Contributing editor Daisy Hoppen shares what she’ll be doing this month, from exploring Photo London to settling in for Game of Thrones
See: Photo London
This month sees London host the annual Photo London fair which means the city comes alive with strong photography shows from large and small galleries alike. Those I am planning trips to – as well as the fair itself include:
Casper Sejersen: One, Two, Three, Four at Cob Gallery from May 11 – June 15, 2019
I have long admired Casper Sejersen’s work, and also been lucky enough to meet him through Danish friends and creative projects. Showing different bodies of work both at Photo London and within the gallery’s Camden space, One, Two, Three, Four is his debut exhibition and body of personal work. I think of Sejersen’s vision as dream-like and painterly, but there is often a dark and more curious layer to his creative output. It’s this tension which Sejersen is brilliant at documenting.
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Shredded by Alix Marie at Roman Road from May 11 – June 2, 2019
Founder of the Roman Road Marisa Bellani has always had an impressive eye and this month’s show by Alix Marie is particularly attention-grabbing. Titled Shredded, artist Marie presents pieces from three new bodies of work investigating the tensions of social constructions of masculinity, using the skins of male bodybuilders through drawings, sculptures and photography.
Ryan Driscoll: Elysium at Soft Opening until June 23, 2019
I first discovered Ryan Driscoll’s work through Shrimps’ A/W19 presentation and the vast backdrop he imagined for the set. Antonia Marsh is another young curator and gallerist who I admire; in this show she presents Driscoll’s work which reimagines scenes from Greco-Roman mythology and plays with themes of revelry, voyeurism, desire, love and loss. Androgynous figures represent a queer understanding of the body and a non-binary vision of the classical nude.
Other stands to see at Photo London...
- Michael Hoppen Gallery: Masahisa Fukase
- Sprueth Magers: Stephen Shore
- Howard Greenberg: Vivian Maier
- Goodman Gallery: David Goldblatt
- Danziger Gallery: Susan Meiselas
- Eamonn Doyle: Made in Dublin at the River Rooms
Watch: Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is back – it’s not for everyone but it’s cemented my Monday nights in. Winter is finally HERE!
Eat: Dinner at 26 Grains
Alex Hely-Hutchinson (founder of 26 Grains) will be welcoming guests for dinner at her Neal’s Yard restaurant for the very first time. The evening menu will offer regularly changing, simple dishes that centre on seasonality and Alex’s home-style cooking, inspired by her time spent in Copenhagen. In line with Alex’s philosophy, the focus will be on simple seasonal cooking with quality ingredients, with a weekly changing set menu of one starter followed by one fresh homemade pasta dish. From 6pm, Wednesday to Saturday, lights will dim and the kitchen will dish up starters of ricotta, radicchio and hazelnut, and crostini, goat’s cheese and picked nettle. For mains, pastas will include tagliatelle with mushroom and walnuts; arrabiata; pork and fennel ragu; and broccoli and chilli.
Shop: Sage Flowers
Avoid the crowds at the notoriously busy Chelsea Flower Show and head to south east London. Locals Sage Flowers will be showcasing floral installations and bespoke arrangements in store as well as bouquet making workshops on Saturday, May 25 (book via via their website). In keeping with the idea of the great outdoors and the arrival of summer (hopefully), Danish textile brand Tekla presents a collaboration with John Pawson through a capsule collection of blankets. Ideal for picnics and also wearing wrapped around you when the sun goes down.
Stay: The Buxton and The Pig at Bridge Place
In London...
Opening on London’s Brick Lane is The Buxton, housed in a former Victorian pub with 15 rooms above the pub itself. The hotel’s name is an homage to local social reformer, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton (1786–1845), who lived and worked on Brick Lane. Buxton, who was also a former owner of the Truman Brewery, dedicated his life to campaigning for human rights and raised money for the weavers of London who were being forced into poverty by advancements in factory technology.
Away from London...
Everyone’s favourite hotel group, The Pig, opens a new location near Canterbury, The Pig at Bridge Place. Rooms range from Kentish hop-pickers’ huts in the orchard of the hotel’s garden to indulgent hideaways in the main house. As always, the hotel has beautiful and scenic kitchen gardens, as well idyllic water meadows. Find more information at Mr and Mrs Smith.
Listen: Conversations with Nick Cave
The incredible Nick Cave starts his European tour, titled Conversations with Nick Cave. Inspired by Cave’s evolving relationship with his audience, these have become more interactive events that showcase both conversation and music.
Read: Cari Mora by Thomas Harris
After a 13-year hiatus, the creator of Hannibal Lecter will present a new standalone thriller. Described as a story in which “monsters lurk in the crevices between male desire and female survival”, protagonist Cari Mora is the refugee caretaker of a mansion located on the Miami Beach waterfront, beneath which lies $25 million in cartel gold. Sounds happily creepy!
Daisy Hoppen is the founder of DH-PR, a London-based communications agency. She also works in house with a small number of brands, companies and personalities across fashion, art and culture.
