London Cultural Top Up

I had the quickest of trips to London at the beginning of the week, just over 36 hours, 4 exhibitions, and the company of my younger brother.  I was nervous about train travel, I am over the labyrinthitis but every now and again it creeps in, I don't know if it is actual or psychological but it has made me a little fearful especially when travelling.  I got there OK, with the help of David Sedaris . The weather was grey and damp and the photos are mainly from my phone but what we saw was dazzling.

We walked from Marble Arch into Hyde Park and along the Serpentine.  The parks in London are such a treat.  They are so vast and even with the traffic close by they are peaceful calm places packed with history.

It was foggy, in the distance is Hyde Park Barracks and to the right is the Diana Memorial Fountain. 

We headed for my favourite London attraction, The V and A.  I have been here many times now, usually for a specific exhibition or just to wonder and I can return back again and again.  There aren't many places inside where you can take pics, this photo is from the corridor to the ladies loos!

Are main focus was the new Hollywood Costume exhibition.  It did not disappoint.  It was truly one of the most involving and emtotional exhibitions that I have ever seen.  It is not just the iconic film costumes- and they are fantastic, it is the curation and presentation of the whole experience.  Five years in the preparation, it is a sight and sound extravaganza.   Usually I wander in and out at exhibitions, taking in a bit here, a bit there, reading some of the info, passing the duller sections.  This exhibition is different, it grabs you fromt he second you walk in and it feels like you are on a film set, there is darkness, light, stirring film music, prejections and the most amazing projections and animations.  You can read a great account here and see photos that give you some idea of the experience and a different account here with more pics.  Seeing the original Ruby Slippers at the end felt like a beautiful ending.  If you get a chance, go.  It is a ground breaking and magical exhibition. 

We also took a look at the Ballgowns exhibition but after the Hollywood Costumes they seemed a little pedestrian.  Then a hike over to Pimlico and Tate Britain.  The annual Turner Prize is currently on display.  there a 4 artists featured including 2 film installations.  The only work that really captivated us both was Elizabeth Price's The Woolworth's Choir of 1979, a haunting film with repetitive images and sound.  It grabs your attention and leaves you wondering what just happened.  Then on to the Pre Raphaelites:- ever popular and enjoying another surge of interest.  This was a busy exhibition and could have done with a little more space to fit all the viewers a little more comfortably.  I saw much of this in the 1990s when I was living in the North West but they are always worth repeat viewings.

Covent garden next and the Apple store- birthday present for my bro and a few pics of the busy shops and eateries.  The Moomin store was beyond cute.

 Back to Russell Square and Bloomsbury park fountain by night.

My cultural tank has been topped up.  

Liberty scrap Challenge tutorial coming up later this week x

And Jessie's giveaway is still running here for 2 Mama Said Sew FQs.