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Tuesday 21 August 2012

My own day of wonder

Off to London to see three exhibitions. First up, "Festival of the World" at the South Bank Centre. Lots of crazy sculptures,

Baobab tree made from fabric
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Stalactites and stalagmites made from milk cartons
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A productive roof garden on the top of the Hayward Gallery
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Lots more to see inside, including a maze of books.

Then off to Mind the Map to see intriguing works by Simon Patterson, Stephen Walter, Susan Stockwell, Jeremy Wood, Claire Brewster, Tim Fishlock, and Agnes Poitevin-Navarre alongside several historical version of Tube maps. No photos, but if you had any interest in maps this is really worth visiting. The building is a source of good images, with lots of reflective surfaces and juxtapositions of shapes.
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Lunch at Kaster and Ovens on Floral Street - no website, but lots of review online. Excellent, unusual salads.

Next a flying visit to the London Film Museum at Covent Garden. I was a great fan of the late-lamented Museum of the Moving Image, and was hoping this might be of the same ilk. Unfortunately it is not. It either does not have sufficient exhibits to fill the available space, or it has been designed by someone who believes in the "less is more" philosophy of design. It left me cold. There is a saving grace in the cafe, which very few people seem to have discovered yet, even although it is in the heart of Covent Garden. It has lovely coffee, really comfortable armchairs, a classic film showing on a large screen( with subtitles, so not intrusively loud, on this occasion "Beakfast at Tiffany's"), lots of newspapers and board games on every table. Beware the door on the ladies toilets - it is very, very heavy. If a door needs a taped-on paper sign to say that it is very heavy, and that you need to push it really hard, is this not an indication that there might be a problem with the door, or with the installation of the door? (rant over).

Then a very quick whizz round Covent Garden, visiting Venchi and L'Artisan Parfumeur ( Nuit de Tubereuse, if anyone is thinking ahead to Xmas and birthdays) - luxurious both.

Finishing up with a walk back through the South Bank, watching crazy people on the 60 metre high Star Flyer
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and a visit to I Knit Londonwhose windows were reflecting the Wiggins /Pendleton/ Hoy/Armistead successes
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Lots of inspiration, as ever after a London wonder day.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing a lovely post. I was not aware of the Festival of the World, though did realise that Anthony Heggarty had played a gig on the south bank. That tree looks amazing.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. It is on until 9th September, and is well worth a visit.

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