What to do in London - The Cultural Exposé

New Post: Somewhere you should eat... Shutterbug, Rivington Place

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:11 +0100

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Somewhere you should eat… Shutterbug, Rivington Place
Within a year, this hip and cosy creperie has made such an indelible mark in the area, you wonder how Shoreditch managed before without it. But one things for certain – they (and we) can’t get enough of it. Shutterbug is the bar-slash-pancake house that doesn’t just offer your standard crepe with the fillings to match. Here, we’re talking savoury buckwheat varieties with the finest ingredients (asparagus, truffle oil and fig relish just to name a few), while their red velvet crepe will no doubt be award-winning one day. Prices are fab too (starting from £4 for a lemon and sugar) so head over this weekend for a pre or post party bite. Check out our pics from our recent visit just below, but for more info, visit http://www.shutterbug-london.com

New Post: Wha we've been up to... The Rookery, Clapham

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:31 +0100

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Wha we’ve been up to… The Rookery, Clapham
Now that the summer is on the horizon and the days are longer, life seems to be for living again. So, a trip to south London for a north London girl sounded like an exciting opportunity, rather than a daunting task. On the Southside of Clapham Common (whose size never ceases to amaze me) stands The Rookery: a relaxed spot, exuding a kind of New York style (exposed brick, hanging cables and lightbulbs, dim lighting… you know the formula), that could be the injection of independent cool that Claphamites are looking for.

We started with delicious, seasonal cocktails of Rubarb and ginger prosecco cocktail, a harmonious balance of spice and tang and our helpful waiter advised on his favourites. We sampled the coronation chicken, rare beef salad and pea and mint arancini. The starters are reasonably priced at between £5-£7, and their size makes them almost suitable as a main. The rare beef salad is fresh and echoes the start of spring with its shaved raw asparagus. But it misses a kick of flavour to lift it further. The retro serving of Coronation Chicken was huge, large pieces of chicken in delicious homemade curry spiced mayonnaise; we devoured it whole-heartedly. The arancini wouldn’t fool an Italian but the mini size was fun for sharing.

Our mains were a Pork belly with BBQ sauce and macaroni cheese with wild garlic and Jerusalem artichokes. Both again are large dishes and slightly overwhelming. The pork belly is well-cooked, and the fat crunchy and rich. It is drenched in BBQ sauce, which isn’t for all tastes, but comes with sweet potato fries and homemade slaw. The mains range from £13.50 – £23.50, which sounds steep but the size won’t leave you feeling short-changed. The wild garlic, which is always a pleasure to spy on a menu, lifted the macaroni cheese to the next level.
My only gripe with the experience was the slow service. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a weekday and this seems to have taken the staff by surprise too. I was left wondering if they had enough manpower to support the obvious demand from the hungry locals. We finished on a plate of chocolate desserts, which was a great sharing option. And, considering the size of the portions, that’s all you will be able to squeeze in! The menu is eclectic and includes French, Mediterranean, Modern British and a bit of New York eatery. The dishes change by season, which should keep their regulars interested too. There is also a large seating area out front, which will no doubt be a hit when that summer does finally arrive. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info, visit: www.therookeryclapham.co.uk

New Post: Somewhere you should go... Breakin Convention 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:18 +0100

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Somewhere you should go… Breakin Convention 2013
10 years in existence, Breakin Convention continues to be a celebration of Hip Hop dance – and where else could this be hosted other than Sadlers Wells? Okay, so maybe a few other places before that, but this festival is a good opportunity to see Wells become a more accessible dance establishment, open to all walk of life and ages and alive with a hip-hop inspired youth culture.

The groups showing this year will be from around the globe including, Korea, France, Spain, and USA. For the first time the festival will have a UK only night, showcasing the latest in UK urban dance style. UK groups including Blue Boy Entertainment, ZooNation (yes! the ones from the M&S Christmas advert) and the influential Plague, who move in near flawless formation.

Big names such as the Electric Boogaloos from the USA will be performing, and will present the opportunity to see those moves you thought Michael Jackson invented, performed by the actual creators.

Others to look out for include the Next Level Squad from Brooklyn, whose moves defy natural science and bring a new meaning to the saying ‘twist my rubber arm! There will also be a whole host of all-girl groups performing including Zamounda, an ultra stylish French group who have more than a few championship titles under their arm. The festival is set to be roaring success so get your tickets fast. The festival will no doubt be a great opportunity to see how urban dance and hip-hop style has become one of the most captivating dance forms today. (Words: Laura Thornley)

Breakin’ Convention is on May 4-6. For more info, visit: www.breakinconvention.com/events/festival

New Post: Somewhere you should go... The London Coffee Festival

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:09 +0100

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Somewhere you should go… The London Coffee Festival
If you have noticed some odd behaviour from your fellow citizens of late, sweating, agitation or sudden bursts of nervous energy, you may have encountered yet another victim to a growing trend consuming our nation: the love of a coffee. Gone are the days when a ceramic pot and home knitted cosy were the staple home brewing kit; a metaphorical peace offering, outstretched friendly arms, a potion to unleash your worries over- no, today we have chrome, grinding machines, switches, machinery, strong spellbinding caramel aromas… Okay, so coffee has been around and loved for a while, since 1652 to be exact, but its latest fashionable heights are growing as exponentially as its caffeine-filled legs can carry it.

Cue The London Coffee Festival, which will welcome 15,000 visitors over four days at the Old Truman Brewery and showcase just how refined and sophisticated coffee has become (so leave your granules at the door). Divided into ‘zones’, the latest in artisan, coffee science, roasteries, food-to-be-enjoyed-with-coffee and music-to-release-your-coffee-energy-to, gets explored. While there are a few suspect coffee chains on the attendees list (that is not in the spirit of the coffee following, methinks) there are many keen and enthusiastic artisans around as well. Look out for Ozone Coffee Roasters (NZ owned East London café) and Caravan in the True Artisan Café area (don’t miss their brunch either) and Rapha Cycle Club representing an unlikely union of bike and brew. And for a slightly different twist, The Shoreditch Grind will be serving Alfagato treats (the drunken coffee and ice-cream Italian desert) and there will no doubt be a few coffee martinis doing the rounds.

For us creative types, the festival will also host a Twin Peaks pop-up art exhibition – a celebration of the cult shows 20th anniversary – so don’t be surprised if you spot a pareidolia in the milk foam.

Judging by the past years success, the festival will be an exciting look at the latest movers and shakers in the business, including the opportunity to see the UK barista championship in action. So if you are partial to the mighty coffee bean, wild caffeine-charged horses shouldn’t keep you away. (Words: Laura Thornley)

The London Coffee Festival takes place from April 25-28th. For more info, visit: www.londoncoffeefestival.com

New Post: What we've been up to... cheering at the London Marathon 2013

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:23 +0100

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What we’ve been up to… cheering at the London Marathon 2013
In light of last week’s Boston bombings, this year’s London Marathon took on a whole new meaning, giving runners in the capital an opportunity to show solidarity to remember those affected. A 30 second silence was held at the start of the race, before 36,000 runners began the 26.2 mile challenge, watched by a reported 700,000 spectators (a record!) who lined the streets at various points along the course. As a member of Run Dem Crew, I made a beeline for Mile 21 – between Westferry and Limehouse – where “cheerdemcrew” members set up camp to support everyone who hit this milestone. With great weather and plenty of amusing costumes to spot, it was a joyous occasion, so check out some of the pics from the day, just below:

New Post: What we've been up to... Lazybones

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:52 +0100

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What we’ve been up to… Lazybones
They’ve been open for just over a month, but from our recent visit it’s easy to see how Lazybones could soon become the hottest spot for American food in the City. From the trendy decor to the quirky ambience – and that DIY popcorn seasoning bar (you gotta see it to believe it), this American cocktail bar and diner hasn’t missed a trick in impressing the locals – and unlike those outlets that go for style first, menu second, the food on offer is exceptionally good and slow cooked to perfection.

As they’re all about slow cooked meats and messy eats, we went for the sweet and spicy chicken wings (massive and juicy), the New York hot dog (as awesome as the real deal) and the extremely flavoursome brisket chilli and crushed guacamole, which just about left us room to tuck into the homemade brownie which comes with cornish ice cream. And the pricing for everything averaged at a more than comfortable £30 for two people (not including drinks).

It was a shame we didn’t manage to try the craft beers and pulled pork which we’ve heard amazing things about – but from our first impression, this is just two more reasons to give Lazybones another visit (hopefully sooner than later).

For more info, visit: www.lazybones.uk.com

New Post: Enjoy Priceless Theatre with Mastercard

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:38:47 +0100

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Enjoy Priceless Theatre with Mastercard

You know, we know it: London’s Theatre scene ROCKS – and from the forthcoming shows we’ve got our sights on such as To Kill A Mockingbird and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the long runners we haven’t seen yet ( *cough*The Lion King, Billy Elliot, The Woman In Black, Chicago *cough*), we know that the West End always delivers, making us even more proud of this good city. It’s also why we’re liking the latest we’re hearing from Priceless London – the programme which has been hooking up Mastercard customers with Priceless Moments in the capital in the most remarkable ways. They’re now offering theatre fans the chance join the casts of three of the biggest musicals in the world on stage: so if the idea of participating in a backstage tour and photoshoot with the Wicked cast or joining the dress rehearsals of Les Miserables and We Will Rock You sounds good, read on.

This once in a lifetime opportunity also includes pre and post dinner, and as they’re all Olivier Award winners, you’ll then get the chance to live it up at the 37th Olivier Awards. As the headline sponsors of this year’s ceremony, MasterCard will give two winners the chance to walk the red carpet, rub shoulders with the biggest stars in theatre including hosts Sheridan Smith and Hugh Bonneville, enjoy the ceremony itself, dine at a Michelin starred restaurant, head to the afterparty and stay in luxury digs. Four friends and/or family will get a look in too, letting you share the experience with loved ones. Fabulous, right? Well you only have until April 22nd to get involved, so visit www.pricelesslondon.co.uk for more unforgettable experiences. Mastercard Customers can register by visiting www.pricelesstheatre.co.uk.

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New Post: Something you should see… Claire Aho: Studio Works at The Photographers’ Gallery

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:00:02 +0100

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Something you should see… Claire Aho: Studio Works at The Photographers’ Gallery
Artist Claire Aho began her career as a photographer during a time when men dominated the industry. A cultural icon in her native Finland, British audiences now have the chance to see the images that made Aho’s name at London’s Photographers’ Gallery. The exhibition concentrates on Aho’s career from 1950 to 1970 – a period where her use of colour and inventive style made her a leading name in the world of advertising, editorial and fashion photography. Studio Works is the first solo exhibition of Aho’s work in the UK and will include the original Finnish lifestyle magazines featuring Aho’s cover pictures, as well as images from her archive.

Considered a pioneer of Finnish colour photography, Aho started her career in film before establishing her own commercial studio in the 1950s. Aho’s photographs from this era depicted domestic life around Finland and many of these images will be on view. Aho’s pictures are saturated with colour and contrasting palettes usually appear side by side. It was the quality of Aho’s colour photography that created a commercial demand for her services across a range of industries. If colour is thematic in the work of Aho, so is humour and audiences will definitely get a sense of that at the show. Photographs such as Compressor Refrigerator, which depicts a children’s tea party wouldn’t feel out of place in a current ad run for Ikea. The fun and playful quality that underscores much of Aho’s images at the show should connect with audiences.

Claire Aho says she never saw her work as pioneering during the 1950s, she ‘just worked hard’. But you need only watch the travails of Peggy Olson from the fictional show Mad Men to realise just how hard that must have been. (Words: Eri Otite)

Claire Aho: Studio Works is on at The Photographers’ Gallery, from 19 April -21 July. For more info, visit www.thephotographersgallery.org.uk

New Post: Somewhere you should go… Sundance London Film and Music Festival 2013

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0100

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Somewhere you should go… Sundance London Film and Music Festival 2013
The appearance of a great variety of extinguished guests, from trip hop pioneer Tricky to HRH The Prince of Wales was one of the many things that made last year’s Sundance London such an absolute joy. Now as the film and music festival returns to the O2, will it be able to offer once again a highly eclectic and diverse audio-visual experience?

The film section of the festival does include a stellar line up of films (fiction, documentaries and short films) that left the best of impressions at the latest Sundance film festival. A case in point is Mud. It’s directed by Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter), a filmmaker who may be the most interesting new voice in the American independent cinema, and stars Matthew McConaughey, who had a brilliant year ever since he decided to move away from romcoms and prove his acting chops in more demanding projects. The story has the unparalleled enchantment of a fable as two teenage boys try to reunite a charismatic outlaw with his true love, so it’s no wonder the film has received high praise by the critics. Another critics’ darling, Michael Winterbottom, will be present at the festival to present his latest film The Look of Love, a flamboyant biopic of the notorious “king of Soho” Paul Raymond. The fact that Raymond is played by Steve Coogan should be worth the admission fee alone.
Moving on to the documentaries, Blood Brother presents the inspiring story of Rocky Braat who after meeting a group of children with HIV in India, decides to stay there and restart his life dedicating himself to the well-being of those children. Having won both the audience award and the grand jury prize at Sundance, the film will undoubtedly be a life affirming experience. For thrill seekers, there is The Summit that uses found footage as well as realistic re-enactments to convey to the viewer the breath taking experience of climbing K2, the second-highest mountain on Earth. In August 2008, 18 out of 24 climbers reached the summit of K2. 28 hours later, 11 people were dead. Up to this day we do not know what exactly happened on that fateful date.

The music section of this year’s festival offers a far more joyful but equally electrifying experience. History Of The Eagles Part One showcases not only the defining tunes but also the stormy conflicts between the members of this classic band. Members of The Eagles will do an extended Q&A session after the screening of the film to shine more light on their fascinating story. Another American legend, Gregg Allman (of The Allman Brothers Band), will be joined by John Paul White (of The Civil Wars), to present Muscle Shoals, a documentary about the glorious “Muscle Shoals sound”, featuring interviews with Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Alicia Keys. They’ll also be performing an intimate acoustic 45 minute live performance. Last but certainly not least, the sui-generis Merrill Beth Nisker aka Peaches will grace the festival with her presence not just delivering one of her characteristic ferocious gigs but also presenting her first feature, aptly entitled Peaches Does Herself, an electro rock opera about her affair with a beautiful she-male.

With a programme then that includes a bit of everything, it’s clear the second ever Sundance London will surpass the already high expectations. (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)
Sundance London Film and Music Festival 2013 will take place at the O2 from April 25-28. For further information visit: www.sundance-london.com

New Post: Something you should see… Rebecca Ward at Ronchini Gallery

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:09 +0100

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Something you should see… Rebecca Ward at Ronchini Gallery
Rebecca Ward’s canvasses have been through a lot. Scrunched up, kicked around and soaked in bleach for so long that they are burnt through with holes, they are then stretched taut across wooden frames to bare the scars of their abuse history. ‘I treat the materials as I would sculpture,’ the young Texan artist tells TCé. But in mounting the canvasses and hanging them on the walls of Ronchini Gallery we see Ward checking her violently expressive acts, reigning the work in with regulatory lines and angles. The hysterically marbled fabric is given architectural structure by Ward’s ruler straight bands painted onto the surface, and their frenetic patterning is cut short by rectilinear gauze-like panels, which she creates by pulling threads one by one from the canvas.

‘Bleach and I are acquaintances now’ laughs Ward. ‘You have to get to know your materials’. She is experimental in her studio; the burn holes for one were not originally intentional, but appeared after she left the canvas in bleach for three hours. ‘It’s interesting how mistakes can actually be rewards’. She engages imperfections without suffocating them with her abstract interventions, masterfully administering dialogues between shape and colour, clarity and disorder, spontaneity and regulation.

The ghostly lines you see on the floor of Ronchini Gallery are a visual memory of Ward’s previous exhibition at the gallery, when she divided the stone floor with gaudy adhesive tape. Both shows were organised by Artnesia, a curatorial body set on staying ahead of the game when it comes to identifying relatively unexplored areas of art production. Following exhibitions on emerging artists from Turkey and Iran, their most recent fascination has been the abstract works conceived in the hot bed of talent that is the young New York art scene.

Shoppers, take a break from Oxford Street’s flashing phone-unlockers and floor full of fast food wrappers and escape down a side street to Ward’s sanctuary of abstraction at Ronchini Gallery. Dealers, dig deep. This girl’s gonna be big. (Words: Florence Ritter)

On until May 18th. For more info, visit: www.ronchinigallery.com

New Post: Somewhere you should eat... Zoilo

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:00:19 +0100

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Somewhere you should eat… Zoilo
You may have noticed that South America is enjoying a foodie makeover at the moment. Every week in London and beyond, new Peruvian, Paraguayan, Argentinean restaurants are popping up in a resurgence of culinary interest in this lesser-known tasty continent. Couple that with the meat revolution that has taken hold of the capital recently and you can see why chef Diego Lacquet could be onto a winner with his new Argentinean cocina.

This slick restaurant is behind Bond Street tube on the way up to Marylebone. The entrance is cloaked in a thick black curtain, beyond which stylish black and white tiles dot the floor and a long bar hosts clientele for food and drinks. We are led downstairs to the kitchen seating; front row seats at the Parilla. The chefs busy around the kitchen, tending the grill, building the plates; all with expert timing and professionalism. The wine list is chalked on a board and not surprisingly, features an extensive range of Malbec – both by the glass or carafe. But, we opt for house cocktails, Sweet Fernando and Chamame.

Although Argentinean rarely calls to mind anything other than beef, the menu is a healthy mix, rich in seafood and some less thoughtful vegetarian dishes. It’s a small plates place, which means you get to try a few different things. We order some homemade bread, provoletta and empanadas – which form our starter round. The bread comes in three kinds and makes the perfect accompaniment to the chewy rich proveletta, laced with honey and almonds. The empanadas are a little disappointing but the beef filling rich and delicious.

Next our Sous-vide pork belly arrives; a modern take on an ancient cooking technique (originally it would have been cooked in a stomach but now it’s more sealed plastic and stainless steel bain maries). It’s topped with chorizo and charred king prawn. The pork is utterly melt-in-the-mouth with the smoky oil of the chorizo matching the caramel flavours of the fat to a tee. It’s impossible not to try the beef – we order the flank steak with celeriac and bone marrow. Neither the bone marrow nor the celeriac were particularly noticeable but the beef was cooked to perfection; caramelised on the outside and blood pink on the inside. We also sample the garrapinada and beetroot, which is okay but pales into insignificance next to the meat dishes. Other orders flying out of the kitchen include the octopus and the chips provencal.

Zoilo is a great addition to the South American food craze: classy and delicious. Diego Lacquet has attempted to broaden our understanding of Argentinean, and he has, but only to the extent of highlighting the food from the coast. And for that reason, best to leave the vegetarians at home.

For more info, visit: www.zoilo.co.uk

New Post: Somewhere you should go... SLAM Last Fridays

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:10:27 +0100

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Somewhere you should go… SLAM Last Fridays
SLAM Last Fridays, the fresh naughty little sister of the monthly late night openings, will be coming around again at the end of the month. Compared with East London’s well-established First Thursdays and Fitzrovia’s well-heeled Lates on every last Thursday, South London’s offering to the mix is more diverse and widespread, and is an important fixture for your art diaries. Galleries and studios in Bankside, Peckham, Deptford and Bermondsey open their doors into the evening and welcome those who want to kick off the weekend with a good hit of culture, and maybe a cheeky beer or two.

So print off a map, round up some pals and hit those buzzing cultural seedbeds south of the river. SLAM organisers recommend sticking to one district but the more adventurous can zip between galleries by bus, bike or rollerblades, whatever you fancy. South London Art Tours are organised across each of the areas, on a strictly pay-what-you-can (or -like) basis. Follow one of their specialist tour guides to a selection of art hotspots, wander freestyle, or have a gander at these shows handpicked by your beloved TCé:
• Bankside’s CUL DE SAC Gallery will be exploring misrepresentation, authority and the individual in contemporary China in a series of parodic and absurd works in performance and video.
• Exhibiting artist Melanie Jackson will be giving a talk in Peckham’s Flat Time House on her weird and wonderful futuristic botanicals, in a recently opened display of ceramic and video work. (April 26th)
• Over in Bermondsey, a brilliant show at The Drawing Room interrogates the blurred boundaries of media categorisation with a showcase of artists working between drawing and sculpture.

If all this art gets you in the mood for cheap drinks and dancing don’t forget the official after parties held in each of the different areas – slammin’! (Words: Florence Ritter)

For more info, visit www.southlondonartmap.com

New Post: Something You Should See... Screens at Space Studios

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:17:15 +0100

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Something You Should See… Screens at Space Studios
Jacques Monory: the painter who developed his style after systematically destroying all of his early work in pointed rejection of his education at the École de Paris. Jean-François Lyotard: the philosopher who developed pivotal changes in thought across several different disciplines after systematically breaking down traditional notions of reason and knowledge. What would happen if these postmodern power houses found themselves together? In 1982, they did, and the results are documented in film Instantanés et Cinéma. Space Studios is offering the rare opportunity to watch the conversation between the philosopher and the painter in their screening of the (newly translated) film at their space in Bethnal Green.

Monory’s direct reference to contemporary popular culture in his painting has had some critics align his 1960s work with Pop art of the period. But Monory produces a more pensive and sombre portrait of the modern world than that of his American contemporaries. Juxtaposing images from advertisements, magazines and newspapers, Monory creates cinematic, dreamlike paintings. Each is bathed in his distinctive Monorychrome filter of yellow, magenta or his signature Monorian blue.

Monory’s unexplained and incomplete narratives suggest that the artist has no intention of uniting his viewers in a shared understanding of the paintings’ content. He creates a narrative climate, but then he stops, and it’s up to us to create our own reality from his ambiguous paintings. No singular truth or meaning to be found? Oh hey Lyotard, the postmodernist theorist who defined contemporary culture by ‘incredulity towards metanarratives’. Lyotard saw something in the paintings of Monory that chimed with his own thinking and sent a letter across the French capital to tell him so. The film’s production follows the exchange of a series of letters between the two.

Lyotard may now have had to make new celebrity friends in Paris’s Père Lachaise cemetery but Monory is still practicing artist. Space will be showing some of his film work and photography alongside the filmed conversation. (Words: Florence Ritter)

On until June 2nd. For more info, visit: http://www.spacestudios.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/jean-fran-ois-lyotard-and-jacques-monory-screens

New Post: Somewhere You Should Go... Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival at Somerset House

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:02:55 +0100

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Somewhere You Should Go… Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival at Somerset House
With any luck, for the rest of April, we will finally have broken free of the shackles of this torrid winter and will be in the mood for innovative design in an inspiring and grand location. It’s not too much to ask, is it? Well, though we can’t guarantee the weather what we can guarantee is a pick-me-up, in the form of the, er… Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival! Yes, the great and the good of contemporary art, design and illustration are back featuring a smattering of the old guard mixed in with a healthy dollop of the best new creative minds.

Expect Modern Toss, Nelly Duff (bringing such street art luminaries as Sweet Toof and Ben Eine) and Bristolian collective SOMA, who will be showcasing new work and hanging around for a little chat with you. That’s nice, isn’t it? You can even be the canvas yourself if you so wish. Check out Puck Collective and you can get a tattoo whacked on you by your fave illustrator. If that’s a little too hands-on, why not pop over and hang out with Day Job? Play with the toys they’ve created while watching a selection of animation. Whatever your desire, whatever your design delectation, Pick Me Up has it. And all the while you get to feel grand as it’s in the superb surrounds of Somerset House.
The great thing about all this as well is that it’s not only the fruits of creative labours that you will have access to; it’s also witnessing the mechanics of said labours. Seeing how the best operate can only rub off and help with your own creative endeavours. Aesthetically pleasing, diverse, contemporary and inspiring… what more do you need? (Words: Ed Spencer)

From April 18-28th. For more info, visit: www.somersethouse.org.uk

New Post: Something you should see... Gaia: Show of Hands at Nelly Duff

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:00:18 +0100

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Something you should see… Gaia: Show of Hands at Nelly Duff
Gone are the days when graffiti artists acted under the cover of darkness and were the bane of every Daily Mail reader’s lives (well, perhaps that’s asking too much). Nowadays the art works are shown in the White Cube and street artists are household names. Their socially and politically astute messages aim to help re-engage communities with public spaces and that certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed around London in recent years. East London is a hotbed for street art talent; the walls are lined with art and even galleries have opened their doors to this once marginalised practice.

Take American artist Gaia, who at just 24 years old, has risen to international status for his public artwork. Named after the Greek earth goddess, Gaia’s work often aims to unite nature with the urban landscape. But the Nelly Duff gallery in E2 has decided to exhibit a specific section of his oeuvre under the title Show of Hands.

Whatever it is that fascinates this artist with the human hand, he isn’t the first. Our hands have occupied space as representers of our connection to each other – our own personal imprints but also an outward symbol of our link: not so different from graffiti then? His hand paintings grace buildings in London, Buenos Aires, New York and Baltimore, his hometown. The works on show in the exhibition are original sketches of hands, many those of his fellow Baltimore residents. You may be able to check out his work on London street shutters on Roman and Hackney Road, as well as large-scale paste-ups. But the exhibition will be the first gallery show for the Gaia in the UK and will be a great opportunity to see this young artist’s drawing work up close. (Words: Laura Thornley)

From April 11th – 18th. For more info visit: www.nellyduff.com/index.php/art/shows/future

New Post: What we've been up to.. La Forchetta, CocoBamboo and Dante Fried Chicken

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:00:29 +0100

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What we’ve been up to.. La Forchetta, CocoBamboo and Dante Fried Chicken
For all our food-filled escapades, it’s rare we’d be indulging three nights in a row – but that’s exactly what happened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as we went Italian, Carribean/Brazilian and finally Soul Food American at a variety of spots in town you might just want to book:

First stop, Friday : La Forchetta, Bethnal Green

They’re not your typical Italian outlet and favour authenticity over bougie branding – so eating here on Friday night was a real treat. Portions are extremely generous too, considering the friendly pricing (desserts under £4 are a rarity nowadays) and the ambiance was cosy enough to make a good option for a date.

Info: www.laforchettabethnalgreenroad.co.uk

2nd stop, Saturday: Coco Bamboo

It’s hard to find a quality Caribbean restaurant in London that ticks all the boxes (top service, great food, decent location), but it seems this eclectic spot up North (which fuses Caribbean and Brazilian) wants to earn that title. As our party exceeded six people Saturday night, our only option was the party menu, which gives you the choice of 2 or 3 courses featuring crab cakes, fritters, jerk chicken, curry goat and traditional Brazilian dishes. Service was super attentive, and the dishes were beautifully presented but were a bit comme ci, comme ca for the charge (£23.50 got 3 courses) – but definitely worth considering for a night out with friends.

Info: www.cocobamboo.co.uk

3rd stop, Sunday: Dante Fried Chicken at Death by Burrito

Surprisingly, this was the first time we’ve been to DBB, but we weren’t here for the Mexican – we’d been invited to get a sneak preview of the brunch LA’s Dante Fried Chicken will be throwing this weekend, and we weren’t disappointed. Breakfast tacos, biscuits, grits-styled polenta and of course, the fried chicken were delicious – and topped off with a sweet potato pie, made this the perfect finale to a weekend of good eatin’.

Info: www.billetto.co.uk/en/events/dfctakeover

New Post: Something you should see... Ty at the Jazz Cafe, April 10th

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:00:59 +0100

http://www.theculturalexpose.co.uk/arts-culture/something-you-should-see-ty-at-the-jazz-cafe-april-10th/

Something you should see… Ty at the Jazz Cafe, April 10th
Bog standard hip hop gigs come and go, but if you are looking for something a little bit different, say an international rap artist, producer and curator who performs killer live shows? Then, we will no doubt see you at the Jazz Café on April 10th. British Hip-Hop artist Ty is launching his new EP A Kick Snare and An Idea and we reckon it might just go off.

Ben Chijioke, aka Ty, has been making music for 10 years. He has made three albums and collaborated with fellow musicians from Tony Allen, De La Soul and Damon Albarn to Terri Walker, Scratch Perverts, Afro Reggae and Estelle. His second album Upwards was released on Big Dada records, the label that also works with Roots Manuva and the album’s success earned Ty a Mercury Prize nomination in 2004 alongside Amy Winehouse, The Streets and Franz Ferdinand.

Despite these years of wall-to-wall musical achievement, Ty has also found time to run workshops in schools and beyond; a practice he has continued since his involvement in the Ghetto Grammar Organisation in the mid-90s. As an artist known for his wise lyrics and engaging mix of articulate wordplay and politics, Ty has also spared some time to appear on the BBC 2’s Daily Politics Show. Need we go on…?

So cue the Jazz Café turned Hip-Hop Haven, filled with art, culinary delights and a few undisclosed surprises to boot. This party is sure to be something else. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For More info, visit: www.facebook.com/events/158427924314206

New Post: Something you should see... Project Colony

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:00:40 +0100

http://www.theculturalexpose.co.uk/arts-culture/something-you-should-see-project-colony/

Something you should see… Project Colony
Fourth Monkey appears to specialise in productions that explore the darker side of human nature, or so their Edinburgh Fringe appearances say. Past productions include A Clockwork Orange in 2010 as well as 4.48 Psychosis in 2012, a production that left it audience slavering for the next installment. And, here it is: Project Colony, a new take on Franza Kafka’s 1914 novel.

Originally, In the Penal Colony was written as a short and featured only four characters: The Explorer, The Officer, The Condemned, The Soldier. The story was written from the Explorer’s point of view as he is guided around the prison site, encountering the ‘torture machine’ for the first time. Thankfully, Kafka’s work always lends itself to interpretation and easily resonates with other ages and experiences, like the Fourth Monkey’s production will no doubt do for us.

Throwing the minimal cast list to the wind, this new production features a 52 strong group and takes place at the Trinity Buoy Wharf, an East London, regenerated dockland oozing with atmosphere. Hamish MacDougall and James Yeatman direct the production. Their last collaboration took place at the Barbican (nice work if you can get it) on Complicite’s The Master and Margarita. The company have earned a rep for presenting challenging theatre experiences for both the actors and audience (no hiding at the back then?). The audience will meet at a designated point and from there on in, be transported into the immersive experience. The story is taken to the 1950s and features a travelling salesmen invited to witness the execution of a prisoner.

This highly-anticipated production will no doubt take the immersive theatre trend to the next level and shock and impress those who visit. It is also a great opportunity to visit one of docklands new creative communities, located across the water from the o2, with stunning views of the river. Plus, it’s the site of London’s only lighthouse. Life just doesn’t get much better, does it? (Words: Laura Thornley)

On until April 27th. For more info, visit: www.fourthmonkey.co.uk

New Post: Something you should see... Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:03 +0100

http://www.theculturalexpose.co.uk/arts-culture/something-you-should-see-souzou-outsider-art-from-japan/

Something you should see… Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan
New exhibition Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan at the Wellcome Collection brings together a host of visually stunning works in a wide range of media. Bold, blocky coloured pencil drawings hang beside tightly detailed scratchings in biro; chunky, expressive sculptures sit below elegantly abstract geometric patterns in pen. Souzou is full of works that are carefully executed, aesthetically striking and overall memorable for their originality; by conventional measures and in formal terms, the exhibition could be called a success.

But this is not a conventional art exhibition as such. You are unlikely to have heard of any of the artists, and they haven’t thought about you as an audience. Neither are they particularly interested in – even aware of – their work’s marketability, or, in some cases, the fact that it is on display at all. All of the works brought together for the Souzou exhibition were created by adults with a range of mental disorders and illnesses, living in social welfare facilities across Honshu, Japan’s largest island.

Souzou is a Japanese word that can be translated as either creation or imagination. Some of the works convey or communicate a particular idea or experience, others fulfil an essentially private function; in all cases there is little to no engagement with history and theory. In some ways, this exhibition represents a purer form of art-making, unshackled from a debilitating awareness of critical reception and the art market. The works are very personal to the individual’s particular outlook or perception of the world. Toshiko Yamanishi writes love letters to her mother in the form of multicoloured swirls of jagged patterns; Shota Katsube creates brilliant little action figures out of shiny bin-ties; Ryoko Koda reduces his name to one unique character and repeats it again and again in artfully arranged geometric patterns.

Exhibitions of ‘Outsider Art’ like this one always throw into question what it is that defines the ‘Insiders’ of the (fictional) concept of a singular and cohesive Art World. The Wellcome Collection’s exhibition offers an alternative kind of self expression through the visual arts and is not to be missed. (Words: Florence Ritter)

Souzou: Outside Art from Japan, Wellcome Collection, runs until Sunday 30 June 2013. Click here for more info.

New Post: TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – April 2013

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:00:39 +0100

http://www.theculturalexpose.co.uk/arts-culture/tce-picks-a-selection-of-things-to-do-and-places-to-go-april-2013/

TCé picks: A selection of things to do and places to go – April 2013
The fourth month of 2013 promises aplenty in the way of festivals, parties, exhibitions and food glorious food – so forgive us if we’re feeling a little giddy about what we’ll be getting up to this April…

Cinema

Bird’s Eye View Film Festival: Celebrating Arab Women Filmmakers, April 3-10th – This year’s BEV will be honouring the work of women in the Arab world, offering insightful docs, film shorts, Q&As, live music and a special Fashion Loves Films programme, offering a host of parties and galas.

Art & Culture

Gaia: A Show of Hands at Nelly Duff, April 11th – One of the most thought-provoking street artists of our time will be presenting his first UK exhibition for one week only. The New York-born, Baltimore-based artist has built an international rep for his street murals, and this show will demonstrate his continuous fascination with hands through his unique style.

Eat & Drink

Dante Fried Chicken at Death by Burrito April 11-14th – We happily chowed down at Mr Dante’s finger-lickin’ pop-up last year so pleased to hear he’s back on our shores, this time with a cookbook and an exhibition. He’ll also be joining forces with Death by Burrito for a guest chef residency, where he’ll be serving up an exclusive dinner menu and all day brunch on April 14th, to mark the final day of the show.

Nightlife

The Doctor’s Orders Presents The Doctor’s Orders 250 Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Nextmen And Rich Medina At Scala, April 13th – To mark their 250th event, the Doctor’s Orders guys are going all out to bring together some of the most celebrated DJs in hip-hop – and this is one party that won’t stop until the sun comes up.

Art & Culture

Pick Me Up 2013: Graphic Arts Festival at Somerset House, April 18-28th – Feast your eyes on an incredible array of illustrations and designs at this 11-day celebration of all things graphic. Highlights include workshops, creative forums and lively events every evening.

Eat & Drink

The Lab at Tobacco Docks, April 25-27th – The creators of the Taste of London fest are debuting a new experimental foodie weekend, featuring some of the most innovative chefs from around the world and masterclasses in experiencing food like never before.

Best bits from last month

Somewhere you should go… Mama Shelter, Paris

Something you should see… David Bowie Is at the V&A

Metropolitans: Leo Bedford, DJ

Somewhere you should eat… Morena Bakery

Something you should see… Yinka Shonibare: POP! is on at the Stephen Friedman Gallery