Back to school doesn’t have to mean dull. As you switch to a winter wardrobe, these fun but practical timepieces should be on your mind September 22, 2016 While it may have been a while since you bought a new pencil case, donned a scratchy jumper and polished your non-descript pair of black shoes, there’s still something about September that has a “back to school” feel. The weather starts to cool and you relinquish the summer florals in favour of autumn’s more sombre [...]
The long and winding path of Gerald Laing, from bikini babes to the dogs of war September 22, 2016 Gerald Laing is best known for his bold pop art works featuring beautiful bikini models, macho space-men and daredevil skydivers. He was a pioneer of the movement, a Brit who moved to New York and became a cultural figurehead, revered alongside the likes of Andy Warhol (who he would later pay homage to in a [...]
My Inspiration: Artist Lauren Baker on vows of silence, an infinity coffin and her love of John Everett Millais’ Ophelia September 22, 2016 Artist Lauren Baker talks about her love for John Everett Millais’ Ophelia In Shakespeare’s play, Ophelia is picking flowers in the forest and falls into the river, where her billowing dress keeps her afloat for a while before she slowly drowns. In the painting she’s pale white with long, gingery hair, so I kind of see [...]
Famous sculptor Alexander Calder also made stunning jewellery, on display in London soon September 22, 2016 Alexander Calder is best known as the man who introduced the mobile to the art world. In a recent Tate Modern retrospective, his giant, astronomical sculptures rotated overhead, some powered by invisible motors, others relying on gravity and the movement of air created by visitors. They rely on delicate balance, suggesting that beauty underpins the [...]
From Dada to the cover of Vogue: the incredible life and times of Vogue photographer Erwin Blumenfeld September 22, 2016 Erwin Blumenfeld, one of the most recognisable fashion photographers of the 20th century, led a life that uncannily reflected the contradictions of his times. He was a famous photographer of nudes who was once arrested for daring to allow his bathing costume to slip from his shoulder while sunbathing. He was conscripted into the German [...]
The future of the arts: from 3D printing to VR, we speak to people bringing cutting edge tech to age-old formats September 22, 2016 Technology, like art, is a soaring exercise of the human imagination,” said sociologist Daniel Bell, “[They] are not separate realms walled off from each other.” The convergence of these two forces is age old, but the pace of innovation over the last decade, with the emergence of viable virtual reality and 3D printing, has given [...]
Apple Watch Series 2: repositioned as a fitness watch, it begins to make a lot more sense September 21, 2016 Smartwatches haven’t exactly set the world on fire. After 18 months, the Apple Watch – a product that once seemed like a plausible successor (or at least an indispensable companion) to the iPhone – is still decidedly niche. This requires some qualification, however: it dominates its market – about a third of smartwatches are made [...]
iPhone 7 review: A brilliant handset but one that hints at even bigger things to come September 21, 2016 There were no queues around the block for the UK launch of the iPhone 7. Flash floods were a mitigating factor (plus the fact the annual pilgrimage has been on the wane for a couple of years), but I suspect it’s also because it looks so damn similar to the last one. The aluminium chassis [...]
Our resident chef Mark Hix on how British farmers are extending asparagus season to incredible new lengths September 21, 2016 Traditionally, the asparagus season is a brief one, running from late April until late June depending on how our British weather behaves. But thanks to milder winters and clever growers, that season is getting longer. One producer who’s really put some thought into fighting the overseas competition is the Chinn Family, who grow asparagus in [...]
The six best hot dogs in London: From huge poles to dirty dogs, it’s our pick of the best sausages-in-a-bun September 20, 2016 1. The Polish Dog The Diner, Strand Proving it’s possible to give a hot dog a name you’re not embarrassed to say in front of your grandmother, The Polish Dog is a beef and pork wiener with caramelised onions and French’s mustard. Good job, The Diner, for not submitting to the childish temptation to call [...]