in AW(M)E...

I'm in my bed with PFD (post festival depression) even a fancy dinner at Coda tonight wasn't able to revive my dampened demeanor.  Its a serious combination of crashes, excitement, adrenalin, champagne, late nights, early mornings, sugar and fantastically mesmerising loud music. The past four days have been an overload on the senses, its difficult to take stock of everything I've seen, heard and felt. I wandered around freely with my Media pass (Hi, my names Media, whats your name?) booze brimming networking events where the fizzy white and rock oysters appeared about my person, rubbing shoulders with Programme Directors from Glastonbury, Roskilde, Fuji Rocks (to name but a few). Lounging on plush seats in the Arts Centre as the intoxicating sounds of 70s golden age Ethiopia wash over me, Mulatu Astatke working his magic. Skanking away to Mad Professor as Irration Steppas get involved in the DJ booth. Being utterly blown away by the majestic voices of The Congos as they perform Heart of the Congos their seminal album produced by Lee Scratch Perry, this is their first time in Australia and I'm back stage saying hello in a cloud of Jah inspired smoke.  In short my life is wonderful but nothing I can do right now is going to top the last 96 hours of my life. AWME thank you very much indeed, it was a pleasure working with you, working for you, running around, tweeting, blogging, facebooking, editing, uploading and of course schmoozing. I am going to watch a film now, perhaps Wah Do Dem?



Photograph © Tajette O'Halloran - Mornington Island Dancers

Photograph © Tajette O'Halloran - Noriko Tandano

Photograph © Marie Muggivan - Graveyard Train

Photograph © James Henry - Mad Professor

Photograph © James Henry - Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

Photograph © James Henry - Lotek

Photograph © James Henry 

Photograph © Marie Muggivan

Thrilled

 

Thrill the World zombies race to their starting point an unauthorised underground carpark used in Mad Max belonging to the University of Melbourne

 

DIY studio party with live performance and exhibition, Fitzroy

Carnivale time @ Edinburgh Gardens

 
Two carnival leftovers from The Village

Edinburgh Gardens in North Fitzroy is the epicentre of Melbourne park life, I guess I would dare refer to it as the London Fields of Melbourne. It has the drinking, bike flexing, costume wearing elements, yet with less aggro and more sunshine, plus the toilets are safe and just about clean enough to use. I have already spent several sunny days lazing on a picnic blanket consuming alcohol and various chips and dips. Last weekend it was home to The Village a wonderful carnival, gypsy style with polka bands with many a waistcoat and moustache on display. I look forward to more impromptu events and gatherings ahead.

Walter Hugo LIVE

Its been a long day and I'm still up, watching with glee at 'Walter Hugo' revealing the techniques behind antique photography in its early beginnings.

It's streaming LIVE now on Show Studio.






Photographs from showcase exhibition

Reflecting the Bright Lights... from London Sessions Productions on Vimeo.

Carnival Fever?

Sunday’s carnival bought the sunshine and indeed the crowds; we embarked on the overground to Kensal Rise after a cycle from London Fields, and bus to Hampstead. After the strained yet predictably long journey westwards we encountered a leering gaggle of London Transport officers. The only conclusion I could draw was that they’d just escaped from a laboratory conducting tests into the use of the hormone testosterone; the sight of girls in ‘carnival’ styling’s was almost too much for them to bear, overwhelming to say the least.

It was busy, we light-heartedly hadn’t planned out route and headed straight into the throng, carried along I witnessed several bemusing sights. It became quite fraught when trays of noodles and chop suey were overturned due to overcrowding. Musically there was lots on offer, although not enough to keep me at a particular sound system for any length of time. The gentrification of the area has led to the reallocation of historical sound systems or the obliteration of them altogether. Red Bull maxed out there marketability by cramming lots of electro trendies in one high fenced area and dosing them up on Vodka Red Bull all day, not a bad ploy. Good times was blocked off by 4pm, which vetoed my bank holiday pacing’s out of the picture.


Highlight of the carnival was undoubtedly filling my impoverished belly with Jamaican grub, after a Friday straight through to Sunday at LED (more write up to follow) it was like returning from the desert to find water.

Carnival queens resting up

This lady was responsible for keeping the barrier up, good job.

Overexertion was a common theme.

Literally streets piled with rubbish

DJ slash foodstall holder making it work, by working it

Fort Knocks

It was good to see all colours, shapes and sizes

Our escape shot, we exhaled as we crossed this bridge, phew no more crowds.

A Rose in Blossom

Bianca Rose sister of Natalie Rose (one of my closest and best friends) got wed to the wonderful Kenny last week; it was a momentous occasion full of love and sunshine. The days celebration was packed to the hilt with music - live band, singing, solo performances including a rather amazing rendition of My Baby Just Care for Me by Nina Simone - and dancing - synchronised on-mass shuffles, dance offs, all female walk offs, the whole shebang.

This being my first African wedding I found it difficult to control my fascination, a sensory overload especially where the clothing was concerned. I haven't been allowed this close to people wearing such wonderful and exotic fabric before, everyone looked so regal in their outfits. I studied in detail the intricate folds in fabric from dress to head wrap and pattern versus colour.

I was a great fan of the one fabric/colourway for all tradition; this had quite a striking effect when standing out from the crowd.


The food was fantastic, I gorged on jollof rice, fried fish, wedding cake and festival*. I witnessed with glee, a slender looking man eat NINE of the *heavy doughnut balls and come back to fill his napkin for the journey home, dedication to the cause - Michael and I managed three a piece and couldn't do anymore.

The beautiful and inspiring Natalie (Bianca's sister and my connection to the wedding) in her Maid of Honor ensemble.

The family have many talents, Bianca in particular is an accomplished yet extremely modest singer songwriter, who has for the last year at least taken a break from performing/writing. Now the wedding is over she can focus on her singing, what a waste otherwise. Check her out performing What Will Remain from her Truths & Tiny Tragedies ep of which I'm lucky to have a copy, email me for a lend. You can also see her charismatic chat here and vocals here.

Gainsbourg in seminal glory?

Gainsbourg is showing at the Rio this evening, I’ll be there with my text from orange momentarily on display. Rio is a wonderful community focused cinema located on Kingsland Road, Dalston with a white art deco exterior. I once wound up there surrounded by pensioners on a rainy Wednesday matinee with my friend Emma (we were both unemployed at the time) it was there monthly cinema club. Needless to say a packed house of OAP's is quite a sight, we had the attention/conversation of many grannies and a sparkly 78 year old gentleman who cornered us during the interval - so that's what they used to be for.

The Rio shows a considered selection of art house/world cinema, yet still catering for the masses with crowd pleasers such as Sex & the City 2, the vibe is all encompassing. Available to purchase is beside the usual cinema fare is homemade cake and Samosa's washed down with a fantastic tea selection, which is allowed to accompany you into the auditorium. However, being an old theatre it is limited to one screen, with a multitude of tastes to satisfy I find myself seeking out alternative venues. Wandering down the Kingsland Road to Rich Mix in Shoreditch or even further afield to Curzon Soho, Prince Charles, Ritzy, BFi and on occasion Screen on the Green, Angel. Although notably the last time I indulged in the £11 entrance fee was for September Issue; I sat there alone on a hot August day gorging on Anna Wintour and the mesmerising Grace Coddington (stylist extraordinaire) in action during the build up to American Vogues September issue. Which posthumously is a rehash of the television documentary on Wintour, I watched as a student during my Art Foundation at BIAD, still, just as entertaining.

I would like to also take this opportunity whilst I’m were on the subject of cinema to doth my cap to the Watershed (which has an unrivalled selection of contemporary film, so much so I check it’s listings as a starting point for any new cinema I plan to see) and The Cube, undoubtedly the most bizarre and unique venue, showing an interesting back catalogue of weird movies – I watched Time of the Gypsies there. And once upon a time the Electric Cinema (the oldest working cinema) in Birmingham, I had friends who wouldn’t enter on account of the red gloss toilets and skeletons hanging from the exterior windows - a great venue to watch Irreversible and the only place brave enough to show at the time of release (unfortunately it’s reopened under new management, so I am unable to validate it’s current artistic leanings). I’m also a huge fan of Little White Lies and of course Peter Bradshaw, whose opinion I rarely find discourse with.

Gainsbourg has received mixed reviews; the main crux is the lack of detail into his life, after the week I’ve had I’ll happy if they cover the main points - I can piece together the rest at a later date, most probably a Serge Gainsbourg enthusiast will put me right. I get to lean back with tea in hand on plush red seating and marvel at Birkin/Bardot/Gainsbourg extravaganza. You can also catch up on the music of Gainsbourg as his 1969 seminal album Light in the Attic featuring temptress Jane Birkin and the ground breakingly sexy hit Je T'aime has been re-issued.

Bardot and her hair

Gainsbourg didn't do too badly on the female front.

Chorus at the Wapping Project

After our massive loop on our bicycles that took us along the South Bank from The Serpentine to Greenwich (via the foot tunnel) to Canary Wharf we arrived at Wapping and immediately bumped into some friends. The Wapping Project is a success story in itself, with a rather fancy restaurant that pulls in the cash; the gallery remains free and open to all. I particularly enjoy the greenhouse bookshop, which located to your left when you enter (in the garden facing the building) which offers a healthy selection of well-sourced publications on art.

Access to the gallery is granted via the restaurant, which if you're not expecting, can be quite an intimidating experience, as people examine you from the comfort of there dining table, I think it adds to the charm. Once through the doors you are led down a metal staircase into a large tiled cold room, left with enough of the old fixtures to feel quite special. The hydraulic power station built in the 19^th century has been retained rather than restored, with machinery still in place.

The Chorus by United Visual Artists (UVA) is a series of pendulums that light up to the music, glowing, throbbing and shining bright as they sway in unison and sometimes not, as though living breathing entities. The effect is smoothing yet predominantly hypnotic, I lay on the cold floor and gazed up at the pendulums swaying to the sound ecclesiastical chorus, visualising the courtyard of a monastery, the pendulums representing incense swung on a chain. The dynamic between the musical score and the movement and light created, was arguably synonymous deep techno inspired jaunty melodies were complimented with jolty angular movement and flash throb light, female chorus played out to smooth and fluid movement almost organic in it’s rhythms with curvy soft movement and warm pulsing glow. The relationship between all elements of the piece was heavy with character, each score representing a entirely separate mood and dynamic.

UVA produced the lighting effects for the Y-3 Autumn Winter 2010 New York presentation with great effect.

And also collaborated successfully with a number of leading acts in various formats, live visuals, music videos, below is an example - the music video for Tonto by Battles.

Tomorrow at Drawers Gallery

The Haggerston Pub and Drawers Gallery bring us there second installment of work. This time it’s several artists in a group show with a comedic twist, there will be live performance and artwork from 12 young creative’s. With lots of collaborators I’m intrigued to see how they will use the space to effect; the two rooms provide a promisingly intimate setting for high impact.

Paint the town BLACK

Here are some pictorial excerpts from a live video installation my friend Carson McColl made to mark the end of Show studio's black and white exhibition. It makes interesting viewing and can be watched online here. It was used with black paint stored internally by Carson which appears quite a feat in itself, uncomfortable viewing for some, yet strangely transfixing.

From From London Fields with Love...

African Dance - it's what I do.

I've woken with a stiff bum from last nights African dance class; it always gets you the next day, today is no exception. Majority of yesterday was spent doing nothing - my first day off in ages, I deserved it, I've barely stopped since my return. After lolling about in my room, catching up on old and new music (some of which to follow), I was very close to not leaving the house at all. However my impending dance class drew closer, after reminding myself how you feel at the end, rather than the beginning. I jumped on my bicycle and headed to the Baptist Church across the Park (of Victoria). There are only two more sessions left of term, so I was glad I went, also I discovered that the final weeks class takes place outdoors, in the park. If you're curious and want to check it out, we’ll be by The Wild Palm Pub, week on Wednesday. Listen for the noisy drumming (live of course) and the singing and shouting, it's quite a spectacle, or rather I'll provide a spectacle, to give you a clue as to what to expect there's an example of a typical class below...



Oh dear, I think I meant this one...

Boom Boom, Bang Bang, Yes Please!

Tonight I shall be slinking along to Boom Boom a mighty fine cabaret evening, in the plush settings of a converted Turkish Baths. The evening draws an attractive costume conscious crowd yet without the snobbery of similar nights. This all encompassing event provides entertainment and dancing until way past Cinderella's bedtime. The Bathhouse is located within the grounds of an old church, and entered through a rather aesthetically pleasing tiled frontage; inside you are led downstairs into the main ballroom/stage area with dining to the rear. Alas Miss Kitty Bang Bang, one of London's most talented burlesque stars isn't performing this evening, there is however a bulging line-up to enthral the senses.


The delighful Vicky butterfly in full flutter

The ravishing Kitty Bang Bang

Behind Closed Doors - Subterranean Unearthed

Graphic artist and videographer Matthew Barton brings us his next instalment of explorative installation this Saturday at Shunt. Aptly set in the bowel of London Bridge, close to London Dungeons, the show examines the dynamics of abandoned spaces. Video images beam out into the darkness providing a glimpse into the subterranean underworld of London; it's metal heartbeat providing audio stimulation. Our eyes wander deep into forgotten shafts, tunnels and walkways, unearthing engineering, steel, cable presenting the belly of the beast. The work is a collaboration between Luke Harris and Matthew Barton as part of a showcase for Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studio and forms part of a wider night of music, interactive performance and art.

Get your kit off?

Our Journey from east to south London was a mission, the distance covered and the unpredictable nature of London transport was against us. Planes, Trains and Automobiles flashed through my mind as we ventured to the trains, Dalston overground was closed due to a stabbing outside Poundstretcher, we headed for the buses, we waited, no buses came, we got on one headed in a vaguely similar direction, it crawled, we got on a tube that was heading in the opposite direction which would allow us to eventually head in the right direction… I think you get the idea. After a huge amount of wrangling we arrived hot, flustered and just about intact for a performance ‘Trilogy’ at Battersea Arts Centre (BAC).

Inside I was immediately captivated by the venue, a grand staircase welcomes you in the main hall, producing a massive height above. Decorated with a aged grandeur, parcel tags hang in unison from the ceiling, grandma lamps and bonket seating furnish creating a relaxed homemade ambiance

The play in three parts begins with an introduction from the two main protagonists, part one culminates in 50 dancing naked ladies of all shapes and sizes, unfortunately not enough variations in colour but the contrast in jiggling parts gets the point across. We all have bodies to celebrate! Part two delves deeper focusing on an seminar of leading second wave feminists which took place in the early 70s, thoroughly entertaining it poses questions we may have forgotten about what it means to be a woman, where we fit in society, how far have we actually come. The final section aims to move forward in a proactive manner, offering suggestions towards a new movement, ‘herstory’ rewritten. There are dance interludes throughout which break up the seriousness of the content and of course continuous nudity.

The closing gift is an opportunity to the women of the audience to go naked on stage, perhaps a measurement of how successful the performance was. About 30 women rose to the occasion, myself being one of them. It was better to regret something I had done, than something I hadn’t. I feel a smile internally when I think back to the event, and revel at the power of nakedness.