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.
I am so jealous that you went to the Hollywood Costume Exhibit. I have read about Vivien Leigh's costumes from GWTW that are in the exhibit. In my dreams, I will go to London someday and go to the V & A Museum. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to travel up for such a great couple of days xxx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had such a wonderful time! I would love to visit London some day. I read so many historical novels about England...it would be fun!
ReplyDeleteI have lost count of the number of people I know in the past year who have suddenly come down with labyrinthitis! I wonder if something is going around? The Hollywood exhibit sounds excellent - very glamorous - and those cupcakes are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe spent a week and a half in London a few years ago while my daughter was doing a study abroad and saw many of the same sites. I would love to go back some day...a wonderful city!
ReplyDeleteI wish that exhibit was going to be there when we are in London in July. Maybe it will come to Los ANgeles. I am going to check.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos, Kerry! They look mystical! thank your for taking us on a virtual tour of your time in London!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time, off to look at the Hollywood pictures.... Ruby Slippers?? How cool is that!!! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot you managed to pack into a mere 36 hours! The photos are great, and I love the sound of the Hollywood costume exhibition.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're over your labyrinthitis by now. I get bouts of it from time to time, it really does stop you in your tracks! Have you been told about the positional exercises you can do to help? If you google 'cooksey cawthorne exercises' you should find some info.
You packed a lot into your time in London - you must have been shattered, but exilerated after all your visits.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Ballgown and Hollywood exhibitions yesterday, with my 15 yr old daughter. We are glad we saw the Ballgowns first - they were beautiful, but like you we thought the Hollywood exhibits were fabulous. My daughter was just so excited to think that 'Johnny Depp/Beyonce/Marilyn actually wore that!' It just amazed me how tiny some of the women must have been, how tall John Travolta is and how short Daniel Graig - judging by their outfits anyway.
I've never been to London, but I read a book a couple of years ago that was set in the Victoria & Albert museum. The narrating character's father was a museum curator, and there was a runaway artist boy hiding out in there somewhere. I think it was called The Children's Book? Hmm. Anyway, travel to England is on my bucket list for Someday. I'm glad you had such a lovely trip!
ReplyDeletei will take a lemon meringue please! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh so jealous! I was reading all about the V&A exhibition on the flight home, and I'd love to see it - when is it on til?
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