LONDON – Spotted in Camden last night on my way to listen to comedian Matt Green.
The art of the brick
SHOREDITCH, LONDON – I was interested to see the ‘Art of the Brick’ exhibition in Shoreditch earlier this year after seeing several posters on the London underground with this image on it.
I was really intrigued at how someone could create such striking images with LEGO bricks that were playful but also beautiful.
The artist is New Yorker Nathan Sawaya a former attorney and the first artist to take LEGO into the art world. He worked for LEGO for six months as a LEGO artist starting in 2004 and then left to open his own art studio in the same year.
He’s been so successful that he’s turned the hobby into a full time job and gets exhibited around the world.
This exhibition has been exceptionally popular in London and as it involves LEGO, it attracts a lot of kids and families… if you want to experience this exhibit in quiet go during kid unfriendly hours.
Although I must say, I think a lot of the children get excited after seeing this exhibition as they realise what potential there is in a little LEGO brick. And so after you leave the gallery area, you pass through the gift shop which has plenty of LEGO to simply play with or purchase.
And in case you’re wondering why he uses LEGO, here’s what Nathan Sawaya had to say: “I like using LEGO bricks as a medium because I enjoy seeing people’s reaction to artwork created from something with which they are familiar. …My goal is to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. I also appreciate the cleanliness of the LEGO® brick. The right angles. The distinct lines. But, from a distance, those right angles and distinct lines offer new perspectives, changing to curves.”
The Art of the Brick exhibit is open until April 2015 so there’s still time to check it out.
What’s another unusual medium for art? Can you recommend any other art exhibits in London?
In Brugge
BRUGGE, BELGIUM – Everyone kept saying you’ve got to go to Brugge.
So I did.
Getting to Brugge from London via Eurostar is easy (just over 2 hours). And from Brussels Midi there’s another train (1 hour) and then once in Brugge it’s a quick bus ride into town (5 minutes).
This being Belgium they flog their chocolate prowess with a chocolateria on every corner – no joke. It’s well priced so I found myself eating quit a bit but justified the over indulgence with my daily runs (a holiday first).
The first chocolateria I popped into was just around the corner from my B&B and is family owned. I asked the owner if he ate chocolate every day “But of course,” he said with big eyes. “It’s good for you.” Well when a salesman speaks your language you’ve got to pull out your wallet.
There are only two experiences you really have to have when in Brugge: a boat ride along the canals and a climb up the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city. Apart from that, the rest of your time should just be spent walking around, shopping and eating (friets and chocolate). That’s what I did. People said you don’t need a full day to do Brugge and they’d be right. It’s a small city. But it’s charming.
Note: I timed my trip to coincide with the Christmas market. I have to say, it wasn’t that impressive. I expected rows and rows of Christmas trinkets but it didn’t blow me away at all. Perhaps next year I’ll head to Germany or Austria for the Christmas markets…can’t hardly wait.
Island life – Mallorca, Spain
MALLORCA, SPAIN – This summer I wanted to go to an island in the Mediterranean. I’ve had this strong desire to swim in this sea because it just looks fantastic.
I wasn’t wrong.
Mallorca, excluding Magaluf, is beautiful and well worth a visit. I stayed in a somewhat dumpy 3 star hotel in Cala Ferrera on the East Coast which redeemed itself quickly with its easy access to a splendid beach. 
Most days were spent on the beach tanning and swimming (well mostly me – my travelling buddy didn’t want to swim as it would ‘ruin her make up’ – her words not mine).
It’s funny but we found ourselves settling in to the pace of the island right away and doing as the tourists do. Within a few hours we had each bought a lilo (we left this on the balcony on our last day – typical). And then in the afternoon I bought some goggles. Followed by a snorkel the next day. It didn’t really end there. We also bought an umbrella (did not make its way back to the UK) and spent too many hours looking through the rather rubbish touristy shops in the area that sell stuff ‘made in China’ (think plastic) with the Mallorca name on it.
I signed us up for a few day trips with local tour organisers. A coach picked us up from our hotel and took us to a town called Sinue where there was a buzzing market with lots and lots of interesting things to buy including livestock and pony rides. This place was a lot of fun for me and the food stalls were excellent and most prices were more than reasonable.
We also stopped off in Formentera where we walked to a wonderful look out point and saw the island’s coves and cliffs followed by a dip in the sea. It got a little hairy when I saw jelly fish inches away from my face!! Oh I forgot. The other thing that was inches from my face was the nudity. Yip you can count on Europe to give you topless chicks and men in tiny speedos. Sadly so many of those who were channelling their earthy side were those with too many curves or senior citizens. In fact each day there was this overly tanned and wrinkled couple that would parade topless in front of EVERYONE . And sometimes he would tuck his speedo into his bum to get rid of the white bits. I’ll spare you the graphics (coz some things you just can’t unsee) and instead let you think of the sea instead.
After five days in Cala Ferra our last night was spent in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island. One of my favourite excursions was a ride on a vintage train from Palma to Soller, a coastal city that’s full of charm.
The line for the train is long, but it’s worth the wait. Once at Soller you take the tram (imported from San Francisco) to the Port of Soller. Soller is busy as it’s picturesque, vibrant and has a lovely waterfront.
I think I timed it just right because I fell in love with Palma quickly…not too many tourists giving you the sense that you have the place to yourself. I loved walking up and down the small quiet alleys. Poking my nose in lots of different shops. Eating pastries and local cuisine. Stumbling upon hidden gardens and cool vespas.
Do you have a favourite island in the Mediterranean that you would recommend? I’m going back to Mallorca. But I’m keen to explore new places too. Would love to hear your recommendations…
OUT & ABOUT in the city 