Today we welcome Gavin Lucas to the Show & Tell stand! Most of you will know Gavin as the senior writer over at the Creative Review mag and blog. Further strings to his bow include being the author behind books such as Guerrilla Advertising, Badge Button Pin and more recently a book dedicated to showcasing BMX bikes all for Lawrence king…on top of all that he’s a super good egg too ..so without further a do ...
A box of 50 year old 45 records.
Where did you acquire it?
The box itself is actually a friend’s and the records in it are from my ridiculous, every growing collection of 45s. I’ve been collecting records ever since I was about 11 years old. The records in the box (and the various other boxes I bring out when I play records) change but essentially this particular one has always got the very best of my hundreds of 1950s and 60s 45s.
What makes your chosen object special to you?
Each record has a story or has a meaning to me and as music becomes much more of a digital interaction, I find myself loving owning these circular slabs of musical history more and more.
Does your chosen object say anything about your sense of style, or your personality?
I guess me show-and-telling this box of records does, indeed, say something about me. I’ve always been someone who has to engage physically with music - you know, put the needle on the record. I rarely listen to the radio and when I do it’s to listen to Just A Minute. I love 6music but rarely listen to it. I’ve always loved sharing and discussing music and i really got into 1950s and 60s music when a few friends and I started a monthly rock’n'roll club night called Gerry’s Joint almost eight years ago. It’s still going, and each time the records played will be different as we’ve all got growing record collections.
Are you coveting anything particular at the moment?
I’m working with a few artists to make beautiful household products. I’ve had some prototype melamine trays with fantastic artwork on by one of my favourite illustrators and it’s just about the coolest thing in my house at the moment. Hopefully we can roll them into (very small scale) production later in the year.
If you were re-incarnated as an object or piece of furniture what would you be?
I’d like to be a re-incarnated as a well cared for and oft-used Stereogram or a record player like my PYE 1005. Then I could play records (in no small amount of style) every day!
Where is your favourite place to be?
Anywhere with friends.
Clutter or minimalism?
I veer towards clutter as I can’t help collecting and hoarding stuff. Fortunately my missus is of the minimalist persuasion and we somehow find a balance.
Future or past?
Present!
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Gavin Lucas has been a journalist for ten years. He is Senior Writer at leading international communication arts journal, Creative Review and regularly writes about current advertising and design issues for the monthly magazine and for the Creative Review blog. As well as contributing to other magazines such as Plastique and Wonderland, Gavin is also the author of Guerrilla Advertising: Unconventional Brand Communications (Laurence King, 2006) and also Badge Button Pin (Laurence King, June 2007).
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LINKS
www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/
www.laurenceking.com
www.radridesbmx.blogspot.co.uk