October 2009

Hello folks,  SJ here, checking in with the latest news reports, art reviews and general bits of unsolicited information about my day to day existence (don’t worry, it won’t take long).

SJ’s reviews!

The Baltic, Newcastle upon Tyne — Korean artist, Kimsooja’s exhibition includes:  ‘A Needle Woman’ .

Apparently,  Kimsooja brings together  “a conceptual, logical, and structural investigation of performance through immobility that inverts the notion of the artist as the predominant actor”

Basically, this exhibition features the back of the artists head and shoulders  filmed in extremely busy streets in several different countries and showing on 8 gigantic screens…..this person has an annoyingly straight ponytail and is extremely lucky not to have been moved along by thousands of busy pedestrians trying to move along their pavement unobstructed by stationary artists.

On a different floor  ‘Parrworld’… is a handful of excellent photographs by Martin Parr and a couple of Kitch, amusing Margaret Thatcher teapots…appreciate what you can from this mildly deflating exhibition, then head to the Laing Gallery instead, they always have nice pictures.

I recently went to see  ‘The Pitmen Painters’ – by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) at the National Theatre.  Set in 1934 and based on a group of miners from Ashington who form an art appreciation club.   This is the most entertaining evening I’ve had in donkeys.   If you ever get the chance to see this superb play,  book your tickets early, you will not be disappointed.

House hunting – As you know, I have been staying with my dear, dear old people while looking for a new house, and it isn’t getting any easier.  After witnessing the fiasco with the laundry, I bought them a new eco-washing machine.  It remains mostly unused while the bath is still in service as the even more eco-friendly washing machine.  Also,  since my last update, an electric fire has been moved into the green house to keep everyone warm.   So now we can sit in candlelight, looking back at the house from 60 feet away, imagining the luxury of a proper room while the cats stare back at us from the sofa. laughing.

Thankfully, I have found an interesting house and potential new home.  During the viewing I walked around ticking the boxes,  I was planning where to have a home studio, how to arrange the furniture,  even the catastrophic wallpaper didn’t put me off.   Only one thing was not quite right…… but maybe it was just the two stuffed foxes draped over a door, and a real Kangaroo’s head  (which was wearing a red sequined mask)  staring at me from the master bedroom.    Not daunted as much as I probably should be,  I’ve placed an offer……

Court Case

A trial date is almost finalised (Spring) and I will invite you all to the public gallery for the hearing!

SJ’s immediate diary

It will soon be Halloween and I am planning a visit to Newcastle upon Tyne next week, dressed as an old witch.   I have purchased a set of plastic fangs (a BARGAIN 3p from Wilkinsons) and a rubber bat (£1) to accompany me.   I promise to report back with a review of the nightlife witnessed.  I don’t go out much these days,  so If you don’t hear from me by November 5th…can someone please come looking?

love,

Sarah-Jane