Michael Nyman's Cine Opera - digital analogue

Wow, doesn't time fly...a few weeks back now I went to the AMAZING Vinyl Factory (below the much-loved record store on Poland Street, it's a labyrinth!) to celebrate Nyman's launch of a new art and vinyl edition of his Cine Opera album. 

Nyman is one of our greatest living composers and is arguably best known for his Oscar-winning score for The Piano. The beautifully shot film makes for quite uncomfortable viewing but yes, the music is incredible.

Anyway, back to event. The point is that Nyman has taken his 1989 Cine Opera and re-imagined it for the 21st century. Firmly positioning himself at the same time as filmmaker, photographer and artist, as well as composer. Neat huh? 

I like the digital analogue approach, i.e. the album has been modernised, Nyman's reinventing himself but the format is intentionally old school and handcrafted.  After all this is the FIRST time the album has been pressed on vinyl and the run has been limited to an exclusive 500. Nyman's also showing a specially commissioned film at Tate Modern.

Yes-No

Eberhard Havekost, White Cube

The German artist Eberhard currently has his third exhibition at White Cube. In particular, I enjoyed the hanging of the multi-canvas painting below called Flatscreen. The artist is interested in our perpetual state of visual tuning - assessing, reassessing, the effect of the colour and texture....an ongoing process of looking and interpreting.

The main body of work is a monumental 9-canvas series of a single tree. Havekost photographed the tree at night, illuminating it in a quick flash before changing perspective. The photographs where used as reference for this haunting series.

I also liked H20. Again the artist is playing with the idea of filters, this time it is the murky, eery green water that creates a peculiar freedom and beauty.

Banksy on Revolutionary Times in the Art World

Hmmm....revolution seems to be my word of the day! Must be after all that ranting and frustration over last night's political debate. I digress...

Banksy's directorial debut 'Exit through the Gift Shop' was billed as 'the first great art-world disaster movie'.  It's a remarkable parody of the quintessential artist of our time. Here's a snippet from his recent interview with Wired.

Banksy: 'Thierry essentially trespassed into the art business, and even in the wild world of vandalism there’s a lot of conservatism — people don’t like to see the rules being broken. The story of Mr. Brainwash should be inspirational, and in the hands of a more cheerful director it probably would’ve been. The film might come across as a bit cynical, but it’s important not to forget these are revolutionary times in art.


There’s a whole new audience out there, and it’s never been easier to sell it, particularly at the lower levels. You don’t have to go to college, drag ’round a portfolio, mail off transparencies to snooty galleries or sleep with someone powerful. All you need now is a few ideas and a broadband connection. This is the first time the essentially bourgeois world of art has belonged to the people. We need to make it count.'

The Flower Power Revolution

Roll up, roll up. First edition of The Liberated Press - part zine, part poster - is available from Liberty Menswear department. A guide to life, love and rebellion.

Storm Thorgerson: Right but Wrong

Key artwork of arguably one of the greatest album covers of all time hangs in the window at Idea Generation's Shoreditch gallery. Yes, it's Pink Floyd's 1973 The Dark Side of the Moon.

Storm's exhibition is a retrospective of his 40 year career. A brilliant reintroduction to his seminal work with musicians like Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Muse and Genesis that have set him apart as a truly pioneering commercial artist.

The spirit of Copped Hall

There's a beautiful Georgian mansion sitting on top of a rolling hill not far from me in Epping. It's not really known or talked about in the area. A few people remember playing in the ruins as kids. That's about it.

In 1995 the house and grounds were saved by a group of self-confessed mad locals who set up a Trust and raised the funds. 60 volunteers are now working together to restore The Hall. It's a kind of haphazard and higgledy-piggledy approach but that's entirely the charm.

I've joined the committee and will be whipping their marketing in to shape sharpish. I can't wait to bring their story to life and to share progress. More news to follow...

Polish Poster Pin Ups

Right, I’ve been a bit quiet of late because I’ve been very busy writing proposals and meeting people. Brace yourself for a flurry of things I’ve seen & read recently.

First up. I caught the end of the Modern Polish Poster Design exhibition by Warsaw design shop Homework at Kemistry Gallery.  The 50 posters on show were totally stunning.  Now this is fresh, this is cut through and THIS, my friends, is quality creative engagement.

Homework has been going since 2003 and has established an enviable list of cultural and creative clients including small theatres and indie film distributors. With exhibitions in Paris, Berlin and now London along with a series of awards on the mantelpiece I doubt this is the last we’ve heard of Homework.

Pick up one of their posters for £40. I’ll certainly be getting one.

Welcome to The School of Life

Talks, the spoken word and online conferences are totally de rigeur. I was watching an Alain de Botton lecture on Ted.com yesterday, then clicked through to his site and came across The School of Life where he's holding some talks later on this year.

What a fascinating and truly unique concept. It reminds me a bit of a middle-class circus...or is that just the font on their site working it's magic? The School of Life extols an almost mystic, mind-enriching, self-nourishment ethos. Or put more simply, it's a social enterprise offering good ideas for everyday life.

Here are some of the interesting happenings you can be a part of:

1. Classes - on stuff like 'The art of conversation' and 'How to be Cool'....
2. Blibliotherapy - a 1 2 1 session where you can review your reading life and get inspiration
3. Breakfast club - croissants and philosophy all before 9am

and so on..

Quite the modern-day alternative to splashing your cash at the shops & hanging out with your mates talking rubbish.

A force to be reckoned with - Ofili & Adjaye

If you haven't been to the Chris Ofili exhibition at Tate Britain you must go. Just amazing, I'm a HUGE Ofili fan. His work is expressive, fluid, witty, exciting and multi-layered both in the physical and symbolic sense.

His collaboration with British architect David Adjaye takes an already unforgettable exhibition experience to another level. David constructed a stunning bespoke room within the gallery to showcase a series of paintings.

You enter through a dark, dimly lit wood clad walkway which curves smoothly into the dark. At the end you turn a sharp corner and the rectangular room opens up to reveal an inner sanctum of theatrically lit work.

The space is so considered and so in harmony with Chris's work it makes you feel good that things are so...right. Do you know what I mean?

Anyway, I noticed David Adjaye has a photography exhibition at The Design Museum this summer and found this inspirational clip on their site which I thought I'd share. Enjoy.