Robot Pole Dancers and the Geeks

Made from scrap metal, powered by windscreen wiper motors and featuring CCTV heads, the robot pole dancers greet you at the entrance of the latest geek event in London.  Created by Giles Walker as a reaction to the huge surge in survelliance cameras that watch our every move.  Giles creation of using pole dancers with CCTV heads is a way of "playing with the concepts of voyeurism and power".
The Dutch web-hosting tech company TransIP is launching their UK arrival with an eight day event offering workshops, talks and loads of fun for all the geeks and would be entrepeneurs in London.  

The Pool Champ

The master of the table, well for this game at least.  

Symbol of Love

Love is on the fence.

The Catwalk?

Hmm they got me here on false pretences.  I thought catwalk meant I'd get to chase cats. Still making the best of all this attention.  I clearly have the prettiest outfit here today.

Yeah well I'm simply the super hero of the day.

These boots were made for walking.

A glimpse of the contestants at the "dog eat dog" show at the Ace hotel in Shoreditch.

The Anti Gallery Show

A demonstration site, an encounter space and an ideas laboratory is how the Espacio gallery describes the latest installation: "the anti gallery show".  Thirty five artists and art groups have collaborated to create unique works designed to challenge the nature of the art world and how art space is used.

The show includes performances, constructed works, some being constructed as part of the show, dance, recitals and much much more.

Espacio Gallery
159 Bethnal Green Road E2 7DG
8-29 January 2015

Butterflies and Rum

When the butterflies dance on the sugar cane it is time to harvest and make the rum.  These ones have landed in Shoreditch at the Angostura Butterfly House pop-up plantation and cocktail bar.

Open until Sunday, you can join Angostura's master distiller in tastings; be enchanted with beautiful butterflies and learn all about them from expert Luke Brown; all the while sipping on delicious sugar cane inspired cocktails made by the international cocktail champion Mike Tomasic and his team.  Details here.

Angostura Butterfly House, 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch EC2A 3EY.
Thursday 9 October to Sunday 12 October.

A Good Laugh

The pre-Edinburgh festival fringe taster last night lived up to all expectations.  Fifteen five minute acts to give you a great taste of what to expect at the Edinburgh festival fringe  in August.  Bit like a chef's tasting menu really. If you fancy a trip to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, with brillant laughs, then try and grab some tickets now (plus there's loads that's free as well).

Having a Laugh

The highlight of the annual comedy calendar is the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August.  I decide each year that I am going to make the trek north for a good laugh, but events always seem to conspire to deny me the opportunity.

Fortunately, all is not lost, as many of the comedians "warm up" in London before the festival. The are loads of acts on, including a two day pre-Edinburgh fringe taster festival.  There are 15 five minute acts each night, so there should be plenty of laughs. Bet they could even put a smile of this Scotsman's face.

Catch them on 2nd and 3rd July at 2-4 Paul St, Shoreditch EC2A 4JH.  Tickets are available here.

But is it Art?

I came across this yesterday in the very trendy Shoreditch.  I'm wondering what Brian pigeon might make of this.

Geffrye Museum

The Geffrye Museum is a great place to visit if you are interested in how homes and gardens looked in England during the past 400 years.  They have regular changing exhibitions so even if you have been before there is always something new to see.

Watch the Duck

Cool dudes with a great sense of humour.  Looking cool and funny a duck in their midst.  "Can I take a photo of you?" "Sure" they replied.  A couple of pics, a couple of high fives and a query as to what they were promoting.  Well I figured they were promoting something, there was a camera man with them. Promoting a new restaurant they claimed.  And described the delicious food.  Gave me a card and bid me farewell.

So WatchtheDuck, love your sense of humour and your music! They have a concert in Bristol on 6 June and in London on 10 June. Tickets here

The Indian

 

 The best part of street art is that it is constantly changing.  It doesn't go into a back room somewhere as happens in galleries.  It is there briefly for you to see and then a new piece is added on top.

Enjoy this one today.

Outside the Galleries

Art in Shoreditch is not limited to the galleries (see yesterday's post).  There is an constantly changing gallery of street art to see.

A Guide to Shoreditch

 

Shoreditch, a diverse and historical part of London is popular with a range of people, from artists and musicians to city professionals. When looking at what Shoreditch has to offer, it comes as no surprise that this area of London is so popular. With a range of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants Shoreditch is a hub for culture and entertainment. 
  

In terms of property in the area, Shoreditch presents a fantastic mix of old and new. Providing the area with a bit of history, Petticoat Lane and Columbia Road offer more traditional period property. In contrast to this, there are many new developments that are providing Shoreditch with modern contemporary apartments to cater for the growing interest in the area. Such developments include London Square in Leonard Street and The Penthouses on Batemans Row. Shoreditch has something for all styles and tastes. With improved connections to the suburbs due to the newly opened east London Line, the area is set to continue to grow in popularity. 

 The area of Shoreditch has a fascinating history that dates back hundreds of years. During the industrial revolution of the 1800s, Shoreditch took part in changing the landscape of London and became the centre for the textile and furniture industries. Shoreditch also experienced the darker parts of London’s history and did not escape the devastation of WW2 with much of the area being destroyed during the Blitz.

During the 1980s, the image of Shoreditch was rebranded with many artists, musicians moving to the area to take advantage of the cheap studio space.

 In terms of eating and drinking in Shoreditch, you certainly won’t go hungry. With a vast array of restaurants, cafes and bars, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere to eat. The Hawksmoor, 157 Commercial Street is certainly a high contender. This award winning restaurant and bar is the place to go to for steak this side of the Atlantic.


   For the best Vietnamese food in the area, pay a visit to 134 Kingsland Road where you will find Song Que. Always packed out, it’s not hard to understand why with their excellent menu and fantastic value for money.

Shopping in Shoreditch is certainly a different experience to the mainstream shopping areas in London. With markets and plenty of independent stores, Shoreditch offers something quirky and different from the high street. When shopping in Shoreditch pay a visit to Broadway market, with over 100 stalls the market has something for everyone and with its competitive prices it is hard to beat.
 

 On Sundays make sure to call into Columbia Road (if you are up in time) and then the Old Truman Brewery.

  Famous for art and culture, visit one of Shoreditch’s galleries for art, furniture and gifts.  

For information on property in Shoreditch, visit Stirling Ackroyd.

Market Day

And the same spot 24 hours later.

Street Art

Street Art in Shoreditch.

Sticky Canvas

Street Art is found on the side of buildings, walls and rooftops.  You don't often find it on the pavement. Ben Wilson's art has a unique canvas, he creates his miniatures on blobs of chewing gum. Then takes a photo of each piece and posts it on his flickr account.

I was introduced to this work by Jonnie at Bowl of Chalk, however more about him tomorrow.

Jeunesse

Head to Shoreditch to find London's "happening" art scene, with emerging artists very much front and centre. Three different exhibition openings in one street alone last night, and yes!! I went to all of them.

  These pieces are showing at the new Jester Jacques "pop-up"Gallery. The gallery is show casing the work of several young and talented artists, with work across a variety of genres until Monday 5th November. 
 
Jacques gallery is located in the Blackball Studios, 73 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QS - get along there as soon as you can. 

It's the 10th annual design festival in London. Running for 10 days it features hundreds of events showcasing the best in design from furniture to wallpaper to glassware, from British and international designers. Designer Lee Broom was British designer of the year in 2011 and he's nominated again this year, so I went along to his studio to see what he would do this year for the festival.

He has styled his studio into a general store, with sawdust on the floor and mahogany shop fittings than give you a sense of stepping back into the Victorian era, and collaborated with the Cumbria Crystal factory for hand blown,crystal light bulbs, hand cut and engraved by their artisan glass makers. An extra bonus, you can buy these beautiful pieces at his store.

Cyclists During the Olympics

Walk or cycle, don't take public transport during the Olympics, is what Transport for London (TFL) officials are urging us, as part of the plans to ease congestion during the Olympics.

New Olympic lanes are now in use and hundreds of traffic light phase changes have created even more congestion in the remaining lanes. In central London 30 miles of road have been reserved for athletes, families and sponsors. Cyclists are banned from using these lanes and will incur a £130 fine if caught using them.
In London nine cyclists have lost their lives this year. Injuries have increased by 13%. Cyclists are understandably upset at both being encouraged to cycle more and yet put themselves in more danger.
TFL how about more dedicated cycle lanes with fines for vehicles for using them.