memento mori

Last Sunday I went on my very first safari with one of the London photography groups organised through meetup.com. The weather was it's usual self as it was gloriously sunny the day before and after but what can you do, at least it wasn't raining and I was only nearly freezing to death!

So here are some of the photos I took on fascinating Kensal Green Cemetery (some of you will probably not understand why I picked another cemetery but I like the places, I just can't it)

on the road 13

Wednesday afternoon, westbound Piccadilly Line.

A stocky Irishman in his sixties, wearing a suit and carrying a suitcase, is making various phone calls.
"Yes, he was alright last night, well, not alright, you know...yes, I'm trying to arrange a funeral director...will see you in Donegal...no, no problem...peacefully, yes...call you back"

Next to him two American ladies sit, stereotypically chewing gum.
"I think I'm gonna make a cheesecake...what do you think?...pecan pie?...I don't really like the princess cake...no, think I'm making a cheesecake"

Good times and bad times on the tube...

Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris and his Legacy, 1860-1960

The National Portrait Gallery in London is currently showing the exhibition "Anarchy & Beauty: William Morris and his Legacy, 1860-1960".

For those of you who cannot place the name -

William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist. Associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, he was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production. His literary contributions helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, while he played a significant role in propagating the early socialist movement in Britain.

If you have seen those patterns on wallpapers and, nowadays, all sorts of merchandising, those are his designs.

As I´m interested in Victorian times in general and the Pre-Raphaelites in particular I have come across Morris many times before so had to visit the exhibition.

In two small conjoined rooms a few portraits and caricatures of him are displayed together with some personal items like his copy of Karl Marx´ "Le Capital" and his worn satchel bag. 

The exhibition quickly moves on to his like minded contemporaries - each portrayed by a photo or painting and an explanatory text. This goes on showing British designers, city planners and thinkers that wanted to combine beauty and functionality all through to the first half of the 20th century.

So far so good - I still left after only 30min and was fairly confused.

There is hardly any information about William Morris the man, his tricky love life, his wife Jane being the lover and muse of his friend and fellow notorious Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 

Nothing to make him more palpable for the viewer, to connect with him. 

All the other mentioned people are undoubtedly important and interesting figures but most names you will have forgotten as soon as you have left the room as it is simply too much information paired with too little art jumping around between various subjects.

Didn´t think I would ever say this but this exhibition felt shallow, loveless and fragmented and certainly isn´t worth it´s steep entry money. 

What a shame, William Morris is such a fascinating figure!

PS: If I haven´t put you off - it is still on until the 11th January 2015.

Normansfield Theatre

Two weeks ago it was Open House Weekend again in London - I had a few things on my list (the choice was massive with more than 800 buildings taking part) but my cold and the fact all things seemed to be very busy held me back.
Nevertheless we made it to one venue - the Langdon Centre in Teddington.
Inside the main building is an original Victorian theatre hidden, the Normansfield Theatre, one of the last private ones left.
There was a tour but we were left alone to take photos and explore this impressive venue on our own.
The theatre studies BA in me was having a party and so did the photographer :-)
Already looking forward to the Open House Weekend next year to explore much more unusual things right in front of my doorstep!

PS: And if you think that this place looks vaguely familiar - it has been used in series one "Downton Abbey" when the Dowager Countess hands her "Best Rose" award to Mr. Molesley senior.

Richard III.

theatre: Trafalgar Studios, London
author: William Shakespeare
director: Jamie Lloyd

with: Martin Freeman, Philip Cumbus, Jo Stone-Fewings, Gina McKee, etc.

plot: In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences.

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences. - See more at: http://trafalgartransformed.com/whats-on/richard-iii/about-the-show#sthash.oP7IgrxM.dpuf

what I liked: I sat directly on the stage so was never further away than five metres from all the (bloody) action which was great. The actors all were very good despise the limited space they had. Even though the Mad Men inspired 60´s wood panelled and spider plant office set has been seen several times on stage (more so in director´s theatre dorado Germany) I liked it and didn't miss a Tower of London replica or likewise.

what I didn't like: It is a tricky play to understand with all it's plotting and machinations and this shortened version didn´t make it any clearer so some preparation is required. Martin Freeman is an odd Richard, not sly and lacking any "beguiling charm" but just a short, cold-blooded and mousy pencil pusher.

verdict: A very interesting performance that was refreshingly modern compared to some of the still quite stuffy London productions.
The entire ensemble was great but there is the thought that Martin Freeman was only casted because of his popularity. On my way out I nearly slipped on all the stage blood drips, that´s Shakespeare for you!

God save the King

Sitting in the park, reading, enjoying the warm September morning sun.
I´m turning over a page, look up and there she is as I remember seeing her in the yellow press:
Prince George´s Spanish nanny...with the bundle of joy waddling beside her, William and Kate´s son, the future English King.
I start shaking, I want to take a picture but hesitate as I don´t wanna be rude, don´t want to upset anyone and destroy the moment.
I pretend to read, I can´t stop staring though. I take some photos when it is nearly too late, pretending to look at flowers.

Little George is playing with chess figures that are his size - if I would be a sleazy journalist I would conclude "already a great strategist".
I walk away, a bit wobbly on my legs, ecstatic...I will never forget this encounter.
London, I love you.

BP Portrait Award 2014

Same procedure as every year - since June the National Portrait Gallery in London is showing their selection of this year´s BP Portrait Award entries again.
As usual the quality is very high and every so often you cannot help but staring at a painting and being amazed by the technical skills displayed and the intensity of expression.

Most of the times I seem to find a theme many artists have followed in a year and this time this has to be the sitter being placed comfortably, self-confident and proud in his chair at home.

This years first prize winner is Thomas Ganter from Frankfurt with his orthodox icon alike portrait of a homeless man.

Man with a Plaid Blanket, Thomas Ganter

Passers by, Lantian D

31 years, Tanya Wischerath

Self-portrait after the Fire, Lisa Stokes

Virginia Sullivan, Benjamin Sullivan

David, Parmen Daushvili

Andrea and Myrtle, Simon Davis

The exhibition is still on until the 21st September at the National Portrait Gallery in London, the admission is free!

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2014

"This is the world’s largest open entry exhibition and we’ve been holding it for nearly 250 years – that’s nine British monarchies, 43 US Presidents, two World Wars and more than 50 British Prime Ministers. Throughout that time, the Summer Exhibition has remained a powerful barometer of the art of each age. And the same simple premise has always applied – anyone can enter and all of the works are chosen by leading artists.

The sheer variety of work presented each year is what makes the Summer Exhibition an annual highlight of the cultural calendar. This year, you can explore the black and white room curated by Cornelia Parker, see what our new RAs Thomas Heatherwick and Bob and Roberta Smith have in store and, as ever, view hundreds of other works by people who may yet become your new favourite artists. Who will you discover?" 

I cannot stress enough how terrified I am that even 2014 is so far progressed already again that I went to the yearly Summer Exhibition at London's Royal Academy.

As always it is an overwhelming display of 1262 art works ranging from drawings over paintings to architectural 3D models and a film installation.

While I didn't see anything too inspiring last year I found this year a strong one again. Not only was I inspired and thought more than once "Why didn't I have this idea?!", no, this time I even had to laugh out loud (not too loud of course...didn't wanna upset the distinguished RA friends around me) because some works where that funny.

Like a pro I made notes in the exhibition catalogue to remember which artists are worth checking out.

Here some of my highlights:

Maria Konstanse Bruun "You are to me what I was to her #1"

Cornelia Parker "Stolen Thunder II"

Anthony Dyson "On the brink"

Anna Grayson "An Allegory of Modern Marriage" (After Jan van Eyck)

Phil Shaw "For Piet's Sake"

Peter Abrahams "Approximate Precision - Scourers 4"

Martin Creed "Work No. 398: Assholes"

Skylight

theatre: Wyndham´s Theatre
author: David Hare
director: Stephen Daldry

with: Bill Nighy, Carey Mulligan, Matthew Beard

plot: On a bitterly cold London evening, schoolteacher Kyra Hollis receives an unexpected visit from her former lover, Tom Sergeant, a successful and charismatic restaurateur whose wife has recently died. As the evening progresses, the two attempt to rekindle their once passionate relationship only to find themselves locked in a dangerous battle of opposing ideologies and mutual desires.

what I liked: Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan, what more do I need to say. The play itself is somewhat dated but nevertheless the discussed issues are still up-to-date. I was especially delighted by the clever and atmospheric stage design!

what I didn't like: Nothing really, it´s only that Bill Nighy is (at least in my eyes) such a loveable person - Carey Mulligan on the other side acted slightly stiff which gave the already jaundiced teacher character an even more unlikeable egde so the verbal battle between the two never seemed fully equal.

verdict: Not sure if Bill Nighy really is a splendid actor as whatever he acts - he always is "Bill Nighy".  But I don´t care, I enjoyed the play and it was wonderful to see him live on stage.

PS: There is some real chopping and cooking going on on stage - this distracted me somewhat. I hate to think it all gets binned each and every night...and is it really normal to pour milk into a bolognese sauce?!?

more from Eel Pie Island

...for more photos have a look at the  first part