Joan Miró

Yesterday evening I went with some friends to the Tate Modern exhibition [link] of the Spanish Surrealist painter Joan Miro. We were all very moved by this retrospective. I was particularly affected by one room in which there were six larger single colour paintings. I had a very strong feeling of positivity & a great energy for life. In fact this is probably the most optimistic I've ever felt leaving a gallery ! This exhibition runs until September hope you can catch it, love tt

George Shaw

I caught the exhibition 'Last Days of the Comet' at the Hayward Gallery last week. This is number 7 of the British Art Show Series, which also visits other UK cities over the next few months [link]. I was really touched by three paintings by the artist George Shaw featuring the Coventry council estate he grew up on. The Art show's website mentions that Shaw started these paintings 'as a kind of mourning' for the person that he used to be, and are 'as much about what has been forgotten, lost, swept away, as about what is remembered'. Maybe, that's why I had such a surprising feeling of nostalgia when I saw them. It's a different town,but they reminded me of the housing estate of the first house my parents owned in Basingstoke. I never expected to walk into a gallery & have that memory rendered so powerfully ! Until the 15th of May there is also a solo exhibition of his work at the Baltic Centre in Gateshead [link] love tt

Katerina Athanasopoulou - Engine Angelic

My friend katerina Athanasopoulou is a very talented animator [link] this is her new short 'Engine Angelic' [watch here]. I'm really impressed by it but also a bit disturbed ! To find out more about the different processes that were used to construct the film just follow this link [link]. Hope you enjoy ! love tt

Shun-kin / The kids are alright

Spent a nice evening in the Barbican centre [link] last night (this has to be my favourite arts centre !), quickly browsed the 'Future Beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion' exhibition. At this kind of event the crowd is actually more interesting than the exhibition. I think they all secretly want to be spotted by photographer Scot Schuman and posted on 'The Sartorialist' ! And saw another wonderful production from the theatre company Complicitie [link]. 'Shun-kin' is the second production I've seen by them and even though the play may deal with adult themes I always feel as engrossed as a child by the magical way they tell stories. Earlier in the week I saw ' The Kids are Alright' which I loved. A few friends were less enthusiastic, maybe it comes down to whether you think characters in films should be exemplary representatives of a particular group or rather flawed like most of us... anyways, lots of great stuff to see & think about ! love tt

Metropolis, Brigitte Helm

I caught a screening of the recently restored and reconstructed version of Metropolis this week [link]. It's the first time I've seen this 1927 classic and I was mesmerised. I know the movie bankrupted a film studio but it was probably worth it to create such an amazing work of art !! When Brigitte Helm who played the dual role of Maria and the Maschinenmensch ( machine human ) is in her first incarnation as Maria, I was thinking 'ok, this is a good performance but it's your standard vision of the innocent & virginal young woman that you find in most silent films' but when she becomes the diabolical and very worldly Machine Human I was petrified ! She's able to express every sin just by raising an eyebrow - and she was only 17 when she played the role !! Brigitte Helm was clearly a strong character in real life as well, in 1935 angered by the Nazi control of the German film industry she retired to married life in Switzerland and never granted even one interview about her film career. Of course, that just makes her more fascinating ! Love tt

Museum of Everything

Yesterday, I discovered the Museum of Everything [link]. Perhaps, I have been sleeping under a rock because it's near my neighbourhood & I should have noticed such a wonderful thing much sooner ! Artist Peter Bake has curated the collection, you will find Walter Potter's Museum of Curiosity, rather sinister dolls, Punch & Judys', miniature fairgrounds among other delights & the buzz of being in a genuinely exciting space. They also serve tea for free ! What stronger recommendation could you want :) love tt

Catch Up !

When you finish making an album, there's the euphoric bit ' Wow, I've just made a record ! ' and in the weeks that follow there's the bit where you feel slightly lost. I'm experiencing that bit right now. So, I've been catching up on some theatre, I saw 'Deathtrap' [link] with a great cast led by Simon Russell Beale, miraculously I did not know the story & was the perfect audience member, jumping out of my seat with every twist in the plot. I also saw 'A disappearing Number' which had a brief revival in the West End. This was the second time I've seen it - why am I so fascinated by a show which has so much mathematics (by far my worst subject at school) ?! Well, it is poetic and ends up being as much about love & loss as mathematics and there is the comforting thought of all the infinities :) Saw the film 'Winter's Bone' [link] great performances, you will either be a little frustrated by the vagueness of the plot or find that the most compelling thing about it. I'm also listening to a lot of music in a wonderfully intense way, the process of making a record makes you hyper aware of every nuance of other records not just your own. I was listening to the radio & discovered the American librettist & lyricist Dorothy Fields [link]. One track after the other, 'I can't Give you Anything but Love, baby', 'The Way You look Tonight' and 'If they could See Me now' came on & I was just floored. The lyrics are extraordinary. I've started Field's biography and I'm sure I will discover more of her great music. Anyway, please enjoy Judy Garland's live version of 'I Can't Give You Anything but Love', it's heartbreaking & glorious, lotsoflove tt

Carmen Herrera

Just read this great article from the NYT about the Cuban artist Carmen Herrera [link]. Her story is so inspiring and work so beautiful if you have a moment it is worth checking out and don't forget the slide show ! The above painting is called "Red with white Triangle" (1961). Lots of love, tt

Jenny and the Worm

I went to the the London Calling new short films screening earlier this week, part of the London Film festival. I was really impressed by the high standard and creativity in this section. My favourite film was a very funny short called 'Jenny and the Worm' by writer-director Ian Clark. Two teenage punks and a giant worm, what more could you want from an evening's entertainment ?!! If you have the chance do try and see it, I'm sure it will be playing at most festivals in the coming months, love tt

Wind Shadow

I went to the Barbican last night and saw a performance by the Cloud Gate Theatre Company of Taiwan, it was brilliant and puzzling. The finale is extraordinary and if you have the chance it is worth seeing the show for this moment alone. Love tt

City paradise

Last week I saw some films at the animation festival in London. 'City Paradise' by the film maker Gaelle Dennis really caught my eye. I hope you enjoy it ! Love tt

Su Blackwell and Dorian Gray

I've just discovered the works of the artist Su Blackwell. She works with paper and creates book-cut sculptures that are really enchanting. If you have a moment check out her website where you can see some of these wonderful pieces [link]. Last night I also saw a truly atmospheric production of ' Dorian Gray ' in the tiny basement theatre of the already small Leicester Square Theatre [link] ! I really felt transported to another time by this production, and I was enraptured by the classic story. I guess the two experiences have a similar charm, even if they have quite dark and adult themes, there is a magical simplicity in how they are presented that makes you feel rather like a child. Lots of love tt

Christie's Arsep

Sylvie Bardet, who created my rather lovely website, has a photo in the Christie's ARSEP art auction. All the proceeds from this auction will go towards ARSEP : [link] an organization which funds essential research into multiple sclerosis. If you are interested in photography or would just like to contribute to a great cause or both please check out the online auction [link], you can also see the photos in person at the Christie's salesroom, Paris June 1-3. Lots of love tt

Easter

Over Easter, I visited 3 London exhibitions. Roni Horn at the Tate [link] I had the feeling that she was not quite comfortable with the space and I preferred seeing her work in Iceland. Hussein Chalayan at the Design Museum [link] was fun, I really liked the film with the futuristic pod. And my favourite Annette Messager at the Hayward [link]. If you have the chance, please see it ! I think the installation 'Casino' is one of the most beautiful and magical I've ever seen. Love tt.

Helen Levitt

I was saddened to hear that Helen Levitt the photographer has recently passed away. I've mentioned her before on the 'mystuff page' of my website as I am a big fan. It may seem trite to say this but she really was able to tell a story in a photo. I always felt that she was coming from the same place as her subjects, there's no judgement, polite barrier or commentary (well, that's sort of impossible but you know what I mean). She was a rare talent and will be greatly missed. Love tt.