FILM | SHORTS

ART | BAUHAUS

The work of Nicholas Alan Cope's is always so striking. Whilst perusing his stunning photographs of American Bauhaus Architecture I remembered that I still need to catch the Bauhaus: Art as Life exhibition at The Barbican before it finishes on 12 August.

A poignant movement post WW1,the Bauhaus school worked to unify art with utility and technology creating some of the most striking design and architecture of the 20th Century. The biggest Bauhaus exhibition in 40 years, this is a must see - so guess I better get a move!

FRIDAY!

It's a frickin Friday again! Launch party in Soho tonight! Life is sweet! Will report back!

FASHION | MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

Maison Martin Margiela's 'Artisanal' Autumn-Winter 2012 collection's as creative and innovative as ever. This avant garde Belgium label is consistently interesting and inspiring so who better to close Haute Couture fashion Week at Espace Commines in Paris.
Chic white on white styling, sleeveless jackets and perfect layering, ensured Margiela's 2013 Resort collection, 'Replica', got us all clambering to own one of these simple pieces of perfection. 

Margiela loves to surprise with stunning sellotape dresses and full swarovski face mask having been included in recent shows. With that in mind, who isn't more than a little intrigued to see what the Margiela collection for H&M will consist of?!

MUSIC | MONDAY

ANIMALS | PIGEONS

Right I'm just going to come out and say it...I think that pigeons are quite cool and get a bad rap. I'm in good company too as according to the Pigeon Preservation Site Picasso and Darwin also like pigeons.

I'm no pigeon fancier; I don't own any stuffed pigeons or sit covered in crumbs on Trafalgar Square, it's just that whenever I see a nasty pigeon spike on a roof I feel sorry for our little grey birdy friends and then I read about this;'According to cnnb.com.cn, scientists in Shandong have successfully implanted a microchip and radio receiver in a pigeon's brain, enabling them to instruct the pigeon by remote control to take off, fly in circles and obey other commands' (I really hope this is a hoax!). Pigeons are iconic eating and breathing little winged characters who deserve as much respect as any other creature on this planet (right, done my hippy bit) and it's not fair to dismiss them as vermin.

Some Pigeon's are descendants of veteran war hero pigeon's and their racing, message carrying and homing abilities are awe inspiring. In India there are temples dedicated to worshiping pigeons and they are revered-'Goddess Rati, the Goddess of passion and lust and the consort of Kama, the God of love, is believed to be usually depicted with a pigeon as her vahana'. Here's a pic of a pigeon resting in the 16ft dreadlocks of Hindu sadhu (holyman) Sukhdev Baba Santi at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, India.

In London pigeons are working hard to fit in: climbing stairs, eating the kind of stuff we eat after too many hours in the pub, using pedestrian crossings to cross the road, riding escalators, taking the underground and (when necessary) even the bus. They want to live with us, not against us. Let's support each other - arm in wing to make London a nicer, less hostile place.

Rentokil(yes, I know!) recently celebrated pigeon's romantic side; 'Pigeons have a complicated courtship sealed with a special pigeon kiss. Pigeons mate for life and are thoroughly modern parents who share parental responsibility, including childcare and foraging for unwanted scraps of food'. See they're actually role models!

Their coocoo is also fast becoming coolcool (sorry), as they're getting a bit of online and media notoriety. Jon Pigeon tweets about being a pigeon; his day to day life, hopes and aspirations...

'Have applied to Jeremy Kyle. Want to be an Emergency Chav Pigeon. Have my lies detected. Punch an auntie. Strop about a bit. Doing the face.'

Fellow Pigeon Tweeter, Brian Pigeon, also shares his life in the capital on his Pigeon Blog. He's one inspiring and busy bird who's currently training for the Pigeon Olympics! According to Brian, June 15th was Pigeon Awareness Day, but why not spare a thought for these fellas all year round. Let them enjoy your crumbs, don't kick or try to run them over. They are tough but constant hate and resentment is bound to grind even the toughest bird down. They try so hard so give them a break. I mean,they even provide cards @ FunkyPigeon.com (have not been paid to advertise this).

Yes they do carry diseases such as these listed on the Pigeon Chat Forum (no I do not spend time on there) but they add character and can be fun to watch. 

Being a small pigeon in a big city must be hard enough without being stigmatized as vermin. Give pigeons a chance folks.

FOOD | LONDON

Been busy eating and drinking my way around London as a way of celebrating getting older. Here's some places I consumed at....

La Sacre Couer
You win no medals for guessing what type of cuisine is served here. This is a super cute rench Bistro off Upper St and it's wealth of eateries. On a corner of pretty Berton street this place feels relatively authentic-theatre posters on the walls, good wine, friendly French waiters- and is a great place to sit outside of on  a sunny day or enjoy an intimate meal in the evening. The prices are very pleasant for Islington too.

Cottons
Amazing Caribbean food and 300 types of rum. What's not to love. Went to the one in Camden but there's a sister restaurant at Exmouth Market. Go!

Cafe Columbia
If a bargain bagel and good cup of coffee served by some friendly cockneys and enjoyed in a little courtyard just off Columbia Road flower market on a Sunday's your thing, then off you trot. I do regularly!

Also had a chinese banquet in (surprise, surprise) Chinatown. It was yum but can't remember which restaurant. Sowy.