The professionals....

....At work we have a bi-annual football match between the 'Suits' and 'Creatives'. Much to my denial, I fall under the former category and have seen us lose the last two games, leaving us tied at 2-2 in the head to head. Yesterday saw the fixture move up a notch as we managed to secure the home of Brentford FC, Griffin Park, for our tie.





It was the biggest match of my life since I captained the Cubs 8th group to victory at Whitley Bay FC in about 1991.



Unfortunately I couldn't match the elation of that day, despite a consolation man of the match award, as we ran out 3-1 losers.

Acorn House....

....Mum and Dad stopped over night last night on their way to Lille. They booked a table at Acorn House restaurant after meeting the Head Chef Arthur Potts Dawson in Newcastle during the 'Eat' Festival.



I remember reading about this restaurant when it first opened. It got a lot of media coverage due to it's eco-friendly sensibilities and seasonal local produce, (and if there were ever two buzz words right now to gain attention, they are 'eco' and 'local')! When we walked in, the place was near empty and the room was much more modern and sterile than I had hoped for. In fact throughout the meal, other than our own table, there was a distinct lack of atmosphere.



The service was attentive and informative, but often quite slow considering the numbers inside. The food however was fantastic - and aside from dad's raviolli - was hearty in portion. I started with black pudding, caremelised apple and dandelion which was incredible. To follow, gnocchi with oxtail and mint was probably more suited to a cold winter night, but proved equally as enjoyable. Mum, Dad and Alicia all enjoyed their food, and whilst it was not super cheap, it certainly wasn't over priced. Oh, and we get to feel all warm and smug for eating local produce and drinking carbon neutral wine. Yes, you read that right! I'm sure as numbers increase inside, (perhaps at a weekend?), the atmosphere will match the quality of the food. Take a visit for yourself.

Hunger....

....Last night Lic and I watched Steve Mcqueen's 'Hunger', a film based around IRA member Bobby Sands who lead a fatal hunger strike within the walls of a high security prison in Nothern Ireland. The film is unflinching in it's realism and brutality, but this is only acheived through exquisite cinematography and attention to detail. Single scenes span up to 10-15 minutes in length, tension mounting all the while. Not your usual Bank Holiday fare, but absolutely brilliant regardless.

Ice Cream Orchestra....

....Bugsy and I stepped out to Whitechapel Gallery's, 'The Shop', to see, 'Fleet: Ice Cream Orchestra'. We watched six ice cream vans play a specially created composition written by Kelvin Pawsey. It was incredibly surreal as a growing crowd gathered before the vans and proceeded to give them an extended applause once the music ended. A unique Sunday afternoon experience.






Ice Cream Orchestra from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

Supermarket sweep....

Canal dreams....

....A sunny Saturday by Broadway Market and Regents Canal. Lovely.

Raving about Raven Row....

....Alicia and I finally went along to the inaugral show at Raven Row Gallery, E1. An artist called Ray Johnson, whom neither of us had heard of, had a lifetime's work adorning the walls.



Initially attracted by the tag, 'Father of the mail art movement', (ie using the postal service to promote and create his art works), we also found him to be a pioneer of pop art. Raven Row is a vast space occupying two beautiful old townhouses alongside Spitalfield Market, set over three floors the exhibition proved bigger, (and perhaps better), than I have ever seen at a major museum. It was also more rewarding, learning about an artist and realising the influence he has had on many since, (in particular another favourite of mine, Keith Haring).





I strongly recommend this show, that is ending in a couple of weeks, even just for the free catelogue that the gallery have published themselves. (Because to buy any other book on the artist will set you back a tidy sum!)

Porte Monnaie....

....Nick has been making these wallets for some time - I remember him showing me his first designs a couple of years back and loved them then. Since, he has developed them and got them stocked.......very successfully. They can be picked up here if you fancy.

Carousel....

....An ad for Philips that is incredible.

North East-er sun....

....Easter Sunday on Tynemouth beach proved to be a glorious day. Breakfast at Crusoes and a walk on Long Sands under warm sunshine, (whilst the rest of the UK was under cloud!)

High five! Clive's 65....

....Alicia and I travelled back to Newcastle to join family and friends help Clive celebrate his 65th birthday. He treated us(!) to a slap up meal at Jesmond Dene House, which was absolutely superb.


The Lord in his Manor


Photo reel

Chris & Katie's place....

....Now living on Regent's Park Road, (aka Celebrity-ville), Chris & Katie are a thousand times happier than what Putney afforded them.










Famous former neighbour Sylvia Plath

New Whitechapel disappoints....

....Maybe I am being too harsh here, but I have just visited the newly re-opened Whitechapel Art Gallery and was sorely disappointed. There has been much press coverage recently on this - mostly commending the new space and that it's great to have one of our premier and most original galleries back open for public consumption. But what of this new space through my eyes? Well immediately as I walk round, I feel a little confused. Almost labyrinth like, doors open in to new sections of gallery - slightly raised up some stairs or tucked away around a corner. There is no fluidity to the layout, it feels disjointed and difficult. Also, perhaps because it has only been open for under a week, many doorways are closed off and those that are in use creak furiously when moved - much to the irritation of Gallery staff I'm sure. (Have they not heard of WD40?!)



One of my biggest gripes is saved for the book shop. I had imagined that after such expansive refurbishment and expansion, that the shop would receive a similar boost. I remember it used to be well stocked, but similarly well cramped. It hasn't changed one bit. In fact it has got worse. When I visited on a Thursday mid afternoon, the shop was moderately busy. What of a Saturday afternoon? Thank god I'm not there to witness it, because the current design means that people queueing at the till, have no choice but to block the narrow entrance. Here there is also a book shelf, that if someone is perusing, doubly blocks the entrance. It seems no one has given it the slightest thought and it is a huge let down.

The art collection and current exhibitions are to personal taste and will be liked I'm sure, but again I felt for a (re)opening show they were a little weak. (Click here for current exhibitors). Also, further press coverage has been given to the fact that in 1939, Picasso's Guernica was unveiled at the Whitechapel. It has remained of huge cultural and historical importance in all those years since and artist Goshka Macuga has managed to persuade the United Nations to lend a tapestry reproduction to the Gallery. This tapestry was created by Jacqueline De La Baume in 1955, in collaboration with Picasso and is a life size reproduction of Guernica. Installed in it's own room, with chairs lined in front of it should you wish to reflect upon it, I can't help but feel it is all a little overblown. Certainly not the historical and tragic event upon which the mural, (and subsequent tapestry is based), but the grandeur and forced attention given to a piece of work that is not even the original - and so for me bears much less significance.



My brief visit really only scraped the barrel of a Gallery that is now being declared more of an institute and lauded from all quarters. Clearly as a visitor, who today anyway, didn't want an institute, but merely a look round a gallery and a nosy in the bookshop, I have been left slightly disappointed with what I experienced. Doubtless this will change over time, but right now, it sticks.

RoZo published....

....Last year I blogged about an article and illustration that Lorenzo and I had created and submitted to The Ride magazine. We were told just after Christmas that it was to be published and today it finally landed on my desk. The whole magazine looks beautiful and it's particularly satisfying to see the work in print.

Spotted....

....I may be a little late catching wind of this, but Spotify is incredible! This new i-Tunes-style tool allows you to instantly listen to and download any track or album for free. And it's legal.



Fellow blogger and colleague Nicola Davies has a more in depth analysis here, but I strongly urge you to take a look and listen.

New Math(s)....

....Some bloke called Craig Damrauer in the US has come up with this New Math idea, where in a similar vein to GraphJam, he has summarised snippets of life and culture through mathematical equations. It's a funny site, with many ringing true.

Ed banking on Euro....

....Ed had his first shift in the hot seat for EuroSport's online service. In a similar vein to the great rugby banter provided on his blog, Ed over saw two Guinness Premiership rugby matches, writing up the instant online updates and a final analysis. Great work.

The doors, they are a peeling....

....

Richie @ Wilton's....

Welcome


Main hall downstairs


Main hall upstairs

....Wilton's Music Hall is one the finest and few remaining Victorian music venues. Today it celebrated it's 150th year with an open day at the hall in Whitechapel. Richie, in anticipation of this event, created a new letterpress poster that is on display in the bar area, alongside some of his previous work. A few of us turned out to support him and of course Wilton's.


Jen, Stevie, Richie


Coffee & cakes


Beneath greatness


Not failing to please

Dinner with Hannah....

....With Max away and a new table to christen, Hannah decided to throw a small dinner party last night. Rich & Lynn sorted the starter, then Han treated us to roast belly of pork and Lic & I brought apple and rhubarb crumble to the fore. Max joined us briefly via the wonder of Skype before the music was turned up and the wine polished off.

TBC on land, on paper....

....Some members of TBC decided to have a social and leave the bikes at home. Despite Lorenzo's absence, he made up for it by illustrating this brilliant poster.






(click to enlarge)

Bug....

....Last night I finally managed a random act of spontanaeity and accepted a late offer to join Rich at the NFT for Bug: The evolution of the music video. Hosted by Adam Buxton, (he of Adam & Joe fame, in a non Ant and Dec way), it was a trawl through recent music video releases by upcoming and established directors.



Jammed in the middle, Buxton managed an interview with Gareth Jennings from Hammer & Tongs, (who made this and many more), and also picked out some of his random YouTube favourites in recent weeks. It was a funny, if not slightly ramshackle evening, but certainly unlike anything I have ever been to. There were many clips of note, but this one - a mix of several other clips - really stood out.