Diamond Tattoo

Check out my cousin's nice tattoo. Happy New Year!!

OK, comments are allowed...

Until now I haven't really been up for having people commenting my blog-posts. 'I do what I do, and that's that', I figured. But then I'm thinking, that it might be more fun if the blog is slightly more interactive, and that I can actually hear from you guys once in a while. So if you wanna - feel free :)

iittala origo bowl

Loving these colorful iittala origo bowls!

INFLUENCERS

Check out this short documentary "INFLUENCERS". It explores what it means to be an influencer and how music and fashion trends become contagious.

 It is directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives (advertising, design, fashion and entertainment) who are shaping today's pop culture. Enjoy!



INFLUENCERS TRAILER from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Henrik Vibskov

Nice things from Henrik Vibskov!

UNICEF Photo of the Year Award 2010

Each year, UNICEF Germany grants the “UNICEF Photo of the Year Award” to photos and photo series that best depict the personality and living conditions of children all around the world.

FIRST PRIZE – VIETNAM: THE LEGACY OF WAR

The Vietnam war ended in 1975. The US withdrew their troops and north and south Vietnam were reunited. But for the Vietnamese people the legacy of American warfare continues. US forces used the herbicide Agent Orange to destroy foliage that the north Vietnamese were using as cover. Agent Orange contains dioxins that are known to cause cancer and damage genes. The effects of the toxic substance can be seen among Vietnamese people to this day, such as cancer, immune disorders and severe deformities. According to official estimates, 1.2 million children, including nine-year-old Nguyen Thi Ly, are disabled. In rural areas, the percentage of disabled children is significantly higher than in urban areas.

Photo: Ed Kashi/Agency VII/UNICEF Photo of the Year 2010

2ND PRIZE 2010 MAJID SAEEDI | GETTY IMAGES

Afghanistan’s past: Soviet invasion in 1978, outbreak of the civil war. Consequence: refugees. Withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989, mujahideen take Kabul. Outbreak of yet another civil war. Consequence: refugees. Overthrow of the Taliban regime after 9/11 by an alliance lead by the US. Bloody internal struggles. Consequence: refugees. Afghanistan’s future: despite uncertain circumstances, approx. 4 million refugees have returned from Pakistan and Iran and now are trying to settle down again in their home country.

Among these refugees was the family of 8-year-old Akram. They looked for shelter in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. Even as a small boy, Akram tried to make some money by collecting scrap on a garbage dump in Peshawar. While rummaging through the garbage, he once accidentally touched a non-insulated cable. Both his hands and arms had to be amputated because of severe burns. In the meantime, Akram’s family has returned to Kabul where he received arm prostheses thanks to the help of the International Red Cross. Looking at the pictures taken by Iranian photographer Majid Saeedi, we are astonished by the natural way the children treat each other and their compassion for each other. Majid Saeedi has also captured the playful ease shown by healthy children when handling these ‘spare body parts’. The horrible realization of being severely disabled for one’s whole life, however, only sets in when people get older. And this realization is cruel because it’s final.

Photo: Majid Saeedi, Iran, Getty Images

3RD PRIZE 2010 GMB AKASH | PANOS PICTURES

Bangladesh: The oldest profession in the world destroys the lives of young girls

There is no exact data on the number of child prostitutes worldwide. According to cautious estimates by UNICEF, approx. 1.8 million children and adolescents worldwide are abused through prostitution.
Bangladesh-based photographer, G.M.B. Akash, shows the plight of these child prostitutes, some of whom are extremely young. He grew ever more horrified at the hopeless situation of these young girls in the brothels of the Faridpur region when he heard what they had to do to their bodies to appear older and more attractive. Every day over many years they take a steroid to ‘plump up’. It is the same drug that is also used in countries like Bangladesh to fatten cattle. It was originally intended for use by seriously ill patients suffering from arthritis, asthma or allergies.

20-year-old Yasmin also has a puffy face because of the steroid. She has lived in this brothel since she was a child – just like her mother, who worked here as a prostitute for 30 years.

 Photo: GMB Akash, Panos Pictures

At Home with Artist Stephanie Skabo

A few weeks ago I did a feature on Stephanie Skabo, an autodidact Norwegian artist. Here, we visit her at her place. She has a solo exhibition at Galleri A in february. The very nice photos are taken by my colleague, freelance photographer Kai-Otto Melau. Oh, and the piece was in the saturday supplement of Aftenposten. 

Photos by Kai-Otto Melau

X-Mas is also for Drug Addicts, Homeless and Lonely People...

Every year I spend x-mas day, 25th of december, volunteering at a great initiative called Alternative X-mas / Alternativ Jul, in Oslo. The doors are open to anyone who doesn't have anywhere to go during x-mas. Around 1500 came this year. Drug addicts, homeless people, lonely people, anyone. 

I spoke to some very nice people this year. I think it's wonderful that we can share this time, and exchange stories. The volunteers are also a great bunch!

I don't photograph any of the guests. But here's some pix of details, us who work there, etc.

I'm getting ready to be Santa Claus!

Volunteers also get tired!

Tons of free food is donated!

And there's always plenty to eat!

Pelle, the head-chef, is tired after two days and nights of work. He's about to take a nap.

This is Henning. He is the reason this is running! He started this 43 years ago, and spends EVERY x-mas here!

Pelle, later on. Still very tired. 

Photos by Christina Skreiberg

The Winners of the Scarves are...

Therese W. and Kristina M. B. - both from Norway! I'll email you :)
Thanx to everyone who's been writing me - especially fun to see so many followers from the US! It has been really nice hearing form you.


Here's a few pix of the scarf, when it was sold in the Oslo-shop KRY

Gingertime

Hope you're all having a lovely x-mas! At our place we've been making colorful ginger-bread and lots of other nice home-cooked things! Yum.

MOTHER

I snapped this of my mum last x-mas eve. Isn't she just Fabulous! Merry x-mas everyone!

Oh, I just love this!

This post is "stolen from" a post at danish fashion blog anywho! I had to post it too, cause: Oh, this Jil Sander SS11 collection is so fab!

Pix from Style.com

Cake It

Magically, I've managed to stay clear of the busy shops and crazy x-mas preparations. But cake - I'll happily eat! These are all made by my dear friend Line (who I went to Thailand with + lived in London with). She makes the most fantastic cakes - a true TALENT!

Line, the master chef!