Expect Modern Toss, Nelly Duff (bringing such street art luminaries as Sweet Toof and Ben Eine) and Bristolian collective SOMA, who will be showcasing new work and hanging around for a little chat with you. That’s nice, isn’t it? You can even be the canvas yourself if you so wish. Check out Puck Collective and you can get a tattoo whacked on you by your fave illustrator. If that’s a little too hands-on, why not pop over and hang out with Day Job? Play with the toys they’ve created while watching a selection of animation. Whatever your desire, whatever your design delectation, Pick Me Up has it. And all the while you get to feel grand as it’s in the superb surrounds of Somerset House.
The great thing about all this as well is that it’s not only the fruits of creative labours that you will have access to; it’s also witnessing the mechanics of said labours. Seeing how the best operate can only rub off and help with your own creative endeavours. Aesthetically pleasing, diverse, contemporary and inspiring… what more do you need? (Words: Ed Spencer) 

From April 18-28th. For more info, visit: www.somersethouse.org.uk

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I am greeted at the door downstairs by a man who offers me splendid homemade Guinness-and-chocolate cake. I comment on its moistness which, as an old friend once said to me, is the highest compliment you can give a cake. So how does this all work then? I ask. He tells me you plug your headphones into each others’ players, listen… and maybe make friends. I’m marked with a blue cross and told I will be in the inside of the circle, part of the group doing the moving. Alice, la femme in charge, introduces herself, we share a bourbon, then we’re off.

There are about twenty-five, thirty people – it’s certainly a cosy event, and it all goes off rather nicely in the bijou surrounds and considerate lighting. As for the way it works, each time you form a new pairing you have seven minutes to ascertain your partner’s taste and play something you equally recommend,  like aural sommeliers. As you might expect, each musical tryst varies in its intrigue and compatibility. Sometimes you feel as though you’ve got to endure your partner’s playlist, other times you’re  just getting into it before it’s time to abruptly rotate.

I turn up with the first iPod ever made,  telling people I like repetitive Kraut-inflected psychedelia – cue a few blank looks. During one of my rounds,  the chap I’m talking to, a composer, takes his ears out. ‘This is awful’, he says.  My next mini-epoch is with a young woman who has no power in her player, so she’s forced to listens to my recommendations. When I speak, she removes her earpiece, yells ‘what was that?’ ‘Never mind’ I say. She seems to like it.

What I take from the evening is that I should listen to old Fleetwood Mac, most people like music with beats, The Death Grips and Scorn are a bands I now like and I doubt I have converted anyone to my msucial tastes. But I’ve certainly discovered some new music to investigate further, which makes this a fine little foray for a Thursday evening. (Words: Ed Spencer)

Speed Listening takes place every third Thursday until June.  The next event is on March 21st, but for more info visit: www.thenotewell.com

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Here, Alvis Vega has created a series of oil paintings that copy iconic works of art right through to modern advertising, before defacing them. In doing this, he seeks to question the idea of the ‘male gaze’ theory  whether male attitudes have departed very far from seeing women merely as madonnas or whores, according to Laura Mulvey. If we think of Hilary Mantel’s recent (oft-misquoted) analysis of the role of Royal Consort and elsewhere, the feverish debate about the impact of pornography, the timing of Vega’s questioning seems auspicious.
Alvis Vega has lived all over the world and this has given him a unique experience of the treatment of women and first hand insights into the attitudes that lead to such treatment. This exhibition is a culmination of those experiences and though it seeks to inspire serious debate, also has room for a bit of fun.  The private view on March 8th promises whiskey sours, the creation of new art, a performance-based on the exhibition and some top women DJs – a worthwhile way to mark International Women’s Day. (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Nymphae Nymphalidae runs until April 6th.  For more info, visit: www.rovetv.net

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These vary from a cinematography masterclass with Roman Polanski collaborator Paweł Edelman (most lauded for his work on ‘The Pianist’) to learning the dark arts of pitching your era-defining idea and  discovering the latest technological developments and trends within Hollywood at the moment. The festival also looks to the future, fostering the next generation of talent with animation workshops for young teenagers.

But back to the programme. There is one film guaranteed to appal or intrigue, and even if you are appalled, you’ll still be intrigued. ‘F*** for Forest’  may be a questionable title, but is in fact a charity that take a more salacious approach to environmental activism; they’re  featured in a documentary that shows the amorous attempts of this group of hardy souls to protect an area of Amazon rainforest for its indigenous people.

In short, this is no ordinary film festival. (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Kinoteka runs until March 17th at various venues. For more info, visit: For more info – www.kinoteka.org.uk

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Net by SPQR

Joe Iurato, from New Jersey, has gained recognition for his striking street art and installations. The subtle menace seen in Bael’s work is very much evident here – a faceless hooded man is a constant – alongside dabbling in a kind of a portraiture – his Tom Waites is remarkable. And for the final helping in this finely balanced Michelin-star meal is SPQR, a Bristolian stencil artist who has exhibited at the gallery before. Unsurprisingly perhaps, his work combines humour with darkness, his natural menace more joyous, and the perfect addition to the spectrum of work on offer.

Michal Janowski

All in all, this is a well crafted exhibition, and a real opportunity to see four young artists plying their trade in different but complimentary ways, and all under the same tiny roof. (Words: Ed Spencer) Two Plus Two is on until March 15th. For more info visit www.signalgallery.com

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Well quite, dear boy, on you go. And exhibiting his own brand of disaffected youth, Clark slated all producers as crooks in that interview, stating “I never got paid for my movies.” Even so, you might wonder why  this man in his 60s is so interested in teens getting busy? Well, what is clear is that his young actors trust him. Drake Burnette, an art school graduate, has turned actor on account of Clark’s interest in her to be the Marfa Girl in question. “I think his work is so brave and beautiful”, she tells Dazed & Confused. “He’s been able to capture so many subgenres of American youth culture”. Marfa Girl promises to add that pantheon. (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Marfa Girl is screened on Tuesday 12th February, 6.30pm – 9pm, 9.30pm – 12am. To be added to the free guestlist send your name to info@wearetbc.com. For more info visit: www.facebook.com/events/403426089744522

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So to give this all a bit of context, it’s a shop installation created by Zeus – the London artist who started his art career a teen graffiti artist before he ended up at the Chelsea College of Arts for a dose of more formal training. Zeus has created the Zeus shop and it very much continues the artist’s drive to create his work in evermore unusual settings. In the past he has melded urban architecture with children’s pop-up books and here, the thread of sweet youth gathers apace. In this show, elements of graffiti are paired with classical art impulses, sculpture with confectionery and slush puppies with broken hearts.

What this all means for you is a saccharine soaked sojourn back to an era where procuring a quarter of kola kubes was a major achievement. And you get to do this surrounded by the mad creations of an artist drawing on a quite considerably varied oeuvre.
It all kicks off with a private view on February 7th and after that it’s a mad scramble to be the first to know what constitutes the promised liquor, Zeus Juice. What you waiting for Hansel and Gretl? (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Love Hurts runs from February 7th – 19th. For more info, visit: www.facebook.com/events/115359098640018

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Teller started out in music photography making his name with the cover of Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U – a Mona Lisa-esque ambivalent pose, suggesting either ‘I’m hurt and alone’ (most likely) and ‘What the f**k are you looking at?’ (an equally distinct possibility for our Sinead). Following that, Teller set about changing the very nature of fashion photography. Featured in this exhibition is his work for designer Marc Jacobs, a tranche of work which featured Teller himself, as naked as the day he was born, flouncing about on a bed with the arch-raunch herself, Charlotte Rampling. Here, you can see Teller curled up in the foetal position clutching the hand of a serene and distant Rampling. It is this playfulness that has marked Teller out as a distinctive operator, his images both meant as a bit of fun but also raw and unabashed.

That he enjoys playing with the viewer and has a self-deprecating sense of humour is also illustrated by the exhibition’s inclusion  of the many complaints he received while completing his weekly column for Die Zeit. You get the feeling that Teller couldn’t care less about the criticism. In fact, if anything he relishes it and being provocative is what sets him apart. Doubtless if there was no criticism he would have to do so something that would garner some gainsaying.

But that doesn’t mean that Teller is a sensationalist. Far from it. He does things because he likes to experiment and his very free approach brings out the experimental in his subjects, and it all makes for compelling, unusual and quite wonderful photography. (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Woo is on from 23 January 2013 – 17 March 2013 For more info visit:  www.ica.org.uk/34587/Exhibitions/Juergen-Teller-Woo.html

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Using representations of the subject matter (including cuts outs from magazines and models instead of the actual thing) Letinsky is concerned with the human condition through our experiences. Yet you won’t see yourself in the images. And this is very much a theme of Letinsky’s work – the remnants of our existence, with an absence of any human depiction save what has been enjoyed. So were we there? Is it real? Why not come and see your detritus made beautiful and after you’ve had that second glass of wine, maybe you can start to answer these questions. (Words: Ed Spencer) 

Ill Form and Void Full is on from Jan 18 – April 7. For more info visit:  http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/laura-letinsky-ill-form-and-void-full

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Highlight of 2012: The Horrors at Brixton Academy, May 25th 2012

“This was quite simply one of the best gigs I’ve been to in years. Supported by Toy and the psychedelic wanderings of Beak, The Horrors powered through the kraut-inspired magnificence of second album ‘Primary Colours’ and their latest effort ‘Skying’ with tightness and vibrancy and the most infectious epic groove. In the process they confirmed themselves as not only one of the most interesting bands on record but probably the best British band in the live arena to boot. (I was lucky enough to catch them at Latitude too. They did not disappoint).”

Something I’m looking forward to in 2013: The Loco Film Festival, January 24th-27th

“A four day festival of the best comedy films from all over the world. Now that you’ve given up booze for a month, this is the perfect New Year pick-me-up”

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