Day 6

This morning Clive, Paul, David, Patrick, and I headed off for the Portobello Road market in Notting Hill. It was a lot of fun checking out what the vendors had to offer and buying some cheap old junk that no one else wants. The other guys left and Patrick and I hung on to check out the overpriced antique section. We then had to rush back on the tube to meet the others for a gallery walk.

We met up with LeAnn Barber who is deeply involved in the fine art scene and runs an art organization and gallery near our hotel. (her organization site: www.commentart.com) She took us on a walking tour of the local galleries in the Shoreditch / Hoxton area which is the new up and coming art area in London. This is where the famed graffiti artist turned designer, Banksy started putting his work up, so LeAnne took us to some interesting graffiti spots. (www.banksy.co.uk)

On this wall, behind this wood covering is a Banksy that an American collector bought for a few million dollars and is currently trying to figure out how to transport the wall to his home...the only problem is that this wall is connected to a building, with people and businesses...so in the meantime this wood covering was erected in front of it, and naturally someone else covered it with their work!

Here's some other work that we passed:

an unusual abstract piece done with tape:

an intricately cut wheat paste:

After looking at the graffiti, we went over to the famed White Cube gallery on Hoxton Square. They were having a group show based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe, so it was right up my alley. The work in the gallery was so, so including an underwhelming Damien Hirst, a giant Julian Schnabel, a beautiful and scary piece by Jake & Dinos Chapman, and a cool chandelier by Cerith Wyn Evans. The extension of the show down the street at the Shoreditch Town Hall was much more atmospheric and cool with mostly instillation pieces scattered about the large, spooky, and dark catacomb like basement. Still hit or miss, it was totally worth the experience! One of my favorites Christian Marclay had an interesting piece, and there was a really spooky candle that had a ghostly halo around it. Some of the show can be seen here: www.whitecube.com

I found this outside the Shoreditch Town Hall. I see this guy all over the place. He does these space invader tile pieces:

We then went on to tons of other galleries and then went to a noodle house near Hoxton Square. Once again we went to bed while the younger kids went out to the clubs.

I liked this sign for an osteopath's office: