Corroded Surfaces

Similar to the world of fashion, the art world is huge.  As a result it can be hard to know where to look for less mainstream works and something affordable. Friends just who just went to the Affordable Art Fair, didn’t find it very affordable...

Hidden away at the end of Portobello road past the fly over is Graffik Gallery – home to urban street art creations.  Having been popularised by Banksy, street art has evolved from works like his which pop up in public places. A lot of it originally stems from graffiti artists and taggers, many of whom go on to develop their own personal and characterising styles. But for this reason street artists have got a bad name which is why Graffik collaborated with Grafik Warfare to put on the Corroded Surfaces show – using old bits and pieces and turning them into works of art to give a ‘green’ message.

Some of the pieces are truly beautiful, not a word you would associate with street art necessarily – Fauna Graphic uses nails and bolts in the feathers on the wings in her show piece for a 3D effect which really lifts the painting.

Another favourite on display is the Dog Lisa in the style of the Mona Lisa but with a dog’s head which is an example of the twists and quirks which is common in urban art, giving it a provocative edge. Dotmaster’s Selfish is also thought provoking with an iconic yellow Selfridges bag stuffed full of empty bottles and the brand name changed to Selfish.co.uk

Some these artists are regulars at the gallery when it’s not in its spray painted form (although I’m hoping the skeletons stay on the wall afterwards) like Funky Red Dog so even if you don’t catch the exhibition, then there’s some great pieces to buy. It’s very fluid - with works continually being sold, their spot is soon filled by another masterpiece.

The exhibitions are worth making the effort to go to – with live graffiti sprayers doing their thing in the garden and the artists milling around, you can her first hand where they get their inspiration from.

Graffik Gallery, 284 Portobello Rd

www.graffikgallery.co.uk

Londra Ti Presento New York

Sabato sera la vostra The Eye e’ andata in missione per voi al nuovissimo ristorante Spice Market (10 Wardour St, London W1D 6 Tel. 020 7851 3228), direttamente da New York City.

Il ristorante e’ al pianoterra del W Hotel, in mezzo a China Town – molto particolare come location (pensavo di essermi persa come al mio solito). Entrando le porte vetrate ci accoglie un ambiente con luce soffusa e mobili di ciliegio scuro, un lungo bar con tantissime bottiglie. La cosa che mi ha colpito subito e’ stato l’abbigliamento dei camerieri tutti vestiti di rosso, quasi monaci tibetani. Molto colour-blocking S/S 2011!

Per dare inizio alla serata ho ordinato un Cosmopolitan (buono), seguito dal mio secondo classico: un Mojito (eccellentissimo). I barman sono molto esperti ed alla mano, ho notato con piacere che uno di loro - mentre sfornava cocktails – ha fatto lo sforzo di intrattere una signorina che sedeva da sola: un vero gentleman.

Il cibo e’ curato dallo chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (3* Michelin) e l’attenta gestione e’ del nostro nuovo amico Raffaele, un signore molto affabile che segue con attenzione i due piani.

Il menu e’ generoso senza essere cosi’ lungo da lasciarmi persa, ho mangiato un antipasto ed un secondo a base di pesce – tutto di ottimo livello. E’ cucina orientale senza purismi ma molto gusto e guai a chiamarla fusion!

Ci tornerei, per una cenetta con amici oppure dopo una giornata di shopping – purtroppo essendo un po’ costoso (~ £ 60 a testa) non ci potro’ andare troppo spesso..!

A fine serata ho pensato che e’ un po' un trend questo dei locali di NYC che aprono a Londra: vedi Soho House, Milk & Honey, Le Caprice, Bar Boulud ed il recente naughty The Box. Puo’ essere che i nostri amici americani siano un passo avanti in materia di locali “cool”? Oppure si tratta del solito fenomeno (noioso) dell’americanizzazione del Mondo?

The Eye non ha un’opinione assoluta (la volubilita’ e’ virtu’), penso che questi locali diventino ambienti diversi assorbendo la citta’ in cui sono immersi. E questo mi piace – voglio credere che replicare un locale/esperienza per intero sia impossibile altrimenti perche’ viaggiare alla scoperta di nuovi mondi?

L’importante comunque, per The Eye, e’ che servano un killer Cosmopolitan – cheers!

Yours Faithfully, xoxo The Eye

Sample season just keeps giving including Jenny Packham for brides-to-be!

BRORA CLEARANCE SALE

With up to 60% off previous seasons collections it’s worth being super organised and stocking up on woollies. Stock for men, women and children.

10 March (10am to 8pm), 11 March (10am to 7pm) and 12 March (10am to 4pm). Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London SW3 5UR.

TEMPERLEY SAMPLE SALE

Gorgeous dresses and accessories at up to 70% off.

17 March (8am to 7pm) and 18 March (9am to 7pm). 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, W11 2QA.

HUSSEIN CHALAYAN SAMPLE SALE

Small scale sample sale at the Hussein Chalayan showroom with Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer samples.

19 to 26 March (10am to 8pm); Block H, Zetland House, 109-123 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4LD.

MELI MELO SAMPLE SALE

Cult status bags and accessories. Prices start at £65.

30 March (9am to 7pm); 1 Ensor Mews, SW7 3BT.

MARGARET HOWELL SAMPLE SALE

Celebrate the best of British with Margaret Howell’s lust-worthy take on masculine separates. Men, women and homewear collections at up to 60% off.

31 March and 1 April (9am to 6pm); The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF.

JENNY PACKHAM SAMPLE SALE

Calling all brides to be – head to the Jenny Packham bridal sample sale for dresses, jewellery, shoes and accessories up to 70% off. Spend what you save on your honeymoon!

6 April (11am to 7pm) and 7 April (10am to 5pm); Jenny Packham Store, 3A Carlos Place, Mount Street, London, W1.

McQueen and I - suffering for one's art

Last week I watched the documentary 'McQueen and I', an expose on the life and strife of the distinguished designer, the late Lee McQueen, aka Alexander McQueen. Without question he was an inspiring, ground-breaking and often controversial artist and seeing his life's work through his catwalk shows during the hour long documentary highlighted his achievements and impressive flair for creativity. More than just his creative achievements, the documentary revealed a man who struggled throughout most of his life on an internal level. His catwalk shows were famous for their ability to shock or disturb and in many ways, learning about his life had the same profound effect.

What was most telling was a sense that Lee McQueen felt an overwhelming pressure every moment of his life to be great. Not just good, or even impressive; full-on Great. No surprise really when his artistic name 'Alexander' (his middle name) was selected by his early mentor Isabella Blow in homage to Alexander the Great. And in many ways, learning of the insecurities and vulnerabilities of the man behind the great name struck a chord within many. These days it seems we all exist with a constant pressure to be more than just average. We live in a society that suggests that happiness is directly linked to success in some form or another whether it be money, fame, prestige or societal.

The documentary revealed a sensitive man, who may have been considered brilliant by many, but internally did not appear to have that sense of himself. A remotely negative critique from a single journalist would reduce him tears. When you contemplate the overwhelming amount of work and emotion that he put into creating a single show, it's easy in many ways to relate to his tears but in the same instance you sense a man who has somehow lost touch with reality. So immersed was he in his own world and his work he was unable to separate himself from his public persona. His ambition to succeed meant he took on more and more responsibilities and duties, designing for Givenchy, designing his eponymous line, launching his stores globally and collaborating with other brands. Certainly it is easy to understand his desire to expand and grow his empire. We see the pressure in our celebrities to be all-singing, all-dancing one-man shows and such pressures are certainly not limited to those of celebrity status. We are all made to feel that we must have amazing careers, be wonderful parents, supportive partners with fulfilling social lives and a wardrobe or lifestyle to match. We seem to feel the need to exploit ourselves for all our potential worth even if the result is detrimental to our health and well-being.

Even with his demise, Lee McQueen has the ability to force our minds into uncomfortable spaces that we would prefer not to venture. Because stripped down bare, without all the extras we have built up for ourselves, without our careers, our responsibilities and the approval or envy of others, how many of us could stand there and say we are truly happy in ourselves? Perhaps we could all do with learning to treasure life in it's most simple form.

More of the best sample sales to sink your teeth into this month!

As a member of almost every fashion, style and events website out there, we receive info on all the sample sales going on in London on a regular basis. This month the sample sale list comes courtesy of Daily Candy, a superb website providing information on the latest fashions, hot-spots and trends in the major cities of the world (http://www.dailycandy.com/london).

To make your life a little easier, we've got all the sample sales listed here for you as well. Check out the best of the bunch below.

What: Flash Sale
Why: Up to 70 per cent off A/W 2010 samples from designers including Vivienne Westwood, McQ, Love Moschino, Marc by Marc Jacobs and more.
When: 2-6 Mar. Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Where: 65-67 Monmouth St., WC2H 4DG (020 7920 7272).

What: Boutique Sale
Why: Clothing and accessories from designers including House of Holland, Sea NY, Alice + Olivia and more from £5.
When: 3-5 Mar. Thurs., 2-9 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Mercer St. Studios, 16 Mercer St., WC2H 9QE.

What: On the QT
Why: Up to 80 per cent off designers including Belstaff, Thomas Pink, D&G and more.
When: 3-6 Mar. Thurs.-Sun., 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: Dray Walk Gallery, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Ln., E1 6QL.

What: Semon Cashmere
Why: Mongolian cashmere clothing and accessories for women from £40.
When: 9 Mar. Wed., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 5 Bywell Pl., 53 Wells St., W1T 3DN (01908 233640).

What: Sara Berman
Why: Up to 75 per cent off ready-to-wear, handbags and accessories.
When: 9-11 Mar. Wed. & Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: James Cameron House, 12 Castlehaven Rd., studio 3, NW1 8QW (020 7482 6599).

What: Rupert Sanderson
Why: Shoes from £40.
When: 17 Mar. Thurs., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: The Music Room, 26 S. Molton Ln., W1K 5LF.

What: Temperley
Why: Discounted ready-to-wear and accessories.
When: 17 & 18 Mar. Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Gr., W11 2QA (020 7229 4179).

What: Meli Melo
Why: Handbags and accessories from £65.
When: 30 Mar. Wed., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 1 Ensor Mews, SW7 3BT (020 7835 1363).

What: Cleo B
Why: Up to 80 per cent off shoes.
When: 31 Mar.-2 Apr. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 147 Ebury St., SW1W 9QN (020 7824 8666).