Under the Ashes

So this weekend I took a journey back in time to AD 79 to discover more about the people who lived in the ill fated towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The exhibition at the British Museum has been hugely popular and I was very fortunate to get my hands on one of the last remaining tickets. This also highlights my bad habit of booking tickets at the very last moment! I'll never forgive myself for missing out on the Hollywood costume exhibition.

So back to Pompeii. Now most of those who can remember their history and geography lessons will recall that Pompeii was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Unfortunately for the Romans they didn't have the knowledge of volcanoes that we possess today, so they did not foresee the impact or travesty this event would have. Archaeologists themselves were unaware of the extent of the eruption until they started excavating in the 1700's and it wasn't until the 1980's that the citizens were brought back to life by pouring plaster into the pockets of space underground.

The great thing about this exhibition was that it didn't hamper on about just the eruption or destruction. Instead they focused on the lives of the people who lived in these two historically significant places. It wasn't just about their sorrowful endings, but about the businesses they ran, who they worshiped and that women played a significant role in society and were not merely seen as mothers or wives. 

Set in the majestic circular library, not quite sure where the scholars have sought refuge for the past few months, you were introduced to the residents of Pompeii through the corridors and rooms of the Tragic Poets house. As you wandered through the different rooms you uncovered items that would typically have been found in a Roman home. Lots of chests, murals, jewellery and pots, but most fascinating of all were the carbonized figs and bread that had been left undisturbed for centuries (I wouldn't suggest eating them now). What I hadn't expected to see were the casts of some of the victims on display. Immortalized in their final moments it makes you realise what it must have been like to be there.

I've now been left hungry to learn more. Maybe it's time I took a trip to Italy.

The exhibition closes on Sunday, but walk-in tickets are still available. Visit www.britishmuseum.org/ for more information.

Sweet Art

So this weekend I yet again broke the rules and snuck in some weekday culture by attending a lecture exploring the history of food and art at the V&A.

Now, I'm not talking still life paintings of bowls of fruit, the likes of which we were forced to draw over and over again at school, but the history of food as a medium or tool for art.

Natasha Marks from AVM Curiosities took us through an exciting, if not fast paced, journey through food art and its heritage. From 15th Century sugar sculptures to the future of 3D edible printing it was a heaven for those with a sweet tooth. 

To make it even more interactive we were each given a bag of treats to munch on as we endeavoured to discover more about the history of food installations.  I particularly liked my golden fudge temple which is currently sitting pretty in my room yet to be eaten.

This is the part where sugar lovers should brace themselves, I'm about to tell you something that may shock you. Sugar used to be one of the most expensive ingredients to buy. To put it into perspective a jelly terrine, with its high levels of sugar and elaborate moulds, was worth more than commissioning an artist to create a self-portrait. Makes you think twice about how much sugar you put in your tea.

We blitzed through the medieval period where sugar and food art installations were a status symbol and pulled up at the Victorian era. Now those under the rule of Queen Victoria saw sugar as a necessity and less of an art form, but that's not how sugar and food is perceived today.

There are so many food artists around that's it’s hard to keep a track of them all. Natasha showed us work by the well-known Bompas & Parr, the gingerbread house by Timothy Horn and even the latest creations from the AVM team. I've never wanted to lick a projector slide in a lecture before, but there's a first time for everything.

People may wonder, what is the point of food art? It's not a Rembrandt or a Picasso, but to paraphrase Natasha, art is borrowed time and art is there to be consumed. Why not consume it physically too.

Visit www.avmcuriosities.com to check out all their creations or why not pop by Selfridges and check out their delicious window display.

Fabulous Flora & Fauna

So this weekend I went to one of my favourite haunts in London - Columbia Road Flower Market.

Why am I obsessed with this place? Well there are loads of beautiful flowers, some of which you won't find 

in your local supermarket, plus it is full of colourful characters who create an electric atmosphere.

Come rain or shine the stalls will be out and I'm forever suggesting the market as the place for people to 

visit if they are struggling to think of something to do  on a Sunday. I should probably speak with the local 

council about receiving commission for the number of people I've driven to the market.

It's not just about the flowers and the bargains available. Columbia Road is home to some vintage and 

designer shops that you can pop into when you feel overwhelmed by the crowds. My favourite shop is 

Vintage Heaven, a shop teeming from floor to ceiling with vintage crockery and cutlery. One of my top 

purchases from this Aladdin's cave was a beautiful little vase that currently sits pretty on my desk at home.

A visit to the market will make you think twice about buying from a supermarket. 

Here are a few of my top tips that I've picked up from my visits to Columbia Road:

To avoid the crowds either get there early morning (before 9am) or after the lunchtime rush


The best bargains can usually be picked up after 2pm


Don't buy flowers from the first stall you see. Make sure you check out what's on offer on all the stalls


Yes it can get crowded and often you'll need to fight your way through the flocks of locals and tourists, but at the end of the day it's worth it 


Make sure you visit the cash point before you trek down Columbia Road. Nothing worse than trying to buy without sterling to back the purchase

The Rise and Fall of a King

So this weekend I spent an evening at the National Theatre to see a preview of a contemporary performance of Edward II.

Most people are familiar with the history plays by Shakespeare, but they are not often aware of his predecessor Christopher Marlowe - probably better know for being stabbed above the eye than for his plays.

So who is Edward II and what is the play about? Well Edward II was a Plantagenet king of England who was married to Queen Isabella. On his coronation, Edward decides to bring back his friend and male lover Gaveston from exile. This infuriates the Barons and the Queen who feel threatened by Gaveston and the influence he holds over the King, so they arrange to kill Gaveston which ultimately leads to civil war. 

It's a far cry from the comedies and romances we associate with the likes of Shakespeare, but this contemporary production by Joe Hill-Gibbins marries suspense with light humour - despite it being one of the darkest and most corrupt periods of English history.

A mash up of medieval and modern, we see Warwick take phone calls in full battle armour whilst other characters are followed like reality TV stars around the back of the stage with a camera and projected on screens for the audience. I particularly loved the pre-recorded scene of Spencer and Baldock wandering through the corridors of the National as they attempt to find Gaveston and seek favours with the King. I loved the costumes! They were beautifully made and when the play finishes I will happily give all the Queen's outfits a good home. 

Although the play felt slightly long and sometimes the use of the camera was at times overused, but there's no denying that the acting was brilliant. John Heffernan, Vanessa Kirby and Kyle Soller were all sublime and well cast, but Bettry's Jones stole the last few scenes as the newly crowned Edward III.

My faith in good theatre has been restored recently and every production I have seen this year has continued to build on this. The last of the sunshine is on its way, but theatre just got hot. To book tickets visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. 

Deconstruct This

So this weekend I explored my arty side by enrolling myself on to a workshop called Deconstructing Deconstructions with artist Paddy Simkins.

Now it's a universally known truth that I am no artist. Stick men and cross stitch yes; sketches of landscapes and people no. My twin sister on the other hand is exceptionally talented and was once told that she could be a great forger of masterpieces. Fortunately she chose to be a teacher instead of opting for a life of crime.

Despite my lack of artistic skill, I'll always throw myself in to different experiences and this class caught my attention. You never know this could be the one that reveals my secret talent, leading to me dominating the art world. This is highly unlikely.

Anyway back to the class. Hosted by artist Paddy Simkins, a member of Repre, we looked at what it now means to create a piece of abstract art after all the 'isms' the artistic world has ventured through. I won't name them all as I'm sure you get the gist.

The session involved us drawing objects in the room several times in different ways against the clock whilst Paddy took us through the different techniques we were applying. We then had to draw two pictures of the person opposite us - not so good at this part. Two of our original sketches then had to be coloured in and cut in to strips and stuck on to paper - are you still with me? We then took another drawing and cut out squares or circles and placed the art work on top of the coloured strips. What you see above is the final piece - ta da!

So, what did I learn? Well firstly I need to stop drawing with my wrist and instead use my whole arm. I also need to stop over analysing everything and try my best to forget about being so detailed. I blame this on my English degree.

I didn't uncover a secret talent, but I did leave me with an appreciation for modernism and the artists process - a process that some of us probably take for granted.

If you are interested in checking out the work by the troupe of artists at Repre, they are hosting an exhibition on Thursday 5th September. Visit www.repreart.co.uk for more information.

In a Bit of a Pickle

So this weekend I made a return journey to the Hunterian museum to view a vast collection of pickled specimens.

The museum is part of the Royal College of Surgeons and fortunately for us average joes they open it up for free to the general public.

It's not the biggest of museums, but that hasn't stopped the curator using every inch of space to pack in animal skeletons, brains and even pickled human body parts.

Yes, there are some things that aren't particularly nice , an obese foot with black toe nails springs to mind and I expect a lot of guys have left the museum with their tail between their legs. Yet, it is a fascinating place and if those 17th century doctors hadn't taken specimens we would have the knowledge we have today of human anatomy.

Would I donate my body parts for scientific research and have them on display? Well unless I want to give the general public nightmares probably not. 

For more information visit, www.rcseng.ac.uk. 

A Winters Tale in Summer

So this weekend I woke myself up at what felt like the crack of dawn for a morning of Shakespeare at The Regents Park Open Air Theatre.

It's become a yearly ritual for my family and I to head down to the well-hidden open air theatre to watch a Shakespearean drama, comedy or tragedy. I've seen the wonders of A Midsummer Nights Dream, the magic of the Tempest and the sea worthiness of Pericles, but this time it was A Winter's Tale that grabbed our attention.

As usual with Shakespeare, the plot is never straightforward or simple. Set in Sicilia and Bohemia the play follows two best friends King Leontes and King Polixenes whose relationship falls apart due to jealousy. Leontes believes his wife Hermione has been cheating on him with his best friend, so he has her imprisoned and plans to poison Polixenes. Fortunately Polixenes escapes, but whilst under arrest Hermione gives birth to a daughter called Perdita who is sentenced to death by abandonment in the wilderness. Despite protests Leontes refuses to acknowledge the child and waits for his faithful servants to return from the oracle to judge/condemn Hermione and Polixenes for their crimes. Unluckily for Leontes the oracle claims that Hermione is a true wife which in a rage he immediately denies. As punishment for his denial a call goes out to say that Leontes son and heir is dead and Hermione collapses and later dies. Told you it was dramatic. So what happens to his lost daughter Perdita? Well you'll need to go and see it to find out and you've only got four days left!

This version of the Shakespearean tale has been adapted in a way to appeal and engage all ages. This basically means that you'll at some stage of the play be in invited to join in. With a drama degree under my belt I have no issue with jumping out of my seat and joining in with dance routines, throwing my hands or shouting out loud. My Dad and sister on the other hand preferred to stay seated whilst I clapped away like a loon. One day they will disown me.

The acting was exceptional, but my favourite part of the entire play was the transformation of mobility scooters in to boat. I bow down to your genius and creativity and would very much like to purchase one.

Visit http://openairtheatre.com/ to book tickets and see what else is on.