London Design Festival 2010 Complete Events Guide

London Design Festival

18-26 September All Over London

In its eighth year, The London Design Festival is a nine-day celebration of design in the world’s creative capital, London! The Festival is a platform for the widest spectrum of design disciplines, brought together as a unique and accessible programme. It is an internationally renowned annual festival opening this Saturday, 18th running through the 26 September. Last year was a big one: over 200 commissioned installations and exhibitions, more than 150 launches, private views and parties…Confirming our position as a creative capital to be envied Mayor of London, Boris Johnson stated: “The London Design Festival offers an outstanding showcase of some of most exciting design anywhere in the world. Amidst international competition and as we move out of the downturn, it is imperative we continue to support design and celebrate its importance to our city.”

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in design, and the London Design Festival is hosting several new digital design studios. Trafalgar Square will be transformed by Outrace (above), an interactive installation by the award-winning duo Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram. The pair has created software that will allow visitors to send SMS text messages to the mechanical tentacles of six industrial robotic arms borrowed from the production line of the car-maker (and installation sponsor) Audi. The synchronised robots will then write the messages in light traces that will be recorded using specialist high-definition video equipment and published online. Until September 26.

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Westminster Public Art Advisory Panel to be abolished

The Public Art Advisory Panel is to be abolished after 14 years of successful work. Dedicated to choosing Art for public spaces, the expert opinions have been decisive in the commissioning of sculpture including the Nelson Mandela statue and the memorial to the victims of the July 7 bombings. Art experts advise whether public sculptures should be commissioned and it is apparent that no new publicly funded works will be on the cards during the stringent government cuts, presently rife in Westminster council. The Panellists feel the decision will badly damage the quality of art in the borough and though councillors sometimes ignored their recommendations, the experts made an important contribution to the advancement of culture in the borough. Maurice Blik, a sculptor who sits on the panel, said he feared "banal, safe, dreary and unambitious work" would be given the go-ahead once the experts are dismissed, after their final meeting this month. The panel includes about a dozen practising professionals from the worlds of art and architecture including Terry New, the head of sculpture from the Royal Academy Schools, Philip Davies, planning and development director from English Heritage and architect Sir Richard MacCormac.Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster, said the council had "excellent" officers to advise them. It is difficult to take on board the timing in view of the 2012 Olympics and the future of new Art in central London.  Read More...

Turner Prize 2011 To Leave London For Gateshead

 Tate has announced that the prestigious Turner Prize 2011 will be mounted at the BALTIC in Newcastle. This is only the second time that the prize has been presented outside of London. In 2007 it was hosted by Tate Liverpool, ahead of the city's tenure as European capital of culture.This is first time that it departs from the Tate's infrastructure and will now annually alternate between Tate Britain and a Tate gallery in another UK city. The jury for the 2011 prize has also been revealed   Read More.....

UK film Future In Government Talks Latest

The Future of public funding for the UK film industry will be discussed by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey and key figures in the film business later this week. Mr Vaizey said he wants a "robust" strategy to keep UK filmmaking thriving. "There is no question that public support for film is continuing.” He suggested that lottery funding will increase from next year and the film tax credit will remain in place. Read More.....

Isabella Blow The Last 20th Century Fashion Icon

Isabella Blow (1958-2007): The last 20th century fashion icon was sadly missed at the launch of a new book by her PA Martina Rink, celebrating her life and hats. ArtLyst covered the party, Haunch of Venison Gallery London 13/09/2010.  The event was attended by many friends including,Boy George, Rupert Everett and Vidal Sassoon.Many Thanks to her cousin Shelagh Delves-Broughton for inviting me to the event.

Watch video here:

George Michael Released Latest Wham Graffiti

Ok this is completely silly and it's not really art.I was walking by where George Michael crashed his car in Hampstead today and snapped this on my iphone.It is one of the better pieces of Graffiti I've seen in a long time.Note someone has scrawled 'Wham' on the point of impact.
The crash happened At 3.35 am on July 4 George, 47, lost control of his Range Rover and smashed it into a Snappy Snaps photo shop near his home.The crash buckled a door frame and shattered windows of the photo shop in the up-market high street. Read More...

Photo:© ArtLyst 2010

UK Film Council CEO John Woodward Resigns

It has been announced via a press release that John Woodward is standing down as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council. Commenting on his decision, Woodward said: "For the next few weeks the UK Film Council is in a dialogue with the Government about the future support structures for UK film. By choosing to make my position clear now, I can be objective and unconflicted throughout that process. It should then, rightly, be for others to take the new system forward and write the next chapter for UK film. He will leave the organisation in early November 2010 and will announce his future plans in due course. Read More.......