A Pre-Christmas Compilation

1 December 2012

Actually, it is more like a Mega-Mix - November has been a mad busy month.

Last week, whilst packing to go away...

A Pre-Christmas Compilation
I notice a fresh delivery of a home grown art baby expertly produced by Ginie and Marco
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
I'm off to the Middle East - ducking a few Scuds and dancing away with the King of Culture Oded Gerah and Jill.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then hanging out in House of Voltaire with Candida who has a tin can on her head made by Steve Jones and Valeria Napoleone.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Valeria showing Pauletta how to shop till you drop.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Tiffany sniffing around the Matthew Darbyshire dog blanket.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Sotheby’s - and the BFAMI auction viewing where there were many brilliant donated lots including a gorgeous Alexandre da Cuhna bottle sculpture (I wonder who will acquire that one?)
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then Liverpool Biennial was ok but well, there were moments...Loved this one in the shopping centre. Whoops a lift has fallen off one of the skyscrapers! Work by Oded Hirsch.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Thought the work by Pamela Rosenkranz “Bow Human” was interesting.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
I loved this work by the collaboration between Michael Subotszky. and Patrick Waterhouse was very hard to explain but was very good. Filmed in Johannesburg part of their Ponte series in a vast cylindrical building which represented social unrest in the 80s.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Nadia Kaabi Linke's work, Parkvebot (Looted Art) 2010 was very funny. A park bench with pigeon wire fixed to it.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
All of us posing in glamorous Liverpool, in front of the first dry dock in the world - Tiffany, Maitreyi, Lizzie, Ellen, Me and Liam.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
A Liverpool Highlight was the outside installation by Doug Aitkin. What a fabulous work - understated, strong documentation of the cultural character(s) of today. Historical in tone and execution - one example being the sad ghost like conversation between Doug and Mike Kelley.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
In Tate's show we We enjoyed the work by Pak Sheung Chuen called “a travel without visual experience”.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then it was to the Turner Prize. All four contestants are equally as good as each other. Of course if I have to take sides I would have to bat on the team of my Geordie boy Paul Noble. But Luke Fowler, Spartacus Chetwynd, Elizabeth Price and Paul all have a deep intelligence and this permeated through all the works.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Paul Noble with Simon Bedwell and Penelope Curtis who is checking to making sure the cleaners had not left out any cobwebs in her beloved Tate Britain.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Next morning off with the Tate Patrons, stalking Ben Jones and his amazing group at David Roberts to see the second part of the excellent House of Leaves. What a lovely show and a very harmonious way to show the collection. He has some fabulous works - even had a few pangs of something that felt like “OH I WOULD HAVE LIKED THAT FOR MY COLLECTION”
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Meanwhile back at the collection Leah Capaldi's installation is causing quite a sensation.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
One of Leah's Participants completes the work whilst Lizzie and guests look on.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then the big night the showstopper of the year. The Roundhouse hosts BFAMI. The art was sensational, the generosity of the gallerists and artists was unbeatable. Cathy Wills, Wendy Fisher, Georgina Djanogly had created a sensation.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Lluis Barba adorned himself in front of his sumptuous work which went for a fortune proving itself to be very popular with the guests.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Grayson Perry gave a speech which was outstanding even though I had to often squint as his bling around his neck glinted so bright I was not sure if I was watching Dame Edna or Dame Grayson.....or perhaps even Camilla PB.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then it was back to the real London and the grunge in Oscar Murillos studio. The Columbian has created a great system to produce art and uses his method to the full. He explained all to Lizzie and Ellen.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
From Grunge to sexy glamour.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
The wonderful work of Thomas Dozel “Cotes d'Azure” at French Riviera.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
The hang was most attractive
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Now we are back to the Art or Not Art Quiz (see fiac blog)
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
...Actually - both are Art - this time from Helen Martens installation at Chisenhale.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Then Lunch for all the staff as we all toast to 5 years of magnificent creativity!
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
Paola, Nico and Rob ramping up the Christmas festivity.
A Pre-Christmas Compilation
A quick stop to ICA check out the Bloomberg Contemporaries. Loved the work of Jennifer Phelan her sculpture was definitely a little Asquirrel... and Steve Claydon at Sadie's HQ is awesome a must see and I am running of to Miami now.... Phew, see you there!?