Rory Blair x DARN: Once In A Blue Moon
The Rory Blair x DARN scarf has a distinctive rich royal blue body with contrasting white elements and plenty of texture that captures Rory’s original film photograph, taken in New Zealand in 2015.
Available to purchase from early October, this is the latest partnership in a line of collaborations between like-minded creatives, friends and labels that DARN is proud to have within its community.
Rory Blair is a conceptual artist based in Falmouth and London. His photography is a stream of metaphysical semi consciousness.
Each of his photos makes you feel as though you are stepping into a gateway to another place and world. Manipulating and playing with his imagery, it leaves us questioning our imagination as it wonders.
DARN founder Amelia and Rory met at Falmouth University and slowly slowly their friendship has grown, first beginning with a mutual respect for each other's practice.
“Rory has become one of those friends who I can easily chat relentlessly with about nearly anything. What I appreciate the most is being able to discuss my work with him and share with one another what work we have been up to, usually when walking, sharing dinner and hanging in his hammock.
One day I popped by Rory’s studio, which is located at the end of the estuary in Penryn, Falmouth next to a boat building workshop which he shares alongside two other markers/artists. The space feels very lived in, like a tunnel of creativity that draws you in with many hidden treasures and textures, but at the same time has a peacefulness that often results in a relaxing sleep on the nearby hammock. Tiny prints of his work can be seen pinned in fun locations around the space, like playing ‘ I spy’ for objects Rory has found and collected before being placed in beams or stuck in tiny cracks between the ceilings; the space is like going into a Rory portal.
As I hung out drinking coffee there one day, we discussed how it was time we did a collaboration. Right next to the hammock is a HUGE print of one of Rory’s images, a great big BLUE with a shining MOON bang in the middle, you can just stare at it all day and we decided that had to be the one, and I am pleased to say it has printed so beautifully on the silk.”
We caught up with Rory in the lead up to the collaboration launch to learn more about his practice.
In the mood to listen to something new?
Here is one of Rory's epic playlists... listen on Spotify 🎵
In your own words, tell us what you create and why…
I create [hopefully] poetic contemplations of the moment and how it felt to be in them. I create because I feel like crap when I don't and when I don't, I'm not processing the world or understanding a little more of it.
What are you currently reading?
A declassified CIA report 'Analysis and Assessment of Gateway Process' and Cannery Row by John Steinbeck.
What do you appreciate most about your studio?
Oli Parrish, Dan Arnold, the view, the kettle and our speakers.
Why did you mainly locate yourself in Cornwall.
Threw the dice and tried out University.
What are you exploring at the moment within your work?
Some kind of Truth about "the thing", portals, orbs, mortality.
Do you have any rituals when it comes to creating?
I have to remain open and receptive but relinquish control of the situation so that a glimmer of something can present itself and I can try and internalise it and respond truthfully. The majority of what I've ended up creating wasn't ever the objective at the start.
How do you start and end your day?
Start = with a sore back, hungry, needing to piss. End = usually later than it should and could be.
What skill/practise/thing have you always wanted to try and never had the chance?
Have a cuddle with a gorilla or a bear.
What was the last song that made you dance?
Let's Get It On by Furney.
Tell us about your favourite summer memory…
Playing backgammon and drinking lemonade in a square in an old Greek village with my folks when I was about 9.
What are three things you would like to do before the end of the year?
Wall flip, make my house watertight, plant some trees.
PAN - playlist by Rory - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08JrsxZ3COJ3tkYY2tzXeg?si=58dada7a5ddc43d5
