Ideas to live by

Spitalfields market at night

Last week, I attended a D & AD event hosted by the School of life and one of the speakers, John-Paul Flintoff, mentioned something quite timely and intriguing. He suggested that we should live each day as if it was our last and he used the Buddhist philosophy to illustrate his point: the fact that we never know what will happen next, we should appreciate each moment of our lives. Ironically, his point was made when disaster struck Japan the next day...

What would you do if you find out that today is your last day on earth? Would you still be bothered by the annoying remark made by your colleague the day before ? Would you still fuss over the bad service your received at lunchtime? Sometimes we are so bogged down by the minor discomforts or insignificant events in life that we lose perspectives of the whole picture. Sometimes we need to step back and not take everything so personally and seriously, life is really too short for that!

For the past week, my sleep has been greatly disrupted mainly due to the psychological effect of watching the continuous media coverage on Japan. Hence it's hard to imagine what it must be like for the victims who survived the disasters or just ordinary Japanese citizens who have no idea of their country's future. But I also received good news from my Japanese friend in Toyko... she gave birth to a healthy baby girl one day after the earthquake! She assures me that the Japanese people are stronger and more resilient than ever and they are all helping each other out during the most difficult time even though they know it may takes up to 10 years to rebuild their country. Her reassurance makes me admire them even more, and I am hopeful that they will be able to get through this eventually.

Despite all the unsettling news around the world at the moment, life has to go on... In London, sunny blue sky has been seen on and off for the last 2 weeks, so perhaps spring is really just round the corner? Seeing cherry blossoms around town is uplifting and they add colours to the dull winter cityscape. As usual, I have been busy attending cultural events around town but many of them were less £10, proving that there are still bargains to be found in the midst of cuts and recessions... From now on, I will include the prices I paid for each event just to give people an idea of what I get for my money...


A sunny day in London


Exhibitions

One of the most cost-efficient way to enjoy the cultural side of London is to become members of major institutions or museums. Since I joined the Art Fund a few weeks ago, I have been enjoying exhibitions around town for either 1/2 the listed price of free of charge. I just wished that I had discovered this earlier!!

British Art Now 7: In the days of the comet @ Hayward Gallery (£5 with Art Fund membership)
It got pretty good reviews by critics but I have mixed feelings towards this show. I think some of the work are incomprehensible and a bit pointless (i.e. the naked guy watching the fire on a bench!) but there are some memorable ones like American artist Christian Marclay's The Clock. Personally, I think that Newspeak: British Art Now Part 1 at the Saatchi Gallery was better and now I just need to see Part 2 before it ends next month.

Robert Mapplethorpe: Night work @ Alison Jacques gallery (Free to all)
Mapplethorpe was huge and influential in the 80s and this exhibition curated by the Scissor sisters featured his artwork for the Night Works album. Divided into two locations on Berners Street, the exhibition included photographs, sculptures and installations. Some of the photographs are still shocking after all these years and they remain as powerful statements that reflect the political, cultural and sexual climates of the time.



Robert Mapplethorpe

Gabriel Orozco @ Tate Modern (£5 with Art Fund membership, normally at £11 each!)
Although I enjoyed the exhibition, I honestly think that £11 is too expensive... after paying £15 for the Gauguin exhibition, I was determined not to be ripped off by Tate Modern again!
Otherwise, Orozco's work is playful, insightful and diverse, ranging from photographs, paintings, sculptures to large installations. My favourites include 'La DS', a car sliced lengthways but put back together as a long one-seater without the engine and 'Ventilator', a ceiling fan with rolls of toilet paper attached to it. Unlike many other contemporary artists, Orozo doesn't create art to shock, instead he reinvents everyday and found objects that we can relate to. If you are not familiar with Orozco's work, then this exhibition will be a good starting point.


Talk

D & AD president's lecture: School of life - Ideas to live by @ Logan Hall (£10 for non D & AD member)
This sold-out talk was a taster for the School of life and was divided into 4 segments: 'How to spend your free time' by Cathy Haynes, 'How to be cool' by Nick Southgate, 'How to live with technology' by Tom Chatfield and 'How to change the world' by John-Paul Flintoff. Entertaining, thought-provoking and relevant, the popularity of the School of life may indicate that our hedonistic society or culture is finally coming to an end...

D & AD sharp'ner: What is a great idea? @ Vibe bar (£5 for non D & AD member)
What makes an idea 'great'? It's quite hard to define but the four speakers from the creative industry came together for one evening to try and answer this question.

Buddhist sculpture: Antony Gormley @ British Museum (£5 for non museum member)
Who would be more qualified than Gormley to give a talk on Buddhist sculptures? Probably not that many. However, I don't think he is the most engaging speaker, so there were some flat moments during the hour long talk, having said that, it was still a great opportunity to hear about his journeys around Asia and his views on Buddhist sculptures.


Antony Gormley


Theatre & dance

The red shoes @ Battersea Arts Centre (freebies from Timeout! Otherwise it's £17.50 each)
Every now and again, I would enter certain Timeout competitions to try and win cinema or theatre tickets, and I got lucky this time round! Since this show received many positive reviews, my friend and I were really looking forward to it. We love the venue (an old town hall) and the informal setting of the stage and seating area, though our backs did get tired and achy by the end of the show. It all started off well, quirky, funny and energetic but it kinda lost the plot and went down hill half way through. As the storyline got darker, it got messier and a bit out of control, it was a shame because it could have been better. However, the overall performances were great and it was refreshing to see something unconventional in this wonderful building.



A bold stroke for a husband @ Bridewell Theatre (£6.50 for online booking/ £7 at the door)
I have never been to a lunchtime theatre show before... now I think it's a fantastic idea and would definitely go again in the future! I sometimes find theatre shows overpriced and too long, so it's great to go to a one-hour show with excellent performances and under a tenner! This debut production by Little bear is fun and uplifting, and it makes you want to escape the cold weather in London and fly to Spain right after the show!!

Connect festival: High Res @ Sadler's Wells (£5)
This bargain show provided us a chance to see professional choreographers working with local people including employees from the Islington Council and youths from housing estates. Highlights of the evening: Octomino performed by Rough Youth dance company and Man alone/ A Night up West! by Dancers from Company of Elders (whose average age is 79!). A sharp contrast between the youth and the elderly but both equally inspiring and engaging, Octomino was energetic and powerful whereas the elderly ones were humourous and entertaining.


Tango

Alejandro Ziegler Quartet @ Conway Hall (£5 for the 30 min pre-milonga concert or £15 for the whole evening including milonga with 2 sessions of live music)
This relatively new but talented Argentinian tango ensemble performed only one night at their debut in London and there were less than 30 of us at the pre-milonga concert. Where were all those tango music lovers? If this had taken place in Asia, the tickets would have been sold for a lot more and would probably be packed... it's times like this that makes me appreciate the cultural diversity of cities like London and New York. Yet it is also a shame because with so many cultural events going on in these cities, it's easy to miss them as well!


Alejandro Ziegler Quartet


Films

Mapping Subjectivity: Experimentation in Arab Cinema from the 1960s to Now @ Tate Modern (£5 per ticket)
A special film season that celebrates the talents from the Arab World since the 1960s, the timing is perfect as we observe the unsettling political conflicts and crisis unfolding in many of the Arabic countries at the moment. A good opportunity to see films that don't get general releases in cinemas or on DVDs.

The Tangier 8 (Morocco / France 2009)
In 2009, Tamaas, an international non-profit arts organisation, invited eight poets and filmmakers from France, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, and the United States, to Tangier to make short films about the city. Experimental, artistic, haunting, subtle, emotional and dreamy... not every film works but it is the concept and feeling that matter most.

Cracks/ Fissures (Morocco 2010)
I want to like this film but I find it hard to partly because it is too suffocating and distressing for me. There is nothing wrong with the acting nor directing, but pain and neediness of the characters is quite unbearable. Perhaps the director has succeeded in pushing the boundaries but it was too much burden for the audiences to carry. An emotional draining film.

Norwegian wood (2009)
I usually try not to read film reviews before seeing a film but I couldn't help noticing the mixed reviews for this highly anticipated film. Despite being a fan of Murakami for almost 20 years, it has been a long time since I read Norwegian wood, so my memory of the story has faded over the years. I wasn't quite convinced by the choice of director when I first heard of the project. Although I knew it would be a beautiful and sensual film, I was afraid that it would be too artistic and self-indulgent. However, in this case, perhaps self-indulgence is needed to convey the messages of loss, pain, narcissism and self-destructiveness. Ignoring the original novel, I actually think that this film works on its own and was quite pleasantly surprised by it. Not only it is beautiful and raw, but it also captures the loss of innocence and the pain of growing up and bereavement. Perhaps my opinion will change when I re-read the novel but I think the director's brave attempt has paid off even though many others might disagree with me.


T.V.

Broadwalk Empire (Sky Atlantic) - How overrated is this show? I just can't get into it! Yes, it is nicely executed and well performed but it's hard to feel for any of the characters. The pace and storyline are not the issues here, it's just boring! Disappointing.

The Big C (More 4/ Channel 4) - Surprisingly, this comedy drama about a middle-aged housewife diagnosed with cancer turns out to be better than I expected and this is all due to Laura Linney. She brings joy and energy to the show and now I am hooked!

Wonders of the Universe (BBC2)
Is Brian Cox the new Judd Law? This ex pop-star scientist is using his charm and 'soft' power to change the way we view science and it works! He is making science more accessible to all and apparently, more students are enrolled to study physics at schools! I can't say I am his fan but I think the subject/ programme is very interesting and I am sure it would have been a completely different story if it was narrated by an elderly professor!

Agony & ecstasy: A year with ENB (BBC4)
In the last two years, BBC4 has become one of my favourite T.V. channels. This behind-the-scenes documentary series bring viewers to the English National Ballet where we see the real lives of ballerinas. Forget 'Black Swan', this is the real deal!


Cafes

Fernandez & Wells @ St Anne's Court, Soho
It's easy to miss this small cafe in the Soho alleyway. There are only a few tables but it doesn't feel too packed unlike the always busy Princi nearby. Most of the clients here are in media and film production and so I keep overhearing topics on the showbiz. The coffee here is good but the pastel de nata/ Portuguese custard tart is even better! The texture of the custard is smooth and not too sweet and the pastry is crispy and flaky, probably one of best I have tasted in London!


Coffee and pastel de nata

London review bookshop cafe, Holborn
I wanted to try this place out 2 weeks ago but it was completely packed, so I came back again only to find the place packed again! With the slightly warmer weather, I decided to sit outside in the courtyard with my coffee and cake. I was told that they use organic expresso blend from Monmouth coffee, no wonder this place is packed all the time... it's the Monmouth effect!!


Coffee & cake


Restaurants

Donna Margherita, Lavender Hill
Only because the cafe at the Battersea Arts Centre hadn't opened that we decided to try this rustic-looking Italian restaurant opposite and I was glad that we did. The pizza here was thin and tasty, accompanied by friendly and efficient service, this is a real local gem!

Poppies fish and chips, Spitalfields
London used to have at least one fish and chips shop in every local area, but then most of them closed down in the early 90s... and now we are seeing a mini revival. Unlike other new fish and chips restaurants, this one is owned by a retired fryer who has been in the business since 1953. The 1950s decor and staff outfits seems fun but I didn't see a smile from anyone until they said goodbye to me! In terms of food, the fish was fresh but it was slightly under-seasoned and the batter was not crispy enough. The wine was reasonably-priced and merely drinkable. The prices are not cheap here and with so many competitions in the area, I think it needs to try harder esp. before the novelty factor wears off.



Poppies

Yo! sushi
I usually try to avoid chained restaurants and cafes but sometimes I would pop in if I was in a rush. It has been years since I dined at Yo! sushi but I was hungry and craving for sushi, with not many options in the area, I decided to give this place another try. About 30 minutes later, I left the place feeling that I have been ripped off... £20 for 5 plates of mediocre food was simply outrageous! No wonder tourists constantly complain about the food in London, now I am starting to know why...