Unique Gifts and Christmas Treats at the RCA Christmas Fête
This week, the RCA Christmas Fête returns to Kensington Gore for the fourth year running, offering members of the public a chance to purchase unique presents and hand-crafted gifts from the next generation of talented designers and artists.
This annual event provides an opportunity for RCA students to share their designs and artworks with fellow students, the local community and international visitors. Ceramics, jewellery, textiles, prints and other handcrafted gifts will be on offer, with around 100 students participating this year. Prices range from £1 to £600 with all the profits go directly to the students.
As well as the chance to purchase gifts, the Fête offers an opportunity to meet with the makers and hear directly about the processes and ideas behind each piece. Textile student Anna Neklesa explained the concept behind one of the silk scarves she will be selling: ‘It is a photograph of silk fabric printed on the exact same material. I work in collaboration with photographer Polina Syrovjatkina and I found this image in her stock. I was quite amazed by it.’
Several ceramics students will be selling their creations at the Fête. Irina Razumovskaya is presenting a series of tableware, which she has created to ‘add something very special and pleasurable to the daily routine. Every object is thrown on the wheel and trimmed by hand, a mixture of different coloured porcelain clays creates a unique pattern in every piece.’
Another ceramicist, Lauren Nauman, will be presenting her tea set, which consists of a series of lidded jars, cups and saucers. The design is inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony and Lauren’s own afternoon tea drinking ritual. ‘I kept in mind presentation, placement and function while making this design. The hidden functionality creates a sense of harmony within the various components, as well as an aspect of discovery through interaction with the objects.’
Designs to improve daily routines are also available from Design Products' Clea Jenstch. Clea has created Zick Zack, a series of desk tidies made from a single piece of folded metal and Stir + Strain, a spatula designed to aid the quick draining of food.
There will also be prints available from illustrator Katie Johnston, along with her Leaping Dog and Running Rabbit soft toys. Her gift card, Pigs in Blankets will also be for sale, providing an offbeat seasonal connection. Phillip Crewe is also offering an environmentally responsible seasonal product. He has created an elegant freestanding felt and wood Christmas tree, which can be decorated in place of a real tree and re-used year on year.
One of the more unusual products on offer is Bettina Pozzo di Borgo’s set of bird whistles. Made from pink gold and wood, these whistles have been designed to replicate the songs of three birds from the Vallée de Joux, in the Jura Mountains. Appropriately, one of the birds Bettina selected is the festive Robin. Bettina was inspired to recreate the melodies of the forests that were familiar to her as a child. She explains ‘by just lending one’s ear, a spectator who is willing to listen absorbs all the surrounding sounds, creating his or her own symphony of the forest. With these whistles, not only can you communicate with birds, but anyone anywhere around the world can be transported to this magical place thanks to the reproduction of that instrumental composition.’
The Christmas Fête is a celebratory occasion, providing a friendly atmosphere in which to browse and purchase one-off, contemporary gifts. On Saturday there will also be a Parents and Children Afternoon with a free creative decoration making session led by students and suitable for children of all ages.
The co-presidents of the Students Union, Miloslav Vorlicek and Ritz Wu, organised this year’s Fête alongside Paul Tolkaciovas. They described what makes it special: ‘The Fête is a unique opportunity for members of the public to meet students who are in the process of developing their practices. The RCA is renowned for cutting-edge design and has rigorous standards; these are reflected in the Christmas Fête as much as in the work in progress and graduate shows.’
They explained that as well as providing a chance to generate income, ‘the Fête provides a special environment for students to test their work and try ideas within a certain market and a specific audience. A wide range of people come each year, from tutors at the College to local residents – it’s one big festive get together.’
The Fête open to the public in the Jay Mews Gallery, Kensington, from 3–5 December, 12–8pm
Full details are here.