UK Democracy in action

As is often said we have the least worst system there is and I was amused to hear, on the radio someone asking what did they think our 'professional' politicians might be replaced with?

Settle the argument of the Chagossians

A fair deal should be given.

So walking through Whitehall I was slightly comforted to see that protesters were being vocal - one lot talking about Chagossians - a group that had bypassed me up until now -seems they were a bunch of immigrants/indentured labour transported in British Empire days to Islands around Mauritius - the land they inhabited was then ceded to USA for military bases, they were moved on (to Mauritius or UK)  and they've not been allowed to return  or adequately compensated - hope they get justice!

The other protest I saw was un-surprisingly protesting about Aleppo - not sure that the cure for this will be down to just money - seems that either interfering or not is still having terrible consequences for many civilians.

A reasonable ambition 

Social Care budget increased

A view of the Westminster village

Exchange is no robbery

I was in town to see Lord Bourne (my brother) and I managed to meet up with him to do our annual exchange of presents - he very busy with Government issues  around care for the elderly versus building homes - not going to be popular which either way you go on a choice over those two - but at least the issue is up for debate.

Fear and Love, New Courses- 2017 beckons

Urbaisation continues to challenge 

Well yesterday I mentioned Beazley Designs of the Year today I'm looking at  the

More Fear than Love?

other 'ticketed' event at The  Design Museum, oh yes Ticketed means not free unless you're a member.










Well the second exhibition is called Fear and Love and is more difficult to describe to visitors than the packed and straightforward 'Designs of The Year'.

Feedback can help us deal with stress 

This exhibition looks at the challenges ahead from the continued urbanisation of endemic peoples to the mass migrations sweeping the world.


Also considered are robotics and even the sociologcal challenges that includes  rocketing levels of Stress in Developed cities (Like London) while in the  'developing world' the emergence of LGBT sensibilities in countries like the formerly  'conservative' India.

If Robotics is you're thing then this might excite you (or scare you!)

In fact one of the items that packs the most punch post Brexit is the European living - the idea that an anti- Government vote in the UK will derail this is to be taken with a pinch of salt (in my view) but something to think about - if we're fixated on a Dystopian perspective.

A view that identifies us all as 'European'

New Year New Course

Another year another course

Great news from my annual car service (less money spent than I feared)  means that I am able to book courses for 2017 - first is an Introduction to Tate Modern - if it's even close to being as good as this year's National Gallery Introduction (vb150) it'll be great.

Designs of the year at Kensington High Street

The 'New' home of Design Museum

So having directed more than a few people around the 'New' Design Museum HQ in Kensington High Street felt it was time that I at least dipped my toe in the pool of what's on show.

After a 'comfort break' first on the list to see was the Beazley  Design of the Year and certainly having looked at it I wouldn't hesitate to point people at it -there's a lot to see.

Samaritans campaign.

Someday?

                 
 Diverse is just a hint of what's on show from Architecture like the Tate Modern Extension to the Samaritans recent advertising campaign.


Nice emphasis on the social and environmental ideas (Phonvert for example which is all about reusing 'mobiles') that are out there.


 My favourite from the eco ideas was the Open Source Precious Plastics  also very keen on the Joto -shared screens (an 'etch- a-sketch for the internet age)   for so many of those things we want to share.

Another Kickstarter supported idea 

[Also liked the re-booted Kodak Super 8 - new directors take note]

A long overdue reboot for the Kodak Super 8 range 

The OPEN source designs from Precious Plastics - a fine example of Modern Philanthropy 

Robert Rauschenberg and reminders

If you get bored or can't sleep, are lucky enough to live in the UK and have access  to a TV and the BBC iPlayer I recommend taking a look at the Arts section of the application.

A recent visit to this section revealed to me via a Alistair Sooke fronted Artsnight programme on Robert Rauschenberg - intriguing story and view on the artist who although not as infamous as Warhol or Duchamp was similarly influential.

Robert Hughes quite literally
wrote the book on Modern Art

What I liked about the artist that was investigated was along with  his non-artistic background, his restless search  for new experiences and his philanthropy was the evidence that he smiled a lot  and did not take his activities too seriously.

Many critics were irritated by the fact that he moved on and tried so many different approaches, in The Shock of the New (by the hugely influential Robert Hughes) Brian O'Doherty is quoted as a saying 'he did not seem house trained ' but he was a man who had a vision beyond art and sold many of his collections to help fund the Rauschenberg Overseas Cultural Interchange (ROCI).

Retroactive 1 (1964)

As well as using 'found objects' in his works particularly  during his time in New York Rauschenberg was a great artist of Silkscreen prints.


I will definitely check out the exhibition atLondon's Tate Modern 


[And thankfully you can catch the TV documentary series The Shock of the New on youtube]

Memories

Talking with a friend about the strange way (human) memory can deteriorate - reminded me how connections hover - this Pizza van for example.

Took me a little while to make the connection with travelling Pizza van during our time in Ecully (outside Lyon) France.

Brought back thoughts of great Pizza past.