Nicosia, Cyprus has a seriously cool café called The Gym…

Truth is once you leave behind the small labyrinth of markets filled with tourist tat that greet you in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, you’ll find yourself in what could be a high street anywhere in the world. The same old chain shops and eateries line the roads, there’s even a McDonalds right next door to a Starbucks and not far from there, one of many giant branches of Costa Coffee. But before you either start to rejoice at the familiarity of the options or sigh for the lack of independent businesses, keep going towards the end of the stretch of where most people venture, to The Gym, a ‘gastro bar’ which offers a sanctuary of chicness away from the main hustle and bustle of the town. It serves up an impressive drinks menu (including mocktails and dairy-free milkshakes) and has clearly been designed with Instagramability in mind. But hey, I’m not complaining.

Spacious enough to feel comfortable, cool enough to make you feel like you’ve stumbled on somewhere special and with both indoor and outdoor seating, you won’t have a problem making yourself feel at home.

Décor
From the outside The Gym looks pretty inconspicuous, like an ordinary café but once you step inside, the L-shaped bar that you spy on entering makes you instantly realise that this is The Place to be because it really is different to anywhere else in the vicinity. To make British folk like myself feel welcome, there’s even a display of Marmite jars about the bar, whether they serve it hot in a mug, I forgot to ask.

There are a few separate seating spaces that make up The Gym but if you head all the way past the bar you’ll find the most design friendly spot. There’s modern art on the walls plus props galore, most of which can be deployed into your own Instagram set ups. No one was in the garden when I was there two weeks ago, possibly because to Cypriots it’s too chilly but for Brits like me, the early 20 degrees is our dream temperature.

Food & Drink

Portions are generous I sadly couldn’t finish my main, the fish was huge and so filling. The menus are on the website if you want to plan your eating before your trip. I was more impressed with the drinks just because it was the most choice I’d seen of non-alcoholic drinks on my whole trip and in a region where wine is the most popular tipple, it was nice to find some decent alternatives.

As well as a glass of chocolate almond milk I had a local speciality iced tea – lemon balm, rose, lavender and cardamom sweetened with agarve.

Gallery and Shop

Why hello there! The bit that makes The Gym a definite place to seek out is that it also houses a gallery and shop where you’ll find the works of local artists for sale. Craft, fashion and art along side magazines and books give the gallery a creative flair and if you simply want to pop in and have a browse or a quick drink that’s perfectly acceptable. The only fail of The Gym (maybe it’s a future investment) was the loos), the sign upstairs to them was notably hip but the toilets themselves were ordinary and crying out for some DIY TLC. But that aside The Gym is well worth visiting.

The Gym, Onasagorou, 87-89, Nicosia, Cyprus.
www.thegymconcept.com

Did you know Romania has a museum dedicated to Icons on Glass?

In keeping with tradition I escaped abroad to ring in the New Year and for 2018 I chose the region of Transylvania in Romania. Yes I did encounter Dracula but I’m saving that for a different post…

On New Years Day I took a trip to a small village around 30 minutes taxi ride from the town of Sibui called Sibiel, home of the one-of-a-kind Museum of Icons on Glass (The Zosim Oancea Museum). Yes it’s very specific but that’s what I love, finding specialist museums, odes to different crafts in the most unexpected of places. Sibiel is one of the smallest villages in Romania and houses one of the largest collections of icons painted on glass in the world. There’s around 600 of them in the museum which opened in the early 1970s.

What on earth is an icon painted on glass?

I hear you! It’s not something I had heard if. Essentially they are paintings of religious leaders painted on glass. These icons are respected Christian figures and were painted by monks and peasants. It’s an artform that began in Transylvania at the beginning of the 18^th century with its peak creation from 1750 to the end of the 19^th century. Although it is mainly associated as a Transylvanian craft, neighbouring districts have since made their own variations.

So what is the museum like?

When you arrive at the tiny village of Sibiel, you’ll first see a vast church in the centre beside a rather picturesque graveyard and adjacent to that is the museum. It’s spread over two floors and both floors have a number of rooms all with walls and panels filled with these glass painted icons and other Romanian crafts such as fabrics and textiles, beaded jewellery and egg crafts, though the focus is very much on the bold, colourful glass paintings.

It’s a fairly rustic space and the theme of the images does start to get a bit similar if you look at all of them however each one is very much an individual piece and they are in very good condition.

And now the art technique…

If you head to any modern craft store today you’ll easily find a glass painting section with pens and pots of liquid paint you can apply to jazz up your glasses but the technique for these icons is far more complex – they are actually painted under the glass not on top of it. That way the art is protected by the fact there is a glass layer on top.

It’s thought that whole peasant families were involved in the process of painting these glass icons. This could be tasks like preparing pigments, tracing designs or even making the frames. The brushes used to paint the icons were handmade too from materials like hairs of cat’s tails and goose quill pens. Once painted the glass was varnished and the icon then placed inside a frame, often a decorative one.

Worth a trip?

Absolutely! The village has a real fairytale feel about it with wells and a stream running through it, it’s nice for a little wonder.

There’s a quaint craft shop in the village centre (only accepts cash so come prepared) and if you’re lucky, the museum staff will also open up the church for you to look in and admire further Romanian artistry.

Inside Sibiel’s church

Well worth a visit!

There’s more about Sibiel on its dedicated website. http://www.sibiel.net

 

 

 

 

 

Should you tag a street artist when you pose in front of their masterpiece?

When was the last time you stopped in front of a colourful wall and either took a selfie or asked someone to photograph you, then uploaded it straight to Instagram? It’s something I do all the time. I’m like a colourful wall magpie, I collect photos of myself in front of #Instawalls, wherever I am in the world, and though that desire in me is by no means fading, I am starting to feel a little guilty. Short of going on a street art tour and getting an understanding of the art and artists who created the street art, graffiti, mural, wall art in question, it’s nigh impossible to find out about the backdrop of where you’re standing and that’s so very sad.

I will happily pose in front of a wall and then later, though I know the location, know absolutely nothing about the art itself’…anyone else want to ‘fess up to the same ‘crime’? It does seem unfair. On social media we tag where outfits and accessories are from, events we’re at, hotels we stay in, people we meet…but street artists? It may be possible to see their tag, but how many of us take the time to look up who they are? It can happen so quickly. In galleries we buy a ticket so spend time looking a bit longer and reading the panels but street art we just spot it and share it to show we’re the cool person that found, it but we don’t stop to find out about it.

Maybe I am just writing this post about myself, maybe other people are the opposite of me and do make an effort to find out more about the ‘art on the street’, or perhaps you’ll read this and think actually I know what you mean. I’m not just referring to the artist being anonymous, but what about the story of the piece, why was it created and when?Does it matter if this information stays anonymous too?

Looking back through my photos (especially travel photos) throughout the year, so many are of me beside colourful walls. I love them, but I wish I knew more about them.

So I’m making an early new years resolution. I am no longer (from 2018!) going to see a beautiful wall and just pose in front of it. I’m going to be that person that takes time out to look up the artist’s tag, see if I can find something out about it and then share the photo. The evidence will be here on this blog and on my Instagram…and if it doesn’t happen please tell me off.

Image: Horaczko Photography 

 

Art Riot: Post-Soviet Actionism and Pussy Riot at Saatchi Gallery, London. Exhibition preview

You’ll either walk out of Art Riot fuelled with passion ready to make your own artistic political statement, or you’ll leave feeling inadequate that you’ve never been brave enough to truly stand up for what is right. I felt the latter. See the thing is, the ideas, concepts, creativity and practical action carried out by the three major artists and their peers who are taking part in the new Saatchi Gallery exhibition ‘Art Riot: Post-Soviet Actionism’ are so impressive, it’s mind-blowing – literally.

Their sheer passion and commitment to make a stand against politics, authority, oppressors, power, laws and rules makes you feel in awe of their wisdom. You on the other hand are possibly thinking about doing something ‘radical’ but will so easily find ways of talking yourself out of it, which is what makes these artists such important people.

Educational and thought-provoking, the exhibition is dedicated to 25 years of Russian Art Protest, so it isn’t something you’ll typically come across. It’s a rare experience to enter into such a specific world. All the installations on display make perfect sense when you consider their intentions, but they are hard to digest because they are so different to the realities most of us witness on a typical day.

Pussy Riot performing ‘Mother of God, Drive Putin Away’

Pussy Riot, are likely to be the most recognisable of the artists involved after the international media coverage the feminist punk rock band received after two of their members were jailed for two years after the group performed at a cathedral. Their story is documented in the film ‘Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer’ and now it’s become even more vivid with ‘Inside Pussy Riot’, a programme of live immersive performance which accompanies the exhibition. Not much has been revealed about the experience, I didn’t get to see it when I visited, but it’s supposed to make you feel as though you are inside a Russian prison. Which judging by banners on display in the exhibition is not a positive experience.

Portrait of Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda Tolokonnikova

Vibrant and colourful (just like their signature balaclavas) the work on display is bold and beautiful and features huge portraits, statues and even the women turned into Russian dolls.

Maria, one of the two members of Pussy Riot who was jailed, was in attendance at the preview.

Maria Alyokhina, Pussy Riot

Elsewhere there’s a gallery dedicated to Oleg Kulik, who was also at the preview I attended.

Oleg Kulik at London preview of Art Riot

Oleg is considered one of the most controversial artists in Russia and though he does sculptures and illustrations, it’s live performance art in which he really excels in pushing boundaries. Once of his most iconic works is where he became a man-dog for five years. During this time he behaved like a dog in public crawling around naked, barking and even living as a dog in a cage. The exhibition showcases extraordinary footage of him being patted on the head by a police officer and even having other dogs bark at him. It sounds comedic yet it isn’t.

Artist: Pyotr Pavlensky and his living art ‘Seam’

Another gallery is dedicated to Pyotr Pavlensky who takes his art to the extreme of extreme; from sewing his mouth shut to rolling naked in barbed wire through to his most terrifying works, ‘Threat’ where he set alight the HQ of the Russian Security Services while inviting the media to observe and play a role in the ‘artistic performance.’ His says: ‘My aim is to suck the authorities into my art and deprive them at least temporarily, of the ability to control event.’ WOW. That is some serious thought out plan and with precision he has stayed true to his intentions. This section of the exhibition is scarily dark and atmospheric and features audio accounts of conversations he’s had with different authorities, again building them into his art.

AES+F’s installation The Islamic Project

Other sections include a room filled with what seems like beautiful quilts but are in fact a visualisation of Western fears about Islam. Displayed to feel like a Bedouin tent it’s filled with handmade carpets where meditation is encouraged. There’s plenty more too but it’s not my intention to give it all way. Art Riot features anecdotes and stories that you may not hear about, may not affect your day-to-day life but have universal importance. It opened my eyes to a side of art I realised I knew nothing about so I am happy I visited.

Art Riot: Post-Soviet Actionism runs 16 Nov – 31 December 2017
Inside Pussy Riot (immersive theatre experience) runs until 24 December 2017

Images by CraftandTravel and Saatchi Gallery PR

www.saatchigallery.com

Colourscape is coming back to London: it’s a must visit for #colourlovers

Ever since I watched Pulp’s video for Lipgloss, back in 1995, I have been completely obsessed with inflatable tubes. There’s was called an ‘Eggopolis’ and consisted of four giant egg shaped inflatable rooms linked by inflatable corridors. I waited over 20 years (aka last year!) until I finally found my chance, at the Colourscape music festival in Clapham Common, which it turns out started in 1989, and remains the only musical festival to take place inside a sculpture.

Visitors enter an inflatable rainbow universe where they can get lost amongst a vibrant aerated world, while listening to live performances, taking place inside, the sounds which echo through the inflatable rooms, guide your way. The experience remains one of my highlights of my year as it was so much fun. Entrance is by a very reasonable priced ticket which gives you access to explore the rainbow labyrinth for an hour. There’s no need to worry about what to wear, before entering you need to remove your footwear and are given a coloured cape to wear – this enhances the experience especially as it makes other people you encounter inside less distracting, everyone seems to be part of the exhibition and experience.

Though you will see other people, I found that even on a busy Sunday afternoon it was still perfectly easy to find secret, quiet spaces with ample opportunity to take fun photos, have a lie down, a thorough exploration and still sit and enjoy the entertainment – I saw contemporary dance accompanied by live electro sounds. This year the line-up includes live music performed on experimental percussion instruments.

Colourscape takes place over nine days and consists of over 100 interlinked chambers, covering one acre of space. Every step you take is an experience, you never know what colour or colour combinations await you around each turn. I particularly like that there is such a universal appeal to the exhibition/festival/experience. It’s a captivating surprise for all ages and it crosses language and cultural barriers because it’s a physical space you can enjoy without any prior knowledge: simply step in and get immersed in the dream-like surroundings.

Afterwards there’s a temporary café outside in the park, serving home-cooked goodies like salads, quiches and yummy tea and cakes. I can’t think of a more fun way to spend some time doing something different (and of course getting lots of Insta-perfect photos with no need to use any filters – the vibrancy is real!)

Colourscape
Dates: 16^th-24^th September 2017

Location: Clapham Common, near the Long Pond boating lake and The Windmill pub, London SW4 9DE.
Cost: Weekends, Adults £10, Children £5 (family tickets available) Cheaper weekdays. Check the website for full programme of events which take place inside Colourscape.
www.colourscape.org.uk

 

A cool riverside café in Barking that even Instagrammers haven’t discovered yet…

There’s nothing quite like ‘discovering’ a new secret part of London that no one, not even Instagrammers are raving about. But then how far do all these famous London travel bloggers really go? You’ll see them at swanky events in central London and attending new openings, but what about exploring the ends of the line, in the outer zones?

London is a mega city. There’s so much to see, do and explore. I’m working my way through the tube stops but there’s still so many more to go. I’ve previously visited the ‘extreme East’ borough of Barking & Dagenham to attend their annual Folk Music festival held in the beautiful grounds of the derelict Abbey Ruins but it wasn’t until this weekend that I found out the area also has waterside views of the River Roding. In fact Barking doesn’t just have picturesque views, it has its own creative artist hub of art studies within Ice House Quarter where you’ll find the Ice House Court art studios by Bow Arts and next door, The Malthouse Building Creative Booths. Amongst these buildings you’ll find a hive of vibrant activities from the colorful studios of felt and textile artist Susanna Wallis to the sculpture artists that have huge open spaces in which to construct their handiworks.

In amongst it all is The Boathouse Café. Head up a flight of stairs to the side of Malthouse (which incidently currently has artist studio space available) and you’ll find the quirky bar and café that is now Barking’s hippest hangout. The walls are filled with colourful canvas art, there’s paper pompoms hanging in the windows, vases filled with fresh blooms decorate all the tables, the bar is so beautiful it looks more like a library and on it sits the coolest lamp you’ll find in a London café: an upcycled diver’s mask.

A 10-15 minute walk from Barking station, this café is well worth the trek for its charm, warmth and very friendly atmosphere. Seats are available indoors and alfresco and if you’re lucky enough to visit on an Open Studios day you can also take a peak inside and see the latest works from some very talented East London creatives.

Barking Bites:
Other things to see and to while you’re in Barking

Get scared at Eastbury Manor, inside this manor house turned museum and event space they often host murder mystery evenings and community crafting events such as children’s crafts for Diwali.

Valence House Museum, another unexpected architectural wonder in Barking is this quaint museum which also has events and a herb garden.

 

My 1st Photowalk- Shoreditch, London

Photowalks have been a thing for a while now but it wasn’t until the summer that I finally had the chance to go on one. To be honest although I was booked onto Blogtacular’s Photowalk East (East London), on the morning I came very close to backing out. It was pouring with rain and the last thing I wanted to do was traipse around wearing a raincoat (so not me) for two hours, with my mobile (as I didn’t own a camera at the time) while making small-talk with people I’d never met. But an hour before it was due to kick off, like magic the skies cleared and the sun came out, so I had no excuses not to go. The only rule that came with the walk was to wear bright clothes and it was such a joy to turn up and see that everyone had observed this.

Photo walking Insta collage

Upon arrival, yes it was a bit strange meeting a large group of people I didn’t know, but the dress code helped, It’s so much easier to compliment someone’s outfit than randomly come up with a question, so the fact everyone made an effort really helped.

Our 2hr walk led by Nikki McWilliams took us around Shoreditch, home of London’s most prolific street art, it’s on every single corner and turning, giving so much scope for content for photowalking. One of the benefits of going on a walking tour with other bloggers (not just photographers!) is that they all understand the desire to have fun, creative photos so there’s always someone around to photograph as your subject, and to take shots of you – I was literally surrounded by Insta-wife possibilities!

My fellow Blogtacular photo walkers

My favourite shots were the stylised group shots – one in particular was a photo of everyone who happened to have something on them that was yellow. Such a simple idea but it led to a really creative photo. Two hours passed very quickly and it included a snack stop a the highly Instagrammable Brick Lane Beigel shop (the one that sells rainbow bagels).

It’s amazing how when you stop and spend time looking at a road and a wall there are so many possibilities, we barely moved, there was far more snapping than there was walking but it goes to show you don’t need to plan an epic route, just keep your  eyes open and have your poses ready.

My overall verdict was that I loved photo walking now when can I go on one again?

Here’s some of my favourite shots from the walk:

With photowalk host Nikki

 

 

If you go down to Regent’s Park today…a peek at Frieze Sculpture 2017

Let’s start with the weather. I’m British after all! But my oh my….how glorious the summer of 2017 has been so far. We’ve had more warm summer evenings in the last few weeks than we get in some entire years and it has been so, so dreamy. I won’t lie I have been ditching work in favour of lazing in the park a lot of late and though my To Do list is spiralling out of control, I’m feeling thoroughly content from all the hours spent simply lazing on a picnic rug and getting to know my neighbourhood dogs. I’m lucky because there’s a huge public park close to where I live but when I get the change I also adore exploring London’s many other green spaces and you can’t beat London’s Royal Parks.

Regent’s Park is a favourite. Many years ago I went on a Bat Walk there. It has all the elements a great park should have from rivers and boating to pristine flower beds and secret spaces as well as outdoor theatre and the iconic Regent’s Park Mosque. And if you pop down between now and October 8th you’ll be to wander along giant pieces of art.

Last week saw the opening of the very first alfresco summer Frieze Sculpture exhibition where for free you can immerse yourself in the work of 25 contemporary artists.

Here’s a list of the works:

The display is  condensed into one area of the park so you don’t need to worry about getting lost in the park’s vastness but it’s a good excuse to go to the park if you’ve not been in the while. I’m a massive supporter of free public art and I love the fact you can get really close and personal with these pieces, even touch them if you so wish without fear of getting told off. They are simply there in the park to be admired.

Hooray for art that’s accessible. I’d love to see more events like this please!

(Oh and once you’ve had your fill of art I recommend wandering down to the water the views – especially at sunset are beautiful.)

Street art is cool but murals are even better – welcome to Hyderabad’s animal walls

Capturing street art always makes for good blogging and social media content. But what about the people who created it? We’re all quick to stand in front of gorgeous colourful walls (me especially) and pose for the camera, but what about the people who painted it – when did they create it, what was the inspiration behind the design and who are they? Trained artists or amateurs?

Street art is the most accessible form of art there is and that’s why I adore it so much and why you’ll see it make multiple appearances throughout the content here. I’ve never liked the way ‘art’ is behind closed doors inside galleries seen by an elite few. On the streets it’s visible to all and it becomes a natural part of the landscape. I love murals too. Where someone commissions artwork to be created for a space, school, building, venue, it brings architecture and places to life…even main roads.

Some of of the street art murals you’ll see if you visit Hyderabad…

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Earlier this year when I was visiting Hyderabad I was taken to all the key sites but while the beauty of old palaces and views from tall important buildings is all very pleasing, what I remember the most is the beautiful mile long stretch of street art murals that strech down along the main road, beginning from Necklace Road train station, on Raj Bhavan lane just down from THE Park Hotel where I was staying. I spotted it from the car as we drove up to approach the hotel and as soon as I’d changed and eaten after checking in, I headed straight outside into the blistering heat to go and examine the masterpiece which consists of animals in a jungle. There’s vast areas of greenery and amongst it, creatures gathering together as part of the composition.

The wall is split half way through with a crossing but it’s possible to walk the entire breadth of it by foot, allowing you to get up close with each painting. I photographed as much of it as I could to be able to share the work, which I found out was painted by amateur artists, funded by a government initiative to teach people new skills in November 2016. It was part of wider street art project which also included professional artists taking over buildings and walls with their own artistic ideas. There’s not a huge about of accurate info about it online what I heard was anecdotal but while international artists were brought in for some of the work, the animal mural wall was completed by locals and funded by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation – I love that the project is backed by government, it gives street art a huge boost.

It may not be enough of a reason to visit Hyderabad but if you are in the city it’s a delight to see the work and to experience the beauty of it juxtaposed against a busy road with constant bleeps from car horns.

Here’s some of the other walls in the area which are equally as impressive…

And finally one of me on the Necklace Road train tracks…

Visiting The Miffy Museum, Uretcht, Holland

I can’t remember when or where I was when I first discovered that there is an actual MIFFY MUSEUM in existence but I do recall that from that very moment it was high up on my bucket list to visit. In 2015 I attempted a trip to coincide with the Miffy Parade but in the end I never made it. So when the visit finally happened in November 2016 it was a total fan pilgrimage. I may have been the only adult there without a child but that didn’t stop me. Earlier this year Miffy’s creator Dick Bruna passed away. He is the only ‘celebrity’ whose death I’ve ever referenced on social media because his ‘work’ has touched me for the longest period of time aka most of my life.

And there’s no chance of me tiring of Miffy any time soon. She’s my favourite bunny for life!

Here’s a little more about what you can expect from The Miffy Museum.

WARNING: This video contains cute stuff!!!