Tag Archives: photography

Miles Aldridge, Somerset House

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The explosive Miles Aldridge retrospective at Somerset House is one of two shows of this photographer’s work in London over the summer, displaying large-scale prints from throughout his career as well as more modest evidence of his artistic vision.

Tickets cost £6, which seems cheap, but there are only two rooms to see. Aldridge has two obsessions: women and colour. Both these concerns are seen in almost every work, each more powerful than the last. Interestingly my favourite shot was absent of any female protagonist, instead it pictures a broken egg yolk scorched by a cigarette butt. Disturbed by his parents’ divorce, the female figures have a vacant but dominant expression, they own their disastrous and destructive scenes.

Aside from the vivacious prints, we enjoyed being observers of Aldridge’s thought processes. One cabinet displays repetitive Polaroid shots, a method used by the artist to ensure the perfect poise and pose. Considering his contemporary images and style, it was interesting to discover his traditional technical approach – he never uses digital film.

Presentation is as wacky and bold as Aldridge himself; each wall is painted a different hue from creamy turquoise to neon pink. This design decision makes the work really vibrant and revives a Pop Art aesthetic.

Short, sweet, and sexy, this is a strong selection of Miles Aldridge photographs. The exhibition continues at Somerset House until 29th September and a signed book of the work, published by Rizzoli, is available to buy from the shop – a memory of this explosive exhibition.

More information here: www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/miles-aldridge-i-only-want-you-to-love-me

Burtynsky: OIL, Photographers’ Gallery

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I was impressed when my younger brother told me he was spending his Saturday visiting an exhibition. Amazed by his proactivity I joined him on his mission into central London.

The Photographers’ Gallery just off Oxford Street reopened in May after an eighteen month refurbishment. This space is the country’s original independent gallery devoted to photography and the top two floors of the building are currently exhibiting Edward Burtynsky’s epic photos examining our dependence on oil.

The images depict landscapes affected by oil distribution and extraction – vast, often ugly views captured exquisitely by Burtynsky. The immense works are so detailed they look almost velvety in texture and are as awe-inspiring close up as they are from a distance. This Canadian photographer tells a story through each individual picture. Through “aerial views of oil fields and highways ribboning across the landscape, derelict oil derricks and mammoth oil-tanker shipbreaking operations, we are confronted with the evidence of our dependence on this finite resource.” They are very still and poignant photographs, people are almost entirely absent from the images creating a curious atmosphere and perspective.

Burtynsky has travelled the world to find these unique expansive spaces that show the rarely seen effects oil has on our planet. Aside from being utterly spectacular photographs, this exhibition is a lesson and reality check from which we could all benefit.

Continues until 1 July. Free entry. Visit website here.

It is worth visiting the shop downstairs too for weird, wonderful and rare film, cameras and books.

On Set Off Set photo exhibition, cocktails, afternoon tea and manicures, Sofitel London St James

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The Sofitel in St James immediately evokes happy memories of Paris, it is a very sophisticated and stylish hotel. Although part of a huge chain, this branch has its own character and atmosphere, with immaculate tasteful decor and an understated sense of luxury.

To celebrate the current On-Set Off-Set Cinema Photography exhibition in association with Polka Galerie, a group of bloggers were invited to indulge for the afternoon and appreciate the photographs.

Arriving at 2pm we were directed through the opulent reception to the spacious SO spa where we chatted away and tried fruity cocktails. In turn we were treated to gorgeous mini manicures at the spa choosing our shades from the selection of lovely rich OPI colours. I chose a summery shade of coral.

The “pretty in pink” tearoom is an idyllic setting, with a musician playing gently on a harp and the iconic portrait photographs watching down from the walls. It was a glorious place to spend the afternoon sipping tea! Appropriately named the Rose Lounge, it is themed with girly features, and has an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ vibe. At the Sofitel ‘Tea en Rose’ is served daily between 2.30 and 5.30pm offering a selection of French inspired treats: finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a variety of unique tea choices. For further luxury there are Parisiennes Pastries and Rose and Litchi Champagne cocktails on offer. I thought the scones were particularly good, arriving warm straight from the oven. I also loved my whole rose bud tea, light and sweet-edged, perfumed subtly with rose.

We were so preoccupied with the delicious food, I didn’t spend as long as I would have liked perusing the striking photos on display. Celebrating cinema in Europe, these photographs by Stefano De Luigi, Derek Hudson, Alain Loison and Emanuele Scorcelletti capture famous faces from Woody Allen to Johnny Depp, Jane Birkin to Penelope Cruz; moments caught on camera of the young and beautiful.

The Cinema exhibition finishes at the Sofitel St James at the end of May but I would highly recommend visiting either the So Spa or Rose Tea Room for a very memorable afternoon at this sensational hotel.

Visit the Sofitel website here for more information. More information on the photo exhibition here.