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Learning something new every day.

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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.

Going with the tide.

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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.

Pause for thought in Bermondsey

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Anselm Kiefer ‘Walhalla‘, White Cube Bermondsey

Begin your 2017 cultural journey with a trip to the White Cube, Bermondsey exhibition space and experience ‘Walhalla’ an Anselm Kiefer exhibition. It’s amazing, thought provoking and intriguing. The exhibition provides so much to see and talk about, that there is no doubt you will want to utilise one of the many eating and drinking venues on offer in the area. A coffee, a further read of the exhibition handout and a deep and meaningful pause for thought wrapped up my 2017 cultural day.

Art Inside and Out

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A visit to the Tate Modern is never disappointing and is a place I always recommend if you need a pick me up. What’s great about this venue is it seems to have removed the snobbery of art or at least hidden it and made the arts a more inclusive experience. There are free and charged exhibitions and at any point you can look out the window and be mesmerized by the London skyline.

Rauschenberg at the Tate is my choice for today, as not only am I a fan of his work following an exhibition I saw at the Tate in the 1980’s but I am also intrigued by his inspiration and travels.

Rauschenberg at Tate Modern

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Less is more.

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Exhibit by Ma Ke at the Design Museum London

This exhibit is by Ma Ke, a Chinese fashion designer and is on display at the Design Museum in Kensington. Ma Ke stopped producing commercial clothing 10 years ago and set up ‘Wuyong’ a design studio social enterprise project and focuses on traditional ways of making clothes and rejecting hyper-consumption.

The simplicity is very effective and speaks volumes during a time of consumerism.

Time to relax and take it all in.

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Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture outside the Design Museum Kensington

Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture outside the Design Museum Kensington

The Design Museum Kensington

The Design Museum Kensington

I was lucky to get a sneak preview of the Design Museum on Sunday and I will definitely be returning. It opens this week, great location, great meeting place and ‘design is all around us’ is my mantra now leading up to Christmas. Design is the arts and sciences working together creatively.

There is always more in Art and Creativity if you look further.

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Omer Arbel:44

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A stroll through the city, coffee in the sunshine and something beautiful at the Barbican. Hundreds of free-poured aluminium arms suspended from the ceiling by thin cables, designed by Omer Arbel and produced by Bocci.

Once attracted and or inspired its always worth investigating further. I got home, logged on to the Internet and found on the Barbican website (when you search Omer Arbel) a great video showing, Behind the Scenes: Building Bocci and Omer Abel’s 44. Wow, Creative teamwork in action.

Finding the right image does not need a photograph

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As more and more shows restrict photography I have begun to struggle to find an image to represent my recent experiences. But not allowing photography is a positive as more time is spent enjoying rather than taking pictures.

My latest expedition was to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Picasso Portraits exhibition, which is on until 5 February 2017. A sunny day, a trip to Trafalgar Square, a coffee of course and a Picasso moment, provided me with a lasting image for the day.

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Blog 100 and another beginning.

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Candoco Dance Company at Sadlers Wells

 

I am always so inspired by the talent and creativity out there. As a fan of self help books I am always on the look out for things to read, do and see which press the right buttons to ignite passion, enthusiasm and confidence.

My number 100 blog feels just right as this Sadlers Wells show by the Candoco Dance Company was amazing, thrilling and inspiring. The production was so forward thinking and has kick started me into including Contemporary Dance now in my creative launch pad.

Worth having a look at the video clip ‘ telling – 25 – stories-in- our -25th -anniversary -year.

Striping away the unnecessary ingredients leaving something very powerful.

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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.