IGI features
Sweetness & Light…My Memoirs
| Sep, 17, 2007
The build up seemed to last months but in the blink of an eye it was all over. As we drove through the night towards home I think overall the CANDY COLLECTIVE can be happy with the result of their biggest event yet, SWEETNESS & LIGHT at Electric Picnic.
Obviously it was always going to be difficult organising an International Design Conference in the middle of a music festival and the attendences in our tent reflected that at times especially during the main acts performances. But in saying that I think we attracted some curious people who by saturday had spread the word and at times during the weekend the tent was standing room only.
The talks themselves were very interesting and the lineup was incredible. In fact I think it’s fair to say that the speakers in the Sweetness & Light area were probably bigger in their fields than the music acts playing over the weekend.
The friday night lineup was Richard Gilligan (IRL), David Rooney (IRL), The Tender Trio (IRL), Alan Clarke (IRL), TADO (UK), DADDY (IRL) and was a mix of photography, illustration and animation. Apart from the usual gremlins at work for DADDY’s presentation (it’s becoming their trademark) the first day went really well, Gilligan’s skateboards and music related photography grabbing everyone straight away and Alan Clarke’s humorous illustrations getting a great reponse once everyone realised they could laugh at them.
TADO charm the crowds
Richard Gilligans kickass photos
Airside entertain people just outside of camera shot (honestly)
Saturday was the first full day and the talkers were Conor & David (IRL), Dan Willett & Mark James (UK), Aidan Kelly (IRL), Airside (UK), Asbestos (IRL), Angry (IRL), BRENB (IRL), eBoy (GER), Tim Biskup (US), Jill Furmanovsky (UK), Mike Mills (US), Ben Drury (UK), B+ (IRL), Lovely Productions (IRL) with specialities ranging from Illustration, Graphic Design, Film, Photography, Painting, Toy-making, Animation and Fashion.
The early talks were not helped by the bright sunshine that sometimes rendered the screens difficult to view but the work on show was both diverse and powerful. One of the most important aspects of CANDY COLLECTIVE’s agenda in organising such events (this is the 25th in 2 years) is to showcase Irish artists together with more established international artists and this was perfected over the weekend.
White Dragon by Biskup
There was a definate thread of personal expression that ran through the talks on Saturday, that most people who watched found it hard to leave. The humour and humility of the speakers was matched only by the great scope of their work from Dan Willett & Mark James’s description of their toy making process to Tim Biskup’s paintings and their subtle, confessional, auto-biographical subject matter. 
Ben Drury
Hearing Ben Drury’s talk about his design work for the Mo Wax Record label was a great thrill for me as at one point in my life I bought every record that came out from this uber-cool label mostly because of the design work.
Drury’s work for UNKLE
For me the highlight of the weekend was Mike Mills’ talk showcasing his design, short film and documentary work. 
Mike Mills cover for AIR’s album Moon Safari
I’ve been a huge fan of Mill’s for a while now from his sleeve design, photography work or even his music video for Air’s All I Need, but something just clicked as he progressed through his work and everyone who attended was spellbound, hanging on his every word and of course just to make you sick this hugetalent is probably the nicest guy you will ever meet.
Mike Mills himself
Sunday was tough. It was the third day and sleeping two nights in a tent is probably two days too many for me. But as I am part of the CANDY COLLECTIVE crew and also a speaker, one of the many perks was the use of a private and security guarded toilet thoughout which made the weekend a little easier to cope with. The lineup was very strong again on Sunday, Glenn Leyburn (IRL), Jon Burgerman (UK), David Cleary (IRL), Conor Harrington (IRL), M&E (IRL/SWE), Linda Brownlee (IRL), Gary Baseman (US), Philip Dunne(IRL), Johnny Kelly(IRL), Rinzen(AUS), Oliver Jeffers(IRL), Donal Dineen (IRL), Shynola (UK), Colonel Blimp presentsdirectors Sarah Chatfield & One in Three (UK) and again featured presentations from the world of Graphic Design, Illustration, Music Videos, Photography & Painting.
Jon Burgerman wishing he hadn’t agreed to speak
Jon Burgerman’s talk was the usual entertaining mix of comic genius and self-depreciation (a heady mix and always guaranteed to get the crowd on your side - clever manipulator that he is).
Inside the CANDY dome with Linda Brownlee
Linda Brownlee’s photo essays and fashion shoots were beautiful as she had a packed tent craning their necks not to miss a bit.
Baseman & Biskup no need to say anymore
Gary Baseman did his best to steal the show (as usual - and he probably did) dancing and interacting with the audience in the best piece of choreographed improv you are ever likely to witness! Oliver Jeffers resembled Tom Cruise’s character in Magnolia and whilst he never got quite to the point of screaming “RESPECT THE COCK!” he did move through the audience discussing childrens books and quantum physics exuding a sexual charisma that was only matched by Erasure’s performance on the main stage on the Saturday Night.
Still from Shynola vid for Blur
The last two presentations of the weekend were Shynola and Colonel Blimp groups, both music video directors from the UK. It was decided to show their work rather than have a discussion as it was getting late. This was a great success as the tent filled up with people chilling out after a long hard festival only breaking their zen-like state to burst into applause at the end of each video.
Still from MIA vid by Colonel Blimp
As the curtain came down on this exciting adventure and the lights were turned off, the beer flowed ever more…the greatest collection of creative talent ever in Ireland (apart from the auditions for Boyzone, obviously) slipped back into their regular worlds, no one will be quite the same again. Congrats to Richard and Aidan for their hard work in organising the event, and to Ali, Peter, Tommy, Cameron and Eamon for their work over the weekend. Can’t wait till next year!
Thanks to aidan kelly for the photos!
For a full list of speakers websites etc go to this earlier post on scamp.
