22/08/2008 20:22

I just felt like it. I was going to say it, the impulse that you get, but fail to utter the notion that becomes apparent in your mind, that is subdued, due to the other side of you dismissing the ridiculous idea that you could be right. Coincidence is a phenomenon which most people experience, from catching the bus immediately after arriving at a bus stop to winning the lottery. 

Having witnessed very striking coincidences, it would be easy to dismiss such experiences as chance. I seek meaning in the coincidence, since logic, which is not the only factor driving existence, because (in my opinion) prior to 'anything' logic also was a void concept; without consciousness, logic cannot reside. Using logic of course. The level at which our society sits, simply toys with the whole idea, or do we? 
Not sure, in fact I am sure that anything abstract is usually met with titters or a blank face; various other distractions have a higher priority. Coincidence is limited merely by the level of its respectability, even though it is believed by some that the universe in its entirety is just a coincidence, if not then logic slams open another idea contrary to the expected one. Yes, yes I'd like to hear more content on my local talk radio station, rather than late night quizzes.

G & Tipple. After taking a generous swig of what appeared to be a Gin and Tonic mixer,

the tube doors opened abruptly. 
Positioned exactly on opposite sides of the carriage doors; camera already powered up, she behaved as if caught out for a guilty action that I had the authority to reprimand her over. 
Just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Probably needed to come down after having gone through a lengthy interview for a major retail chain or something, somewhere. 

Obviously, the drinking ban currently in force on the underground, was not in place at the time that this photograph was taken (2006), located not far from Portobello Road market - W10.

Not sure how effective the ban is; I would assume that on arrival at the ticket barrier, preloaded with booze, the likelihood of having back up supplies stowed away somewhere none too obvious, is more than probable.

15/08/2008 03:00

Nothing of interest at the moment, unless you want to read about the ever present oddities concerning Internet Explorer 6 and Firefox reading code differently, the latter doing what it says on the tin.
New gallery coming soon.

07/08/2008 17:47

The market value of arts is rising amid the growing demand from investors trying to mitigate financial market volatility, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

A growing number of consumers are turning their attention to these alternative investments (I shall elaborate further regarding our investment proposal...at a later date) as the credit crunch continues and investors take a peek and speculate on different avenues of resource. Increasing demand stoked prices in the sector during the first and second quarters of this year. A fifth of surveyors reported a rise rather than a fall in lot prices overall and fifty percent more said they had seen price rises in the five-thousand pound-plus bracket. Lower-priced art also saw price increases, but at a lower level.

There is an ever increasing rise in popularity of 21st century art. 
Many people are now realising that contemporary art is well worth taking a second look at and moving away from simply following traditional art, seeking an alternative view, which may yield a captivating proposition that was previously not thought of.

Anyway, back on track...It does not have the atmosphere large town, more like a small city in need of redevelopment. The office workers exit their various towers (consisting of various

examples of architecture dating back from the 1960's I imagine) to hang out at various well established haunts during the lunch hour. This example here taught me that most people are actually interesting to observe, without any encouragement I grabbed the shot, somewhere called Croydon in Greater London. I often wonder, although at first glance it may seen obvious, what precisely is the issue here then?

I titled this work Peep show and had absolutely no prior knowledge that Peep show was actually based in Croydon. Just a strange coincidence, if you believe in coincidence that is.

Peep Show is an award-winning British sitcom starring David Mitchell (Mark) and Robert Webb (Jeremy). Mark is a credit manager and the more sensible of the duo, but is conspicuously awkward and uneasy socially (I suppose if he was 'normal' that wouldn't be interesting now would it?) and suffers from constant nagging doubts. Jeremy, rents Mark's spare room and generally has a more optimistic and energetic outlook than Mark. If you've watched and enjoyed it as I have, then you know what I'm talking about.

27/07/2008 21:59 

Motivated by a new platform (for selected emerging artists) called Beck’s Canvas, which is a joint effort between London's Royal College of Art (RCA) and the German brewery, Becks. The RCA requested that their graduates and students provide material based on the theme of individuality, a jury of RCA artists selected the winners, who will now soon influence the future image of the Beck's beer marketing campaign as well as becoming an addition to the labels art gallery and highly regarded artistic connection. 

From the 1st of August until the end of year, Beck’s beer bottles will be suited with the artwork of the following four artists: Charlotte Bracegirdle, Tom Price, Simon Cunningham and Rita Ikonen, which will be seen by millions as part of a summer television advertising thrust for Beck’s, which will convey the “Different by Choice” message. The advertising focuses on objects, places and people who have achieved success by setting their own 'no rules' agenda.

Beck’s has supported contemporary British art for twenty years and has prior to this event urged artists such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, George & Gilbert, Jake & Dinos Chapman and Rachel Whiteread to create label artwork for limited edition bottles. Beck’s Canvas is one of the largest public art commissions I know of - 27 million bottles will be produced.

We were invited by James Fell of onlinefire.co.uk, for the unveiling of the exclusive label artwork at the Royal College of Art. The spontaneity of the art created was satisfying. 

Charlotte Bracegirdle's work - emotionally engaging due to the contradictive aspect, a desire to be invisible. A solution into solving the watchful critics. Rita Ikonen - A display of corrupted spatial hallucination, confronting the viewer with a play of contrasts. Simon Cunningham's avian/mammalian exhibit possessed intricate detail, a unique transformation and Tom Price - An expressive concept that breaks through a series of thresholds both literally and metaphorically. A striking visual, a profile transfixed by a possibly burdensome inheritance. 
An unexpectedly intense exhibition, as if caught in a vortex of their collective dreams.

Overall it was a fine night, which was added to by a dash of drama further down the road in SW7.

Move your pointer over the images to view.

Charlotte Bracegirdle.

Tom Price.

Simon Cunningham.

Rita Ikonen.