Beefeater Gin, the only international premium gin distilled in the heart of London, is one of the city’s best kept secrets. As part of London Open City the Beefeater Gin distillery will be opening its doors exclusively to the public on 18 and 19 September on a complimentary basis for pre-booked tours. Lussorian readers would do well to sample the drink, Beefeater has been awarded the trophy for World’s Best Gin more times than any other in the last 10 years by the International Wine and Spirits Competition, the most prestigious awards organisation for wines and spirits.
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Harrods has hosted these stunning sculptures and more since 23rd July. British sculptor Eleanor Cardozo launched her full collection of bronze figurative masterpieces’ at Harrods, Knightsbridge which will be on show until Friday 3rd September.
Eleanor Cardozo has recently created something of a buzz. Her impressive sculpting skills have led to massive acclaim and overwhelming responses.
This is the first time in the UK that the bronze artist whole collection has been on display to the public offering a wonderful opportunity for anyone visiting London during the summer to view or invest in her work.
Her bronze art, from miniatures to monuments start at £3,000 and her sepia drawings from £40. Most of her works are limited edition. Figurative sculptors have a new leading talent.
The detail of the pieces really make you appreciate just what an accomplished sculptor Cardozo is. The “fabric” detail on both “Swathe, Bronze” and “Seated nude” is very skilful.
Seated nude
Swathe, Bronze
Classically trained in both sculpture and portraiture in London and Florence, Eleanor has been successfully exhibiting in Europe for the past 20 years. Future exhibitions include Geneva and New York and her schedule for 2011 is already being planned worldwide.
With Britain’s own interest in the forthcoming Olympics (hosts), Eleanor’s pieces on the rhythmic Gymnast are so very relevant.
Ribbon Height with base 180cm
It is hoped to inspire our nation, that anything is possible. Her work reveals the human spirit, its strengths and its ability. Her exhibition is one of inspiration, motivation and aspiration.
One of her collectors has called Eleanor Cardozo the world’s biggest unexploited talent. Looking at the statue sculpture she has created, I think that’s fair comment.
The exhibition is situated by the elegant Georgian restaurant on Harrods fourth floor and runs until 3rd September 2010. It is free to enter and open daily with the stores opening hours.
High Praise for Eleanor Cardozo:
“I have filled my home with works by Eleanor Cardozo. Each piece has an eloquent, feminine, sensual sophistication” Baroness Caroline Fleming TVPresenter, Denmark
“Eleanor captures the strength and sensuality of the female form without losing any of its grace” Tony Fernandes CEO AirAsia
The British Glass Biennale is an exhibition to showcase the rich array of British glass talent with a £11,500 prize fund.
The fusion of raw talent of the young students that exhibit alongside long established and commercially successful artists makes this exhibition fresh and at the forefront of Glass modern design. British Art with Glass has never looked so good.
A distinguished Jury panel selected 96 glass pieces by 62 artists (including 9 students) from 449 pieces entered. What you get is truly inspirational, elegant and contemporary art glass.
A significant amount of lighting has been put forward by the judging panel, notably the stunning, botanically inspired chandelier by the increasingly in-demand artist, James Lethbridge.
James Lethbridge
‘Physalia’ Chandelier £4350
The glass making technique known as lampworking is much in favour amongst contributing artists this year. This exquisitely detailed bowl by Ayako Tani is one such example. She is influenced by memories of watching her Grandmother knitting with wool. She describes her work as …”knitting glass into 3D shapes”.
Folks! by Ayako Tani, £1675
Totally stunning. I had no idea Art for glass could be so progressive.
Manipulating glass to create fabric-like structures is a key theme amongst successful exhibits at the 2010 British Glass Biennale.
Kathryn Wightman is currently undertaking a PhD in glass but her creations have strong connections to textiles and fashion. Her recent work ‘A little bit of Lace’ strives to give a familiar object a new and unexpected perspective. The resulting object is rich in texture and beautifully tactile, certainly not what you might expect from glass.
Cathryn Shilling Kathryn Wightman
‘Synergy Series ii’ £870 each ‘A little bit of Lace!’ £650
Cathryn Shilling fuses strips of glass to form a flat sheet that resembles woven material. These are returned to the kiln for further shaping and the result is a fabric-like glass piece that appears to ‘hang’ and drape just like the real thing.
I didn’t realise just how versatile (and beautiful) Glass could be until I saw these pieces. The inventiveness of these highly talented glass artists is in clear evidence at this exhibition.
Everything that is on show is also available to buy. Prices range from £85 to £11,000. How could you miss this?!
Exhibition dates: 27 August – 11 September 2010The British Glass Biennale is held in the former Royal Doulton - Webb Corbett factory at Ruskin Glass Centre, Stourbridge, West Midlands, For more info, please go to http://www.biennale.org.uk
This isn’t a case of dipping your toe into the vast pool of culture, more diving in headfirst.
The 20th-22nd August sees the launch of the first in a cycle of literary, artistic and culinary luxury extravaganzas for an exclusive circle of guests.
Celebrated Author Lynne Truss of “Eats, Shoots and Leaves” fame will host the first event at the luxuriously restored and atmospheric Aldourie Castle, a treasure trove of cultural heritage, where just 24 guests will be treated to an intimate weekend of literary and artistic entertainment.
Aldourie Castle, set in a stunning 500-acre estate of woodlands and gardens, boasts a diverse and rich history. It’s breathtaking setting on the southern shores of Loch Ness, close to Inverness, enhanced its popularity as a destination for aristocrats, artists and industrialists during its Victorian heyday. A classic example of Scottish Baronial architecture, the castle has been authentically restored to the highest standards of opulence. Now, its extraordinary heritage is being celebrated with the launch of the unique Aldourie Castle Cultural Series.
The opportunity to attend the first (of, I imagine, many more) Cultural house parties seems too good to miss. Get away from all the hustle & bustle of the modern world and enjoy all that Aldourie Castle has to offer. This amazing location is so right for the weekend in question. The organisers should guarantee a feeling of well being and, maybe, enlightenment at the end of it all.
Lynne Truss, a diverse and prolific writer who has also authored two books on Alfred Lord Tennyson, will treat guests to readings as well as a conversational audience and question and answer session.
The exclusive weekend will also feature a tour of Aldourie Castle’s private collection of paintings with celebrated art expert and curator Veronica Franklin Gould.
Guests can try out first hand some of Mary Seton Watts’ ceramics techniques with a clay modelling workshop which explores the artist’s style and designs.
Add to that an exclusive private visit to the nearby 14th century Cawdor Castle which is linked with Shakespeare’s Macbeth, gourmet meals prepared by Aldourie Castle’s award-winning chef and a range of countryside activities available, and the weekend is forecast to be the ultimate Highland break for the literary and art lover.
There are only 12 double (or twin) rooms available and fully inclusive costs for the weekend start at £1,650 per person. As an exclusive private weekend house party, all meals, drinks, entertainment and transfer transport are included. Enquiries should be directed to events co-ordinator Paul Fisher on 01756 692503; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); http://www.aldouriecastle.co.uk.
Imagine being on the banks of Loch Ness and being far too busy for a spot of Nessie Hunting! What an inspiring weekend.
Discovering Life is a relative new comer into the luxury lifestyle club sector but don’t let that put you off. It presents members with a superb range of exclusive luxury offers and opportunities via two e-newsletters a month and their rather stylish website.
Whether you wish to take a trip in a Mig 31 jet to the edge of space, buy fine wine at a great price or send a fresh bouquet of flowers to dear old granny, it can offer you pretty much everything at the click of a button.
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