Circle of Heads

"Makes our lot seem positively tame doesn't it".

Ok now your turn. Best quote published tomorrow.

Sculptor/artist Ai Wei Wei has been detained by the Chinese authorities. His work of twelve zodiac heads is currently on display at Somerset House.

Cool Art - Charlie Anderson

Last night was the opening of an exciting young Scottish artist, Charlie Anderson, at the "Art of Money" gallery. The work is vibrant and colourful. First glimpse it appears to be a collage of posters and billboards or newspaper cuttings, however it has all been created by paint.
Street art in the gallery.

Charlie is winner of several awards including being winner of the British Airways Degree Show. prize in 2009. This is an artist to watch.

Tooth

Visiting the dentist today so teeth on my mind.
Giant tooth sculpture is by Gary Webb an English artist who lives and works in London. He works with industrial materials producing playful often humorous pieces. The piece is in a private collection in Italy.

Spire in the Park

Another Anish Kapoor sculpture in Kensington Gardens. The spire reflects itself if you stand a few feet back from it.

Ice Music and Norwegian Lullabies

Freezing hands occurred bringing this image to you.
Norwegian artist Terje Isungset first carves and sculpts musical instruments from his native lakes, rivers and ancient glaciers. He then plays these fragile instruments and is accompanied by the voice of Lena Nymark singing traditional lullabies.

The sound is hauntingly beautiful.

Playing in a temporary igloo on the terrace of Somerset House this weekend. Although the few concerts are sold out, you can buy one of their CD's.

I was able to get a quick shot of a couple of the instruments (left) before they were whisked into the freezer for protection until the next concert. The small instrument above, I suspect a broken piece, was the prize for this lad who missed out on tickets to the show.

City Girl

This sculpture has popped up recently n the city. No details of the artist. Any locals know about it?

Pennies

An entry in the London design festival, this year, size + matter, by Paul Cocksedge titled Drop sits outside festival hall on the Southbank.

In the shape of a huge coin you are invited to drop your pennies on it. Make shapes and designs. At the end of the festival the pennies will all be given to Barnardo's Charity.

Art all Around

As you enter the National Gallery the first art to greet you is 'The Awakening of the Muses' a marble mosaic set into the floor. Created by Boris Anrep in 1933.

Ernest Neto Exhibition

A fun exhibition showing at the Hayward Gallery at present. You are encouraged to take pictures in this section and text them to the on line gallery

Morrinho

Rio de Janeiro meets London at Southbank.

An idea that began in the slums of Rio de Janeiro in 1997 by a youth who used bricks and recycled materials to build his quarter of the city. A bit like lego I guess.

Project Morrinho has grown to become a social and cultural project aiming to change lives in the favelas. (slums).

This installation was a collaboration between young people in London and those involved in the project in Rio de Janeiro. Buildings in London sit alongside the back streets of Rio.

Mannheim by Mark Alexander

As part of St Paul's Cathedral Arts Project two exciting new works by British Artist mark Alexander hang either side of the nave. They look magnificent on the plain stone walls.

I cant think of anywhere else they would look so stunning. Make the effort to go and see these works, there for the summer.

Both entitled Red Mannheim, Alexander’s large red silkscreens are inspired by the Mannheim
Cathedral altarpiece (1739-41), which was looted by Allied forces after an air raid in the Second
World War. The original sculpture depicts Christ on the cross, surrounded by a familiar retinue
of mourners. Rendered in splendid gilt wood, with Christ’s wracked body sculpted in relief, and
the flourishes of flora and incandescent rays from heaven, this masterpiece of the German
Rococo is an object of ravishing beauty and intense piety.

Men at Work #20

A blacksmith in action!
Shrinking, bending, upsetting, punching, sounds like you are a tad upset with some-one doesn't it, but actually these are blacksmith's techniques.
A craft dating back to the iron age is alive and well in 21st century London.

Here you are seeing Will creating pieces that will feature in a Soho restaurant.

Not only does he create quality decorative ironwork, he also teaches you how to do it. Fancy your own hand forged coat hook? Will's your man.
Check him out at Will Barker Design.