Art lovers' gamble at The Secret exhibition

Campers have already put their tents up outside the Royal College of Art (RCA) - anything to secure a good place in the queue when art of The Secret exhibition will be up for sale this Saturday. All pieces cost £45, but could be worth a hundred times more...

More than 1,000 artists have donated work to the RCA Secret exhibition this year.

Artists include Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry, Yoko Ono, Olafur Eliasson, Sir Peter Blake, and fashion designers Manolo Blahnik and Mary Quant, photographer David Bailey, film maker Mike Leigh as well as students and graduates from the Royal College of Art.

The 2,800 postcards are displayed anonymously and are signed on the back. The name of the artist remains a secret until after the cards are purchased.

You find the widest range from traditional portraits and landscapes to contemporary and abstract art - a black woollen glove pasted on the white background and paper sculptures.  

Everyone is allowed to buy up to four pieces each, and lucky raffle winners can secure a place among the 50 first people to enter when the sale opens.

The event is the brain child of a student of the University of London in 1994. It has been running every year since, raising money for the RCA's Fine Art Student Award Fund.


Democratic

Professor Glynn Williams, head of fine art at the RCA, said: "The Secret exhibition is about securing the future of the next generation of artists and when the public buy postcards at the event they are helping to make this possible".

What attracts many visitors is that it's one of the most democratic art sales in the world, where everyone has an equal chance of getting a big name.

On Saturday, people will queue up from the early morning hours, hoping to get their hands on one of the hidden treasures, or simply buy what they believe would look nice on their wall.

 

Documentaries that make a difference

'Tell the truth and get the message across' is Eamonn Mathew's advice for aspiring war and conflict documentary makers. 

Eamonn Matthews is the Managing Director of Quicksilver Media. He's a world famous program maker, and the 2010 BAFTA winner for his work as Executive Producer on the Emmy-nominated documentary Terror in Mumbai.

Students of the University of Westminster were invited to an inspiring lecture with clips from some of the most spoken of documentaries on wars and conflicts worldwide.

The key ingredients

There are four main criteria for a successful documentary, according to Mr. Mathews: Good pictures, engaging characters, transgression and a creative narrative.

‘Good TV needs pictures’, Mr. Mathews says. ‘Pictures that make you think and show real events’.

The element of engaging characters in a documentary is crucial, according to Mr. Mathews. He says: ‘A good documentary makes you feel that you are put in someone else's shoes’.

We see clips from 'Children of the inferno' and 'Orphans of Burma's Cyclone', which both leave a lasting impression thanks to real and unforgettable characters.

We learn that the best documentaries are created through transgression. Mathews believes it’s crucial that documentary journalists go where people don't want to go, and where governments don't want them to be.

 'Secret Iraq' and 'Terror in Mumbai' contain all the ingredients above and the ground breaking narrative of the later, won it a BAFTA award.


Gruesome realities

After seeing the severe suffering of characters in the documentary clips, one wonders how the film makers can keep from stepping in to help.

Eamonn Mathews explains: 'We try not to interfere - we are not aid workers, but if we see something appalling, we will obviously step in'.

He gives an example of when a member of a movie team saved a bleeding victim's life by applying a pressure bandage.

'Documentary journalists often have very robust characters - it goes with the job', Mathews tells us, but he also says that sometimes members of the film crew do request therapy, and then it's always provided. 

One might think the biggest risks in war- and conflict filming involve bombings and cross fire, but we learn that it's car accidents, diseases, de-hydration and kidnapping that stand for the biggest life threatening risks.

It's clear that the makers of these movies have put themselves under extreme danger, but the rewards are world class documentaries that really can make a difference.   

The Grange Pub - a London gem

Beautifully located by Ealing Common, this Victorian pub offers a range of top-class food, ales and wines.

As soon as you enter The Grange you can feel the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Originating from Victorian times, the pub has been nicely done-up, still keeping its old feel.

The beer garden looks so inviting that it's used even in cold November days like these. There is a "Summer house" in the garden, and a common room on the first floor for private functions.

The restaurant part of the pub is the perfect size, and not too quite - yet not too loud. The shared Ploughman’s platter or smoked haddock is warmly recommended. For dessert - try the banoffee pie or their selection of home made ice-cream.

With a voucher from their website, you can even dine for two including a bottle of wine for £20.

The friendly staff, the cosy interior and excellent food definitely makes this pub worth a visit. 

Is a King's private affairs really our business?

A hot debate has been sparked over the Swedish King's alleged infidelity. Once again the role of the monarchy is under scrutiny. But is a King's or a President's private life really relevant as long as they're carrying out their profession to satisfaction?

The biography - The reluctant monarch, was released a couple of weeks ago and has already sold in 20,000 copies in Sweden.

The book claims that King Carl XVI Gustaf has had affairs with several women since he married in 1976. It also describes him as a frequent guest of "wild sex parties".

The King has neither denied nor admitted to the claims, and said he hasn't read the book but understands the incidents described relate to events taking place long ago.

He said in a recent press conference that he and his family have decided to turn a page and look ahead.


Sad statistics

As we know, the Swedish King is far from he only monarch, prime minister or president being accused of infidelity.

Who doesn't remember President Clinton's falling popularity when "Monicagate" revealed embarrassment upon embarrassment.

Other American Presidents claimed to have definitely been unfaithful to their wives during term of presidency are Lyndon Johnson, JFK, and Roosevelt.

In Europe we're all familiar with Berlusconi's escapades - nowadays so common hardly an eyebrow is raised when we see the headlines.

In a survey taken by MSNBC 50% of men admit to being unfaithful at some point in their life. Thus, how sad it might be - unfaithful men are all around.

Women are not much better at all according to the statistics, but due to the overrepresentation of men in power we seldom hear of female leaders cheating.

The question is: should the private life of our national leaders and representatives really be in the public's interest? Do they not deserve to be judged on how they carry out their profession?


A dedicated monarch

The Swedish royal family is doing an extraordinary job in representing their country. The King, not having even chosen his profession, is working around the clock, and travelling all over the world in what he feels is his duty.

If anything they say or do as representatives of the Swedish state is considered inappropriate - then an open and critical debate should be welcomed.

Infidelity affairs however, no matter how wrong we consider them, should only concern the involved and their families.

When they become part of a public debate it's simply because it's feeding into the need of gossiping and should only be recognised as primitive behaviour - feeling satisfaction bringing some-one powerful down.   

Terrorists keep being one step ahead

It’s now clear that the bomb recently found in a printer cartridge on a plane at a UK airport, might have been timed to detonate over the US.

Passengers spend hours in queues for various scanning procedures to avoid terrorist attacks on flights.

We patiently take our shoes off and limit our hygiene and beauty products to a maximum of 100 ml in clear plastic bags.

Yet cargo such as machinery and office equipment are leaving un-scanned on flights from the Middle East.

It was only when a second search was insisted at West Midland Airport in the UK 29 October that the printer cartridge containing the explosives was found.

Once again, we were very close to learning another gruesome lesson too late.

Actions and reactions


Before 9/11, no-one had even in their wildest imagination thought that jet-planes would be used to bomb national landmarks.

And before August 2006, when a terrorist plot was revealed last minute, planning to blow up seven Trans-Atlantic flights, the risk of liquid bombs had not been taken into consideration.

Last Christmas the 23-year old Nigerian "crotch bomber" boarded a North Western Airline Flight to Detroit, hiding explosives in his underwear. In the air, his attempt to detonate the explosives was unsuccessful.

Now, cockpits are no longer accessible without security codes, gels and liquids are heavily restricted, body scanners are becoming more frequent and presumably – new scanning procedures for cargo flights will now be a priority.    

But even with all these lessons learned since 9/11, the terrorists keep being one step ahead. They act, while we react.


I'ts proven that no security measures can be too rigorous to keep us safe, and hopefully eventually, ahead of the game.

A chinese journlist student with an unusual hobby

Elsie has a put a potential Olympic shooting career on hold

to study journalism in London.

Elsie is a petite and sweet 22-year old from southern China. But don’t let the timid façade fool you. Elsie is one of very few Chinese girls to be a professional athlete in shooting.

"My father was a policeman and I lived near a shooting stadium all my life", she says. "I practically grew up with gun noise and it was a natural choice for me to learn how to shoot", she says with a smile.

Elsie has successfully reached the second of three levels. On the third – you compete on an Olympic level.

Apart from being an active athlete, Elsie has a BA in Chinese, and only a year ago she was offered a job teaching Chinese as a second language.

But, being curious and adventurous, she chose to try her wings and embark on a post-graduate journalism degree in London.

She laughs and says: "My father pushing me, and telling me how important it is to challenge yourself probably helped me decide".


Challenging foreign experience

It hasn’t always been easy for Elsie living and studying in a completely different culture, far away from home.

“The way people think and act here is completely different from China”. One thing she finds stands out is that it’s much more focused on individuals here.

“In China we almost always do things in groups and here you’re more left to yourself”

Elsie becomes serious for a second, and talks about how she has found it challenging to start expressing her free mind and being more outspoken.

“In China one is normally told what to do and think. Here I have to force myself continuously to be more outspoken and opinionated".

Elsie’s goal with the journalism course is to work as a free-lance for a lifestyle magazine.

She smiles cunningly, and says that working for a magazine and write a column within lifestyle can be a clever way for Chinese journalists to express themselves more freely in an otherwise restricted society.

“I would also be able to enjoy my passion for culture and travel". And she adds with a smile: “When I don’t practice my shooting of course”.

Borough Market – a gourmet’s paradise

Borough market is the perfect place to indulge in delicatessens and find culinary inspirations for the weekend.

Located right by the southern end of London Bridge, the market is one of the country’s most renowned, and has provided fresh food and vegetables for over 300 years.

Over 70 stalls ooze aromas of newly baked bread, barbecued meet, fresh fish, cheeses, hot sugar and chocolate.

The market is not the least a feast for the eyes; flowers and vegetables of the brightest colours, beautifully decorated cakes and pastries and exotic seafood.

The buzz from people; enthusiastic customers, eager salesmen, children laughing and the overall vibrant atmosphere make a visit to Borough market a true experience for all senses.

What's truly fascinating about this place is that it brings together people from all communities in London, and visitors from near and afar. People exchange cooking and food preparation tips as well as recipes from all around the world.   

Indulge and enjoy

You can find the most delicious food and drinks offered to try for free, so you will not worry about coming home with an empty wallet, although it’s difficult to resist the many exquisite and mouth watering delicatessens presented to you.

Rain or shine, the perfect ending is to have a meal at the market, either among the outside stalls or under the beautiful glass ceiling in the indoor part.

While enjoying your fresh meal you can just sit back and absorb the boiling atmosphere of indulgent enjoyment and enthusiams while every fiber of your body fills with the lovely smells of this culinary paradise.