a glimpse back to the 2008 Whitney Biennial

Finally, she’s back! This Thursday, February 25th, marks the return of The Whitney Biennial – a spectacular display of the state of contemporary art. Think of a Jekyll & Hyde scenario: calm galleries by day and rawkas parties by night. While this year’s Biennial will be doing without it’s uptown counterpart, the Park Avenue Armory, The Whitney Museum will play hostess with the mostess to the most influential names in art TODAY. From The Bruce High Quality Foundation to Aurel Schmidt, the Whitney will expose – for the good, the bad and everything in between – where we are today. Art is one of those larger sensibilities, one that reflects our philosophies, aesthetics, economics and hopes. Art is a mirror on our world.

But more than just ‘art,’ I like to think of the Whitney Biennial as a huge experiment. Looking back at the last, where tequila bars and pink painted rockstars were all presented as definitions of the contemporary state of artistic affairs, whether you agree with the curation of the show or not, there is no doubt that the Whitney leaves itself open to welcomed debate.

I love to make things – cakes, cards, *outrageous plug alert* sockmonkeys….

It’s a sort of win-win situation if you think about it; you get to save money and do something with your fingers other than cram custard creams into your gob while watching tv and some lucky, lucky friend gets a lovingly handmade gift for Christmas. A gift they could not possibly dislike or throw away, as ugly though it may be, it clearly took time and what little skills you possess to create it.

Fear not, however, if you have bananas for fingers and can barely walk through a doorway without bashing your hand, let alone thread a needle, there is help at hand. Cheat!

Bust is a  truly great magazine for women – fashion without airbrushing, feminist without the ranty man  hating and just very well done. Check it out. But I digress, one thing they are also big on is crafts.

This Saturday, Bust is hosting a ‘Craft-tacular’ in East London. As well as great things to buy for presents (and unless you are a notorious sausagefingers, who will actually KNOW you didn’t make it yourself?) there will be a giant knit-a-thon hosted by Knit and Destroy, a recycled rosette workshop, charming refreshments and DJs spinning songs throughout the day.

Now, anyone for cake?

Photo by Chris5aw used under a Creative Commons License

Incidentally, if you are inspired to craft it, here are some places to get supplies:

Fabrications – Hip London shop/gallery on Broadway Market.

Creative Quilting – Patchwork Paradise

VV Rouleaux – An emporium of ribbons

and for the New Yorkers

New York Elegant Fabrics – huge array of fabrics

Vardhman Inc – Two floors of DIY crafters heaven

Steinlauf & Stoller Inc – Making your own clothes? Shop here first.

We’ve mentioned the Newburgh Quarter’’s  ‘Wish You Were Here’ swap of London and Lower East Side boutiques before, but this is the last weekend it’s in town and they’re planning something pretty special.

As a Londoner have you always yearned for a proper (ie American) Halloween like they have in the movies? Heaving bags of candy proffered by grinning moms instead of unanswered doors and twitching curtains? Amazing elaborate costumes instead of kids in normal clothes and Scream masks? Carved Jack’O'Lanterns not mutilated pumpkins?

This Saturday evening from 6 – 9pm bop down to Soho for an evening of all the good things listed above (with the possible exception of moms) plus apple bobbing, live music, free Brooklyn Beer and prizes for the best costume. Oh, and the theme is ‘favourite New Yorkers’ so what better chance to fulfil your secret dreams and dress up as Anna Wintour/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle/Woody Allen/a giant rat?

Check out their website for more details, including bands playing.

Photo by Laverrue used under a Creative Commons License

You might have heard of Jake. The social network for gay professionals has over 30,000 members worldwide and has written some great recommendations and lists for our site in their time too.

They hold monthly networking get-togethers in exclusive venues as it is, but November’s gathering is particularly special as it is their 10th birthday.  It’s being held at private member’s club Quintessentially in London’s Soho on 8th November, and is hosted by Sir Ian McKellen, with Boy George and Fat Tony lending their DJ skills to the event too. Oh, and in contrast with most 10 year olds’ birthday parties where it’s all ‘Me! Me! Me! Presents! Cake! Jelly!’ It’s all in aid of Albert Kennedy Trust, a great charity that helps homeless LGBT teenagers.

You can buy tickets from their website, and don’t say we haven’t given you enough warning to get that suit pressed, shoes shined and dig out those lovely taxidermy cufflinks….*

*I think most of London, both overground and in the sewers are glad I was born female…

[insert obligatory joke about crowded city apartments and astronomical rent here]

Willi Dorner is an Austrian choreographer who is known for his ‘Bodies in Urban Spaces’ : by employing a group of about twenty performer/dancers he encourages people to look at the built environment in a new way.

He’s toured cities including Paris and Vienna, but this weekend Willi is in London. It’s free to observe, merely turn up at the Needle monument in London Bridge and prepare to be lead on glorious wander of South East London. There is no specified route, just follow the ‘physical trail’ of performers and prepare to be wowed by the inventiveness, the flexibility and the sheer variety of Uniqlo hoodies on display.

Photos by Greg Headly used under a Creative Commons License