Tuesday, June 24, 2003
So, I finally managed to catch that Cindy Sherman-thing I've been going on about. It not that big (but that's only to be expected in a place like that) and seems a bit sparse, but it's good - the woman really kicks ass! She dresses up as a persona or stereotype or iconic image in order to explore views of women in society - sometimes she completely disappears into a characters, while at other times it is very obvious that it is a facade. Sometimes the character is not even important in itself, only as a means with which the artist reaches the end.
The gallery is situated in the middle of Kensington Gardens (yeah, yeah, the one with the princess) which itself is situated pretty much in the middle of Kensington & Chelsea council, one of the wealthier councils in London. I used to live around Notting Hill Gate, which is in the northern part of the council, and a funny one that is. It used to be a Jamaican area and to an extent it still is, but because trendier-than-thou Portobello Road is placed slap-bang in the middle of this area house-prices have gone up and the original inhabitants moved out, as it happens everywhere, I guess. There is still a lot of council flats surrounding the area and a lot of drug-dealers, especially at night, and these guys cater well for the newly rich media/designer-types who have moved in further up the road.
I love Notting Hill. Passionately. Probably because it was the first place in London I called home, but also because life somehow is easier there. People are friendlier. Off their heads, but cheery. (Cheery because they are off their heads?)
There are so many great places there, which I miss desperately, so here's Charlotte's super-quick guide to the area surrounding Notting Hill Gate:
1: The Gate Cinema on Notting Hill Gate shows the latest of especially independent/art-house/European films. Late night shows are groovy. It's a great place, but don't expect a vast array of snacks, and dress lightly, as there's always really, really hot.
2: The Orangery in Kensington Gardens - serves afternoon tea from 3 o'clock. Join the tourists and pensioners for a cuppa and a cucumber sandwich in beautiful surroundings. They also serve various kinds of cake, and scones with clotted cream and jam.
3: The Westbourne. Oysters and champagne. Beautiful boys behind the bar whose arrogance knows no limits. I love it. My boyfriend hates it. It's one of those places.
4: The Serpentine Gallery. Small but pretty, idyllic surroundings, great shows. Gilbert & George last year was fab.
5: The Market Thai. Restaurant above the pub Market Bar, which serves almost perfect steamed dumplings - the interior is groovy, the staff is sweet and the food is fantastic. And affordable!
6: Westbourne Grove (Portobello end) shops: agnes b, Sigerson Morrison, Laundry Industry, Space and more. Also Ledbury Road shops such as Bodas, Molton Brown, Ghost and Aime. And please don't ignore Tom's, which is a fantastic deli/cafe - the food is good and healthy.
7: Myla. If it's good enough for Miss Kate, then it's good enough for me.
8: The Electric Cinema. Cheaper on Mondays, which is a useful tip as seats normally are around 10-12 pounds. For this amount, though, the seats are really leather arm chairs (with foot stool), there are wine coolers at every seat, there are no mobile phones ringing and people talk quietly and civilized. For 15 pounds per person, there's a leather sofa available. Mmmm. Cinema for grown-ups.
9: There used to be a bar named Jacs - it was a bit exclusive, but thoroughly nice, sometimes with DJ. The facade has changed and it now looks like any old flat, but given that discreetly minimalist is the new, well, minimalist, I wouldn't be surprised if it's still a bar.
10. Cafe by Day, Tandoori by Night. No, really, that what it's called. Does exactly what it says on the tin. Cheap and tasty.
11:Notting Hill Arts Club. Especially club-night Lazy Dog, which is one of my best club-experiences evah! Often live music and running art exhibits in the funky basement.
Furthermore CherryJam, Pharmacy (although rapidly declining, still kinda fun. And has a late license!), Portobello Market itself, of course, in which the tights-lady (directly under the Westway) and second-hand shoe lady are worth a visit, plus obviously all the interesting new designers that are around. All the restaurants around Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Park Road are terrible fashionable, but perhaps a bit overpriced and lack in character? Westbourne House (Paul Smith) can be visited just for the roaring fire and the friendly security men, Holland Park is arguably the nicest park in London - try to go when there's opera on - and go get your facials and treatments at Space NK, who has a great selection. I could go on and on, but the madness must stop somewhere. Or maybe I'll just get back to it again and again, hehehe -
The gallery is situated in the middle of Kensington Gardens (yeah, yeah, the one with the princess) which itself is situated pretty much in the middle of Kensington & Chelsea council, one of the wealthier councils in London. I used to live around Notting Hill Gate, which is in the northern part of the council, and a funny one that is. It used to be a Jamaican area and to an extent it still is, but because trendier-than-thou Portobello Road is placed slap-bang in the middle of this area house-prices have gone up and the original inhabitants moved out, as it happens everywhere, I guess. There is still a lot of council flats surrounding the area and a lot of drug-dealers, especially at night, and these guys cater well for the newly rich media/designer-types who have moved in further up the road.
I love Notting Hill. Passionately. Probably because it was the first place in London I called home, but also because life somehow is easier there. People are friendlier. Off their heads, but cheery. (Cheery because they are off their heads?)
There are so many great places there, which I miss desperately, so here's Charlotte's super-quick guide to the area surrounding Notting Hill Gate:
1: The Gate Cinema on Notting Hill Gate shows the latest of especially independent/art-house/European films. Late night shows are groovy. It's a great place, but don't expect a vast array of snacks, and dress lightly, as there's always really, really hot.
2: The Orangery in Kensington Gardens - serves afternoon tea from 3 o'clock. Join the tourists and pensioners for a cuppa and a cucumber sandwich in beautiful surroundings. They also serve various kinds of cake, and scones with clotted cream and jam.
3: The Westbourne. Oysters and champagne. Beautiful boys behind the bar whose arrogance knows no limits. I love it. My boyfriend hates it. It's one of those places.
4: The Serpentine Gallery. Small but pretty, idyllic surroundings, great shows. Gilbert & George last year was fab.
5: The Market Thai. Restaurant above the pub Market Bar, which serves almost perfect steamed dumplings - the interior is groovy, the staff is sweet and the food is fantastic. And affordable!
6: Westbourne Grove (Portobello end) shops: agnes b, Sigerson Morrison, Laundry Industry, Space and more. Also Ledbury Road shops such as Bodas, Molton Brown, Ghost and Aime. And please don't ignore Tom's, which is a fantastic deli/cafe - the food is good and healthy.
7: Myla. If it's good enough for Miss Kate, then it's good enough for me.
8: The Electric Cinema. Cheaper on Mondays, which is a useful tip as seats normally are around 10-12 pounds. For this amount, though, the seats are really leather arm chairs (with foot stool), there are wine coolers at every seat, there are no mobile phones ringing and people talk quietly and civilized. For 15 pounds per person, there's a leather sofa available. Mmmm. Cinema for grown-ups.
9: There used to be a bar named Jacs - it was a bit exclusive, but thoroughly nice, sometimes with DJ. The facade has changed and it now looks like any old flat, but given that discreetly minimalist is the new, well, minimalist, I wouldn't be surprised if it's still a bar.
10. Cafe by Day, Tandoori by Night. No, really, that what it's called. Does exactly what it says on the tin. Cheap and tasty.
11:Notting Hill Arts Club. Especially club-night Lazy Dog, which is one of my best club-experiences evah! Often live music and running art exhibits in the funky basement.
Furthermore CherryJam, Pharmacy (although rapidly declining, still kinda fun. And has a late license!), Portobello Market itself, of course, in which the tights-lady (directly under the Westway) and second-hand shoe lady are worth a visit, plus obviously all the interesting new designers that are around. All the restaurants around Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Park Road are terrible fashionable, but perhaps a bit overpriced and lack in character? Westbourne House (Paul Smith) can be visited just for the roaring fire and the friendly security men, Holland Park is arguably the nicest park in London - try to go when there's opera on - and go get your facials and treatments at Space NK, who has a great selection. I could go on and on, but the madness must stop somewhere. Or maybe I'll just get back to it again and again, hehehe -
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