Tuesday 1st Dec: Indie Label Market

It just gets better and better each time, I absolutely LOVE the Indie Label Market!  Not only can you pick up rareities (like this Laraaji cassette compilation) but you can also meet the artists - see Thundercat here on Ninja Tune's stall.  In the centre of Spitafields market DJ's from each label are on rotation playing sets from the day's selections, and a Craft Beer festival serves up winter warming specialist ales.  It's the perfect place to pick up the bits and pieces you've been plotting to purchase and get them direct from the promotors.  In these times of URL virtual communications, its priceless to be able to have these kind of IRL experiences!!  

Monday 30th Nov: The Winter Tree at Standen House by Zandra Rhodes & Andrew Logan

Friends and artists Zandra Rhodes and Andrew Logan have joined cosmic forces to collaborate on Christmas this year at the Arts & Crafts period Standen House.  Ive been lucky enough to see Andrew's Christmas Tree decorating skills myself with his own tree, and now the public can enjoy this vision in full glory at the National Trust property in Sussex.   He used neon road maintenance safety tape to wrap the branches into fluorescent prongs to hang hand-mirrors decorated in Zandra's trademark swirls.  This pattern was carried thru to paper chains and lattice bunting was bound into ball shapes from the orange netting also salvaged from highway usage!  This conscious adaptation of found materials was key to keeping the process in line with William Morris approach to creation.  The duo also actively involved the local community by inviting children to donate toys to suspend in clear bubble baubles so that everyone had input to the installation.  The lights were switched on with a special night of a presentation about the commissioned project.  There's another chance to catch this event with artists in residence on Monday 14th and a fashion show of both Zandra's clothes with Andrew's accessories that weekend.  Head over to the site to see full details.

(Photos from the opening and a separate portrait of Zandra at last week's WProject symposium which is unrelated but only days apart to illustrate how busy this inspirational Dame is!).