31/07/2009 by bakary.

Found… on 18 July 2009.
Deptford Creek.

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30/07/2009 by bakary.

I reserved my place for the Deptford Creek Walk a week in advance. An easy phone call to a very nice man. This tidal walk, organised by the Creekside Centre,  had been on my list of things to do for ages… but I always found out the dates too late.

We started on time, equipped with waders and a long stick each. After a brief introduction about the centre and the creek, we went down ‘Deptford Beach’ and into the creek.

There’s something enormously satisfying about walking about in the water, without getting wet! 

We came across abandoned boats; the obligatory shopping trolleys; a wallet; and much more. We learnt about flood defences; the animals living in the creek (we saw crabs, leeches and other strange crawlies); how the creek is now much cleaner than ever before; how crabs shed their shells; etc. We also learnt about indigeneous plants. All very interesting and engaging.

It’s one of those things that you could do time and time again… You wouldn’t get bored of it. I guess each tide would shape things differently. Seasonal differences may also bring added interest. 

Yes… it’s back on my list of things to do!

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23/07/2009 by bakary.

Elephants are everywhere…

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21/07/2009 by bakary.

Elephants are everywhere…

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18/07/2009 by bakary.

That’s the thing about London… Reading Time Out, you always come across unexpected treasures!

I found out about Indian Late yesterday morning. The programme promised an evening of events, all free. I got there just before 6:30pm and queued straight away for tickets (some events required free entry tickets). I queued for about 40 minutes to be informed, when there were only about 15 people in front of me, that all tickets had gone! Not a good start…

Determined to make the most of my evening, I consulted the programme again.

The main attraction was the Magic Mela: an evening of 1000 joys; performances of music, song and dance of the Federation of Indian Performing Arts in the Great Court. With a big crowd watching, it was hard to get a good view so I decided to go behind stage and watch from the side. Although not ideal, this offered me glimpses of the performers resting between acts. And throughout the evening, I found myself popping back to watch performances and performers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There was an opportunity to find out about Indian board games in Room 1. We had a go at Pachisi, the national game of India. With only two of us, the game did not last long. The rules are not hard to grasp but this game would definitely benefit from having more players so you can get more tactical. Still… we had fun!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In Room 17, amidst Greek antiquities, I watched Bharatnatyam dancing from southern India. It felt a lot more colourful and vibrant than the dances in the Great Court. The dancer I watched certainly made me feel that he was dancing a story. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this as best I can… but he wasn’t just dancing, he was acting a dance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
A section of the Great Court was devoted to an art workshop. The Jumbo painting: Vali, Rama and Lakshmana workshop gave people of all ages a chance to join in and their drawings were all added to a growing herd marching across the museum floor… It was highly enjoyable to watch all these elephants, of various shapes and individuality, coming together over the course of the evening.

I don’t know whether last night was a one-off or whether the Museum will organise similar events in the future. It was educational but it was also great fun…. and it was all free!

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16/07/2009 by bakary.

Well… you may remember that I took the bus to work during the strike and I haven’t looked back since. It’s so much better to be outside that underground. Everyday, I notice something different on my route, I always get a seat, I can read if I want but there’s so much people-watching to be done!

Since 6 July, I’ve even had the opportunity to see art every work day morning, catching a few minutes of the performers on the fourth plinth (which is not enough time really to see what they’re up to… although this morning, I did see the changing over of the performers).

Of course, I reserve the right to travel by Tube come heavy rains or snow!

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14/07/2009 by bakary.

Elephants are everywhere…

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12/07/2009 by bakary.

I went to the Futurism exhibition at Tate Modern this week. I confess that I hadn’t even heard of Futurism as an art movement until then, but a friend of mine had free tickets for a preview and so I tagged along. I didn’t think it would be my thing but I must admit that I liked a few pieces! A few…

• Robert Delaunay - The Cardiff Team
• Sonia Delaunay - Prose on the Trans-Siberian Railway and of Little Jehanne of France
• Felix del Marle - Le Port
• Umberto Boccioni - States of Mind: The Farewells

Musn’t grumble however… I went for free.

Futurism isn’t for me. Rooms of broken art that somehow were pieced back together as far as I’m concerned. I know this will irritate many people… but I’m not (and never will be) an art critic.

Futurism, Tate Modern, until 20 September 2009. Admission fee.

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08/07/2009 by bakary.

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07/07/2009 by bakary.

Just back from a week in Cornwall…

The weather was truly magnificient. Went surfing; walked along the coastal path; had BBQs; chilled… nothing beats having your toes in the sand, does it?

Now back at work… and it’s pouring down! So… with no chance of lunch breaks in the park, I’m just plotting my next adventure. And… it’s looking good.

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