Some say the appearance of an aye-aye in a village predicts the death of a villager. The Sakalava people go so far as to claim aye-ayes sneak into houses through the thatched roofs and murder the sleeping occupants by using their middle finger to puncture the victim's aorta…..making it the worlds most most dangerous arse on 4 very quick legs.

'Basically a very fast and dangerous arse on legs.'

-----

MARK

Mother Nature had few bad days.

But every now and again, like all of us, she'd wake up on the wrong side of bed. On these darker days, she made decisions that would haunt mankind for the rest of time. Things such as the Blue Ringed Octopus having a neurotoxin that is 10,000 times more toxic than cyanide, or that one row of teeth in the Great White Shark wasn't enough, let's go for 3. That sort of thing.

So when you consider the question 'what would you get if you combined the deadliest features from all Mother Nature's dark days?'

Well, look no further! Adept on land, in the sea or indeed the air this is simply a frightening concoction of her very worst.

-----

KRIS

I started with a dolphin – all they do is surf, swim, eat fish, have sex and meditate. Then I added wings, so it could fly and meerkat legs so it could walk on land. When Liney suggested it was a bit vulnerable because it wasn’t scary, I added a set of Vampire fangs because nobody wants to mess with a vamp.

-----

SAMGIRL

Annotation: Gorilla legs and arms

-----

GLORIA

Firstly, a human face and bunny tail for familiarity and a non-threatening visual. Secondly, the shell of a turtle for a sense of home (and protection). Thirdly, the ears of an elephant to provide ventilation in the home (good flapping movement). Lastly, the legs of a panther for speed and agility.

Street Art: Culture or Criminal Act?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:30:00 -0700

Around Gen.a’s neighbourhood (in Redfern, Sydney) I have noticed more and more street art colouring our laneways. I always pleased to see the unexpected art and take a snap to add to my growing collection of found street art that I have been gathering since 2006. But in recent years, street art has also crept into high-end galleries and become a catalyst for large-scale public exhibitions, such as Out Post on Cocktaoo Island (Sydney) and Space Invaders (Melbourne).

With this migration into sanctioned art spaces, there has been a shift in perceptions about street art amongst both the general public and graffiti artists alike. Perhaps inspired by the high-profile works of British graffiti artist, political activist, film director and painter – Banksy – street art has somehow become high (value) art. His satirical social and political commentaries created ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ in his distinctive stencil technique have become the ‘must have’ of Hollywood celebrities and art lovers. A point in case, in 2008 his work, ‘Keep it Spotless’ fetched a record $1.87 million at a charity HIV/AIDS auction in New York organised by Bono and Damien Hirst.

Back on Australian soil, there are some confusing messages coming out of the NSW State Government. In early 2010, the government launched ‘Graffiti Action Day’ as a zero-tolerance ‘Keep Australia Beautiful’ initiative to mobilise local governments and communities to tackle graffiti crime. In response, graffiti artists and lovers retaliated with the launch of the ‘Keep Australia Colourful’ campaign as a collective call for graffiti to be recognised ‘as a form of art, to dispel the myth that graf = crime, and to show how our city could look if there were more places for artists to create pieces legally’.

Next thing you know, Banksy is featured in the 2011 Biennale of Sydney, Out Post is launched on Cockatoo Island … and both events are brought to the masses with the support of the NSW State Government.

With all this public support, some die hard graffiti fans protest that street art has become too gentrified. So, it seems that graffiti – whether sanctioned or not – will always be somewhat controversial.

Personally, I welcome anything that creates a platform for young artists to express themselves and at the same time brings a sense of intrigue and wonder to the otherwise plain laneways of Sydney.

Things we love: Copenhagen Philharmonic’s flash mob

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

One of my favourite places in Sydney is the City Recital Hall in Angel Place. It’s incredible acoustics, plum-coloured upholstery and a unique feeling of intimacy with the music and performers, produce an in-the-womb sense of comfort and calm. I’ve often thought lunchtime sessions here would be the perfect antidote for the stressed-out businesspeople lining the corporate towers surrounding Angel Place.

And so it must have been for Danish commuters in May 2011, when the Copenhagen Philharmonic (Sjællands Symfoniorkester) amazed commuters at Copenhagen’s Central Train Station with a kind of orchestral flash mob as they performed Ravel's famed “Bolero”.

“I thought it was brilliant to expose commuters to the emotional infusion of music while they were coping with the pressures of modern, everyday working life,” said our Alliance Partner, Terry Goss.

Thanks for sharing a beautiful moment, Terry!

See the performance here

Melbourne Cup 2011

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Gen.a celebrated Melbourne Cup 2011 trackside at Royal Randwick Racecourse. A big thank you to our client, Australian Turf Club (ATC) – we had a great time!

Gen.a clothes swap: one person's trash is another's treasure

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:30:00 -0600

As part of our annual spring festivities, the ladies at Gen.a cleaned out their wardrobes and swapped unwanted items in support of a good cause, UN Women Australia.

How did it work? Our unwanted clothing and accessories were piled on to the table in the Gen.a office. We swapped clothes, fought over a few things and dived to snatch up “never been worn” items. As “payment” for our new spring outfits we made a cash donation to UN Women Australia, raising $120.00 in total.

The leftover clothes were taken to the local Salvation Army store .

Gen.a Date Night: Enquiring Minds

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:30:00 -0600

Kris, Zoe, Lucille and Sam(girl) stayed up past their bedtimes and headed to the ABC Studios to be part of the audience for Q&A.

The things we learnt? Tony Jones looks far more intelligent with his glasses on, Bill Shorten possibly has a little too much love for the leader of his party, Julie Bishop’s dismissive hand is almost as good as her sharp mind, and don’t try to avoid the cameras ... they find you in the end.

Merkel! (that’s an in joke for anyone else in the audience with us)

P.S. There’s also a B1/B2 photo booth in the foyer.

Things we love: Music Stars Sing for the Opera House

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:00:00 -0600

Stu Buchanan from ‘We are The Nest’ kindly dedicated some of his time to coaching the team here at Gen.a (including all luddites) on the intricate workings of Social Media. Why should we use it? What makes it so special? What role does design play in the experience? All of these questions were duly answered. But the most important point he made - when it comes to social media ‘content is king’.

Not long after the workshop I stumbled across a tweet from B&T... who’d stumbled across a beautiful piece of content created by the Sydney Opera House.

A string of Australian and international singers and musicians have come together for a music project to promote the iconic venue as a contemporary culture hub.

Nick Cave’s ballad ‘The Ship Song’ has been reworked and features artists such as Neil Finn, Kev Carmody, Sarah Blasko, Angus and Julia Stone, Paul Kelly, Temper Trap, Martha Wainwright, Katie Noonan and Daniel Johns. Opera House resident companies including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Teddy Tahu-Rhodes with Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, Bangarra Dance Company, Bell Shakespeare founder and director John Bell, Richard Tognetti and The Australian Chamber Orchestra also feature in the song and accompanying video clip.

Why should this be a hugely successful Social media initiative?

It has the potential to start a conversation with new audiences. It is a celebration of the diversity of performance at the iconic venue and therefore a vehicle for ‘opening up’ the Opera House up to as broad an audience as possible, helping overcome preconceptions that productions at the venue “are not for me”.
Most of the artists gave their time for free. They are an audience highly engaged with the SOH brand who can act as credible multipliers of the message through their huge networks of facebook friends and followers on Twitter.
The content continues to evolve. A 30min documentary featuring behind the scenes interviews with the artists, residents and creators is to be screened this month on Foxtel. It’s the start of a conversation, not the end of it.
I’ve socialised it already...

Gen.a gathering – things that matter

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:33:49 -0600

Last night we invited clients, business associates and friends of Gen.a to our office warming drinks and to talk about ‘things that matter’.

H.G. Nelson led a discussion about the carbon tax and Indigenous affairs with CEO of the Sustain Group and Australian Representative to the UN Global Compact (UNGC), Matthew Tukaki; and CEO & Chairman of Tribal Warrior Association and Aboriginal Rights advocate, Shane Philips.

The things that matter (to us and our guests): family (Shane Phillips, Tribal Warrior); wellbeing of everyone else before myself (Matthew Tukaki, Sustain Group); sport (H.G. Nelson); family, culture, humanity (Ebony Allen, KPMG); clean oceans for surfing, avoiding pollution (Matt Adderton, Imagin8); the truth about the carbon tax and global warming, Indigenous employment, government accountability (Jim Ahern, BIS), Time (Danielle Andrews); freedom (Claire Bailey, The Ink Project); biodiversity, equality, justice, truth, healing (Dave Beaumont, City of Sydney); to do work that matters (George Betsis, News Magazines); love, music, the sea (Ruth Bowers, Gen.a); a good pair of gum boots (Natalie Brcar, MCK Architects); having fun (Zoe Buhagiar, Gen.a); a place to live (Gloria Chan, Gen.a); laughter and willingness (Mary Coustas); karma (Max Cowan); Sylvie's smile, a clean house and punctuation (Elizabeth Dawson Gain. Gen.a); the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (Prince Alan Djamirze, Australian Circassian Association); people’s stories (Kris McIntyre, Gen.a); taking responsibility, acceptance of others, teaching people how our mind works (David Elks, Penrith City Council); spoonfuls of wishful thinking (David Faulks, Gen.a); ideas not ideology (Michael Ferrier, Eyeon); animals (Sam Feyzeny, Gen.a); freedom and water (Alexander Fisher, Royal Randwick / Australian Turf Club); stopping the live export of Australian animals (David Flatman, Living Pictures); women coffee producers (Sue Flatman, Living Pictures); the future (Lucille Gosford, Gen.a); vigorous RESPECTFUL debate (Terry Goss, Goss Consulting); finding creative ways to help the developing countries (Tamara Haig, Devdas); health, travel & leadership of the country (David Higgingbottom, Competitive Edge); health, family & travel (Nancy Higgingbottom); compassion when times are tough (Lisa Hiller-Garvey, Small World Stories); nature is not just humanity (Nigel Hiller-Garvey, Small World Stories); red dust (Martin Hirons, Sport Business Partners); loyalty (Sam Hunter, bouttime); food (Gisele Karame); family, independence, happiness love and belonging (Helen Knap, Sustain Group); left brain v right brain - who wins? (Pater Larum); looking at the funny side of life, capturing magic moments, studying the universe and all the amazing unknowns (Anthony Laver, EventsNSW); skype (Eve Lewis); happiness, for everyone … and not making tea (Mark Liney, Gen.a); rain (Simon MacFarlane, Gruden); passionate optimistic people and how much snow falls from the sky (Melinda Madigan, Australian Turf Club); catching a plane to NY (Emily Matthews, Gen.a); majority rules (Glenn Matthews, Australian Racing Drivers Club); quality versus quantity (John Moore, Gen.a); anonymity (Nick Morgan, Gen.a); cocktails by the pool (Jacqueline Morony, Gen.a); strong design culture and pushing boundaries (Michael Morony, Buchan); family time (Chris Muldoon, Sports Business Partners); you … (Pete Nicholas, Gen.a), Google (Sam Pemberton, Gen.a); writing (Jonathan Swan); personal responsibility, maintaining a sense of humour (Carolyn Swindell, Charlie Sierra); interaction (Brent Trimnell-Ritchard, Gruden); bring happy (Michael Tyrpenou); music (Luke Woods, ARIA).

Spring is in the air

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:17:49 -0600

It may still be a little chilly, but we were blessed with brilliant sunshine as things got underway for the Royal Randwick Spring Carnival 2011 Campaign photo-shoot at Centennial Park.

Gen.a Celebrates Christmas in July

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:30:00 -0600

Last Sunday Gen.a welcomed Nick back to Sydney (for a short visit) and celebrated Christmas in July at David's newly renovated home. With mountains of yummy food, good wine and fabulous company, we stuffed ourselves silly, listened to bad Christmas carols and remembered to take time out to enjoy the good things in life. Many thanks to all of Santa's Gen.a elves - in particular - Eve, Mary and Zoe for expert catering and planning. Happy (mid-year) Christmas!

Sporting a new logo

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:41:44 -0600

All this wet weather sees the Sydney Carnival rain jackets put to good use!

Happy Birthday Samgirl

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:50:21 -0600

Big ups to Em's mum for making her famous carrot cake, and thanks to Samgirl for giving us all an excuse to eat it!

Gen.a musings: Why doesn't earth have a brand?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:00:00 -0600

Footnote: DF: Well, it DOES have a brand. It just has no external expression.

Friends of Gen.a: The English Gentleman

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:00:19 -0600

Short-listed in 2010 in the Live Category for the NME Music Photography Awards, The English Gentleman bestows Mart Gallery with some of his favourites...

Opening night: 5.30pm, 7 July, Mart gallery, 156 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills.
Exhibition will run from Thursday 7 July - Saturday 23 July.

A rising star in capturing the spirit of fine rock and roll moments in Sydney, he came onto the music scene 3 years ago. Originally from London, he moved to Sydney to pursue his flowering career as a graphic designer at Landor Associates. Photography only recently became a passion.

“When I first came to Sydney, I really wanted to get into some good Australian music. I started to go to a lot of gigs on my own, taking my 400D canon SLR with me for company. I didn’t know at that time it would lead me to where I am now; I live with a growing passion I never thought I had in me for shooting bands. It was a drug I instantly became addicted to! I found it immensely satisfying to hear new music first hand, watching bands grow, bands fight, bands break up, then reforming again, and to witness the very beginnings of some great Australian bands in the making.”

Not dissimilarly to many of the bands that he shoots, the English Gentleman crafted his photography skills at grass roots level. Beginning by shooting at the small though deservedly famous venues around Sydney, such as the Annandale Hotel, Spectrum and Oxford Art Factory, the English Gentleman is now shooting much larger gigs, venues, promoters and works with many bands.

“Within the first year of shooting 3 nights a week and running around Sydney trying to capture everything I could, I found myself with the Arctic Monkeys at the Big Day Out after less than a year on the scene. They were exciting times that completely swept me off my feet, to say the least. ”

Presenting a selection of work at the Mart Gallery for the first time, the English Gentleman invites you to relive the experiences and be inspired by these great moments.

Things We Love: Sydney Story Factory

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:00:00 -0600

The Sydney Story Factory (SSF) will be a place for children to develop their love of words. This unique literacy project was founded by Sydney Morning Herald journalists, Tim Dick and Catherine Keenan, based on the same model as Dave Eggers' successful 826 Valencia children's writing centre in San Francisco and Nick Hornby's Ministry of Stories in London.

SFF will offer free assistance on any writing project that a child may have, including help with English homework. It aims to give any child free help with writing, using volunteer authors, journalists, editors and teachers as tutors. It will also offer storytelling workshops, teaching children to write in all kinds of ways, from fiction to film scripts, and publish them in all kinds of formats, from online zines to the Sydney Morning Herald, which supports the project.

Run by an independent, non-profit association, it will target children from disadvantaged, migrant and Aboriginal backgrounds, whose stories aren't always told or aren't often heard. Its own version of a fantastical shopfront, due to open in Redfern in November 2011, will inspire young writers and partly fund the centre. In the meantime, SFF is running ad hoc workshops and 'pop up shops' around Sydney. For more information on how to be part of the story (as a donor, volunteer or to enrol a aspiring storytelling), visit www.sydneystoryfactory.blogspot.com.

SSF was launched at the 2011 Sydney Writer's Festival. See the launch video here.

News Limited press check

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 -0600

Em & Sam headed to Southern Colour Printers in Atarmon to press check a lovely sales piece they designed for News Limited.