It seems that rock ‘n’ roll and hot beverages do unlikely bedfellows make. A bizarre proliferation of reggae artists, indie musicians, film directors and electronic DJs are ditching the decks and taking to java, in a bid to perfect their own brand of the jumping bean. David Lynch, whose debut solo album Crazy Clown [...]
Quiet perfection and sealed lips has been the guiding mantra of Anderson and Sheppard, the Savile Row tailor to virtually every renowned dandy of the past one hundred years. Their style of cut, the quintessentially elegant English drape, “the natural look, the sloped shoulder, the limp silhouette,” has graced the backs of many a bon [...]
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 [...]
On the surface, the area around Waterloo station might not seem like such a strange or dark place. However, upon looking hard enough, a bizarre current is noticeable, pulsating through the streets; the remnants of cardboard-city tucked away in the subways, free-runners prancing about the rooftops and, deep underground, a cavernous space dripping with history, [...]
David Shrigley’s crude, childlike renderings are humorous, memorable, and often unnerving. Famous for his stick figures set against satirical text, this year The Hayward Gallery is showcasing all of Shrigley’s diverse talents in this major London art show. The playful exhibition, Brain Activity, includes sculptures, animations, paintings and sounds from throughout the career of one [...]
Last year we were approached to be main media support for the RAWards creative industry awards which helps cultivate bright new creative talent across the USA. We were honoured to be asked and so accepted the invitation. RAW go above and beyond in their pursuit of the finest future artists to give them that helping [...]
Last year we were approached to be main media support for the RAWards creative industry awards which helps cultivate bright new creative talent across the USA. We were honoured to be asked and so accepted the invitation. RAW go above and beyond in their pursuit of the finest future artists to give them that helping [...]
The footage of the dramatic sinking of the Costa Concordia and the loss of life brings mental images flooding back of that almost mythic sinking of RMS Titanic back in 1912. The same pictures come to mind of party going passengers suddenly plunged into cold, dark, unforgiving waters. The Titanic story shook the world [...]
I cling to bare branches of trees as I clamber around the edge of the pond at the back of Victoria Miro Gallery. Following closely is artist Alex Hartley who instructs my footfall as we approach our colourful, yet tattered destination – a Geodesic dome floating on a raft which Alex and his chickens have [...]
I’ve heard of many strange and unusual materials in my time. Bamboo and hemp, with their green credentials, I know are all the rage but this one is a new one on me. The Big Issue have just launched their new initiative “The Bag Issue” which features some very desirable bags made from banana skin [...]
When I first set eye upon these grainy images of extraordinary bubble houses in this unique new architecture book I had to know more. I’ve always been a sucker for a bubble car or a bubble house. That shape – the rebellion against the cube. My heart also skips an extra beat when I see [...]
His work permeating shock and sex, Joe Machine salivates life through painting. Primarily focused on death and forced lust, the work of this British artist draws us in, but leaves us wincing. Turning his childhood exposure to pornography and violence into his trademark pictures of sailors and bloodshed, there is a raw truth in the [...]
Villa Tokyo Arts Festival – Polish meditations in the land of the rising sun – November 11-18 2011 Eight months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan in March, the Villa Tokyo arts event, an innovative hybrid lying somewhere between art fair and festival, brought the tonic of contemporary European culture to the [...]
It’s always great to be asked to feature in exhibitions, and we are pleased to present a selection of our best fashion photography in this one. Manchester Fitters is a forward looking fashion exhibition that celebrates quality and craft in a hand-picked selection of the city’s most forward thinking design creatives. Alongside ourselves, exhibitors range from [...]
As well as a powerful cultural force, art is an increasingly global currency. The days when the West held sway when it came to Contemporary Art are fading fast. Rising superpowers are producing artists of international stature and there are new international art fairs emerging that reflect this new world. Art Fairs such as the [...]
Freedom from Torture : The Art Auction is a great idea that we fully support. It uses artwork from some of the UK’s most respected artists including Anthony Gormley, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Cornelia Parker, Gavin Turk, Stuart Semple, Julian Opie, and Michael Craig Martin to raise money and awareness for survivors of torture. Claire [...]
This month, Proud Chelsea is presenting a photography exhibition by David McCabe, that gives us an insider view into Andy Warhol’s The Factory in all its gory glory. Wouldn’t it be great to be a fly on the wall so you could go back in time and visit Andy Warhol’s The Factory in its heyday? [...]
The stylised cowboy suit. – we all know that now classic overblown American style. Heavily embroidered with iconic western imagery they became the epitome of idealised American machismo (bordering on camp). It seemed to point to a heroic Western utopia that in reality never really existed. What is less well known is that this style [...]
‘A salute to a vanished world.’ This is a fitting, if poetic, description of the meaning of that often bounded around Latin prefix, retro. The term is, more often than not, associated with fashion, or more accurately the development of fashion, shadows of Oxford bags or rah-rah being spotted in new cuts of this and that [...]
The Household Box aims for a broad and ubiquitous demographic. The lifestyle companion is geared for those burgeoning into ‘adult’ life, facing a long climb to career peaks and nestled between two states. One foot quivers excitedly on the edge of the nest, whilst the other stamps defiantly, afflicted with Peter Pan syndrome. Independence is [...]
Last month, Canada played host to the 10th anniversary of the world-renowned festival, POP Montreal. Don’t be fooled by the ‘pop’ half of the festival’s title; POP Montreal is a platform for rock, folk, electro, rap, as well as the prominent experimental music scene that Canada is becoming hailed for. Many of the young artists [...]
When confronted with the term ‘street art’, it’s perhaps easy to envisage the deviant murals that pepper our cities, the hooded figures that swiftly spray-paint their tags onto concrete, the art with swagger that’s on view for all to see in the most public of galleries. But there is a quieter, more secretive haven for [...]
European Cultural Congress, Wroclaw, Poland As EU finance ministers exchanged pleasantries at the weekend over the fate of the Euro, national economies and the plight of Greece, the thought of their compatriots coming together only a week before to celebrate the continent’s cultural wealth may stir thoughts of Nero strumming his lyre while Rome burned. [...]
How do you describe the indescribable? Entering Gallery 1 at FACT in Liverpool, the only nugget of information I could recall from the guidebook was “hold on to the rope”. Moments later this instruction would suddenly make a lot of sense. The moment our guide opened the door and set our group of 12 loose [...]
Romanian Art from Marius Bercea, Stefan Constantinescu and Adrian Ghenie Over the last 20 years sine the fall of communism in eastern Europe, the region’s contemporary art scenes have developed with a quiet confidence. At home, young and international cultural cliques have forged nascent scenes, while abroad a clutch of artists have seen their profiles [...]
A giant silver-backed gorilla stands sentry inside the lobby of the V&A museum, temporary home to the recently announced Power of Making exhibition. On closer examination, the fur of the chest-beating gorilla is made entirely of steel coat-hangers, a second in a series of metal primates by Scottish sculptor David Mach. The exhibition exposes the [...]
Walter van Beirendonck, founding member of the Antwerp Six, tells Jim Morrall about why he is a giant monster with a big heart. In the run up to ‘Dream the World Awake’, a major retrospective at the MoMu fashion museum of Antwerp, we talked about some splendidly exuberant archives and legacies. From altruistic, positive and [...]
Photographer, Zed Nelson, in his own words on his photographic joural, ‘Love Me’: I began Love Me when I was in my mid thirties. I’m sure that was no coincidence. Like many of my long-term fascinations, I don’t know exactly when the idea seeded itself. Perhaps it began quite simply, one day, when I looked [...]
David Gensler is founder of Bespoke and Made to Measure design brand Serum Versus Venom (SVSV). Defying definition as another “fashion brand”, Gensler explores a creative niche with clothing being only a small part of what the brand ultimately offers. Gensler dabbles not only in design, but in ideas, media and art as platforms for [...]
Over two decades, Mark Kermode has established a reputation as one of the most forthright and opinionated film critics in Britain by trumpeting the importance of horror and genre cinema, often flying in the face of popular opinion – as demonstrated by his long-standing disdain for the Pirates of the Caribbean and Transformers franchises – [...]
Ian Curtis was in his early twenties when he chose to end his life way back in 1980. We never got to see him grow old and or maybe record a bad album nor get to hear about him moving his money to a tax haven as we have with other ageing pop stars. This [...]
Spitalfields Market is much changed of late – so the march of progress goes on. And urban footwear brand Vans will be taking the heritage site over on Saturday 20th August for the Vans Downtown Showdown where skate teams will compete for a 50,000 Euro prize on London inspired obstacles created by the teams themselves. [...]
In tribute to the legendary actress, Elizabeth Taylor, the British Film Institute are to pay homage to the golden screen goddess by screening ten of her most iconic films throughout August 2011. Taylor, who died on 23rd March, was an extraordinary figure in Hollywood with a career spanning six decades and over three hundred screen [...]
The great Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky directed only seven feature films, one documentary and a handful of short films between 1958, when his earliest student shorts were filmed, and 1986, when he died at the age of 54 from lung cancer. The tragedy of Tarkovsky’s death at such a young age is heightened by the [...]
When photographer Sasu Tei and his team showed us their images created as an expression of their ongoing fears for the future after the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and subsequent radiation meltdown we loved them. But we also thought it would be interesting to ask the four artists to give us some personal thoughts on their [...]
Greenpeace challenges Nike & Adidas to commit to a Toxic Free Future. Greenpeace have accused our biggest sportswear brands with working with manufacturing companies in China who are threatening health and ecosystems with the release of chemicals from their factories. Greenpeace have been investigating the issue of toxic water pollution by the textile industry in [...]
Obviously a very timely post this one. It seems someone’s been very cheeky about those dastardly Murdoch chaps. The News Corp owned UK newspapers the Sun and the Times had their websites hacked and blocked and then visitors were redirected to a fake obituary for Rupert Murdoch. [...]
Discarded photographs. Unwanted and jettisoned or dropped unknowingly by their former owners in a hurried moment. Curator Karen Downey presents ‘Versions and Diversions’, an experimental exhibition showcasing the works of three contemporary artists, Maurizio Anzeri, Ruth Claxton and Mariana Mauricio. Bringing together a selection of works, ‘Versions and Diversions’ intervenes with forgotten images that have [...]
Robert Leeming on Cocteau Voices, a double bill of dance and opera inspired by Jean Cocteau which took place in London recently. It was commissioned by the Royal Opera House and based around the eternal themes of love, rejection & self deception. There is a very obscure Scott Walker track, long forgotten now, except by [...]
Mo Coppoletta is a London tattoo artist, a Verona born true master of the tattoo craft. He’s now in such demand that you could wait up to a year to get him to do work on your body – the wait, I can testify, is worth it. After time served obsessing about tattoos, and then [...]
Since its first edition in 2007, THE1234 festival has established itself as one of the best places in London to catch up-and-coming bands alongside established cult talent. This year’s festival, taking place in Shoreditch Park on July 9, is as diverse and challenging as ever with headline performances from Black Lips, The Raveonettes and Lydia [...]
THE1234 Festival is as unlike the many mainstream music festivals as you can get which is a very good thing. I now feel a sense of nausea when the latest plug for the next bloated festival hits our inbox. Glastonbury is now so big it can be seen from space and even many aliens are [...]
The Corner Room, by Nuno Mendes, at Town Hall Hotel The second restaurant by award-winning chef Nuno Mendes is the perfect amalgamation of the trendy, pop-up style, boutique location and a high-end dining experience. In the infamously trendy district of East London’s Bethnal Green, amidst the decadently fashionable location of Town Hall Hotel, lies The [...]
Vote on the video competition and win a stylish and powerful new laptop. Just click on the ASUS advert on this page for your chance to win. There are also details of a great video competition if you fancy your chances with a camera. ASUS UK along with its partner Intel are inviting moving-image makers [...]
Plastic Fairy Liquid bottles and Django Reinhardt’s finger tips are things unlikely to be associated with the birth of Heavy Metal, that brashly grinding, cherished Brummie drone which has afflicted, or violently garnished, depending on your viewpoint, our airwaves for years. Django famously burnt his hand after his caravan, (shared with Florine Bella, and stuffed [...]
We like this blog, Silent Cities. We like seeing images of some of the most noisy and crowded places in the world momentarily bathed in silence. There is something both serene and eerie about these scenes. The images below are from London, Sydney and Detroit. Born out of a drunken debate about how it [...]
In the treacherous heat of Helmand Province, a civilian photographer stumbles upon a chilling piece of graffiti, emblazoned across the wall of a captured building acting as a HQ for ISAF troops. The blood red scrawl is a stark contrast to the dirt and dust that surrounds. It reads: ‘THE BEST VIEW OF HEAVEN IS [...]
The urban spaces of cosmopolitan cities throughout the world bear a degree of uniformity, aspiring to a horizon of shining glass and steel towers as symbolsof their modernity and to varying degrees littered with billboards bearing signs of commodities. In Tehran where an increasingly youthful population has access to almost everything that can be found [...]
“The concept of Queen was to be regal and majestic. Glamour was part of us, and we wanted to be dandy,” vowed Freddie Mercury. The singer, an art school graduate, has a truly multi varied history, re-styling clothes, painting, dancing – and using his eye to manage the stage presence of his band. “It was [...]
Vogueing with The Prince of England As skinny as a coat hanger and as lithe as an eel, this is underground dancer Nikolas Snode – widely known among the cognoscenti by his sobriquet Prince of England – who kindly introduced me and Spitalfields Life contributing photographer Patricia Niven to his eclectic and glitzy circle of friends [...]
White Cube Hong Kong launches with Gilbert and George: The growing internationalisation of art and the arts industry takes another stride forward with the ... David Lynch Coffee or Mr Scruff Brew anyone?: It seems that rock ‘n’ roll and hot beverages do unlikely bedfellows make. A bizarre proliferati... 
Swift dark dead: What happens when you mix a bit of old school goth with some slick new wave? Here are some great pi... 
'New York - New Year's Eve - 1967' Short Fiction By Robert Leeming: A photograph captures a mere moment in time. What are the secrets behind a feigned smile or a flirt... 
Art Rocks: Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition, London: Art Rocks: Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition features some of the finest and most inventive jeweller... Vault - London Arts Festival of Theatre, Film and Music: On the surface, the area around Waterloo station might not seem like such a strange or dark place. H... 
Unsigned Only - International Music Competition: If you’re a singer, artist or band starting out and you’re looking for that helping hand to lift... 
Le Crazy Horse - London Burlesque Supper Club: London is currently enjoying a wave of Parisian culture; we lived in Breton tops, dined solely on ma... 
Get In-Sync with Durex & Win Tickets to VIP Launch: Are you and your partner in-sync? You’ll have to be careful how you put this to your loved one but... 
RAWards – Lawren Alice ‘Visual Artist of the Year’ Arts Awards: Last year we were approached to be main media support for the RAWards arts awards which helps cultiv... 
Our favourite new sneakers from fashion to sportsfield! Vault - London Arts Festival of Theatre, Film and Music: On the surface, the area around Waterloo station might not seem like such a strange or dark place. H... The English Drape Suit - Fashion Article: Quiet perfection and sealed lips has been the guiding mantra of Anderson and Sheppard, the Savile Ro... 'New York - New Year's Eve - 1967' Short Fiction By Robert Leeming: A photograph captures a mere moment in time. What are the secrets behind a feigned smile or a flirt... Get In-Sync with Durex & Win Tickets to VIP Launch: Are you and your partner in-sync? You’ll have to be careful how you put this to your loved one but... A Fetish for Failure – David Shrigley - London Art Show: David Shrigley’s crude, childlike renderings are humorous, memorable, and often unnerving. Famous ... White Cube Hong Kong launches with Gilbert and George: The growing internationalisation of art and the arts industry takes another stride forward with the ... 
Why doesn’t Tyra & Béyonce call me back? Fashion Shoot: Waiting for that telephone to ring. All glammed up with no place to go. Got myself all sexy and sass... 
Something for the Fans:
They say you should never meet your idols. Well how about singing with them instead? MasterCard ... 
Shrag 'Tendons in the Night' Underground Music Video: This energy ball of a song from the band Shrag spits and snarls and flares its nostrils as it heads ... Art Rocks: Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition, London: Art Rocks: Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition features some of the finest and most inventive jeweller...