David Bowie Is – The V&A Museums blockbuster summer show, you won’t want to leave it!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by smudgetikka

I have to say straight out I am a David Bowie fan, I am one of those teenagers forever affected by the man, I went to St Martin’s School of Art, I spent my nights down the Blitz nightclub and many other New Romantic Soho haunts and in all fairness I am not going to be an impartial critic here of this incredible Bowie exhibition at the V&A Museum in London for the summer months.

What impressed me apart from the sheer amount of archive material on display was the insight into the planning and control of all his moves. While some of the lyrics were written on the day in the studio as it were, the tours, album covers and persona’s were so fully worked out beforehand that little was left to chance. It reminds you also how completely unafraid he was, in a fairly dangerous climate still at that time in the 70′s for the bi-sexuality he projected.

How on earth do you keep an invoice for a days recording at a studio for 40 years, I shred my accounts every year as they pass the 7yr deadline! Everything has been kept in Bowie’s career and it forms a fascinating tour through the show. The V&A’s biggest problem here will be how to keep the punters moving through the exhibits there is so much to see and linger over, its not just about the costumes, or the interactive music which plays the classic hits as you pass by exhibits but also the influences and techniques he used and there is a fair amount of film to watch too.

The end of the show is amazing, the huge projection screens held the hardened journo’s at the preview spellbound with many sitting for 20 minutes or more watching the archive footage from Top of The Pops and concerts. This is an exhibition to allow 2 hours to progress through as a minimum. The opening is the 23rd of March but It’s already sold out of advanced booking tickets till May, get your ticket quickly before it ends on the 11th August 2013.

Kansai Yamamoto costume from the Aladdin Sane tour of 1973 at the entrance to the V&A Museum David Bowie exhibition

The original lyrics as written by David Bowie for Starman at the V&A museum summer exhibition

Freddie Burretti costume for Starman performance on Top of The Pops 1972, inspired by Clockwork Orange and described by Bowie as ‘Ultra violence in Liberty fabrics’

Handwritten notes on the back of the Hunky Dory album cover show the obsessive control over each part of the process. Bowie’s look here was apparently inspired by Katherine Hepburn in The Philadelphie story.

Coffin like display of a replica of the Ziggy Stardust cover jacket 1972 at the V&A Museum

Costume by opera specialist Peter Hall for the Cracked Actor song on the Serious Monlight tour 1983

The V&A Bowie exhibition even has the double head puppets from the new ‘Where are we now?’ video by Tony Oursler

Many of the costumes appear behind a gauze curtain which has videos projected on top at the V&A Museum David Bowie summer exhibition

Huge projections screens in a cavernous space towards the exhibitions end grip the attention, it feels as if you could spend forever in there watching endless re-runs through Bowie’s career.

In later years David Bowie collaborated with Alexander McQueen on many outfits, here a distressed frock coat from 1995 shortly after his graduation from St Martins School of Art.

Designed by Bowie himself for his 50th Birthday concert you’ve got to admire a 50 year old guy with the balls to wear that!

As you exit, back to an early portrait by Masayoshi Sukita from 1972 and Bowie is wearing a pattern mix that could have come from the latest womenswear collections today.

All materials from the David Bowie Archive, the exhibition is a partnership between the V&A Museum and Gucci.

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2013

Loved staying at this Mid-Century modern classic hotel designed by Gio Ponti in the 1960′s – Parco dei Principi

Posted on January 4, 2013 by smudgetikka

Having decided to take a short break and show my teenage son Pompeii in the October half term break imagine how delighted I was to discover this classic Mid-Century hotel was close by.

The Parco dei Principi was designed and built by Gio Ponti in 1962, it was the first in its class of large tourist hotels and remains a true classic of his design ethos having been refurbished to keep all its original design features. He designed everything inside including even specifying which cutlery should be used and it is now a listed and protected building.

It has to be said I have stayed in far more comfortable and luxurious rooms but for a few days break its great and any design addicts will go potty for all the great little details around. As all Italian hotels it is fairly child friendly and there were quite a few in the 5-10 age range staying when we visited.

I upgraded to a sea view with a balcony which I can highly recommend, the weather was rubbish but even with a huge storm brewing the view was fantastic right across the bay to Naples and Vesuvius. Parco dei Principi is just outside Sorrento so if you are in that part of Italy do make sure to go and check it out.

Main entrance at the Parco dei Principe, the hotel decor is all blue and white themed to suit its waterfront location

The lifts are decorated with a mosaic of at the time new innovation plastic pebbles!

The furniture has been refurbished or remade to the original 1962 Gio Ponti designs

There are 32 different designs of tiling at the Parco dei Principe, Sorrento

Mid-Century classic furniture is all upholstered in the original blue toned wool fabric

I love the cool bar look with the resin pebble effect again at the Parco dei Principi, Sorrento

Much is made of the history of the Parco dei Principi and the main entrance has displays of original sketches and features about the designs

Inside the room there is a great reading chair and light

Finally some clear weather on our last day, the great view from my room terrace across the bay of Naples to Vesuvius

The storms across the Bay of Naples are pretty spectacular entertainment though if you are stuck inside!

Looking down from the terrace, cool handpainted terrace tiling below

The individual painting on the Gio Ponti designed tiles gives them an artisan look rather than just hard graphics.

Standing up to the test of time remarkably well, the tiles at the listed Parco dei Principe Hotel in Sorrento

Great use of the resin pebbles for the lift down to the beach level at the Parco de Principi Hotel.

I love the simplicity of the waiting bench by the lift to and from the beach level, so suitable for wet bodies!

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Street Party time, celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee carry on rain or dry!

Posted on June 5, 2012 by smudgetikka

How lucky am I, two Jubilee street parties right on my doorstep, well almost, around the corner anyway. It was one of those rain off, rain on days but everyone made the effort and had a great time anyway and the kids will remember it forever.

This year there were some super impressive cakes, some fabulous Pirate bunting and tutu’s and tiara’s were the popular choices to wear.

Loving the Pirate bunting at the Diamond Jubilee street party, London 2012.

A regal princess sheltering from the rain, Diamond Jubilee Street party - love that gappy front tooth age!

A Jubilympic flame for the street party, June 2012

Experimentation with red and blue face paint and a great skirt.

The Arts and Crafts table, concentration is key!

Patriotic faces for the day

Bunting and balloons, can't have a street party without them!

The most totally amazing cake! Who has time to bake this?

"All my own work" pretty good cake for a beginner and better than I managed!

Fun and Games, the egg and spoon race, a golden oldie

Love the ermine fake wraps and crowns, tis fun to dress up like the Queen!

Modern minimalism hits the Victoria Sponge cake, I love it!

Timezone warp makeshift sword from Schweppes on this medieval knight

King for a day, and one to remember forever. Diamond Jubilee Street Party, June 2012

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

The Diamond Jubilee 2012, The River Pageant at Putney, the start of it all.

Posted on June 4, 2012 by smudgetikka

So inspiring to see all the boats that took part in the record breaking River Pageant for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

It was cold, windy and wet and yet these participants rowed, stood and waved in their little boats for a good 3 hours or more yesterday afternoon. The row boats went first, then some of the old boats that were used for the Dunkirk rescue from the Second World War, then we had the fire and rescue services and even a few wonderful steam boats that tooted along the route.

I viewed from the beginning point at Putney, the bridge was packed and all the appartments and houses on the route had viewers dressed up in the spirit of the day. Take a look at some of the great boats and crews below.

Some of the younger viewers en route for the River Pageant Diamond Jubilee celebration

Great entry from Canada in the Commonwealth section of the row boats

Love this Viking longboat. Diamond Jubilee, River Pageant 2012

Love this Manx longboat. Diamond Jubilee, River Pageant 2012

Not quite sure what the sunflowers represent! Diamond Jubilee, River Pageant 2012

The daffodils are representing Wales. Diamond Jubilee, River Pageant 2012

Determination to enjoy the day on one of the old fireboats at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

Curtains of water from a modern fire rescue boat at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

A good contingent of the boats came from Cornwall

Vintage torpedo launcher at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

Fabulous old steam boat at Putney for the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

Looking towards Hammersmith at the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant boats all lined up ready to go.

After the show, back to the street parties in Putney, London SW15

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Shopping with the kids in New York, sweetie stores and robots while the locals go mad for Black Friday

Posted on November 25, 2011 by smudgetikka

Most Americans will be heading to the stores today for techie goods and fashion bargains for the famed Black Friday reductions, but where do you shop that entertains the kids as well?

Luckily in New York they know retail and they do it very well, even a sweetshop is turned into a magical emporium of multiple levels, witness Dylan’s Candy Bar which has just opened a Christmas special pop up shop in Bryant Park and whose Black Friday deal of 10% off is topped by the 20% off on Cyber Monday!

Or try Toys’R'Us whose 6 floors in Times Square feature an actual big wheel that turns in the atrium and you can ride in, and a life size animatronic dinosaur in the model section. Both Hershey’s and M&M whose stores face off against each other across the street have inbuilt displays that deserve more than a passing glance, even from the guy dressed as the Statue of Liberty who hangs on the other street corner. Soft toy lovers will appreciate the crowded cuddly ground floor at FAO Schwarz and look out for the dancing piano mat demonstration.

Teenagers however will prefer the quieter and low key Nintendo store where there is an actual Game Boy blown up in the Gulf War that still works in its 2nd floor Museum or the relaxed vibe in the village where Kidrobot shows how cool is really done. For those in the know Forbidden Planet gives away old copies of comics on a Thursday and is chock a full with toys and books from Japan.

Dylan's Candy Bar at 1011 3rd Avenue New York, right in with the upscale boutiques including Bloomingdales

Loving the gummy staircase at Dylan's Candy Store, New York

Do you have a favourite celebrity, do you want to know what their favourite sweets are? No, me neither but never mind!

Stop off for ice cream and cookies at the Wily Wonka style cafe at the top of Dylan's Candy store where the TV monitors show a selection of vintage confectionary ads.