If you’re celebrating on the East Coast of
the USA, I hope you’re not inundated with water, or without power - in which case a pumpkin may prove to be a
useful candle holder.
I saw pumpkins masquerading as
lots of things in American shops – everything from cooking pots and punch bowls to
candles, plates and creatively carved decorative table centre pieces.
Thankfully, there was also the real thing
in the form of these wonderfully misshapen gourds.
And at Sonoma’s Cline Cellars, pumpkins lined
the driveway, right up the steps…
… to this curious fellow.
But we Brits are catching up in the pumpkin presentation stakes, as I
discovered on a recent visit to Elizabeth King’s delicatessen in Parsons Green (see
below).
Not sure this was meant for Halloween, but I love this pumpkin coloured lampshade sculpture (photographed at London's Design Junction) too.
Last night I attended a charity preview of the new British film, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – in aid of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park... Not such a tenuous connection as you may think, as sculpture isn’t naturally associated with Yorkshire. In fact, you may be inspired to travel up north to experience the first major UK exhibition of Miro’s sculpture, set amongst 500 acres of Capability Brown style grounds that are probably unaffected by the hosepipe ban.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay, how about Holdsworth House, a rather grand Jacobean Manor - with curiously reasonable room rates.
Alternatively, you may decide to head off to Scotland, where there’s also plenty of water, to try your hand at some salmon fishing. Fly fishing gets a curious makeover in the new film based on the book by Paul Torday:
Having read the book when it first came out, I was expecting something a little more touching – even spiritual - from Lasse Hallstrom (director of the award winning Cider House Rules, amongst many other films and videos). The characters portrayed by the star-studded cast are suitably endearing, especially Kristen Scott Thomas as Patricia Maxwell, but the condensed version with its updated script seems somehow watered down. The book was compelling enough to read in barely more than one sitting, whereas the movie lumbers along like a salmon struggling for its life. Nevertheless, the ‘visionary’ sheik is convincing, despite his far-fetched ambitions. Though his natural powers of insight, presumably acquired from thousands of years of Middle Eastern philosophical tradition, are not conveyed nearly as well as in the book.
The positive message is that fishing is a great leveller, overcoming distinctions of class, colour and creed. Having a dream and the determination and ability to see it through are paramount – ie faith transcends purchasing power. And no amount of money will make a seemingly impossible project work if narrow minded civil servants don’t possess sufficient curiosity to look beyond the world they live in.
This story captures the essential conflict between scientific and human endeavour. The sheik’s wealth can’t buy something that’s not physically possible, but faith and a conviction in belief can go a long way towards getting anything imaginable done. The rest is pure luck. Or is it?
Anyway, if the film spawns a sudden salmon fishing frenzy, ShopCurious has just the thing – a pair of vintage fly fishing hook cufflinks. You never know, they may even turn out to be especially lucky.
London is a curious place after snowfall. A deathly stillness descends upon the city, as the usual sounds of cars and planes all but disappear.
ShopCurious ventured out before most people were out of bed, to track down curiosities of the cold snap. A few early birds were up to catch the fresh snow and make the first snowman.
No one had yet spotted a solitary traffic cone – the perfect prop for a curiously creative snow sculpture. See if you can find it in the pic below:
The recreation ground, that on Sunday mornings would normally be full of bleary-eyed dads who've been packed off with the kids, was eerily deserted.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, fearless fitness-obsessives risked hypothermia to participate in an early morning military-style bootcamp.
And the park benches would have been covered in virgin snow, except that birds had walked over them...
In fact, I even spotted a new variety of snowbird, complete with dinky wings and a cute little tail (see left).
Talking of snowbirds, I think I got my timing wrong – I should have stayed in sunny Florida. Oh, and check out this strangely snowy video clip of the 1969 song, Snowbird, by Canadian singer, Anne Murray:
Have you noticed that we’re surrounded by angels at this time of year? Excuse the rather blurred photograph on the right, but this is the sort of thing you may have seen in shop windows lately…
Much as I adore ecclesiastical carvings and sculptures of angels, it’s sad that a fair few of those sold at antiques fairs and auctions have been purloined from churches over the years. However, it’s great to see that contemporary craftspeople and home accessory designers are once again turning to angels for inspiration - as featured in ShopCurious’ latest trends post.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing choirs of angels singing at the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, on Christmas Eve.
Incidentally, after that, at 8.20 pm, during the interval of Handel’s Messiah on BBC Radio 3, there’s a programme called Angelology. For twenty minutes, The Reverend Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James's, Piccadilly, will explain that angels aren’t always as sweet or cherubic as they are often seen to be…
I suppose that probably goes for some of the choristers at King’s College too?
Despite the contemporary design of its Chelsea home, Heatherley’s School of Fine Art is fairly traditional in approach – at least that’s the impression I got from my visit to preview the Annual Exhibition, which starts today. I was invited by my neighbour, Patrick Earle, who has just completed a portrait diploma at London’s oldest independent art school. His works stretch the boundaries of Heatherley’s tried and tested painting techniques to handsome effect. Amongst his exhibits, Earle bares his soul in a curiously clever self portrait - inviting us into his inner world, to share his absorbing love of painting.
She’s even created a rudimentary automaton called The Tapper, which brings to life an old 'cello case.
ShopCurious particularly likes Hell’s Kitchen, which showcases Weir’s accomplished ceramic sculptures in conjunction with a retro cooker… and Tabasco Sauce bottle.
The show is open until Saturday 23rd. Do get along to see it.
Moving swiftly on from curiously colourful clothing to vibrantly coloured lighting…
A curious trend in lighting design is that lamps are becoming more sculptural. These days, many lights are more akin to sculptural works of art. Designers are also lighting up interior furnishings so that pieces of furniture double up as lamps too. Coloured lighting effects are looking to be especially popular.
Graham’s lamps are cleverly designed to combine the natural beauty of sustainably sourced organic wood with colour-adjustable LED lighting – so you can change the colour of your lighting to suit your mood:
Happy Father’s Day! How about a spot of auto porn to spice up Dad’s special day… ShopCurious has put together a selection of car photos taken in and around London, where everything to do with cars is suddenly in fashion.
First, as part of Westminster’s Festival of Sculpture, Lorenzo Quinn’s Vroom Vroom appeared in Park Lane. The unique sculpture features a giant hand, holding a full size Fiat 500.
Then, at Clerkenwell Design Week, sponsored by Jaguar, a number of top of the range cars were on display – including the beautifully designed C-X75 concept car (below).
I had my eye on something a little more eco-friendly. When Office Electrics pedal car came by, I simply had to try it out. It’s powered purely by leg-work, but there are solar panels to provide green energy for extras, like music.
I wasn’t exactly dressed for cycling, but it looked such fun aboard the pedal car that I threw caution to the wind. This video clip gives an idea of what it was like riding up the Clerkenwell Road on the curiously communal car:
Vintage cars often pop up at summer society events. A retro Morris Minor was on show at Chelsea Flower Show.
And this fabulously old fashioned Roller (below left) added a touch of character to the car park at Royal Ascot, reminding me of racing picnics from a bygone era.
By the way, a seriously cool car comes up for sale at Chiswick Auction rooms on 28th June – I simply love this replica of John Lennon’s hand painted hippie style Royce. Forget about Dad, I rather fancy a car like this myself...
Yesterday, I happened to be attending a lunch at The National Liberal Club, where I noticed this magnificent marble bust of 19th century Prime Minister, Gladstone, at the entrance. Innocent looking enough as a decorative work of art…
Busts are a great way of being immortalized for posterity, as well as adding a touch of gravitas to any interior. We’ve got some curiously colourful, contemporary examples, based on classical sculptures by Hacene Sadoune at ShopCurious. (If you’d like a bust made in your image, or that of a loved one, this can also be arranged).
Anyway, when my eyes wandered down to the text inscribed on the plinth below the bust, I was genuinely surprised to read Gladstone’s words from a speech at Chester:
“The principle of Toryism is mistrust of the people, qualified by fear: the principle of Liberalism is trust in the people qualified by prudence.”
How curious that the Liberals now share power with the Tories, holding office for the first time in over half a century. And extraordinary that partial control of the Government is in the hands of this minority party, which actually lost seats in the recent election. Does this indicate how far the parties have progressed to overcome their differences – or should these words act as a warning for the future of this historic coalition?
Regardless of your religion, or desire to hear the Pope’s Easter message, there’s no place quite like Rome for a weekend break. I doubt that anyone can fail to be filled with awe and wonder on visiting a city so stunningly laden with artistic and architectural treasures: the legacy of ancient history and a rich cultural heritage.
Top of your list of places to see will be the Vatican Museums, encompassing the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and so much more… If you’re a lover of art and sculpture, you’ll probably want to spend a few weeks camping out here (if only that were permissible). Other amazing monuments include the Colosseum, the Forum and surrounding Roman remains, the Pantheon and lots more besides.
If you like shopping for antiques, Rome’s quaint patchwork of narrow streets, alleyways and courtyards is home to plenty of high end emporia, where you’ll find fine quality pieces, mixed in with quirky curiosities – though all at a price. There are also vintage flea markets, especially on Sunday morning, where you’re more likely to find a bargain – though best to dress down and leave your fancy handbag at home.
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems too, as tucked away in side streets, on corners, or atop buildings, you’ll find secret places - including theatres, pizzerias, shrines, sculptures and curiously enticing ice cream parlours.
One thing you’re also almost always guaranteed when you travel to Rome is sunshine.
Typically, when I last visited, the heavens opened and it poured down.
The fact that it rained for just one day had taxi drivers constantly moaning about how miserable this made them feel – thank goodness they don’t live in London!
Anyway, in my opinion, the best thing about Rome is that the city actually seems to reflect all the celestial inspiration that’s gone into creating its glorious buildings and artworks, making everything just as beautiful come rain or shine.
Rome will be eternally loved, whatever the weather...
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