bikes and things

Emma and I have recently discovered the joys of the South London Gallery which is 5 mins cycle from us. They do a fantastic breakfast and the coffee is top notch. They’re housed in a beautifully refurbished and extended building by 6a Architects. They have a superb bookshop and the staff are all seem to be super friendly and helpful.

We recently went and saw the “Pursuit of perfection: The politics of sport“, the most interesting bit was this installation by Aleksandra Mir named Triumph. It consisted of 2529 trophies bathed in glorious sunlight in this amazing space. Some of the trophies were completely bonkers and so over the top. Others consisted of ridiculous figurines doing all sorts of sports. The nicest thing was that when I asked to take a picture there was no problem. It kind of threw me a bit at first but was great to be able to record the space without resorting to secret snapshots with the phone.

The space in which it was presented was superb and my eye was quickly drawn to the chunky original door ironmongery on the door at the end of the room.

Hard to get a sense of scale from this but it was massive and still worked perfectly well. So many nice little features to discover in this place. Will probably be there again next weekend drinking coffee and enjoying the atmosphere.

Yesterday we ventured up to the V&A on the slowest bus in the world from Peckham to a tiny room absolutely rammed to the gills with work, and then stuffed with lots and lots of people. Some great work but just no time to think or contemplate or even make connections between the work at different stages. Just queue for the next case and hope you got a good spot or could see round someone’s head. I couldn’t help think it would have been far better at a larger venue like the Design Museum with some space around it.

Some fascinating pieces and ideas across all levels but it seemed to fall down as the scale grew for me. I can’t really make any other judgment as it was so hideous to visit – maybe I’ll buy the book from Amazon and digest in my own time.

And some cones made into a canopy.

Shockingly beautiful images of an empty school. They’d make amazing pictures probably shot on film with a 5×4 view camera, only they weren’t – they’re paintings!

All images © Gina Heyer.

via It’s Nice That

Simply beautiful. More details over at It’s nice that. Via @weequzzie.

Image © Mai Suzuki

Image © JeremyV

An interesting little project which was sent my way last week – I was left mouth wide open after watching to the end of the video. The idea of 3D printing is becoming far more mainstream and we use a fair bit of it at work – I even had a leaflet sent to me from HP showing their new desktop 3D printers recently. However this project takes a slightly different approach and uses the power of the sun and sand (silicon) as well as some clever computer work to create objects in the desert – the energy source and material are abundant. The hipster outfit kind of makes it too.

The project is described by it’s author Markus Kayser as follows:

In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.

Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.

Take one completely white empty room, add some sticker sheets, thousands of kids allowed to add them anywhere they want – and you end up with something strangely beautiful!

From this fairly soulless white space…

To this which I find completely beautiful and fascinating at the same time. It would have made a great time-lapse seeing all the kids adding the dots in.

Images © Mark Sherwood (as far as I can tell).

The installation, the obliteration room, is by artist Yayoi Kusama at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. More info at the original post over at thisiscolossal.com.

It looks like she has a show at Tate Modern coming up on the 9th Feb too which I’m definitely going to have to see.

Via Toby Bull

Another link to some rather nice work I’ve found via the wonderful medium of Twitter – it’s so good I’ve definitely had one of those “I wish I’d thought of that” moments with it. It’s a beautiful body of work which is part way through and is seeking funding to complete. Marc describes the work as follows:

“Those decaying vestiges of life-and-death human struggle — falling monuments to bellicosity — have a curious attraction to them. The paradoxes are rich. They once showcased unbridled strength and had the prowess to intimidate as they repelled intruders by unrelenting force. This was human power in its rawest form. Now these feeble structures derive their power from something else. With their guns and posts silent, they stand to testify that all things perish. No act of human defiance can possibly win the greatest of all battles of attrition, that of time…It is vitally important historical work.”

A number of the shots remind me of walking around the local area I grew up in near Bath exploring the old pill boxes, caves and old airfields used during the war – all of which are crumbling and being over taken by nature.

I’m going to buy a print and the book to help contribute – so should you! The thing that really swung it for me was seeing the video below where Marc explains the process and research that has gone into the project.

Edit: I’ve made my contribution to the project with some birthday money. Can’t wait to get my final print!

On Sat evening Emma took me to see an amazing film by Miranda July – The Future – at Tate Modern. I’d previously seen her film Me and You and Everyone We Know which was great. A very arty crowd had arrived for the showing which also included a 30 min Q&A at the end. I wasn’t really sure what to expect of the film but was pleasantly surprised and constantly engaged by it which is rare for me at the cinema.

It’s hard to describe without giving too much away but it reflects upon all sorts of ideas around a couple in their mid 30’s and their lack of commitment, reflections upon growing old(er) and the daily hum drum of life. That is by no means a decent summary and others will do it far more justice. Suffice to say that I think you should see it. I loved it and it’s been incredibly thought provoking since. So many ideas in there but they completely flow without feeling like you’re being spoon fed. A very intelligent film! Watch the trailer and then go and see it.

And here she is. The lovely Miranda July who came across very well during the Q&A. Very genuine and interested in her craft and not fame or fortune. A bargain at £5 ticket too!

After a fairly epic week in terms of work, both Architecture & Photography, I went over to the pre-opening of Franks Campari bar to meet Chris and a few of his friends. I’ve never seen South London so busy with art students and what is commonly known as hipsters I guess. After such a busy week I didn’t stay long but I think I’ll head back a few times this summer to get some more shots of the art and installations and also hopefully to enjoy a few drinks with friends.

And a quick video of the crowds.

And whilst the view really is amazing we really are spoilt by the view from our bedroom window.

I can’t remember who said that but it’s certainly sound advice. Advice which I’ve taken with the purchase of a limited edition print from Simon Kennedy. He’s completed an amazing series of images from the Heygate estate in South London. Unfortunately I missed the exhibition but I’m very pleased to have one of the A1 sized prints from the series hanging in our living room.

And a rubbish iPhone shot of it framed and hung.