Saturday
Today I did some adventuring again. I started out at a group exhibit called "The Minimal Gesture." The gallery was in Mayfair near the east side of Hyde park. The show was interesting, it featured one work each by ten different artists who work in sort of an abstract-expressionist/minimalist style. I found the exhibit to be well put together. My favorite work was by the artist Hans Hartung, the work is below.
Hans Hartung, "T1980-K5", 1980
After visiting the gallery I took a very long stroll through Hyde park. I started at the east end and walked alongside the Serpentine "lake" to Notting Hill. It was a lovely walk filled with geese and swans and lawn chairs that sway in the wind.
Once I arrived in Notting Hill, I walked to Portobello Road. Big mistake. It was so crowded with people that I was practically unhappy to be there. I bought a vintage spoon, a couple of pastries at The Hummingbird Bakery (slice of blueberry bread and a chocolate chocolate cupcake) and quickly exited. I ended up in the "clothing area" of Notting Hill and ate lunch with my would-be platonic sugar daddy (if I had caught his name) at Daylesford Organic. I also bought my dinner there, and my breakfast for the next morning.
I then took the train to a very different part of town, Lisson Grove. Once I arrived at the Edgware Road station I proceeded to become completely lost by walking in the incorrect direction.... three times. Finally I found the Lisson Gallery (which has two locations one block from one another) which is featuring works by Ai Weiwei! Both spaces had very interesting works, I want to share with you a few of them here.
Ai Weiwei, "Colored Vases", 2010
Ai Weiwei, "Divina Proportione (the open one)/Untitled (the two smaller ones)", 2010
Then I went back to Somerset house to see the interior attachments to the Ai Weiwei Zodiac Heads. There was a video that sort of talked about the work, and a few photographs. I'm not sure if it was worthwhile, but I guess I learned something more about the heads.
After that I was supremely exhausted and in dire need of a shower, so I returned home, only to get dressed and go out again to see The 39 Steps (a comedy), a play based on the Hitchcock film of the same name. The play was utterly hilarious and I had a wonderful time.
Sunday
Today I spent most of the days in the house or the backyard. I figured I had a pretty crazy first week and needed to do some unwinding activities before starting up again tomorrow.
I did three loads of laundry, and it all dried outside in the sun.
I went to two grocery stores and stocked up for the week.
I made beef and potato stew, a batch of meatballs and milk and honey pudding (a new dessert invention/experiment).
And now I am just waiting for the sun to mostly set so I can go to sleep and be ready for whatever tomorrow may bring!
