Nothing much to report here, just some beautiful photos I took on Friday and Saturday last weekend. The sunshine has been so nice. Feeling the winter dullness creep in and getting at least a little bit of bright sunlight is so very welcome! Met a friend for lunch at Maison François in St James then popped over to soho for a quick errand before heading back home. The city was sparkling! ✨
Theaster Gates
Was another day at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho. Summertime in the city, not too busy. I was in a pretty good mood, which was always helpful at that job. A chilled morning allowed me to do one thing at a time and tend better to the guests. I always felt good when it was like that. A quiet hum of uplifting energy. Sunlight rolling in and a sense of possibility threaded throughout. Whilst in my daze of optimism, the phone rings. Slightly annoyed at the interruption of peace I snap back to work mode; “Good morning, Dean Street Townhouse, Lindsay speaking how can I help?”… “Oh hello, I’d like to make a booking for my boss please?”… “Why yes of course” I replied. “What’s the name you’d like to reserve under?” “Theaster”. “Okay thank you, and the first name please?” “No, that is the first name. The surname is Gates”. “Oh! My apologies, it’s a very unique and cool name, I must say!” Slightly embarrassed I thought to myself, ‘Should I know who this is?’ Probably, oh well..one more person to learn about! The woman on the line agreed with me on the name in an awkward but polite way and hung up the phone. By this point a few people had walked in and were waiting for me to assist them at the door so I went about my front desk duties. Seven o’clock the next morning rolls around and I’m back at the front desk again. An equally bright and beautiful sunny sky outside. The J.O.B (as I called it) at Dean Street always felt so repetitive it would do my head in, but the perk of working there was when I found myself in surprisingly deep conversations or light comedic banter with anyone willing to laugh at my jokes. I met some phenomenal people this way and felt that the job, although not satisfying on a career level or what I really wanted to be doing was a gateway to really understanding London and my potential in it. It’s incredibly inspiring to be in a city that is an epicentre for so many creative, dedicated, and accomplished souls. All walks of life come together in a smorgasbord of culture and ideas. It’s mind blowing. London is what I like to call a Starburst City, and it’s one of the reasons why I love it so much.
Back to my story.. A lot of people travelling would stay at the DSTH hotel next door and be up insanely early, jet lagged and seeking a quiet refuge to have some breakfast and coffee. On this particular morning, a very kind looking gentlemen comes in says hello and asks for a spot for one for breakfast. I notice his subdued American accent. “Yes of course, come right this way.” As usual, I make chit chat on the way to the table, craving connection with like minded souls to escape the mindlessness of the job. This guy seemed super interesting and I was curious. I always had a feeling with certain people, and he was one of them. I wanted to ask so many questions but would have to keep my cool.. I was, after all at work. He sits down at the table in the parlour area and we continue to chat. I am aware of my being “away from the desk” but don’t really care. I didn’t take the job to learn how to be a receptionist at Soho House, I took it for experiences like this!
The kind gentleman asks me where I’m from and we enjoy a good banter about Calgary life and moving to London. We talk about Chicago, his hometown, and I mention how much I love the Art Institute there and tell him about how friendly everyone was on my last visit there. He smiles and introduces himself, “Theaster” he says. “Oh my gosh” I said. “Your assistant called and you have an actual booking today at 9:30!” He smiled. “Yes, that’s right” he said. “I will join them once they arrive. Thanks so much Lindsay.” Chuffed, I go back to the desk and like clockwork Google my new ‘friend’ Theaster. As the results load I shake my ahead in bemusement as I discover he is a very accomplished artist. No wonder we got on. He was in town for his Black Chapel installation that was being presented with the Serpentine Gallery. I was running past it already, but as it wasn’t directly on my run route I hadn’t properly gone to take a look.
From the outside the chapel is quite striking, humble yet fierce with its tall brooding black beams, and perfect shadows. It feels very welcoming with its intelligent use of materials and colour. My favourite feature was the oculus, which in Theaster’s words, ‘allowed light and nature in, creating a relationship between the things that happen on earth and the things that happen above the earth.’ The seven paintings on the inside of the chapel were inspired by Theaster’s father’s career in roofing. ‘They are a salute to history of labour in the ways of which labour is a beautiful spiritual way of transmitting energy.’ So eloquently said. I had never thought about labour in this way but watching this short five minute video on the Serpentine’s website was very helpful in understanding the project.
‘What I needed was simple; Space that wasn’t flamboyant, that in a way could disappear, but in disappearing it also felt grand. The volume of this chapel is a big part of that. It’s height, it’s roundness. I wanted to pay homage to the ceramic industry and the bottle kilns of Stoke-on-Trent.’ Black Chapel for me has unified parts of my practice that have seen disparity. When you build the right vessel it unifies that interest in ceramics, the spiritual, the built environment. ‘Source: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/serpentine-pavilion-2022-black-chapel-by-theaster-gates/
LW
Richard Spaven - Jazz Café London
Jazz Café October 31st, 2020. My partner, Richard Spaven, who is an incredible drummer and producer sold out a back to back show as a first gig back after the big lockdown of 2020. On the break between the two sets we got news of yet another lockdown. In three days we would be going back in again for four weeks. After this we’d all be let loose to go do our holiday shenanigans & shopping only to go back into yet another unexpected Christmas Lockdown on the 18th of December. This lasted until April 12th the following year.
This particular night at The Jazz Café was so wonderful for many reasons, but mainly because I got to witness the crowd roar with delight of finally getting to see some of their favourite musicians on stage again doing what they do best. The best feeling!! I felt so happy for Rich and everyone up there. Stuart McCallum, Chris Hargreaves , and Jordan Rakei. What a special show.
xo LW
*All photos taken on Canon Eos T1i 24-70mm F2.8L
Costa de Caparica
October 2019. We didn’t know what was coming in 5 months. I am so glad I decided to go on this mini vacay. My sister was turning 30 years old and had planned a birthday trip to Portugal. I had just moved to London and thought I shouldn’t be spending money I had not yet earned yet. She convinced me to come in the end and I am so glad I did. It’s amazing what 4 days on the ocean and October sun of the Mediterranean can do for your soul. We rented a house right on the beach with Airbnb and it was perfect. Such a beautiful stretch of sand. The crowds had gone and we were greeted only by locals. This was the way to go. Loved every minute. Thanks Kate. XX
LDW
L I S B O A
Lisboa, October 25th, 2019. My first time to Portugal and first European trip I took for the weekend a couple months after moving to London in August. We stayed on the coast (dreamy beach photos next post) but took a taxi into town for my sister’s birthday that day. I loved it. So different from neighbouring Spain, yet so similar. Honestly I could just roam those streets a little longer, soaking in the sea air and smell of grilled fish in the air. Ready for a glass of vinho verde at noon, a pastel de nata and espresso at 3pm, then hit the shops for some specialty tinned fish and wine! There are loads of hip restaurants in this town and hole in the wall banging fish restaurants you won’t want to miss. Really didn’t have the time to fully take it in but if you are going there are plenty of in the know guides like this one here. Can’t wait to go back!
LW