Latest news with #analogue
CBC
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Halfcase: How these Gen Z creatives have custom-designed their work lives
Duo tries for an analogue feel from digital designs If you attended any Lawnya Vawnya events at the Ship Pub this year, you may have been surprised to see the stage designed like the rec rooms of your childhood. A dart board, a foam finger from a Jays game, a cribbage board shaped like the map of Newfoundland, band posters affixed with strips of masking tape adorned a panel board backdrop. The design was the brainchild of Isobel McKenna and Jacob Cherwick, two young creatives known collectively as "halfcase." "The whole idea was to make it feel like you were walking into somebody's suburban basement," said Cherwick. "It's not necessarily supposed to look like it's from a [specific] time in the past, but it's supposed to look like a place that's filled with a lot of stuff from the past." Despite their young ages — both were born in the late 1990s — the duo brings a broad range of skills and experience to their design agency. They have worked together creatively for about five years, working with more than a dozen local artists, artisans, and music groups. Their service offerings include music production services for local bands with diverse music styles ranging from folk to punk and hip hop. They also design album cover art, tour posters, brand logos, and apparel art. "We're both of an age where we experienced a lot of those places as kids, maybe they don't exist anymore, those basements with all that stuff in them," said McKenna. "I bet a lot of people attending and playing at Lawnya Vawnya feel similarly or would recognize what we're doing with it." Their Lawnya Vawnya stage design at The Ship is their largest project to date, encompassing the concept and physical staging, as well as graphic design elements like custom posters that were integrated among the vintage artifacts. "A lot of design studios … do graphic design in-house, and maybe they publish books and have a printing facility as well," said McKenna, whose background includes studies in environmental design at OCAD University, and a strong interest in architecture and interior design. Cherwick, perhaps most recognizable as a member of the Ukrainian-style folk band Kubasonics, estimates that he plays with about 10 different local bands in any given year. He believes the generalist approach in creative services is desirable in the arts industry. "People are under pressure to get things finished quickly. Even if you're making music, it still needs a strong visual component and content you can share online," he said. Digital services with an analog aesthetic An older adult might recognize a sense of nostalgia in that rec room stage design, but aren't a pair of Gen Z artists too young to experience nostalgia? McKenna believes her generation, even people younger than her, have an appreciation for images and objects of the past. "There's a lot of interest in older aesthetics. Those things are seen as kind of more real and genuine than more internet-focused aesthetics," she said. Cherwick said it's a "20-year trend cycle," acknowledging the adage that everything old is new again, but this time with a twist. "There's also right now a really big focus on late '90s, early 2000s imagery and aesthetics, just as the last era right before smartphones and easily accessible internet took over the world and reshaped the way everyone lives," he said. As halfcase, the pair seems to negotiate between the internet-era and a more analog lifestyle. Because most of their work is digital, they work without the costly overhead of more conventional creative agencies. McKenna believes their work-from-home approach enhances their collaborative spirit. "We're both working in our office on opposite sides of the room at the same time," she said. "So we're talking about it all at the same time, too." The halfcase team has recently been developing a logo and brand design for a local artisanal food supplier, as well as a t-shirt design for the Petty Harbour Community Museum. Beyond their design work, both Cherwick and McKenna play in the punk band Sick Puppy, who are preparing to record an album of original music this summer. "We're always trying to find a new thing," said Cherwick. For the future, the pair hopes to broaden the scope of their work beyond the arts industry. "We're still working mostly within the arts community, but we're hoping to push out of that a bit more and do some work with other businesses or brands or people that might need design work or some kind of artistic eye for whatever they're doing."
Hospitality Net
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hospitality Net
Il Sereno, Lake Como Presents the Darsena Listening Suite: the World's First Hotel Suite Built Entirely Around the Art of Listening
Created for sound - Owner-audiophile Luis Contreras and designer Patricia Urquiola turn 200 m² of lakefront space into a dedicated hi-fi sanctuary. Championing analogue - Klipsch La Scala loudspeakers, McIntosh tube pre-amp and amplifier, Thorens turntable, and a meticulously rebuilt Revox reel-to-reel deck. With over 500 vinyl records—and counting—the music is never just background. Private Michelin experience - Chef Raffaele Lenzi serves tasting menus in-suite, with each course unfolding to a thoughtfully curated musical backdrop. Living collection - Guests may request favourite albums in advance, with the records joining the library for future listeners. Inspired by Japan's jazz-kissa - Adapts the quiet-listening culture now trending worldwide to an Italian modernist setting on Lake Como. This season, Il Sereno Lago di Como introduces its most personal and immersive offering yet: The Darsena Listening Suite. Conceived by owner-audiophile Luis Contreras and brought to life together with designer Patricia Urquiola, this 200 m² lakefront sanctuary redefines the travel experience through music. The suite becomes a cultural space where high-fidelity analogue music, tactile contemporary design and Michelin-starred cuisine converge, with the lake as natural backdrop. Drawing on Tokyo's jazz-kissa listening cafés—intimate venues where vinyl is revered—The Darsena Listening Suite is believed to be the first hotel guestroom anywhere designed entirely around the act of listening. How a Reel-to-Reel Sparked the Dream In early 2021, shortly after Italy's lockdown lifted, Luis Contreras found himself transfixed by the gentle spin of a vintage Revox B77 reel-to-reel tape deck during a dinner. That simple, hypnotic loop—and the warm, analogue hum that accompanied it—inspired him to create a space where guests could truly pause, lower a stylus and immerse themselves in music. Over the next year, he journeyed through the world of high-end hifi, meeting bespoke tubeamp artisans, exploring artisanal systems and combing vintage hifi listings online. While handcrafted, old-school rigs proved breathtaking, their delicacy and complexity made them impractical for daily hotel use. Equally tempting were classic vintage turntables and speakers—high-end hifi, like fine automobiles, holds its value—but the unpredictability of older equipment posed too many reliability risks. Ultimately, Contreras chose a hybrid path: modern reissues of iconic designs that deliver classic sound with guest proof stability. The suite's core system now features Klipsch La Scala II speakers, a glowing McIntosh MC275 amplifier, a MacIntosh C22 Preamp, a Thorens 1601 turntable with Sumiko Amethyst cartridge and the restored Revox deck that sparked the entire vision. To this, he added more than 500 LPs from his personal collection—from Deutsche Grammophon box sets to original press Bowie—and a promise that any guest's personal favourites will be sought out and added to the library. Redesigning The Luxury Suite as a Cultural Space Contreras involved Urquiola in the design, approaching it with the same reverence given to sound. A 50-foot wall of custom-woven jacquard fabric echoes the rippling water while refining acoustics. Rich walnut panelling, sculptural bronze fixtures and a monumental bespoke stone dining table form a theatre of textures and light. Molteni sofas, Gio Ponti Leggera chairs and tactile surfaces create areas for listening, lounging and gathering. Floor-to-ceiling glass blurs the line between interior and landscape, while a private deck with direct lake access invites guests to step out and swim straight from the sanctuary of the Listening Suite. From the hush of thick fabrics to the cool solidity of stone and the warm embrace of brushed wood, every detail was selected to heighten the senses. Culinary Artistry: Soundtrack to Dinner At Contreras' request, Studio Urquiola conceived a sculptural round stone table seating up to ten guests, set atop a richly coloured custom rug and positioned directly before the audio system, with Lake Como unfolding beyond. An evening here—watching the hypnotic motion of the Revox Reel-to-Reel, immersed in music, taking in the lake views, and enjoying Chef Lenzi's refined cuisine alongside a well-chosen Italian wine—offers a sensory experience that is both intimate and unforgettable. Chef Raffaele Lenzi brings his Michelin-starred Sereno Al Lago menu into the suite, where each dish is served against a backdrop of curated vinyl, perhaps a smoky jazz side to complement a lapsang-infused artichoke, or a Baroque concerto to mirror the rhythm of a delicate Risotto alla Pescatora. The warmth of a vacuum-tube amp deepens the earthy aroma of autumn truffles, while bright string arrangements elevate the citrus-forward seafood crudo. Each course is experienced as a movement in a larger composition, marked by the quiet, tactile ritual of lifting the tonearm and placing the next record. After dinner, guests may linger over a final side—a bold anthem or a whispered lullaby—transforming the suite into a lounge for lingering conversation and reflection. A Living Concept Far from static, The Darsena Listening Suite is a living project. Guest-requested records become part of the permanent archive; Contreras's son has already added his own selections, bridging generations through shared music. When not booked overnight, the suite transforms into an intimate venue for private dinners or curated listening salons for up to ten guests—keeping the space as dynamic as the playlists it celebrates. A Global Rise of Listening Rooms As vinyl sales surge and travellers seek intimate, acoustically tuned experiences, listening bars and private sound sanctuaries have proliferated from London's Spiritland to New York's niche hifi lounges. Il Sereno extends this movement, embedding jazz-kissa principles into an immersive guest suite with Lake Como's timeless elegance. Il Sereno: Continuing to Set the Standard in Experiential Hospitality Since its opening, Il Sereno has distinguished itself through its commitment to design, craftsmanship, and understated luxury. A jewel on the shores of Lake Como, the hotel offers lake-facing suites, heritage Italian furnishings, and unparalleled service. Guests can explore the lake on a handcrafted Ernesto Riva boat, enjoy scenic drives in Maseratis, FIAT 500's and classic Alfas, or discover hidden villages by Vespa or foot. With the unveiling of The Listening Suite, Il Sereno affirms its place at the vanguard of luxury travel—not merely as a destination, but as a curator of culture, a host of meaningful experiences, and a home for those who find beauty in detail. Rate from $6,300 inclusive of breakfast, plus VAT. Hotel website
BBC News
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Analogue film photography 'magic' winning back growing numbers
Baby Ester's first moments were captured by her father using an analogue the birth of their first child was a no-brainer for Francis Sanders and his wife Naomi, as was their decision to use film. "There wasn't even a conversation about it, we were just going to do it on film," said Francis."It gives that nostalgic effect and a sort of magic and character that you can't characterise with digital photography... you get photos that just have more feeling in them."Francis, 34, is one of what appears to be a growing number of people embracing this more traditional method of photography. On Instagram more than 44 million photos are listed under the hashtag # year a study from research company Cognitive Market Research said the global film camera market value was set to reach some £303m by 2030, up from £223.2m in which produces film and cameras, said its film finishing department was currently running around the clock to keep up with Technology, which makes ILFORD film, said it had seen a significant rise in the use of film over the past decade and recently announced a multi-million pound investment to ensure it could continue to meet demand. Francis, who works as an eye surgeon, inherited film cameras from his father when he died in it wasn't until 2020 that he decided to have a go at using them himself and was pleased to discover a roll containing photos his dad had taken on a family trip the year before he began using the cameras to take photographs of family holidays and events and quickly became a fan of analogue film photography."It's that anticipation, the unknown and you don't have to worry about taking the perfect shot," he said. On the day of his wife's elective caesarean section he was put in charge of the playlist and photography. "I chose deliberately to shoot with a more automated camera to make life a lot easier," he said."I wanted to finish the roll so I just hammered it and it was great."Shooting on film, Francis had no idea if he had managed to successfully capture the precious moments. He took the camera roll to Ethan Fowler, a photographer who runs a photo lab from his home in Newport. When he went to collect the black and white images he was left feeling both relieved and moved."That initial moment of seeing our first child for the very first time, we'll never lose that now," said Francis."Just knowing that it actually worked as well was just a thrill."But film photography doesn't always go to the three months since his daughter was born Francis has taken two other rolls of film to Ethan expecting images of his daughter only to discover they were blank."I don't tend to worry about that stuff too much because what will be will be," laughed Francis. "I save my stress for work." Ethan had been developing his own photos at home for some time before he set up Newport Film Lab after spotting a resurgence in film photography. "It's a bit like vinyl, it is making a comeback," said the 27-year-old. "It's like fashion as well, things do end up doing a complete cycle."Working with film also takes him back to his childhood and the trips he would make to Boots to get photos developed with his grandmother."I remember those feelings of waiting to see pictures and the anticipation," he said. "You'd have to wait a couple of weeks to get them back and there was a buzz because you didn't always remember what you'd taken."These days he enjoys being able to create that anticipation for others, like Carol Hughes from Abergavenny. Carol, 68, contacted Ethan after finding an old roll of film that had belonged to her late had been in the back of a drawer for at least 40 years and she had no idea what was on was thrilled to discover photos of her late father, her brother and sister-in-law at home on their family farm with a litter of puppies."We were really pleased to find photos of family that we didn't know existed," she said. "It was a trip down memory lane." Ethan said he couldn't see people's love for film photography fading any time soon. "It's the imperfections - the dust, the scratches just add character," he said."It captures emotion so well."He is never happier than when in his darkroom."It's the water running, the chemistry, the smells," he said. "And you're the first person to see the film and the pictures after development and that's really special."
