Art director Day Barnes is the creative soul behind the pages of HOME, and a constant source of laughter in our office. From his bubble in Whangaparoa, Day shares his take on this level four lockdown.
HOME: What’s the best part of the view from your home?
Day Barnes: I’ve managed to bubble-up with my bestie in Whangaparoa and have a flawless cliff-top view across to Long Bay and beyond. I can even see the Skytower, though it’s 23.1km away.
Throughout the day, when pondering complicated design decisions (red or white), I unconsciously turn my head to the left. And then come out of my reverie (white) to find the most serene beach view with people and their doggos.
H: What are you reading?
DB: I’m usually a sucker for YA, fantasy and sci-fi trash but just finishing The Three Body Problem, by Liu Cixin, which is a little more cerebral. Using the terror of China’s cultural revolution as a backdrop to some mind-boggling science fiction. It’s just been picked up by Netflix.
I’m supplementing this with the less demanding The Broken Earth trilogy – beings of immense power, fate of the world etc. I really appreciate the protagonist is a middle-aged woman, dealing with her sense of self in a ravaged world as well as the loss of people dear to her.
H: What are you watching/playing?
DB: I’m a messy consumer, flitting between sci-fi, S.Korean rom-coms, YouTube design and tech channels, anime and food shows.
I tend to play as much as I watch and I’m currently playing Disco Elysium, an incredible detective game with real character and fantastic writing/voice acting.
Plus I’ve just bought a Pocket Operator for making melodies and ‘beats’. It’s blown my mind with what it can do.
H: What are you cooking/baking?
DB: My bestie is a foodie and I’ve tried to keep up with her. We’ve had some incredible food but my best effort so far was a tri-tip with tiger bite sauce, so delicious.
As I write I have a beef pie in the oven. I tasted the gravy and I’m pretty confident it’s going to be the finest pie in the southern hemisphere (possibly the whole world).
H: What’s inspiring you right now?
DB: It sounds corny, but I take constant inspiration from the New Zealand collective. People totally being bros to each other. Looking after each other and remaining chill in a difficult time.
I’d also add, that if like me, lockdown is not too difficult, please consider donating to the Food Bank or Give A Little.
Discover what our friends are up to in lockdown in our HOME in five series.
