Saturday 13th Oct: ANTHEA HAMILTON & JULIE VERHOEVEN "Fruity Seating"

ANTHEA HAMILTON & JULIE VERHOEVEN "Fruity Seating"

SORRY I’M LATE  / FIRSTSITE  /  8 September – 25 November

Saturday 13th Oct: Anthea Hamilton - Sorry Im Late

Anthea Hamilton - Sorry Im Late

FirstSite

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH

Saturday 8 September - Sunday 25 November

Anthea Hamilton's interpretation of her exhibition, Sorry I'm Late at firstsite, Colchester from firstsite on Vimeo.

Friday 12th Oct: "Naomi Who?" District MTV & Viacom Talking Shop

A new online resource from MTV has recently launched focusing on the cross-over fusion of fashion and music which began with the seminal music video genre given a platform by the pioneering channel.  The site profiles new talent emerging in both industries in addition to digging the archives to re-visit classic and influential game changing historical moments from the last three decades.  To highlight the current climate of commerce arising from brands aligning with musicians and visa versa, DistrictMTV hosted a panel discussion with informers and gurus from separate sectors of the industry.  This perfectly balanced composition of knowledge and opinion comprised of Yasmin Sewell, Charlie Porter, Lulu Kennedy, Quentin Jones and Princess Julia - compered by editor Melanie Hick.  Topics covered the advantages and authenticity in past partnerships such as Madonna & Gaultier thru to recent collaborations like Alexander Wang & ASAP Rocky or Mulberry & Lana Del Ray.    My favourite part of the process of the panel probing themes of nostalgia in context of MTV, was reminiscing the subcultural waves of influence on pop when DIY culture caused a shift with Judy Blame sighted as potentially the first "stylist" adding his flare with Neneh Cherry etc.  The talk was entitled "Naomi who?" after a quote by Alex Noble questioning whether musicians have taken the place of super models from an interview with the designer for his appearance in the MTV Playground series.  Still working with the company, Alex actually art directed the interior space for the two day event which you can see here with his murals, cosmic canteen and painted mannequins.  Set Designer Robert Storey has also created a wooden sculpture of the DistrictMTV logo to travel to the MVA's and Nickleodeon had thier own space for SpongeBob Squarepants!

Head over to the site to see the initial content the initiative has kick started with .............. and submit your own photos for a chance to appear alongside your favourite acts and artists.

(Party photos include:  dj's Jim Stanton and Severino of Horse Meat Disco, Lulu, Maarten van der Horst, Charlie Porter, Alex Noble, Quentin Jones, Peter Duffy, Zaiba Jabber, Princess Julia)

Thurs 11th Oct: New Re-visions: Art in Residence at NEO Bankside "Continental Living "

Curated by Nadim Samman, "Continental Living" is a group show of contemporary African art that seeks to displace the popular British euphemism for European sophistication and look towards the cultural lights of Timbuktu, Bamako, Marrakesh and beyond. Featuring strategies of appropriation and hybrid stylistics, the exhibition showcases fashion, function and self-creation from the continent............. I particularly love the counterfeit LV monograph upholstery on this motorbike and seating .......... and the original Hamidou Maiga portraits.

(Exhibiting Artists: Aboudia, Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou, Bandoma, Hassan Hajjaj, Paa Joe, Goncalo Mabunda, Hamidou Maiga, Vincent Michea and Zak Ove)

NEO Bankside Pavilion C 70 Holland Street London SE1 9FU

10th October until 10th November 2012 By Appointment Only visit@houseofthenobleman.com

Weds 10th Oct: V1 GALLERY & THE HOLE PRESENTS: MATTHEW STONE AT THE HOUSE OF THE NOBLEMAN

A day ahead the official opening of Frieze Art Fair in London, "New Re-Visions" launched at Neo Bankside - a gallery in the top floor pent house apartments over looking the Tate Modern and stunning Southbank river view.  I headed down to see Matthew Stone's selection in the group show which fitted neatly into the space with its vast wooden floors as the angular sculptures slotted into corners of the triangular window facets.  Here you can see the photographic 3D works alongside hanging canvases of his trademark abstract portraits portraying tonal harmonies of human skin with sweeps of his additional pastel colour palette complimenting the curves.  His London crew turned out in full force to represent and inspect the works to detect which limb or soft slice of flesh may belong to them e.g  Phoebe Collings James and Sean Frank  (seen above and also in the current issue of Vogue shot by Daniel Jackson).  After the initial cordial protocol of private views, the proceedings turned into a mini penthouse party with Matthew Josephs spinning a soundtrack inspiring an impromptu limbo dance session.  Not an example of your regular art opening, but then Matthew Stone isn't your regular artist!

Watch Matthew's latest film for Channel 4 "Random Acts" above 'EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE' - a visual manifesto-cum-music video encapsulating the importance of his own definition of optimism from acts of kindness.

"Everything is Possible & Love Changes Everything.  Looking back now it had become clear to me that we are still able to credibly speak about love. A love that finds its feet in a kindness that is more powerful than violence. A love that's mystery lies in a type of beauty that is beyond the body & that dwarfs the things that you can buy."

(Top to bottom:  Matthew, Sean & Phoebe, Carri & Rich, Matthew & IsaGT, Theo & Ashleigh, William Richard Green & Daryoush Haj-Najafi & Craig Lawrence)