The month of May

Having been in something of a cultural void of late, due to all things running related (to find out more, take a look at my other blog, here) I have missed exhibitions and art a-plenty. But now I'm back on it, and have been making up for lost time by touring the city's galleries.

Here are a few of my favourite exhibitions...

Matthew Day Jackson. Everything Leads to Another, at Hauser and Wirth, Savile Row

I've been seeing a lot of coloured skulls in installations recently...

I really like these wooden leg casts too

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Piccadilly

The Summer Exhibition is a real tradition for me. As a child, I visited every year with my Dad - it was one of the few things we did together, and I enjoy it as much for the memories as for the exhibitions.

What I love most is the mish-mash sense of it all - clashing images crowded on walls. It's refreshing to see art in abundance, rather than scaled down for concept's sake.
I've always loved pattern

I love the idea of an architectural maquette in painted green ceramic

An animated dog raiding the bins

Other shows I've enjoyed have been photographer Shaniqwa Jarvis' This Handsome Man exhibition, similarly her These Things exhibition atExposure

Hit+Run, Windows Phone 7 & Rough Trade present Kutmah: The New Error V. 2 launch party

If you're in London this week and you want to hear music by one of LA's most exciting creative exports, then head down to Rough Trade records where Kutmah is hosting the first in a series of summer events.

After a poignant exhibition, Two Soups and a Honey Bun showing evocative drawings made whilst being detained in US Customs, Kutmah follows up by releasing his second mix (a sample from which you can listen to here) and he's throwing a party with some friends to celebrate it. Also playing on the night is Om-Unit, Tapes, Blue Daisy, Cherry Stones and Patchwork Pirates, as well as live screen printing from The Hit and Run crew.

For more information on the event, head here

Wednesday 11th May, 6.30-9.30 pm
Rough Trade East
Dray Walk
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL

L'Orient des Femmes, curated by Christian Lacroix

Whilst you're in Paris, also make the time to visit the L'Orient des Femmes exhibition curated by Christian Lacroix. A vast collection of ethnic embroidered kaftans from Syria and the surrounding areas.

 

L'Orient des Femmes runs until May 15th 2011

Musee du Quai Branly

37 Quai Branly

75007 Paris

www.quaibranly.fr

Madame Gres retrospective, Paris

If you're in Paris, then I cannot recommend highly enough the beautiful Madame Gres exhibition at the charming Mussee Bourdelle.Inspired is an understatement...

Madame Gres: La couture a l'oeuvre runs until July 24th 2011
Musée Bourdelle
16 rue Bourdelle
75015 Paris
www.bourdelle.paris.fr

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A

I went to the press preview of the Yohji Yamamoto retrospective exhibition at the V&A museum on Thursday, and I was truly astounded by the intricacy, beauty - and ultimately the appeal of the pieces on display.

Yamamoto is renowned for his androgynous and experimental designs, but what struck me most about the exhibition was that the concept never overtook the beauty of the clothing.

In addition to mens and womenswear clothing and accessories spanning his illustrious 30 year career, there are also videos of his spectacular catwalk shows - so experimental they often resemble an art install
more than a catwalk show.

there are also mannequins are hidden around the V&A, so you get to stumble across 1990s Japanese avant gardism poised amongst sixteenth century warrior's swords. Oh how I love the V&A!

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A run from March 12th until July 10th 2011.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 2RL

Mounir Fatmi's skateboards

I've had this image saved on my desktop for ages now, and every time I look at it I love it more, so I thought it high time I share it with you.

Skateboards - an item intrinsically linked with fun, are upholstered with in prayer rugs - something associated with seriousness and respect.

The contrasting juxtaposition is one which makes a very pretty picture. I hope you’ll agree...

As seen at Miami Art Basel. For more information on Mounir Fatmi, please visit www.mounirfatmi.com

Hermes online auction

An auction of silk scarves by French luxury house Hermès is being held online, and pieces from the extensive archive are available to view – and buy, here.

The designs vary from intricate hand drawn animals to bold nautical imagery. Many of the designs reference aristocratic French country life – with imagery of hanging rabbits and pistol guns depicted in fine silk.

In addition to the elaborate motifs, I also love the names of the scarves, ‘An Homage to Mozart ‘, ‘Tarot’ and ‘Dead Rabbits’ are just a few that made me smile, and below are some of my favourite designs.

 

 

 

Prices start at a rather reasonable 80 euros, so if anyone would like to give me an early birthday present, please see below for suggestions!