Having built their brand on whipping up authentic Napoli-style pizza (without the gummy dough and faff), their new locale resides on a hotspot corner of Dean Street (interestingly across the street from the lesser Pizza Express) and offers a compact menu with starters, afters, and on-trend Aperol spritzes amongst the drinks.

At yesterday’s launch, we tucked into a few varieties of their freshly-baked pizzas wishing we could stay around for the blood orange sorbet – but there’s no doubt we’ll be back; with decent prices, plenty of downstairs space and an address that’s easy to get to, this is one way to get a tasty slice of Italy right on our doorstep.

For more info, visit: www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk

The post Somewhere you should go… Pizza Pilgrims appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

A Good Day for Cyclists, British Pavilion 2013

In 2011, the biennale came under fire for its excessive opulence and downright commercialism, so this year the central pavilion has taken on a more sombre, humble tone. Organised under the title of ‘Encyclopaedic Palace’ and curated by Massimiliano Gioni, the central exhibition is a wealth of information, drawing on a fantastically diverse range of artefacts from Carl Jung’s sketches to Aleister Crowley’s redesign of tarot cards.
If you haven’t heard, Jeremy Deller has taken on the duties of the British Pavilion, in the form of ‘English Magic’. Now that Wales and Scotland have developed their own space, Deller has taken it upon himself to focus his artwork on ‘Englishness’ – in only the way his skill to observe and connect with the quirks of culture can. Deller corrects moments of injustice in the pavilion. Murals line the walls: a giant Hen Harrier crushes a Range Rover, a colossal William Morris throws Roman Abramovich’s pesky Superyacht out of the Venice harbour and the sound of Voodoo Ray by the brass band echoes through the gallery. The pavilion is alive and oozing English charm, complete with a tea bar for those who can’t find a decent brew around the town.

Eva Kotatkova

There is a little upheaval throughout the national pavilions. France has this year been swapped with Germany. And, Germany has employed the skills of Chinese rebel artist Ai Weiwei. New ‘nations’ include the Vatican, Catalonia and Angola, who have won the National Pavilion award for their Angola in Motion piece. There is so much to see, and it will take days to get through. While the event itself is often sneered at for its drama, theatre and pomposity, this time the politically charged works are what make this Biennale all the more interesting. Chile’s pavilion in the Arsenale criticises the nature of inclusion and exclusion at the Biennale and Greece’s pavilion ponders its own economy zero situation. This is a biennale of political reflection. And, if you can get a chance to experience it, you won’t be disappointed. (Words: Laura Thornley)

The  55th Venice Biennale runs until  24 November 2013. For more info, visit: www.labiennale.org/en/art

The post What we’ve been up to… Venice Biennale 2013 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Later in the month the festival takes on a sporting theme  screening new Italian films that take this angle, to help give food for thought to the coming Olympic summer in the capital. There will also be a commemorative section of the festival dedicated to the life and works of director and screenwriter Vittorio De Seta, widely considered one of Italy’s best and was sadly lost November last year. The festival wouldn’t be truly Italian if it didn’t include some foodie delights though and right on cue there will be gastronomic refreshments to sample alongside the screenings. Who could ask for more?  (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info visit www.institut-francais.org.uk/films/cinema-made-in-italy

The post Somewhere you should go… Cinema Made in Italy: Italian Film Festival 2012 appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

Featuring personally handpicked images from the six of the most influential fashion houses, the ‘Master’s of Style’ exhibition at Somerset House will inspire fashionistas and minor trend-followers alike, with its celebration of high-end threads. But the show isn’t just about the clothes themselves; the main focus will be the stories and influences that inspired the likes of Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Gucci, Missoni and Prada, and show why, as exhibition curator Colin McDowell says, “when it comes to self expression, effortless style and flair, nobody does it better or more naturally than the Italians.” Certamente! (Words: Monique Todd)

‘Masters of Style’ is at Somerset House from July 1st to August 14th.  Click here for more info.

The post Somewhere you should go…Masters of Style: Celebrating the Stories behind Italian Fashion, Somerset House appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.