One of 2018’s great exhibitions was Magister Canova, June-November, at Scuola Grande della Misercicordia, Sestre Cannaregio Venice. In effect, a technical, 21st century presentation of an 18th century master.

The intimacy of the supersized multi-media presentation illustrates perfection in its finest detail, telling the sensual stories of its neo-classical subjects along the way, from Cupid, via Pshyhe, and on to Hercules and more. Well worth the trek through the back streets of Venice.

DRAWING IN LIGHT

Hidden deep in the heart of Clerkenwell we discovered a gem of an exhibition - ‘Exploring Boundaries’, which beautifully illustrates the recent work of architects WilkinsonEyre.

The magic is in the presentation of each building, beautifully drawn, by laser, into blocks of glass. Each a perfect miniature, captured as a glowing 3 dimensional image.

The story is supported by more traditional CGI drawings which further build the excitement around WilkinsonEyre’s international portfolio.

Sadly for four days only - 19th-22nd September 2018. The House of Detention, Clerkenwell, London.

Love on the rocks.

It’s so cool it hurts.

One part, Greek island, one part Marrakech, with a splash of Star Wars. That’s the mixology of Scorpios Mykonos - a series of timber and stone terraces designed to draw in the post-beach, sunset-seeking, nomadic travellers, who are rightly making this place a big success.

Consisting of a restaurant, beach, sunset beach, terrace bars and indoor lounge (with rooms available for the total experience, at the nearby San Giorgio Mykonos - be warned, yoga and meditation classes might be compulsory here!), Scorpios is created with great style and commitment via impressive architecture, and atmospheric, understated interiors. It’s a place where New Age meets Mad Max.

A military style desert tent houses fashion by Caravana, designed for girls and boys to drift across the sands of Mykonos (en route to Burning Man, Nevada!) -it is however fashion that might not work in quite the same way on the streets of London, Liverpool or Glasgow but hey - we’re on holiday!

I came away from Scorpios (after two or three spritzers) believing in their own descriptor - “Built around a contemporary interpretation of the Ancient Greek agora, Scorpios is a gathering place meant to galvanise the artistic, spiritual, and social life of the community” - you will too!

I think most people leave Scorpios both shaken and stirred - in a very good way.

Check out Scorpios Mykonos… San Giorgio Mykonos… Caravana…

BUcking BRANCO.

There’s often a new kid on the block to buck the trend and raise standards (and prices!).

In this case, celebrating the end of its first full season is Branco, a great new beach front hotel, nestling at the eastern end of Platis Gialos Beach in Mykonos.

Along side its neighbour Scorpios Mykonos, Branco is part of ‘new’ Mykonos for a fresh generation of the global super set.

It may be a little expensive to stay in, but there is no harm in checking out its restaurant for lunch (dinner very quiet there) and the beach club, bar and beach spa. Celebrity chef (in the best possible sense) Athinagoras Kostakos has created a real gem of a place for lunch - complimented by the chilled sounds from the resident beach DJ.

Scorpios, a ten minute walk down the road from Branco, also represents a significant addition to the Mykonos scene. Its a fusion - authentically Mykonos, beautifully styled, great architecture, and again sporting a menu by Kotstakos the ‘Chef of Cyclades’.

We might love the age old Mykonos of Sea Satin Market (still in tact and as you remember it), but the island has certainly risen to the beat of the 21st century too.

Check out Branco Mykonos….

HIGH PERFORMANCE.

I've never really taken to performance art. Laurie Anderson at one end of the spectrum ok, I get, but in general the category is lost on me. However, the current Joan Jonas exhibition currently at Tate Modern might just have changed all that. 

This enlightening exhibition, demonstrates how the artist uses puppetry, props, theatre, film, sometimes within the confines of her own mini theatre installations to create a very personal take on story telling. Well worth a visit.

Ends August 5th 2018.

THINKING BIG!

The latest priceless find, to be unearthed at the British Museum is 'Rodin and the art of ancient Greece'. The exhibition details the story of the French sculptor,  his visit to London for the first time in 1881, and the resulting inspirational explosion that this discovery within the walls of the British Museum triggered.

In London Rodin was captivated by the Parthenon sculptures (Elgin marbles to you and me!) and this exceptional exhibition charts his story through the intertwining of his work with of that of Ancient Greece, in particular the work of Pheidias, also a superstar sculptor in his own time. 

The exhibition tells its story well, exploring the displacement of objects (Rodin never actually visited Greece) and the creative lessons to be drawn from the artist's reimagining of the classical for a different, new era and purpose. 

Rodin and the art of Ancient Greece runs till July 29th 2018