Sherry

This time of year, the London parks are packed of new year resolution joggers – and Hyde Park might very well be the most crowded one. In the midst of all the determined get-rid-of-Christmas-excess runners, mixed with the resident ducks and squirrels, you find perfectly positioned mirror sculptures by Anish Kapoor – a welcome excuse to stop running, take a panting break and take in the beauty of the park – upside down, inside out, reflected and distorted.

This is art in it’s purest, simplest form, challenging the viewer to look at the world in a new way. The installations invite people of all ages to interact with the mirrors, with their own reflections, and with the stranger next to them.

The range stainless steel sculptures is wide, each piece offering a new view, reflecting sky, water, trees and people – and the most favoured by the joggers seems to be the C-Curve– if you move on the outside of it, on the concave side – you look like you’ve fulfilled that new years resolution already.

Yesterday we walked over to Cubitts Gallery and Studios in Angel to have a look at the touring show about the architecture, graphic design and industrial design by the pioneering Design Research Unit. Although the exhibition is small, the samples on display spans over four decades of design history, and is more than worth a visit. Our highlight was the iconic British Rail identity, the mammoth project in the 50’s and 60’s that covered all aspects of the network’s operation, from station signage to company uniforms, as well as the iconic British Rail two-arrow symbol, design that we still come in contact with on a daily basis today. Don’t miss it – it’s on until Sunday.
http://cubittartists.org.uk/index.php?section=10

When I was little I wanted to be a graphic designer or a scientist. When the time to choose came I went for design, but whenever I have the chance to experience science I take it. Last Friday was one of these chances. The Natural History Museum was doing a late night called Science Uncovered. It was a really interesting night, where Scientists that work in the museum would be around telling you about their job and would answer your questions about science.

I didn’t realise how massive the infrastructure is behind the magnificent building in South Kensington. We had the chance to chat with Clare Valentine, Head of Collections at the Zoology Department of the museum, and she told us the challenges of keeping such a big and diverse collection. Some had to be kept in alcohol, and others like giraffes and whales need to be kept in a nine storey building near the museum.

They had lots of interesting research on display, one of my favourites was about evolution; they’re trying to understand why the American Bison hasn’t become extinct like the Mammoth as both animals were living in the same era and had the same diet. Other studies are very significant to mankind, for example they are studying how sponges could be the cure for breast cancer, through a substance that they secrete, which has been improved through millions of years of evolution.

It was definitely one of the most inspiring Friday nights ever.

Last Saturday, after a long queue, I managed to get inside Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery, where until the end of the month you can see a spectacular exhibition of work from the graffiti artist Banksy. Whilst controversial and clever the pieces of art can be seen among the permanent collection of the museum, making the whole place an art installation. I really loved how he manages with simple ideas either to raise a smile or make you see the crude reality, or both at the same time.

The concept of the exhibition, I thought, was a clever way to promote the museum and Bristol, as you had to explore the whole museum to find the art which surprised you by being integrated in sometimes shocking and sometimes LOL ways. Just to highlight a piece, the one below, had the power to make me love Mondays.

Really worthwhile exhibition despite the massive queues, might be best go on a week day or very early.