“Say something rude,” I said into her breast. She paused. “…You’re fat?” We can’t help being fascinated by the sex lives of others – of the ordinary looking next door neighbour or fellow worker who you just can’t imagine ‘doing it’ – so you sort of try. Sex is so personal we can’t help wanting [...]
In This Land explores the mindset of contemporary Israel, investigating the psyche of a population living with, and seemingly trapped by, a collective siege mentality. The series reflects on Israel’s fiercely unwavering beliefs that its identity is embedded in the very fabric of the land, with its past, present and future inextricably linked to the [...]
“I’ve seen how democracy is under duress, But I’ve never seen a nipple in the Daily Express.” (John Cooper Clarke) Tabloids’ indiscriminate muckraking produces a telling mash-up of porn and politics. Both embody the workings of power, and power requires a dynamic between have/have not.The problem of porn is its insistence on a retro-futurism of [...]
November is a series of ink works produced by the artist Gerhard Richter on highly absorbent paper with additions in lacquer or pencil. If you view the series as a whole they seem almost organic in form as they evolve from one image to the next. Richter created the works by manipulating the ink in [...]
“Say something rude,” I said into her breast. She paused. “…You’re fat?” We can’t help being fascinated by the sex lives of others – of the ordinary looking next door neighbour or fellow worker who you just can’t imagine ‘doing it’ – so you sort of try. Sex is so personal we can’t help wanting [...]
In This Land explores the mindset of contemporary Israel, investigating the psyche of a population living with, and seemingly trapped by, a collective siege mentality. The series reflects on Israel’s fiercely unwavering beliefs that its identity is embedded in the very fabric of the land, with its past, present and future inextricably linked to the [...]
“I’ve seen how democracy is under duress, But I’ve never seen a nipple in the Daily Express.” (John Cooper Clarke) Tabloids’ indiscriminate muckraking produces a telling mash-up of porn and politics. Both embody the workings of power, and power requires a dynamic between have/have not.The problem of porn is its insistence on a retro-futurism of [...]
From Offal to Ears: On nose to tail, Ersatz oranges, and the dodginess of Chicken Kiev It’s a freezing October morning and I’m sitting in the glorious warmth of St John Bar & Restaurant in Smithfield. The buttery scent of pastry wafts from the bakery in the next room and a there’s a small-scale symphony [...]
review by Robert Leeming If you research the history of the right wing in the UK and the US all you will find is binders full of bastards. That’s just a cheep and idle point of view there, and it’s easy to tout. To paraphrase, possibly even plagiarize, Woody Allen: “Saying you’re right wing is not [...]
Have you seen the trailer yet for the new Playstation Wonderbook: Book of Spells? Well take a look below for a sneak preview. The Book of Spells is an advanced textbook for budding wizards and witches in training. But it’s not just that. It’s the first launch by Playstation for their Wonderbook, and give us [...]
Leon Family and Friends is a substantial doorstop of a book, produced by the team behind the Leon restaurant chain known for “serving good fast food that does you good”. Created by Kay Plunkett-Hogge and John Vincent, with a ladling of contributions from their friends and relatives, they enthusiastically share their inclusive philosophy of a (strictly [...]
After Black Dog Publishing’s Tea & Cake London and Meat London: An Insider’s Guide, Simon Majumdar of Dos Hermanos and The Next Iron Chef fame has tackled the next chapter of British food: the fish & chip shop. Majumdar sets out to explore this distinctly British dining with humour, detail, and most importantly, an eye [...]
We’re looking forward to our event on Tuesday 16th October, and hope you can make it down. Lee and Claire will be heading a workshop which we hope will turn into a lively discussion for anyone interested in setting up a creative blog, magazine or website or getting their work published. We’ll reveal all on [...]
The Birmingham Book Festival is about to hit the city with an outstanding array of events and sessions from some of our most respected writers including Caitlin Moran, Simon Armitage, Jackie Kay, Patrick Gale, Liz Lochead and Stuart Maconie. The festival, now in its 14th year, is due to pack in a serious amount of [...]
‘I’ve had quite a lot of luck with drawing’, says Illustrator Brian Grimwood as we sit down to talk about his new book and retrospective. We are sat by the window whilst the finishing touches are being added to the exhibition around us at WORK Gallery. I have a quick look around before the interview [...]
I do have a soft spot for the dystopian theme be it in film or novel form. BZRK takes on the concept and injects some fire and action into the formula. Written by Michael Grant author of the widely acclaimed and huge selling GONE series, this is a story that refuses to pull its punches. [...]
This might seem a little bit strange: a pescetarian reviewing a book about meat. But, being part of a family of meat-eaters, with a steak-loving partner, and friends due to be visiting with high expectations of British Roast cuisine, Meat London: An Insider’s Guide couldn’t have proven to be a more needed and useful book. [...]
Fashion Article by Fiona Shaw Fashion Photography is a tough old craft to get right. It’s more of an ensemble effort in reality involving models, stylists, make up, lighting as well as the photography itself. And after all that meticulous planning and attention to detail you have to somehow make the final image look effortless. [...]
Fashion Book Feature by Daniel Lennard Tabor and Villalobos are much in demand as highly creative jewellers and have won many plaudits for their fun and innovative approach. The resulting objects they create with their modernist flavour and bold flowing organic forms are desired the world over by a growing audience of loyal devotees. [...]
Music Article by Lee Taylor The Punk’s Dead exhibition gives us a peek at unseen images from Punk’s formative years by a real Punk insider. Simon Barker was a member of the infamous ‘Bromley Contingent’ from 1976 to 1977, and his photography gives a unique snapshot and insight into the early days when the style [...]
Book Feature by Robert Leeming Being the morbid type I recently whiled away a spring Parisian afternoon wandering aimlessly around Pere Lachaise cemetery in the 20th arrondissement. This rambling space is home to many illustrious old bones, including those of literary dandy Oscar Wilde. His tomb, newly restored by a grant from the Irish government, is [...]
Saint Valentine’s Day should be about sweet-nothings whispered in the ears of doe-eyed lovers and a celebration of that crazy little thing called love but let’s face it; if you get more than a fistful of flowers, an extra ‘X’ on the end of your morning text and a Moonpig greetings card this year, you’ll [...]
Our favourite new sneakers from fashion to sportsfield!