18 October 2014

Come on a virtual visit to London's Frieze Art Fair

Frieze Art Fair takes place each year in a huge marquee in Regent's Park and attracts the top art people from all over the world - artists, collectors, buyers, galleries and the likes of you and me who like to just visit. When I say visit, there is the people watching, the lusting after out of reach pricey art, there is the lunching and then, sometimes, there is the champagne. So all in all a big day out!

On my way to the main entrance I stumbled upon the edge of the impressive Sculpture Park which is a free side exhibition to the rather more expensive main event.  In just a few minutes I saw some good and some fun stuff on one corner of the park and this map tells you how much else there is to see: 






Then it was time to enter the beast of a show that is Frieze and we spent a good 4 hours exploring the rooms and even then missed out on many galleries. There was the important matter of lunch, of course, just a few snacks at Caravan, to keep us going. Despite this distraction,  we did see some interesting, some beautiful and some downright strange stuff so here is my selection for you to enjoy:


Damien Hirst

Tony Cragg

Goshka Macuga's wool tapestry

Mariana Castillo Deball

Mark Wallinger's curated room. Was he supposed to be sleeping? Yes!

Angus Fairhurst
Darren Bader. One of the strange pieces - an axe in sugar

Wolfgang Tillman - beautiful and impossible to photography

Joyce Pensato

Callum Innes - loved this colour and form

Alicja Kwale - yes a wrapped door

Alexandre da Cunha

Slavs and Tatars

A performance piece

Eric Bainbridge

Tacita Dean


 I hope you had a good time at my virtual Frieze. There is a lot of art on in London at the moment,  so watch out for more arty blogs over the next few weeks.

Bye for now.
Sue
@itsyourlondon
www.itsyourlondon.co.uk


7 October 2014

Where to eat near the Tower of London

London has a rich and vibrant restaurant scene and making the right choice is often really challenging. To help with these dilemmas I'm writing a series for the great Cool Places website which offers reviews, recommendations and inspiring ideas for places all around the UK. They use local contributors with expert knowledge and have kindly asked me to do this restaurant series on London. 

Each of my reviews takes a major London site you might be visiting and gives you write up of somewhere nearby I recommend you go to eat. Let's start with my piece on where to eat after the Tower of London:
 

The Tapas of London





A visit to the Tower of London is on every first timer's list of London ‘must sees’, and for good reason. A World Heritage site, it is packed full of history, has imprisoned monarchs and noblemen, housed lions and elephants and now guards the Crown Jewels. But it's the heart of Tourist London. As you emerge, the main thing on your mind will be: where can I find a good meal away from the crowds?

Click here to read the review....

Bye for now
Sue 
@itsyourlondon 
www.itsyourlondon.co.uk