All Things Considered

The Weather Tree
Posted by Kate Sullivan

It's so very British to talk about the weather. When we're in a spell of either hot or rainy climatic events, it feels as though we're in it for ever, but of course we never are. The Weather Tree is one way of showing how good (or bad) the British seasons really is.

The Weather Tree poster is a simple drawing of a tree with twelve branches representing the twelve months of the year. The branches have have a leaf for everyday of the twelve months. You decide on the colours you want to depict the weather types, then you simply colour in a leaf everyday to record the day's meteorological happenings.

Dorothy Thelwall, the artist behind the weather tree, is also producing One-Day-at-a-Time Tree. This poster helps you record what ever daily achievement you wish.

I'm about to make a purchase, they cost £5 each including postage and packaging. I'm going to buy the Weather Tree and a the One-Day-at-a-Time Tree to record my irrational mood swings - could the two are related?

Posted by Kate Sullivan on August 1st, 2008

Boudica Lifecasts
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Michelle Payne from The Upstairs Gallery sent an email earlier in the week in response to a previous post I had written about the powerful and inspiring book The Boudica Within.

Michelle, an artist and experienced lifecaster (images of  her work can be found here) takes commissions from people to cast their body parts.

To accompany the The Boudica Within, Michelle has taken plaster impressions of the women who
feature in the book and is hoping later this year, to take the artwork on a UK tour.

"Each woman throughly enjoyed the experiences of lifecasting and
found an element of freedom, fun, sexuality, beauty, through the
application and involvement of having a personal cast made."

Next Thursday, 10th July, the Ladies In League Against Cancer (LILAC) are holding a charity fund raising event at Drayton Old Lodge, Norwich. Guest speaker Michelle will talk about the lifecasts she has taken of the women who have undergone breast reconstruction surgery and the involvement art has in raising awareness of breast cancer.

For further information and for ticket sales, please click here.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on July 3rd, 2008

The Smithfield Nocturne
Posted by Kate Sullivan

If I lived in London and were to use public transport daily, I would most definitely buy a folding bike. I remember my dad owning one when I was a youngster - he thought he was so cool yet his children thought him so uncool. Interestingly, my brother now rides one in Northern Ireland where I believe it is rare ride and cause of great amusement.

This Saturday, the 7th June, cyclists and non cyclists are getting together to share their enthusiasm for the two wheel mode of transport at The Smithfield Nocturne. There are many races taking place as well as music and stalls and entertainment to suit most. Just one of the many events is the folding bike race where the competitors will dress in their business garb and take on the challenge of biking around Smithfield streets in the hope of being crowned Folding Bike Champion 2008.

If you fancy riding on the safety helmet of one of last years competitors, have a look at the clip below.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on June 5th, 2008

Rust Stickers
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Seeing as Simon is soon to be the owner of a smart new bicycle (see post below), I thought he may want to deter envious eyes and keep possible thieving hands at bay with the addition of these ingenious rust stickers.

Humourous ideas man Dominic Wilcox quotes...

*Note. This anti-theft device is not guaranteed to work in any way. However, I have stuck them to my shiny new red bike and can confirm that it hasn't been stolen yet. 13 days of not being stolen in London probably equates to 7 years of non-stealing in the friendly countryside.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on May 22nd, 2008

Lunar Cycles
Posted by Simon Lewin

I'll soon be taking delivery of a new bicycle - very similar to the one pictured here (though painted in two shades of warm grey).

A chance link from Underworld's excellent site led me to Lunar Cycles, who build beautiful single-speed bicycles, based on vintage steel frames which are stripped of unnecessary lugs, shot-blasted and then painted to order.

A short test ride along some quiet roads close to Hyde Park Corner and I was smitten. There's something incredibly elegant and immediate about a single speed bike - cycling at its simplest.

Lunar Cycles may already have a bike to suit you, or you might opt for a custom build. Find out more at www.lunar-cycles.com

Posted by Simon Lewin on May 16th, 2008

Cadbury’s can’t handle luggage either
Posted by Kate Sullivan

BA chief executive Willie Walsh must be thinking even Cadbury's have got it in for him. The newly launched ‘Truck’ commercial, a follow-up to the Gorilla playing drums to Phil Collins, isn’t quite as brilliantly weird but, it is weirdly brilliant how its launch coincides with Terminal 5's catastrophes. All will make sense when you see it….

Posted by Kate Sullivan on March 29th, 2008

Aylsham, Banksy and Tesco
Posted by Simon Lewin

Not  necessarily three words you'd expect to see together in the title of a blog. But bear with me.

Secretive grafitti artist Banksy has just struck again - with this work on the side of a pharmacy in London's Essex Road (which, coincidentally, I used to walk past every day).

We assume that the image of two small children pledging allegiance to Tesco is tongue in cheek!

Tesco have recently started building their new store on the edge of Aylsham and only time will tell how much of an impact this has on the town.

But there are some positive campaigns going on in the town - the ongoing promotion of Aylsham's Cittaslow status and the recently launched project to make Aylsham Norfolk's first plastic bag free town as of 3rd May 2008.

We've always used paper bags at the gallery, but we're still pleased to be supporting the scheme - which for us is as much about the general principle of recycling.

Find out more about the project.

Posted by Simon Lewin on March 8th, 2008

Secret Cinema
Posted by Kate Sullivan

The other day, I came across a reference to 'Secret Cinema'. I did a quick Google search and discovered that the alluring and ghostly website offers minimal information (obviously). What it does tell you, is that every month a new and secret location is chosen for the screening of a secretly chosen film.

London Fashion Week became a recent venue for February's Secret Cinema. YouTube has a video clip taken from the evenings performance, when the cinematic organisation showed the film 'Funny Face'.
 

I've signed up in the hope that one day they might come to Norwich. If you too want a last minute email invite, sign up here. For further information, you can visit their Myspace page.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on March 1st, 2008

Bristol fashion
Posted by Simon Lewin

Kate's reference to James Bond and Aston Martins below reminded me of a recent drive past the London showroom of Bristol Cars.

These beautiful cars are hand-built at Filton, near Bristol - and they claim to be the last wholly British-owned luxury car maker.

With no dealers or distributors, the cars are sold direct from their Kensington showroom.

I've never been in one, but would love to have the opportunity at some point.

You'll find plenty of useful information at the Bristol Owners' Club website.

Posted by Simon Lewin on February 24th, 2008

Flippin’ Tasty
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Sugar and lemon or Nutella and bananas? I have to admit to having both, twice, and with ice cream.

February can be a little dull after the joys’ of Christmas and January’s smattering of snow which we couldn’t  even fight with, but Shrove Tuesday is a day of glistening sweetness to cheer us up.

Pancake day (Shrove Tuesday) gained its name, as it was the last opportunity for Christians to use up their eggs and fats before embarking on the forty day fast leading up to Ash Wednesday. I’ve no idea where the pancake flipping frolics came from, but if you
are one of those people who relish sports days and Village Fete’s
physical challenges, then you would probably enjoy the race at Old
Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. Click here for an application form to take part although I fear it may be a little too late for this year. Sorry.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on February 4th, 2008