Cameras play a big part in Mark Hill's life. Viva finds out what else makes up the surf label brand manager's list of loves.
Various New Zealand and Australia-based creatives have been asked to customise a one-off Lomography Diana F+ camera as part of the Diana World Tour exhibition that arrives in Auckland this weekend. The travelling exhibition will showcase a range of images from the Diana camera as well as cameras from the "Dietrich Collection" - a collection of more than 100 original Diana Clone Cameras produced from the 1960s to 1970s.
Mark Hill is one of the 25 creatives, with a yellow camera covered in pieces of what looks like bubble gum, dubbed "Hubba Bubba" (each camera will be auctioned off for charity).
When he isn't customising cameras, you will find Hill working as the New Zealand brand manager for surf label Insight. He talks us through a few of his obsessions.
* Diana World Tour, The Department Store, Takapuna, Auckland, 18-31 March.
10 FAVOURITE THINGS
1. Ethnic blankets and rugs
Whether it's from Turkey, Mexico or Afghanistan, the fact is that a small, next-to-no-income family spent a good six months creating incredible patterns and textures by handstitching the fine detail on a rug or blanket. I recently visited the vintage Rozelle Markets in Sydney where I purchased a Mexican blanket for a cool $6. I was intrigued by the Aztec style. These markets are a must-do if you are ever in Sydney, it's the home of vintage, antiques and collectables.
2. Insights "Untitled" campaign
It features a bunch of installations and sculptures in a strange context from various artists like Magda Sayeg, Steve Gorrow, George Gorrow, Fraser Anderson, Simone Decker and is photographed by Mike Piscitelli. Insight has always been really quirky, pushing the boundaries, and thinking outside the square on their marketing campaigns. They are a brand that is closely associated with art and music; I am very excited to be a part of their brand.
3. DL & Co candles
From goats' legs to skulls, these candles are so amazing. I don't even want to light mine. The thought of my mantelpiece ornaments melting away seems a waste of such a well-made sculpture. They also have a whole range of diffusers, gift sets, stationery and ornaments that are always interesting, and sometimes shocking, to have around in your home.
4. Lomo cameras
Film is far from dead and the Lomo Diana F+ camera proves it. I really like the grain and pastel colours the camera produces. I'm a huge fan of the mystery you get with film cameras. You never know what images you have until you get them developed - an experience that has begun to disappear with the digital age.
5. The ukulele
Four strings and easy to strum, you can underestimate how long a ukulele can entertain you. I have one sitting in the corner of the room and have always noticed its effect on many victims. As soon as you pick it up, it's hard to put it down. They are extremely easy to play, and with one and two-finger chords anything sounds good. So basic, yet addictive in the garden on a sunny afternoon.
6. Vinyl
I'm always the first to head to the back of the thrift store and sift through the thousands of Kamahl and Neil Diamond LPs to find the gold. I love the crackle from the record player needle colliding with the scratches on the vinyl. Music from the 60s and 70s were made to be played on a record player, so that's how I prefer to hear it. Even the album covers are designed way ahead of their time, long before the days of Photoshop. Photos, drawing, cutting and pasting were the only way. One of my favourites is The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. It featured a colourful collage with life-sized cardboard models of famous people. The cover still influences pop art, pop culture and music to this day.
7. The Raleigh 3-Speed English Roadster
The latest fixed-gear trend has forced me to brush the dust off my Raleigh 3-speed. It's a bit behind the times and creaks with every pedal, but I couldn't handle not having a precious 3-gears and brakes. It's way faster cruising the streets than a car, and coming from a small beach town where the pushbike is the only necessary transport, my Raleigh suits me to a T. And, just like Granddad Roy's old Irish whiskey, it only gets better with age.
8. Dreamcatchers
There's something about dreamcatchers I have always loved. Decorated with personal and sacred items such as feathers and beads, they give a traditional Native American feel to the room. I have a massive dreamcatcher above my bed, although I still have nightmares.
9. Owls
My obsession with owls all started in a small town called Woodville. That place is crawling with small antique stores that I was always curious about. I stopped once and bought a pair of salt and pepper shakers purely to enhance the taste of my avocado on toast and that was me hooked, line and sinker. Lucky I have an amazing job and get to travel with Insight, where I have managed to salvage around 30 owls along the way. You wouldn't think it, but owls are extremely rare, I have bumped into most of them by actually not looking.
10. Charles Bukowski
Everyone knows him, everyone loves him. His books are an easy read and take a harsh look at reality. I have read the Post Office, Ham On Rye and Women several times. All of his novels that I have read never disappoint. On finishing one , I head to the pub, order a whiskey on the rocks and put a few coins in the slots in tribute to a great man. Books are good to have around, I'm slowly building a library. Imagination is everything.
