Fortnum & Mason has continued their annual artistic collaboration Fortnum’s X Frank 2018 (FXF18), with eminent art collector, Frank Cohen, presenting a rich body of work by British landscape artist, John Virtue. 

Running from now until 20th October, Fortnum’s X Frank 2018 (FXF18) will see over 60 large-scale monochromatic works by Virtue placed across the floors of the luxury London store, in the heart of Piccadilly. Having trained at the Slade School of Fine Art and now residing in North Norfolk, Virtue’s practice is continually informed by natural environments and his geographical moving from Lancashire to Devon, to London, and now to Norfolk.

​The artist’s idiosyncratic black and white canvases, created using a mix of white acrylic paint, black ink and shellac, will provide a provocative juxtaposition among the iconic Fortnum’s colours and gilt. The works chosen include abstract landscapes that challenge the viewer to see beyond the paint to make out landmark sites, such as London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, London Eye and The Gherkin. Fortnum’s X Frank 2018 (FXF18) is curated by Robert Upstone, former Director at the Fine Art Society, which he joined in 2010 from Tate Britain where he was Head of Modern British Art. 

This month-long collaboration takes place as the global art world descends on London for the prestigious Frieze Art Fair. Fortnum’s has a long-standing commitment to the arts, supporting generations of artists and designers through its connections with the Royal Academy, the Royal College of Art, the Slade School of Fine Art and the Bloomsbury Group, alongside Fortnum’s own distinguished collection.

The London Design Biennale showcases some of the world’s most exciting designers, innovators and curators to demonstrate how design impacts every aspect of our lives. This year’s Biennale at Somerset House explores important political, social and environmental issues, with the pavilions providing a place where visitors can engage with these subjects in a fun and interactive way.
 
The theme ‘Emotional States’ encourages artists to examine the global and political shift towards understanding a country’s overall happiness and well-being.  At a time when there is now a Gross National Happiness Index, the United Arab Emirates has a Minister for Happiness, Venezuela elected a Vice Minister of Supreme Social Happiness and Theresa May appointed a Minister for Loneliness, exploring emotion has never been so timely.
 
Ideally, you need a full day to explore all 37 pavilions at the Biennale. For those with limited time, I’ve highlighted the most exhilarating ‘must-see’ exhibitions.

Greece: ‘Disobedience’
Set in the forecourt at Somerset House, visitors are invited to walk through the walls of this 17-metre-long kinetic structure. As you take your first step, the floor moves down and the walls expand out like a skeleton breathing. The shock of this makes you either hurry through, relieved to come through the other side, or inspires an excitement and curiosity where viewers would lean into the sides of the wall and look in wonder at the structure. To further bring the structure to life, there will be dance performances that will run throughout the Biennale.

​Dundee: ‘Shpeel’
As you walk into a darkened room, you become immersed in a techni-colour light show, with light cast onto the walls and loud music playing in the background. In the centre of the exhibition is the ‘avatar’ that lets you control the colours and lights by pressing different buttons. You soon learn that the buttons relate to different emotions with which you can explore and interact with other visitors. This clever piece of design has been developed to help young people explore their emotions when language can be prohibitive.

​The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival today announces the unmissable line up for 2018, with a raft of the most remarkable writers, thinkers and performers of our time.
 
From 5-14 October, Regency Cheltenham’s beautiful Montpellier Gardens will welcome tens of thousands of book-lovers to the Festival Village, setting the scene for once-in-a-lifetime conversations to take place over ten days of bookish revelry at the UK’s oldest literary festival.
 
The spectacular programme with almost 1000 speakers offers something for everyone: from literary legends and dynamic debuts to celebrated chefs, renowned historians and sporting icons, as well as the most incisive commentators, world-class comedians and the glittering stars of stage and screen. For the perfect family day out, the greatest storytellers and illustrators in the land will inspire and entertain toddlers to teens, through events, free activities, workshops and story trails. And as part of the Festival’s Literature for Schools programme over 9,000 school children and their teachers will meet their favourite authors and learn from internationally acclaimed writers.
 
Surrounding the cosy Bookstand in the Festival Village, bibliophiles can soak up the atmosphere under the picnic canopy, take their pick of global street food on offer and enjoy free pop-up events galore. And, as the sun goes down, the festivities continue with the eclectic Off The Page series of comedy, music, spoken word, quizzes and podcasts, including the Festival Club at Hotel du Vin and the return of the irreverent Lit Crawl taking over the streets of Cheltenham.
 
Booking opens online to Cheltenham Festivals Members at 1pm on Wednesday 29 August and general booking at 1pm on Wednesday 5 September.
 
COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
 
FESTIVAL THEME – EAST MEETS WEST
A host of international writers and experts will join a unique programme inspired by the culture and history of the Far East. In fiction, we celebrate the work of the outstanding cult Japanese author Haruki Murakami with a first look at the highly anticipated Killing Commendatore with friends and fans including David Mitchell. We explore the East Asian canon more widely with authors such as Masatsugu Ono, Madeleine Thien, Sayaka Murata, Min Jin Lee, Xiaolu Guo, and Fujimoto Prize-winner Genki Kawamura(If Cats Disappeared from the World), plus renowned poet Paul Conneally demonstrates the beauty and brevity of the Haiku.
 
In Travel and Lifestyle, Ian Buruma and Asa Yoneda transport the audience to the metropolis of intoxicating capital Tokyo, spirits expert Dave Broom (The Way of Whisky) takes a tasting tour of Japan, and we enjoy the powerhouse of Japanese animation and Studio Ghibli with Mark Kermode. In our History collection, Guest Curator Peter Frankopan will introduce The New Silk Road and Edward Burman gives an intriguing account of the legendary Terracotta Army. In Art and Design we join Guest Curator and V&A Director Tristram Hunt to marvel at the fabulous treasures in the East Asian Galleries, and in Current Affairs, we interrogate the possibility of peace on the Korean peninsula with Jieun Baek (North Korea’s Hidden Revolution) and Robin Niblett, plus Rania Abouzeid (No Turning Back) and Channel 4’s International Editor Lindsey Hilsum (In Extremis) examine the dynamics of war in Syriawith BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet.
 
FICTION
Fiction-lovers are spoilt for choice with the biggest names in the business, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, alongside the extraordinary new voices igniting imaginations. Discussing their hotly anticipated autumn releases are Pat Barker (The Silence of the Girls), Sarah Perry (Melmouth), Kate Atkinson (Transcription), Guest Curator Sebastian Faulks (Paris Echo), plus the remarkableSally Rooney on her second novel (Normal People). There will be further new reads from William Boyd, Lionel Shriver, Kate Mosse, Kit de Waal, Emma Healey, Elif Shafak, Caitlin Moran as well as the Man Booker nominated Esi Edugyan and last year’s Guest Curator Sarah Moss (Ghost Wall).
 
Dynamic debut talent on the line-up includes Gail Honeyman, Imogen Hermes Gower, Sharlene Teo, Nikesh Shukla plus broadcaster Simon Mayo with his debut adult novel Mad Blood Stirring. We hear from Jojo Moyes and Liane Moriaty on seeing their work transform from page to screen, raise a glass with Joanna Trollope to her latest novel An Unsuitable Match and, for crime aficionados, Anthony Horowitz will introduce his new James Bond outing (Forever and a Day).
 
CLASSIC LITERATURE
In Muriel Spark’s centenary year, we look beyond The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie with Rebus author Ian Rankin and Spark’s friend and biographer, Alan Taylor; 80 years of Rebecca, Du Maurier’s gothic tale of love, secrets and jealousy, will be marked by Sarah Dunant, Sarah Perry and thriller writer Sabine Durrant; and on the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley biographers Fiona Sampson and Miranda Seymour celebrate a woman whose dark and brilliant imagination created this vivid monster. Sophie Hannah explores the enduring appeal of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, Sebastian Faulks is joined by Philip Hensher and Dolly Alderton for a literary tussle over Darcy and Heathcliff, and New Zealand authors Kirsty Gunn and Sarah Laing discuss the literary legacy of Katherine Mansfield.
 
STAGE & SCREEN
The incomparable David Attenborough will discuss his completely new edition of Life on Earth, and is joined on the bill by stage and screen legends Roger Daltrey, Eric Idle, Sally Field, Gary Barlow, Michael Parkinson, Jennifer Saunders and comedians Lenny Henry, Marcus Brigstocke, Romesh Ranganathan, Jo Brand, Susan Calman and Richard Herring. Former ballerina and BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell will spill the beans on her life, career and new book (Darcey Bussell: Evolved); writer, director and founder of Comic Relief, Richard Curtis, is in conversation with his daughter and Guest Curator Scarlett Curtis; David Sproxtonand Peter Lord look back on the remarkable rise of the Aardman Studios, and Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones will reflect on turning her hand to novel writing with Never Greener.
 
World famous conductor Jane Glover draws on her profound understanding of Handel’s music to tell the extraordinary story ofHandel in London. Further stars of the stage include Nicholas Hytner on 12 years at the helm of the National Theatre; acclaimed RSC actor Antony Sher reveals the challenges on playing King Lear (Year of the Mad King); and the Olivier award-winning Giles Terera tells all about one of musical theatre’s biggest successes of our time, Hamilton.
 
POETRY, SPOKEN WORD & OFF THE PAGE
Superstar of the spoken word scene Hollie McNish returns for a rare UK appearance joined by the phenomenal debut talent Hera Lindsay Bird; while Salena Godden and Peter Coyte combine poetry, fiction and music through the life affirming diaries of ‘Mrs Death’. One of Britain’s most beloved poets, Wendy Cope, presents her new collection (Anecdotal Evidence), the charming Pam Ayres reads from her latest book The Last Hedgehog, and poet, critic and close friend of Phillip Larkin, Anthony Thwaite, contemplates a remarkable poetic legacy in Larkin’s Letters.
 
After dark, Festival goers can enjoy boisterous evenings from Pundemonium!, Bang Said The Gun, Tongue Fu and an Outspoken Showcase featuring the astonishingly talented Anthony Anaxagorou, Harry Giles and Ollie O’Neal. Award-winning comedian Marcus Brigstocke returns with his new stand-up show Devil May Care, with further laughs from Fringe favourites Rob Auton, Tessa Coates and a special live edition of The Guilty Feminist podcast with Deborah Frances-White.

HISTORY, HISTORICAL FICTION & ANCIENT WORLD
Master storyteller Bernard Cornwell will entertain the Cheltenham crowd with the latest instalment in his much-loved The Last Kingdom series, now a major TV drama, whilst historical heavyweights Antony Beevor (Arnham) and Max Hastings (Vietnam) look into the very heart of war. Guest Curator Peter Frankopan takes the audience on a tour of the New Silk Road, Sebastian Faulkstraces the music and words of the Great War, and novelist Sarah Dunant unpicks the truth behind history’s most notorious family, The Borgias. Festival favourite Mary Beard reflects on Women and Power, Diarmaid MacCulloch delves deep into the life of the ruthless, powerful Tudor fixer Thomas Cromwell, and the mysterious world of espionage is explored by Ben Macintyre (The Spy and The Traitor), intelligence historian Christopher Andrew and former MI5 Officer Annie Machon.
 
FOOD & DRINK
There is a feast of culinary delights on offer with celebrity chefs and leading restaurateurs taking festival goers on a global food adventure from the street food of Asia with John Torode (Sydney to Seoul) and Morocco’s scintillating flavours with Nargisse Benkabbou (Casablanca) to Middle Eastern soul food with Honey & Co founders Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich. Food writer Diana Henry explores how influences from New York to Mexico have shaped her cooking, Nadiya Hussain celebrates the very best UK home cooking, and spirits expert Dave Broom (The Way of Whisky) uncovers distilleries lost amid ancient forests in a tasting tour of Japan.
 
And if that’s not enough, the new grande dame of the Bake Off tent, Prue Leith shares her first cookbook in 20 years (Prue), leading restaurateurs Russell Norman, Gizzi Erskine and Yotam Ottolenghi reveal their culinary inspirations and to quench our thirst, Oz Clarke will pop the cork on his life-long love affair with wine (Red & White) and East Asian expert Bruce Ginsbergexamines the relationship between tea and Zen.
 
LIFESTYLE
Inspiration for the house and home is on hand from gardening guru Monty Don on the delights of Islamic paradise gardens,Gardeners’ World presenter Nick Bailey and designer Jo Thompson offer tips on how to make the most of the space you have, architectural historian Jeremy Musson on the most beguiling castles, estates and manor houses in the Cotswolds, Le Manoir consultant Robert Ketchell unlocks the secrets of the Japanese garden, and Vanessa Bell’s granddaughter Virginia Nicholson delves inside the Bloomsbury Group homes with Nino Strachey.
 
Tom Daley brings life hacks for healthy livings (Tom’s Daily Goals), and Sali Hughes talks to Nadia Shireen about the beauty products that changed the world. Life and career inspiration will be on hand from Mishal Husain, Emma Gannon (The Multi-Hyphen Method), Otegha Uwagba (Little Black Book) and Yomi Adegoke, (Slay in Your Lane).
 
ART & DESIGN
Responding to the Festival theme ‘East Meets West’, Guest Curator Tristram Hunt shares the Eastern treasures within the V&A, including the significance of the iconic kimono with Anna Jackson; artist and writer Edmund de Waal offers an intimate history of porcelain; artists Chie Kutsuwada and Fumio Obata give an insight into the world of Manga; and Martin Bailey and Monika Hinkelexplore the enduring influence of the East on van Gogh. Marina Warner asks what role art plays in shaping values; Gavin Plumleyreveals the Vienna years of modernist icons Klimt and Schiele; Agnès Poirier presents a captivating portrait of art in post-war Paris; and much-loved art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon gives his definitive guide to the paintings to see before you die.
 
NATURE, TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Providing a breath of fresh air are Everest conquerors Ben Fogle, Kenton Cool and the first British woman to summit, Bonita Norris, as they explain the dangerous lure of the mountain, with Guy Stagg, Leon McCarron and Kate Humble (Thinking on My Feet), recommending the transformative power of walking. Record-breaking endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont tells the story of his astonishing journey around the world in 80 days, Anna McNuff and Phoebe Smith celebrate the inspiring women in the wilderness, and Britain's wildest adventurer Sean Conway talks about how he became the fastest person to cycle 4,000 miles across Europe solo and unsupported. Cheltenham will also celebrate anniversaries with the much-loved John Craven and Anita Rani raising a glass to 30 years of Countryfile, and Peter Moore (Endeavour: The Ship and Attitude That Changed the World) marks250 years since the Endeavour set sail from Plymouth.
​

As an opera virgin, I leapt at the opportunity to attend the performance of Verdi’s La Traviata by The English National Opera. Opera aficionados often say that La Traviata is one of their favourite operas, so I was very excited to see it first-hand – especially given its location at the gorgeous London Coliseum, a beautiful traditional theatre set in the heart of the West End.
​
This year marks the 50th year that the English National Opera has been in residence at the London Coliseum. Unlike most operas which are performed in Italian, performances at The English National Opera are in English to ensure they are accessible to everyone.

Behind-the-scenes tour at the London Coliseum
Our evening began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the London Coliseum, which provided us with a glimpse of what happens backstage to bring the magic of the performances to life on stage.  Being both in the orchestra pit and behind the stage gave me a newfound sense of appreciation for the wealth of people it takes to create a seamless production. 

Indulging in the new spring menu at the American Bar at the London Coliseum
After the tour was complete, we headed to the dining room at the American Bar to try the new spring menu. The petite dining room reminded me a bit of Swiss chalet thanks to its abundance of wooden panelling. Diners can choose from either two courses (£20) or three courses (£25). Starters included: spiced parsnip, coconut and apple soup and toasted pine nuts; baked candied beetroot and heritage carrots with a mango chutney dressing; smoked salmon and Cornish crab parcel, crème fraiche, caviar, orange reduction; seared scallops, butternut squash puree and chorizo, parmesan and rocket oil. 

Mains included: Roast chicken breast, raz el hanout couscous, aubergine caviar, smoked yoghurt, pistachio and pomegranate dressing; seared hake fillet, shrimp and mussels, pickled shallots, purple sprouting broccoli; miso roasted sea bream, bok choy, mange tout and enoki mushroom broth; fillet of beef, celeriac puree, cavalo nero, king oyster, red wine and truffle jus; cannellini bean stew, roasted courgette and butternut squash, parsley oil.
All the dishes we tried (the parsnip soup, crab parcels, seared hake and the roast chicken) were delicious and beautifully presented.   

The performance
La Traviata is a tragic love story about a fallen woman, Violetta, a high-class Parisian prostitute (played by Irish soprano Claudia Boyle), who falls in love a young man named Alfredo (played by tenor Lukhanyo Moyake) who attended one of her lavish parties.  

The verdict
It's easy to see why this classic opera has been loved for many years.  We liked that the performance was in English, which makes it easier to follow - especially for those who are not familiar with the story.

The details
London Coliseum
St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2N 4ES
 
For a full list of upcoming performances at the English National Opera, visit https://www.eno.org.
​
Ashley Miln
*With the exception of the images from Catherine Ashmore all other images copyright of Ashley Miln

​Forget Barnum and Bailey; this is the greatest show on Earth if you want to be transported to a bygone era of classic cars, style and glamour.
 
This unique annual motor racing event is held in the spectacular grounds of Lord March’s 12,000-acre Goodwood House estate in West Sussex. In the words of F1 racing legend Jackie Stewart, “There’s nothing close to this in the world. It has the biggest selection of cars and the biggest crowds of spectators too.”  Each year crowds come out in droves to witness the action with celebrities such as David Gandy, Rowan Atkinson, Zara Tindall, David Coultard, and Stirling Moss, amongst others mingling with the masses.
 
Even if you’re not into cars and motorcycles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of things by dressing in vintage attire to herald the golden days of motoring, which often featured a leisurely picnic with fine champagne - all while taking in the countryside views.

Arrive in Style
To ensure a grand entrance, many attendees arrive in their prized automobiles. For those who really want to make an impression, there’s even the option to arrive by helicopter, thanks to Goodwood’s private airfield.
 
Upon arrival, the first thing guests will notice is the car park, which is usually an experience in itself given the wide variety of jaw-dropping wheels that are typically on display such as a Ferrari Dino, a vintage Rolls Royce or a James Bond style Aston Martin.
 
Racing at Goodwood
The overall site is huge and it’s easy to get distracted and miss the racing.  For those interested in watching the racing in all its glory, there are information points at various locations with staff on hand to provide advice.
 
The car racing takes place on a 2.5 mile track, which has viewing areas around its complete circumference. Apart from car racing, there is also vintage motorcycle racing with bikes such as Manx Nortons, Dominators, Triumphs and German BMW’s, which were being serviced by mechanics in lederhosen - a sight worth seeing! The track side atmosphere is sensational as spectators can get close to the participating vehicles in the race preparation areas.
 
Another highlight for many people is the Settrington Cup, a children’s race featuring vintage pedal cars. With a bit of luck, one of the participating children might become the next Lewis Hamilton!

What to see and do at Goodwood
Obviously, the vintage vehicles are the main attraction at Goodwood Revival, but there are also plenty of other vintage installations and activities taking place throughout the site to celebrate the era.
 
Flight displays at Goodwood
Goodwood is renowned for its flight displays, which feature WW2 era Spitfires being put through their acrobatic paces. Flight enthusiasts will also love the Mustang on display - one of the most iconic American airplanes used during WW2.  For those ​who want to get up close to the participating vintage planes, there is a viewing area, which provides ample photo opportunities.
 
Music at Goodwood
For a non-music event there is a lot of great live music on offer. There are stages scattered around the site including a traditional ballroom with dancing, a band stand, and a fabulous converted 1950s airstream trailer stage. Gasoline Alley, which was designed as an homage to the American surf era, was one of my favourite areas and was definitely the most ‘kicking’ place all day.  It featured diner-style catering, rockabilly tunes from the Ding Dong Daddios, and a bevy of spinning dancers in drape suits and big skirts jiving to the infectious beats.
 
Shopping at Goodwood
Located near the car park, Over the Road is an area that features multiple clothing and accessories shops and, of course, everything for the car enthusiast.
 
The Fairground at Goodwood
Families will love the impressive fairground that will keep the kids happy as they experience the various attractions and rides.
 
Dining at Goodwood
When it comes to good food, you’re spoilt for choice. There are many premium food vendors on site as well as fine dining options. Alternatively, you can pre-book a Goodwood picnic (complete with a bottle of cold bubbly) for collection.

What to wear
Nearly everyone dresses in period costume; it’s one of those places where you’ll actually look more ridiculous if you don’t make an effort. Think woollen waistcoats and tweed flat caps for the men, and slinky Sixties shifts for the women. For guests who’ve really made an effort with their attire, there is a daily ‘best dressed’ catwalk show. 
 
Top tips for visiting Goodwood

• If you have sensitive ears, it may be worth investing in a set of ear defenders or ear plugs
• The best vantage point can be found at The Ford pavilion, which is right next to the starting line

Buy Goodwood 2018 tickets
Although the festival doesn’t take place until September (7-9), the event always sells out, so now’s the time to start making your enquiries for 2018!
 
To book tickets, visit www.goodwood.com.
 
Robert Dow

What better way to explore Venice than being on the hunt for thought provoking, enlightening world class art and exhibitions? I recently made the pilgrimage to see the work of Khadija Saye, an artist who sadly died in the Grenfell Tower disaster, an unexpected and poignant moment during my visit.
​
While this trip was my first time visiting Venice, I had to remain focused and not be distracted by the sheer beauty of the city, to ensure I had ample time to take everything in during my weekend jaunt. For those who wish to see all that the Biennale has on offer, I’d recommend a five or six-day visit, however, a weekend visit will give you a good flavour of what’s on show.
​
Now is the perfect time to visit – the throng of summer tourists have packed up and left and the Biennale buffs have been and gone – leaving a wonderful space to wander round the exhibitions bathed in the dazzling Autumn glow. In addition to experiencing the artworks themselves, you can attend ‘Open Table’ sessions with the artists and check out the music festival. 

This year’s curator is Parisian Christine Macel, best known for her curatorial role at the Pompidou Centre. Macel’s working title for this year’s Biennale ‘Viva Arte Viva’, translates to ‘a celebration of the artist and of art for its own sake’, a move away from one central theme most Biennales have, while removing it from a political agenda where many Biennales have sat in the past.

Throughout the Biennale there are 120 invited artists from 51 countries; 103 of whom are participating for the first time. While most of the artwork is concentrated in the two main sites, The Biennale spreads throughout the city with more than 20 collateral events and exhibitions taking place.

The main exhibition sites are the Giardini and the Arsenale; two immense permanent buildings that sit within a 10-minute walk of each other and lie along one of the main waterways of Venice.  The participating artists are grouped together into nine ‘chapters’ including The Pavilion of Joys and Fears, which explores the relationship between the individual and his own existence, and The Dionysian Pavilion, which celebrates the female body and its sexuality. These groupings help the viewer navigate their way around an eclectic mix of art forms, scale and meaning.
​
So, if you haven't had the chance to attend, now's the time to go! To wrap up the celebrations in style, the grand finale on 26 November promises an exciting programme of events and closing parties, ensuring an electric atmosphere for all to enjoy.
​
Elinor Seath

Brixton Design Trail returns for its second year as a London Design Festival District with a theme of Love is Power, communicating the positive force of love in celebrating difference and promoting acceptance.

The aim is to design by community and collaboration to ensure Brixton’s creative spirit is kept alive during the natural process of regeneration in town centres. Brixton will showcase an exciting line up of local designers from a range of backgrounds, highlighting that our community is made up of many cultures living alongside each other with respect for diversity and an appreciation of many shared values – it is this mix that is the essence of Brixton.

Once again Brixton Design Trail will champion the democratisation of design by establishing it as part of the everyday and accessible to everyone, using streets and public spaces as a canvas for expression. In partnership with the Brixton BID and supported by Lambeth, a number of installations will bring permanent improvements to public spaces, putting creativity at the heart of the areas regeneration. In addition to installations and design showcases, a series of talks and tours will focus on Brixton’s evolving design heritage from street art and murals to loved landmarks and unusual spaces.

For more information, visit: www.brixtondesigntrail.com.
​

London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world. Now in its 15th year, the Festival will be returning to venues and institutions across the city from now until the 24 September 2017. A major feature of the Festival is an ambitious programme of over 450 projects and events, offering Londoners and visitors to the city an opportunity to experience world-class, innovative, and challenging design across the capital. 

Key exhibitions to see at The London Design Festival...

Set in Stone
The Design Museum, which opened the doors to its new home in Kensington in November 2016, presents an exciting project during this year’s London Design Festival. Set in Stone presents a selection of works by eight designers invited to explore the potential of marble and limestone. These works, displayed in various locations both inside and outside the museum, include objects intended for public use, such as seating by Eduardo Souto de Moura; a slide by Elemental; graphic pieces by Sagmeister & Walsh; and a series of domestic objects by Michael Anastassiades and Jasper Morrison.

The project is an investigation of the qualities of stone, and the technical means through which it is cut and shaped. The natural formation of stone over millions of years produces patterns and textures that are unique and unrepeatable. The designers’ responses represent small moments of monumentality that reflect the solidity and permanence of an elemental material.

Drop in the Ocean
Designer, Brodie Neill, presents ‘Drop in the Ocean’ at ME London, a mesmerising site specific nature-driven installation, located in The Atrium of the iconic Foster + Partners designed hotel, the Official Hotel Partner for the Festival. ME London, is the flagship property for the ME by Melia brand, located in the cultural heart of Covent Garden.

Neill’s presentation premieres his work Flotsam, produced using his self-created material Ocean Terrazzo which Neill developed for the Australian Pavilion for the 2016 London Design Biennale, and confronts the problem of the world’s plastic waste within our oceans. Cast completely as singular pieces, the Flotsam collection is created from a combination of all-white Ocean Terrazzo to reflect water and multicoloured ocean plastic fragments to reference the floating nature of the plastic waste which travels across oceans and break down into small fragments from the force of the currents, meanwhile the single drop seen in the melodic installation symbolises the smallest essence of nature resulting in momentous consequences.
​

​Bestival 2017 is just around the corner (7-10 September)! Kicking off this Thursday, this beloved festival isn’t to be missed.
 
Throughout the festival, visitors can discover a wonderland of exciting arenas including: Castle Stage, Bollywood Stage, Temple Stage and unique areas such as the Ambient Forest, Slow Motion, Cuckoo Clump, Colour Field, Love-Bot Park, The Lawn and Caravanseria.

Key acts this year include: The XX, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pet Shop Boys, Little Dragon, Rag’n’Bone Man, Wiley, Laura Mvula, Danny Brown, Loyle Carner, Soul II Soul and The Cuban Brothers, to name a few.
 
If you’re quick, there’s still time to get your boutique glamping tickets! The exclusive camping experience includes a spacious and beautiful VIP camping area, a funky chill-out bar with food traders serving until late, dedicated toilets and showers, free car parking and 24- hour security.
 
So, what are you waiting for? Get your wellies at the ready and head to Bestival!

Ben Ricci