I visited the sky garden recently and looking out across London really reminded me of the magic and beauty of the City, its so easy to forget the bigger picture. London life has its stresses but taking a break to look from a high, enjoying the richness of the surroundings is an activity worth undertaking.
Out and about in London you are bound to find something that will surprise you. Well I did and by chance I came across a place called ‘Makers House’. I found myself in a surprisingly fashionable and artistic extravaganza.
Burberry & the Henry Moore Foundation had created a space to celebrate the New February Burberry collection and was free to enter. But this was no ordinary fashion display; the clothing was intertwined with Henry Moore’s most famous sculptures and alongside working models and maquettes. This was an exhibition at its best, objects and displays extremely thoughtfully displayed both inspirational and informative.
Burberry clothing hung beautifully, sculptures were placed elegantly and videos provided an insight into Henry Moore’s work. His thought process, where and how he worked and the challenges creating his large scale sculptures were all part of the story. This all cleverly provided a taste of the arts and if you wanted to see more of Henry Moore’s work leaflets promoting a forthcoming exhibition of Henry Moore’s work in Herts in April were handed out. The staff were also very helpful which makes such a difference. People are a key part of any experience.
This was definitely a successful and fun way to present art and fashion as one.
Draped Reclining Mother and Baby 1983 Polystyrene. The Henry Moore Foundation acquired 1993. (Photo from display at the Makers House Burberry & Henry Moore show Feb 2017)
At the National Theatre London.
When you get to a point you are feeling you are stuck at a red light in life or career, my advice is always ‘Get Out There, see what might turn up, learn something new and if possible make someone smile’.
I am still buzzing, following an amazing weekend. I was searching the National Theatre Website and I came across a play ‘Hedda Gabler’ by Henrik Ibsen. The powerful promotional image encouraged me to want to book a ticket.
I will have to admit Ibsen did not initially draw me, it was the image of Ruth Wilson and the feeling this was a story worth investigating.
Wow, this is a play worth seeing. The cast are amazing and in particular Ruth Wilson who plays Hedda. This is not highbrow; this is a new version by Patrick Marber who also wrote the screenplay ‘ notes on a scandal’. What is great about the National Theatre is, although this play is sold out, the National provides other opportunities to access a few tickets, all explained online and also will be screening this show at Cinemas on the 9th March. So it will be possible to see it.
What have I learnt today? Well, I have to keep an eye on work by Patrick Marber, performances with Ruth Wilson and that Ibsen was Norwegian, born in 1928 and he also wrote a Dolls House.
I purchased a ‘Big Issue’ and this did make both the seller and myself smile.
A Sand sculpture created at the London SouthBank Sat 11 Feb (artist unknown).
Looking for a pick me up on a grey and rainy day? I really recommend a trip to the South Bank, a stroll along the parade with the galleries and London Views, but in particular look out for the pop up surprises. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to find out the name of the artist who created this sand sculpture, but it made me think, prompted discussion and disappeared with the tide.
This sand sculpture along with a few others appear and disappear with the tide.
Merete Rasmussen (born 1974) ‘Red Twisted Form’ 2012.http://www.mereterasmussen.com
Time has passed since the London Design Festival in September but its time for me to revisit my image prompts and remind myself of the talent and inspiration available out there. I recommend collecting information or images, like collecting ingredients for your favourite meal. Always have them available for that moment when you need that pick me up.
This piece caught my eye at the V&A because of its colour, exactness and that element of fun. A beautiful piece in a rather austere environment and perfect as part of the Festival.
Alex Katz: Vivien 2015 Maja Hoffmann Collection. Displayed at the Serpentine Gallery August/September 2016
There is no doubt if you need a pick me up or inspiration for a new direction a trip out for a cultural hit should be your doctors orders.
A spur of the moment decision to take a walk up exhibition road to the Serpentine Galleries on a beautiful Sunny day last week has touched a nerve for me and has provided me with the ignition I have been waiting for.
Alex Katz: Quick Light exhibition was one of the experiences on offer at the Serpentine alongside an architectural extravaganza distributed throughout Hyde Park.
This exhibition primarily focused on Alex Katz landscape paintings and showed how he ingeniously strips away all unnecessary information leaving only the most essential ingredients
I have to be grabbed by a picture or an experience, I am not a daudler so it is a quick scan and move on but one picture in this exhibition particular caught my eye and continues to draw me in. A picture of 6 women, different but the same. The background colour and the poses all are thoughtful and intriguing. The chosen location in the exhibition must be congratulated as it hit you when you entered and exited the gallery.
Although this exhibition is now closed I would recommend a visit to the website. http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/exhibitions-events/alex-katz-quick-light This artist has a life times experience with some great pieces of advice.
Finding your own ingredients should always be your own prompt as once you have found them, its then all about the mix.
Anke Birnie ‘Acrobat’ 
I visited the Affordable Art Show in London at the weekend and fell in love with so many pieces of work. I spoke to the Artists and saw the excitement in the eyes of people who knew they had found something absolutely made for them.
‘Acrobat’ is my pull out photo today because I was drawn in like a bee to a honey pot by Anke Birnie’s work at the Store Street Gallery stand. The tension in the acrobats arm, her hand clinging to the rope, the bronze and her clothes draping are all part of her appeal, but with all arts there is always something else which is indescribable. Something beautiful.
Went to the Tate members evening on Tuesday and what a queue!! No complaints though, as nice day, nice location and determination to want to get inside to see the new building the ‘Switch House’.
There is something about the Thames, the bridge and Tate Modern that make you feeling you are gorging on a very luxurious cake.
Well the 10th Floor viewing gallery is a must see. Looking out over London, looking into properties and the lives of people lucky enough to live local made a powerful impression on me.
My advice. Wait for a quieter time, get to the 10th floor and take the opportunity to relax, think and transport your mind to the creative landscape, which surrounds you. I suddenly felt I was back there, if only.
Wow a location where the arts and sciences are in unison. Being outside, enjoying a structure which just has a very calming effect is a must for anyone feeling they just want to get out away from the rat run. I don’t know if it’s the stretched fabric, the idea of a robot behind a screen and of course the colourful environment surrounding, but without doubt engineering has suddenly become live for me.
Elytra Filament Pavilion V&A Engineering Season – 6 November.
‘Creation from Catastrophe, How architecture can rebuild communities’ was my cultural visit today. An exhibition on the ground floor of the RIBA building, which is a very calming environment with an amazing shop and filled to capacity with inspiring content.
‘Designing for resilience exhibition’ on the upper floor shows proposals from the rebuild following Hurricane Sandy.
Spaces and people, an opportunity to be really creative.
cultural-dimensions 