Soho Square

This fantastic half-timbered, black and white mock Tudor building was built in 1895, refurbished in 2009 and is now nothing more than a shed used by the gardeners of Soho Square. The square dates back to 1681 and is the residence of Lucie and her father, Doctor Manette in Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”.

The square is also home to a commemorative bench to singer Kirsty McCall who wrote the song “Soho Square”  

‘One day you'll be waiting there, no empty bench in Soho Square’

'Breathe' by Dryden Goodwin - Video documentation

'Breathe' by Dryden Goodwin - Video documentation from Dryden Goodwin on Vimeo.

Highlighting how children are affected by living in a polluted capital

NFL in London

Trafalgar Square has been turned into a ‘Fan Zone’ to revel in the St Louis Rams VS New England Patriots hullabaloo played out at Wembley.  I know nothing about American football and learnt even less from watching the festivities from the side-lines.  My only observation is that the game seems to attract British fans of generous proportions who eat a lot of burgers while drinking beer. So what’s not to like? It's amazing how many fans, sporting NFL colours, are mingling in the West End.

Ghost sign - Camden Passage

Camden Passage ghost sign. "Hovis - Builds Health"

Art in Action

Up to 70 people feature in “These Associations” a new work by artist Tino Sehgal in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern.  Walking, running, swarming around aimlessly the group move between visitors or group together slowly walking backwards towards the back of the hall. It’s mesmerising but difficult to differentiate between performers and bemused visitors.

Bankable graffitti

A Banksy in Clipstone Street, Fitzrovia. Yet another piece of graffiti protected by a sheet of perspex. I can only assume the owner of the building will try and save the piece once the building is finally knocked down.

Someone has laid a union jack mat in front of the piece, as if to epitomise the new found respectability this collectible piece of insurrection has achieved. The subversive message has become conventional, desirable and preserving it shows just how tolerant and stoic we all are. Someone is also aware of ‘looking a gift horse in the mouth’ and knows how to turn a piece of graffiti into a quick buck.

I would rather a time when this type of work appeared overnight and then vanished. Preserving it in perspex, just to earn a few quid, is not what it’s about.

The revolution may not be televised but it may end up being preserved for posterity. But only if the price is right.

Frieze Sculpture Park 2012

The annual Freize Art Fair in Regents Park, where the great and the good in the art world meet to buy, discuss and be seen in a huge tent in one of London’s Royal parks.  The “no U turn” sign in this picture is not to be confused with any of the exhibits on display in the park (this statement will make perfect sense once you view “Self Portrait as Rubbish Bin” by Michael Landy).

These are just a selection of the pieces currently in the sculpture park. All art is subjective and so I feel no commentary is needed. Enjoy or not. Just don’t shoot the messenger.