Clerkenwell design festival 2010

Farmiloe building, base of the festival

I wasn't sure what to make of this design festival before my visit or who their target audiences were. When I arrived, I was given a wristband and map to guide myself around the area... and then I came across some men in suits, groups of Asian students, art/ design students and some (I suspect) designers.

The festival, I believe was organised to promote the design showrooms (mainly office furiture) in this area... The more interesting work was shown at the HQ of the festival, Farmiloe building, with well-known names like Tom Dixon, Innermost and SCP. Although I wasn't completely blown away by the furniture I saw, I was glad to see the effort they put into organising the event. And most of all, there were freebies everywhere! At Haworth, I was given free Haagen-Dazs ice cream and a bag of sweets... then at Ahrend, there was free alcohol as well as hog roast sandwiches (which I didn't go for).

What was really fascinating was when I chatted to an elderly couple from Cornwall who are not in the industry but told me they had a wonderful day just dropping into random showrooms and chatting to different people. They know nothing about design but nobody seem to care. They enjoyed it so much that they said they would come back again next year... It's so refreshing to meet open-minded elderly people like them, they didn't dress the part and yet they were probably most at ease and had the most fun!


Tom Dixon's new collection


Sweets corner at Haworth

Literature festivals and talks (May 2010)

Living in one of the most culturally rich cities in the world, I rarely run of events to attend. In the past 2 weeks, different literature festivals and talks took place across London and I attended three of them:

At Asia House Festival of Asian Literature, I attended a talk given by Michael Booth, author of 'Sushi and Beyond: What the Japanese Know About Cooking'. I had never been to talks at Asia House before and so didn't know what to expect.

First impression: Waited in the reception area for about 5 mins, the talk started soon after people were seated.

Vibe: Sophisticated but unpretentious.

Crowd: Mixed in terms of age, sex and race... mostly foodies including well-known restaurant critic, Jay Rayner. Not only did I bump into 2 friends there, I also chatted to many who were very friendly.

Content: Very interesting... Booth was clearly very passionate about Japanese cuisine and even the Japanese lady I spoke with (who works for Japan times) was impressed by his knowledge.

Pros: Free sushi after the talk... great idea! Friendly staff, pleasant ambience and great way to socialise and meet like-minded people.

Cons: Too short... the talk with Q & A lasted only about an hour which was quite disappointing!


At Conway Hall, a School of life sermon/ talk called 'Uncertainty' was given David Eagleman, the author of 'Sum: Forty tales of the afterlife'.

I have always wanted to attend the 'School of life' events because they all look very appealing. I once booked to attend a sermon but had to cancel at the last minute, so I was quite looking forward to this. Yet I left feeling disappointed...

First impression: Huge queue outside of the hall when I arrived but were slowly let in, however, since there were hundreds of people, it took quite a while for people to get seated.

Vibe: Relaxed, casual and fun

Crowd: Mostly under 45, fashion & image-conscious (i.e. some women had their shades on throughout the talk!) and the woman next to me was typing non-stop on her iphone, it just irritated me so much!

Content: Interesting enough but much shorter than advertised... Eagleman is a confident speaker/ neuroscientist who believes in an alternative way of living: 'possibilianism' which is beyond the ideas of atheism and religions. A short introduction to a complex and fundamental issue of our lives.

Pros: They really made an effort to created a fun atmosphere, encouraging people to sing and interact...

Cons: The talk was rather short and it was not easy to socialise when there were so many people around, it all became a bit chaotic at the end.


A night out with Fran Landesman part of The London literature festival at Southbank Centre

My friend invited me to this event and we didn't have much expectation since we had never heard of Fran Landesman before. Yet the night turned out to be quite a blast!

First impression & crowd: With only about 50% full and half of them over 50, we really didn't expect to last until 9pm!

Vibe: Subdued to begin with but gradually people warmed up and were cheering and clapping very loudly at the end.

Content: When Fran appeared on stage, my friend and I were shocked to realise she is an old lady (I guess the publicity photo misled us to think that she is younger). She was joined by longtime friends and collaborators Simon Wallace, Sarah Moule, Bob Dorough and Imelda Staunton who performed jazz music with lyrics written by her. However, the best moments were when Fran herself started singing her songs & reading her own poems. She is witty, sharp, cool, radiant and her poems/ songs are funny and surprisingly timeless esp. the hilarious 'Unforgivable' (her version of 'Unforgettable')

Pros: An unofficial jazz concert took place by the bar area after the event for free!

Cons: Not much...

A really enjoyable evening that transported us back in time accompanied by great music and laughter!

Sutra & Babel @ Sadler's Wells

Sadler's Wells is my favourite theatre in London. I have been visiting regularly for years, from Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern performed by the National Ballet of China in 2003 to Antonio Gades' Carmen at the Spanish flamenco season in 2009, this is one of the best venues for dance/ cultural performances in the U.K. or possibly in Europe.

Last year, I saw Sutra for the 1st time and was really blown away. I saw it for the second time this year, although the impact wasn't as strong as the first, I was still completely captivated by the performance. It was one of the most memorable and inspiring show that I have seen in recent years.

Sutra is a collaboration between Flemish/ Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, artist Antony Gormley and composer Szymon Brzóska. Together they worked with 17 Shaolin monks to create a unique, energetic yet spiritual performance. A combination of martial arts, dance, art and music, the show demonstrates that there is little barrier between these art forms, and creativity is key to it all. With a little help from some props: man-size wooden boxes designed by Gormley, audiences are transported to a different world. No words are spoken yet there is no need for it. Not only a feast for the eyes but also for the minds!

Recently, I went to see another Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Antony Gormley collabroation, Babel. Working together with co-choreographer Damien Jalet, the tone and style of this show is completely different from Sutra. Languages and multiculturalism are explored through 18 performers/ dancers (from 13 countries) and large rectangular aluminium frames (designed by Gormley) are used this time. Although funny and thought-provoking at times, I thought the show was a bit of a mishmesh, repetitive and stale. I was quite disappointed with this show esp. after Sutra, however, having said that, I still look forward to another 'Cherkaoui & Gormley' collaboration in the future because you just never know what is in store for the audiences. And I, as an audience, like to be surprised sometimes.

Coolest cirque: Les 7 doigts de la mains

I am not sure why Montreal produces so many top contemporary circuses, does it have more gymnasts and circus schools than other cities? Perhaps. But thanks to Cirque du Soleil, which has redefined the word 'circus' and introduced us to a new form of entertainment. It is not just about the circus acts, other elements like music, theatre, dance, acrobats and visual designs are all taken into consideration.

I remember years ago (early 90s), I saw 'Saltimbanco' for the 1st time at the Royal Albert Hall and was completely blown away. I had never seen any circus performances like that before and I just loved it. Since then, I had seen 'Alegria' in Hong Kong, 'La Nouba' in Orlando and 'Saltimbanco' (2nd time) in London, but my excitment graudally diminished and their shows no longer interest me anymore.

My interest in 'nouveau cirques' returned when I saw Cirque Éloize's 'Rain' a few years ago in Moscow. I thought the show was creative, fun and full of energy. But within the past year, Les 7 doigts de la mains really caught my attention. I saw 'Traces' last year and this week, 'Psy', both at the Peacock theatre. Personally, I think they are the coolest circus around, they are young, talented, creative, energetic, clever, funny and just refreshing. There are no shiny costumes, heavy make-up and grand sets, yet the audiences are completely captivated by the shows. What makes this group stand out is that the performers are not 'faceless', they all play different characters with personalities and are related to the modern society e.g. the big brother act in 'Traces'. In 'Psy', the performers all have some kind of personality disorders and are given a segment each to 'show off' their skills. The set (a house with different rooms) is clever and well-designed, and the music is diverse, ranging from jazz to hip hop. The show is a combination of circus, dance and theatre, and the performers' attitude make everything seem so effortless (even though we all know that it can't be true). This is probably not a typical circus for young children, but it is probably the coolest circus for adults.

A new Britain?!

There is a Chinese proverb which roughly translates like this: 'There are no ever-lasting friends and there are no ever-lasting enemies.' This proverb is quite appropriate in describing the newly-formed British government. A week ago, they were enemies/ rivals and now they are acting like buddies/ best mates, who would have thought that before the election?!

I have never really been interested in politics but like many people in Britain, my interest/ concern grew over the last few months and I even voted for the first time in the general election (I have voted in the local election before). Before the election, I talked to many people and like me, they could not decide on which party/ who they wanted to vote for. Like the U.S. before their election, we also wanted things to change, yet nobody was sure if the other paries could deliver or make positive progress in the future. But unlike the U.S, we didn't have a strong candidate like Obama, Cameron wants to be like Obama or even Blair, but he lacks the charisma and is just not as convincing as them. I voted only to make sure that one party did not get a majority, I didn't vote because I believe in THAT particular party or leader and I know I am not the only one who behaved this way. I think the reason why Nick Clegg suddenly came into the spotlight was partly because people were desperate for an alternative or a fresh face... and he certainly has more charisma than Brown and Cameron.

Almost a week after the election, we finally have a new government formed by a two-party coalition. After watching the press conference on T.V., I am feeling surprisingly positive about the future because it is something 'new' and it is the huge change that we have been longing for. I think there will be difficult and unstable times ahead, but it seems like Cameron and Clegg both have the energy and determination to create something new. It is probably too early to judge or say what will happen, but at least this 'marriage' is providing us with a glimpse of hope and optimism (even if it is short-lived) in a rather uncertain period.

What will be interesting is to see if David (or Ed) Miliband succeeds Gordon Brown to be the next Labour party leader... if he does, then there will be three 'under 45' party leaders in power. Tony Blair was also under 45 when he became prime minister, so what does that tell us about our society and generation? Do we always prefer younger faces? I do feel quite sorry for Gordon Brown, not only does he lack charm but he also took office while it was in decline. I think Tony Blair beared a huge responsibility for a lot of problems that we are facing now but he had it easy and is earning so much from just giving lectures or making public appearances! What does it tell us about our society today? 1. life is unfair 2. Packaging and youth are crucial for survival in this day and age. It is sad but true...

Films 2010 (part1)

Since the beginning of the year, I have seen some excellent old and new releases in various cinemas and venues. Here are the memorable ones:

I am love (2009)
The storyline is nothing new but I came out of the cinema in a daze! I can't remember the last time I felt this way after viewing a film... this film managed to evoke something inside... sensuality? desire? Memories? Perhaps a mixture of everything. This is not a macho film, it's feminine, soft, beautiful, stylish and sensual, it's about feeling rather than thinking. Food plays an important part in this, while some may find it shallow, I experienced it as a journey of the senses. Do not try to analyse or rationalise it too much, just feel, I believe this IS the goal of the film.

Lourdes (2009)
I have to admit that I was not expecting much from this before entering the cinema but was so glad that I saw it. This is an excellent film directed by Jessica Hausner, a former assistant to Michael Haneke. Not only does it deal with an unusual topic ( faith, religion and miracle), it manages to stay objective and allows the viewerstointerpret the subject matter and ending according to their own wishes or opinions. Every frame is well-constructed with great use of colours, as well as top-notch permanances by Sylvie Testud and Elina Löwensohn. Thought-provoking, sensitive and unique, a very accomplished film.

Water (2005), free screening at Hampstead town hall
This is not a new release but I have never heard of this film before the screening. It was also my first visit to the Hampstead film society and was glad that I went. Directed by Indian/Canadian director, Deepa Mehta, this third part of a trilogy is set in India during the 1930s about the tragic lives of Indian/ Hindi widows. Due to the subject matter, the film had caused a lot of controversies and was banned in India until 2007. Despite the rather formulaic storyline, it is beautifully shot and deeply moving. The beautiful Lisa Ray is convincing as the vulnerable and tragic figure. The message here is strong, it challenges the old traditions and explores many social issues including discriminations and sexual abuse. A courageous and powerful film.

Play time (1967), free screening at Camden Arts Centre
I have actually never watched any Jacques Tati films before this screening. The free screening took place at the cafe inside the Camden Arts Centre, so we were all able to enjoy our coffees/ snacks at the same time. Great idea!
The film, I thought is funny, colourful, unusual, detailed and surreal. It must have been quite ground-breaking at the time because the storyline is thin with little dialogue yet it is visually rich and precise. It reminds me of the children books I had when I was a kid with 101 things going on and your eyes just can't rest for a minute. This is a film that needs more one viewing because there is so much going on and it's impossible to absorb everything in one go. This is probably not everyone's cup of tea esp. if you are used to the conventional narrative style of film-making, this may seem a bit pointless and odd. However, it film should be treated as an art piece, it is for observation and appreciation... not only it is skillful, it also reflects the society back then... the Bourgeois lifestyle and behaviour is depicted in a comical way, so subtle and clever!

Nightwatching (2007), + Q & A session with Peter Greenaway at ICA
This not-so-new Greenaway is only released here 2 years after it was made, how odd is that?! Well, Greenaway did explain the reason but I still find it hard to understand the distributors here. I guess 'profits' always comes before everything else, unlike the Europeans. I have not seen a Greenaway film for years, I think the last one I saw was 'The pillow book' back in 1996! When I was still an art student, Greenaway's films (together with Derek Jarman, David Lynch, Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch and John Waters) were on all our essential viewing list. Greenaway is an ART film-maker, so this film about Rembranbt is perfect for him. The scenes are staged to look like his paintings in terms of the colours, tones and mood. Most the signature Greenaway style is there: the theatre-like settings with some explicit scenes... Although it is closer to his older work, it is too long with too much dialogue (and a lot of foul words). The Q & A session afterwards was very entertaining simply because he is so eccentric and funny. He also showed us the new interactive project that he is working on, it seems like he is moving away from the conventional way of film-making, so it will be interesting to see his future projects.

L'Avventura (1960), BFI
I have seen a few of Antonioni's films including Blow-up and his later ones, though I have never seen this before. This is considered a ground-breaking film at the time and I can see why. It is beautifully shot, slow-paced and emotionally distant yet it is mesmerizing and memorable. Most of the characters are flawed, living empty and shallow lives, with an exception of (the beautiful) Claudia who seems more genuine than the others (probably because she is not from the same Bourgeois background). In many ways, this reminds me of Bergman's films... the use of beautiful nature settings, isolation and loneliness and most of all, the complexity of human psychology and dysfunctional relationships.

Je veux voir (2008), Palestian film festival at the Barbican Centre
I didn't read much about this and so I didn't know what to expect from it before the viewing. The film probably attracts because of Catherine Deneuve and she is on screen throughout the entire film. It is a documentary-like film with Deneuve (playing herself) visiting the war-torn parts of Lebanon. While she is being driven around by a local, nothing much really happens, but the dialogue and scenery is enough for us to meditate on. I thought the ending is a bit awkward but overall, it is a very subtle and thought-provoking film.

My heart beats only for her (2008), Palestian film festival at the Barbican Centre + Q & A session with director
I found it hard to fully appreciate this film/ documentary, perhaps because I am not so familiar with the subject matter, so the Q & A session was useful and informative. Set in Hanoi, Dubai and Beirut, the film interviews a few people and explores their political, revolution and economic views. The film is not told in a direct format, it is almost like a montage and sometimes a bit hard to follow. I struggled to relate or feel much towards this documentary but it probably means more to those affected by the issues.