14 May 2011

Ai Weiwei - Zodiac Heads in London

It has been weeks since Ai Weiwei, China’s most important modern artist, was detained while he boarded a plane for Hong Kong.  Since then the artist and outspoken activist has, or so it appears, disappeared off the face of the planet.  While there are several campaigns demanding his release, one way to remember his plight is by continuing with his planned exhibitions.

So, Somerset House in London’s West End has opened an exhibition which Ai had planned for a long time.  The animal heads here represent the signs of the Chinese Zodiac.  The inspiration (aka the Circle of Animals)is a similar set which adorned an imperial resort in China but which was ransacked by European troops in 1860.

Since then various Chinese governments have worked to have the originals returned, most recently in 2008.  Yves Saint Laurent owned two of the originals and after his death the Chinese government demanded the return of the rat and the rabbit which had come in to his possession.

The artist has frequently taken risks in his work. Often he uses it to visually describe the authoritarian nature of his country’s government as well as the widespread dishonesty which typically goes hand in hand with one party politics.  However, this work looks directly at the history of China without any contemporary political conflict represented through these remarkable bronze heads.

The exhibition represents a double first. It is the first time that contemporary art has been put on display in the courtyard of Somerset House, a major arts and cultural center in the heart of London.  Additionally it is the first time that Ai Weiwei has exhibited public sculpture outdoors in the English capital.

Ai Weiwei certainly meant to raise an issue here – which is how culture should be sold abroad and how authentic those representations which are disseminated worldwide truly are.  Yet this is not without irony.  While highlighting the issue of the kidnap of the original sculptures Weiwei has presciently presented the world with more questions.  Why has the artist himself been kidnapped, where is he and is he safe? Most pressingly perhaps – when will he be released?

Kuriositas would like to thanks Flickr User hedgiecc for their very kind permission to share with you their marvellous photographs of the exhibition. Please visit his Flickr Photostream and his websie, Clapham Omnibus.

If you would like to sign the petition calling for the release of Ai Weiwei, please click here.

9 May 2011

A Predator in London

Commuters in Lewisham, South East London have recently been woken from their somnambulistic state while they do their usual A-Zees on the bus to work each morning. For those with slightly overactive imaginations this had led to a quick awakening from their state of early morning stupor. The Predator is in London!


Once (half) awake, of course, they realize that their sell by date may extend for more than the few seconds they were expecting. The alien creature in front of them is still and lifeless. Instead of a cry for Arnold or Danny they find they can take a second glance at the steel leviathan in front of them.


Plus, he won’t disappear in a flash, only to whip the skull out of their head a moment later. This is one static predator. Having said this, approaching this beast makes the more poetic among commuters want to start exclaiming Behold! A giant am I!

He is no windmill, however. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, seen the pictures or at least heard of The Predator (hello?), this race of out of this world hunter gatherers is seriously hard. A Lock Stock situation quite possibly would see them victorious, the South London wide boys reduced to a series of bloody carcasses littering the ground – with or without smoking barrels. But just how did he get here? In this… junk yard?


A junk yard is probably far too harsh a word for it. However, each morning the proprietors of Aladdin’s Cave in Lewisham, South East London, drag to the forefront a massive eight foot replica of one of our favorite scary movie beasts, the Predator. They are vague about the origins of the structure, but not so much about the price attached to it. Although they are more than willing to haggle, your starting gambit had better start at several thousand (British) pounds. Otherwise, leave it out!


If you are having problems with the birds in your garden, and you have the kind of spare cash that has three zeros at the end of the initial number, you may wish to consider this giant among scarecrows. Magnificent he certainly is, but this giant needs a home soon. Oxidization is beginning to happen and he may only be able to stay intact at this spot for another few thousand years or so. As there is no Battersea Predator’s Home willing to give him a kennel and a staple diet, this poor guy may rust himself (determinedly and without mercy) to the spot before long!

The creature is already becoming something of a landmark and many will see its eventual (if not inevitable) sale as a shame. The owner’s of Aladdin’s Cave have already felt the need to put a please feel free to take pictures, but do not touch sign near him. South London has many landmarks, but they tend to be historical. This guy may well become as loved in this (not so) quiet corner of the capital of England than he ever was on the silver screen. Could you imagine him ordering a pint of lager in one of the local pubs? If you can, can you imagine what might happen if it’s warm?

No one seems to know who took the huge time and effort to construct this giant - or for that matter why. There he is, though, resplendent in the early morning London mist, silently threatening (or perhaps protecting) commuters, old folks and school children. However, if you do happen to have a few thousand quid on you, why not take pity, and take the poor guy home?!


Some of you who read this and who live in the area may well remember a similar model was on sale in the same place in 2008.  Perhaps a (slow but sure) invasion is underway.


All images - copyright Kuriositas on Flickr

All pictures are copyright Kuriositas and are not for reproduction elsewhere.

20 April 2011

Urban Fox – An Urbane Addition to London

In 1951 the Festival of Britain showcased the best of British and gave the nation an excuse to have a jolly good knees up and forget about the hardships the previous decade had wrought upon them.  That was sixty years ago. 2011 will see a multitude of celebrations of the Festival’s anniversary.  Among them is Urban Fox.

Ask any Londoner and they will have an opinion on foxes living in the English capital. Most will simply shrug; foxes have become as much a part of the London landscape as sparrows (despite the fact that those particular feathered friends seem to be in terminal decline). There seems to be hardly a street in London without its own resident Vulpes vulpes. Yet their reputation for leaving us alone received a blow last year when two small children were attacked by foxes in separate incidents.

So, to use the fox as a symbol representing the blend of country and city which can be found in London was an obvious if somewhat controversial choice. Although he seems to be widely touted as representative of the Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Center, he is actually sitting at the back of Queen Elizabeth Hall. However, what is a little geography between friends? He certainly seems more than happy to be where he is.

He is certainly proving to be one of the most head turning of the new installations at the center.  He has only been up a day but has acquired a nickname already – Wicker Fox, which unquestionably puts the idea in to this writer’s head to send out a search party for Edward Woodward. However, he is created from bales of straw so however fun the nickname, it is misleading.  Knowing Londoners, it will probably stick anyway!

Some have speculated that this fox looks rather doleful.  However, to my eye he seems as much urbane as urban. Should the balmy spring weather continue no doubt this fantastic Mr Fox will become yet another popular tourist attraction in London.

5However, if (or rather when) it rains one can only hope that he has been robustly constructed. Even if it stays dry, keep your fingers crossed that he doesn’t attract the attention of some passing druids of the old order.

The 60th anniversary celebrations of the Festival of Britain will run from April 22 until the beginning of September at the Southbank Center in London. Kuriositas would like to thank Flickr Users alicebrancati, helenthedestroyer, designer_dan, killthedrama, Jennifer Whitehead, JamesHarrison1975, Jon Norton (find his website here) and Vaughan London for their kind permission to show you their photographs.

26 March 2011

James Watt's Workshop


When asked who the most influential British inventor ever was a lot of people will answer with a single name – James Watt.  After all, his steam condenser did, effectively, kick start the Industrial Revolution. When he died in 1819 his workshop near Birmingham (the one in the United Kingdom) was preserved and this legendary magical retreat became a magnet for pilgrims.

However, the house in which his attic study was situated became due for demolition ninety years ago.  Fortunately the Science Museum stepped in and bought the workshop in its entirety – over 8,000 pieces.  Now they have restored it and it has taken pride of place in the museum. It is hoped that a new generation of inventors will be inspired by his visions – of a machine that could copy sculptures and another that could copy letters as well as by the sheer ambience of his workplace.

The exhibition, Head Room, opened on March 23 (more details here) but you may not, however, be able to get to London any time soon.  So, the Science Museum has enlisted the help of animator and artist Leo Bridle. Bridle was asked to take in the vast amount of artifacts left behind by Watt and to give an artist’s reaction to this amazing collection.  This glorious animation is what he made of the 8430 objects that make up the new exhibition.  Although you can see it in situ, the Science Museum has kindly released it on to the interweb so that those who cannot be there can enjoy the artist’s response to the inventor’s retreat.

15 January 2011

The Art of Vicky Scott

Things that go Bunp in the Night
Vicky Scott is an artist who is certainly making a buzz in the UK at the moment with her vibrant and evocative collages.  Her work represents a light hearted look at the world through very female eyes.  Often her work combines a warm nostalgic view of the past fused with contemporary ideas and issues.  Her use of color is delightful.

Journey from A to B
Born in 1982, Scott grew up in the English county of Surrey, in the town of Richmond.  Interested in art from an early age she had (somewhat precociously decided to be an illustrator by the time she was five years old.

Butterfly Faces
Leaving Richmond for the rather more Bohemian environs of the seaside town of Brighton she attended the university there and graduated in 2004 with a BA in illustration – her early decision seen through to its natural conclusions.  Now based in South East London, Scott has worked on a number of projects in recent years.

I Dream of Ice Cream
As well as producing commissions for Paperchase, Scott has had her work featured in Computer Arts Projects and the British daily national newspaper The Times.  She has just completed the illustrations for her first children’s book (for Unlocked Gates) which will be out in the Spring.

Rabbit Land
She uses a collage technique in her work and this made a natural home for it in the 2007 Illustration and Play book, which featured her art and those of Ian Wright and Catalina Estrada.

Her worked reached a much greater audience last year when she was selected for a spot of pachyderm painting for the London Elephant Parade (previously featured on Kuriositas).  Her design was displayed in central London and was then auctioned for charity – to help preserve the real thing in its native habitat.

Fille de Cirque du Russe
There are certain words which spring to mind when contemplating Scott’s work.  Psychedelic comes first and foremost, followed quickly be unexpected, elegant and eye-catching.  Often her art falls away from the real world (as it should!) and slips in to something akin to a fairytale or fantasy where dreams become reality.

Through Rose Tinted Spectacles
These disparate elements are often worked together to produce something which is both familiar and unanticipated.  It is the combination of these two ingredients which I find fascinating about her work plus its ability to tell stories or suggest a back plot to the imagination of the viewer.

Tears of a Peacock
There is something of a handmade aesthetic to Scott’s work too, which is probably because she created her art using colored card, fabric and paint.  Her use of bright, often primary, colors lends a high spirited visuality to her art which brings a quiet if spontaneous smile to the face.

Sixties Chick
Kuriositas would like to thank Vicky Scott for her kind permission allowing us to reproduce some of her work here.  It work is available for purchase as original collages or limited edition prints. You can read more at Vicky’s World, her website, or her blog.  She also has a Facebook Page which you can join too.

Tree of Love

31 December 2010

Expressions of London

At the last count there were people from 160 countries in London, the city state the world can call home.  Collectively they speak 300 languages and a quarter of the population was born outside the UK.  Here are some of the expressions of London, all caught on camera by photographer Steve Punter.  Please visit his Flickr photostream where you will find literally thousands of stunning photographs. You can also visit his website. From here, we will let the pictures do the talking.