Look, London’s on TV!

It’s a real treat to watch TV these days. Pretty unusual, I know. But before going into some analysis that will most likely lead nowhere, how about just checking out these high quality documentaries about London.

It started with this 3 part series about The London Markets, focusing on the city’s oldest wholesale market, which  is on the verge of big changes. Full of character  (and characters), do get familiar with Smithfield, Billingsgate, and Spitalfields.

The Secret History of Our Streets is a series on how London has changed since Charles Booth’s social conditions survey in 1886. While charting stories of change, they already ‘unearthed’ Deptford High Street and Camberwell Grove. More to come.

London: A Tale of Two Cities with Dan Cruickshank explores the city in the 17th century, one of the most dramatic times in London’s history. Nothing like a passionate historian showing you around the city, what can I say…

I could go on with a long list of superlatives, but I’m sure you want to see for yourself. Highly enjoyable, informative and fun, all these documentaries are a treat for any professional, amateur, or amateur professional London explorer.

Tip: It goes without saying that walking the streets and markets in real life too it’s a must. With all this info on board, it will double the experience.

Brains, Amis & Dawkins

Walk through Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, take a break at Wellcome Collection and see Brains. Not easy to digest, and definitely not a good idea to connect it with some offal dinner you were looking forward to. But it’s a must for the incurably curious. You’ll get very close (literally) to your soft mysterious friend under the skull, all in the same combination Wellcome is famous for: art, science and nature. It’s a popular exhibition, it’s free, so it might be busy now and then, but worth queuing for.

Since you’re already in the area, why not try spend this evening with Martin Amis at the Bloomsbury Theatre? His new novel divided the critics. Always interesting hearing the author’s side too.

Regardless of religious affiliation, listening to Richard Dawkins, the evolutionary biologist, on the 14^th of June, should crown a perfect stroll through the National Portrait Gallery. Good addition to Brains too.

Urban inspiration – tracking down the big exhibitions

This Monday morning I was passing by the National Portrait Gallery in London. There were two impressive queues going round the corners of the building. It was sunny and just minutes to 10 am when the gallery opens. In London, it’s normal to have people queuing to visit an exhibition. And it has nothing to do with the sun. They would have opened their umbrellas.

That’s one of the great things about big cities: endless cultural treats, and enough ‘spectators’ for endless sold out events. Take David Hockey, one of UK’s most known artists of the last century. His recently finished iPad Yorkshire landscapes exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts was a hit, with people waiting in line sometimes for hours (winter time!), raving reviews, huge banners across the city’s walls, and plastic bags with colorful landscapes. Of course, a well-oiled marketing machinery can be blamed for part of the success, but with major artists is not hard to sell out. Maybe because they are such a big inspiration.

I agree, inspiration is an intimate, hard to define and classify experience but if you’re all wound up when faced to masterpieces, not missing the major exhibitions out there is a big plus.

If you happened to be or just pass through London until the end of May, don’t miss Lucian Freud Portraits. Here you have some incentives. It’s the most ambitious exhibition of his work since 2001, with over 100 paintings, drawings and etchings brought together from around the world. That’s quite unique, as you might never be able to see some of these portraits again. At least in real life.

Freud (1922-2011) was one of those great realist artists able to create work of striking observational intensity. It is a bit like an overdose of sincerity that stirs the viewer and forces pensive moods. With around 100 human beings staring straight at you from the paintings is a pretty intense encounter that might leave you feeling drained and exposed. There is a fascination in his use of thicker brushes, dense application of pigments, chronological changes in style, sitters and interests. The stories that come with the portraits are just as inspiring as the paintings themselves. From famous people to royalty, family and friends, many wanted to pose for him. Including the Queen. And it’s not a flattering portrait. But then again, you didn’t pose for Freud if you wanted flattery.

The exhibition is not recommended to prudes who think art is just cherubs and apples on a plate. Or to vicars. I’m telling this because although the vicar I heard the other day was impressed with Freud’s talent, he wasn’t particularly fond of his choice of topics.

I cannot guarantee no queuing at the entrance, but just being there could bring about some ideas.
More about other big names in the city soon. Enjoy!

National Portrait Gallery, London
Until 27 May 2012

Text originally published on InspiredMagazine