Notes from the Rob Ryan Private View

Rob Ryan is one of my most recent "art crushes". As noted in my write-up of the private view I attended this week, my interest / investment covers a few months and various media:

I've loved Rob Ryan's intricate papercuts for a while now. Since being introduced to his work by the fantastic Domestic Sluts last year, I've made the pilgrimage to his Columbia Road shop, Ryantown, bought this skirt from clothkits, and been given a beautiful framed print for my birthday. Yes, I'm something of a fan.

It was really fun to go to the private view with JC. Sadly, the room was too full and too hot for me to say I had a great time, but I'm still really glad I went. JC says he can't decide if Mr Ryan's a zeitgeisty genius, a timeless talent or just a strange obsessive that puts skill before art. I just like the out-and-out romance of his work. And I guess I've always liked text in art.

One thing that was really interesting about the show was the chance to see Rob himself. (Sadly, your writer wasn't feeling on go-getting journo form, so didn't push through to prod him for a Londony quote as she has been know to in the past.)

From the evocative, romantic male figues in his art, I'd been expecting a pre-Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch playing-Bernard-Bligh kind of figure. Skinny in a 1930s depression-era way. Or at least like slight, and tall, and straight, like Anton du Beke preparing for a particularly traditional waltz.

But no. It turns out, Rob Ryan actually looks like a less cuddly, much hairier version of Chris' dad. Crossed with Danny Baker (GWS). With a bit of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson thrown in. Not quite what I'd anticipated!

Read more about the Rob Ryan Private View on the Visit London Blog

Pictures show Starry Night by Rob Ryan; and Rob Ryan by Jenny Dale

Theatre News: Oliver! Frankenstein and the Rat Pack

It's kind of sad when musicals you think are going to be around forever close. First Avenue Q, now Oliver! are leaving the West End. I just hope everyone that wanted to see it has got around to getting tickets, otherwise, you'll be disappointed! I've seen Avenue Q a healthy two times, Oliver! just the once, but I loved both.

In other theatre news this week, this amazing cast update from the National: Benedict Cumberbatch (that’s Sherlock to you and me) and super sexy Jonny Lee Miller have been announced as Dr Frankenstein and the monster he creates. Which is which? They're going to be alternating parts. My, my. Gonna have to get tickets to more than one show, methinks...

Read the rest of this week's theatre news on the Visit London Blog

Mini! No One Takes Me Further Than You...

I love the Museum of London. I had a great time when I went to the opening of their new galleries earlier this year. And they have so many cool things going on there, it sometimes feels like its impossible to read about all of them, let alone write about them.

So I was pleased to be able to feature them on londonist this week. It's a great story, and really suits the quirky, fun nature of this museum and what I think is its can-do attitude to its fantastic new space.

And, I love The Italian Job. It's such a classy film. (I hated it when I first saw it: I was very young and basically lacked the mind-tools required for coping with the inconclusive ending...) I remember trying to talk to my Italian students about it when I worked in Rome: I think the example I was trying to make was for the word "cliff-hanger". My explanations were met with blank faces. It's obviously not one of those films that's crossed borders.

Plus, minis are simply cool. No two ways about it.

Read Mini Coopers Replace Lord Mayor's Coach at Museum of London on londonist

Photo shows The Italian Job Minis in the City Gallery, with the Lord Mayor's Coach behind. Image courtesy of Museum of London

World in London: Mexico, Mestizo and Tequila

I was frustrated that the Mexican blogger I'd contacted didn't get back in touch about taking part in our World in London series. But as he wasn't blogging in English, it's maybe a step too far for some people to think about doing what they do in another language. I know it would be for me!

So instead I headed to one of VL's partners: Mestizo on Hampstead Road. It's a restaurant I must've travelled past 100s of time when I worked at M&B, but I'd never ever thought about going in.

It turns out, its quite lovely inside, particularly with the impressive Day of the Dead decorations.

And it was another chance to meet someone who thinks our World in London challenge is interesting, which certainly gives me a boost.

Read the Mexico in London entry in the World in London series on the Visit London Blog

Arts Ahead 2 - 8 November

Arts Ahead rolls into November, with a heap of art, theatre and dance things opening this week.

I'm going to see Rob Ryan's new show at TAG arts on Dover Street tonight, (not something I chose to include in Arts Ahead, its bound to be too busy already...) but aside from that, and despite lots of nice invites, I have no other plans for going out.

The reason: CD is coming to stay. Wo-oh yeahhhh, the Will to my Grace returns to the capital once more, armed with an oyster card and an ever-increasing knowledge of how the London Transport system works. (It's not like this oop north, y'see. You want to go somewhere in Manchester, you just walk, he's fond of telling me. I know it's not strictly true. But I never argue with CD. Like I said, he's the Will to my Grace, I don't see him nearly enough and as far as I'm concerned he can do no wrong.)

Read the rest of my Arts Ahead for londonist here

Photo shows:Antonio, Joanne Landis Carnegie Hall Studio, New York Times Magazine, 1967. Part of Drawing Fashion at the Design Museum

A Meeting with the Internet Monster

Internet Monster: Growl.
Internet Monster's tummy: Growwwl.
Me: What?
Internet Monster, looking forlorn: I'm hungry.
Me: What? How can you be?
Internet Monster: Dunno. Cos you're ignoring me?
Me: No way! I feed you ALL day.
Internet Monster: You do?
Me: YES! I feed you articles at work. I feed you reviews in my spare time. I even give you tweets and status updates throughout the day, both at work and at home, to keep you happy. How are you still hungry?
Internet Monster, attempting to look at shoes over jutting, overgrown monster chin: Meh, that's me. Always hungry.
Me: You are eating me up, Internet Monster. You just don't stop.
Internet Monster, points at growling tummy: Um, but, hungry?
Me: You're never satisfied.
Internet Monster, looking over shoulder into the distance, slightly distracted, mutters: Hun. Gry.
Me: It's exhausting.

Arts Ahead 12 to 18 October

The combination of birthdays, wedding planning, time off and wintery weather mean I'm not up to much this week.

However, it seems my slightly self-induced lethargy is at complete odds with the rest of the world. London this week is all about theatre. No, dance. No, wait, it's all about art. No, wait, *film*.

Ah, it's one of those weeks with TOO MUCH going on. There's no way you can take in all this, and still have time to appreciate it.

Anyway, if you can bear it, here's this week's Arts Ahead from londonist