Shirley Baker at The Photographers Gallery

London is currently displaying a healthy trend towards shining a spotlight on pioneering female photographers, helping balance the traditional male bias of the industry.  Exhibitions so far this year have focused on the brilliant but introverted Vivian Maier and the indomitable spirit of Christina Broom as the first UK female press photographer. Now it is the turn of Shirley Baker to be given her own retrospective.

Baker was a pioneering street photographer who, at first glance, seems to be telling the story of the grinding poverty in the slums of Manchester and Salford and the slow decline of late twentieth century Britain.  A more in-depth look, however, reveals a rich social network of neighbourhoods within tightly-knit communities on the brink of destruction.

Born and bred in Lancashire, Baker focused her work on her home county which she was to spend much of her life capturing on film. She originally trained for a career as an industrial photographer working at a fabric manufacturer, but soon realised there were more interesting subjects to document around her local area.  In 1960 she became a lecturer at Salford College of Art and it was during this time that she began to take candid and spontaneous photos of impoverished areas and the local working-class community.

It was a time of great change and Baker managed to capture and document the process of clearing the slums which existed in Manchester and Salford to make way for modern tower blocks and a different way of life. In Baker's photos the inhabitants, particularly the children, seem indifferent to the changing scenes around them. Life appears to have been happily lived in the streets - children playing around lampposts, a street for a cricket pitch, doorstops an ideal spot for catching up with other mothers and a quiet path providing a place to sit and play with friends.  It can be difficult to look at some of the photos and reconcile that such poverty existed in a first world country, as it still does in other areas today.

Visitors to the exhibition can enjoy an immersive experience as there is also a sound track playing which features recordings of the street sounds of the time, as well as Baker giving her own account of what life was like.  She felt keenly as a photographer that it was her responsibility to document and record the effect of the change which this mass development had on both the local communities and at an individual level.  The destruction of areas as they were bull-dozed also meant the loss of the sense of community, and through her work she was able to provide a lasting and honest account of the period and the glimpse of a way of life which no longer exists. 

Photographer's Gallery 

16-18 Ramillies St 

London 

W1F 7LW 

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Thu 10am-8pm; Sun 11.30am-6pm

http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/

Living History

Recording events, places and lifestyles so that the images can become part of our cultural history is a major role for photography, as is the display of the collections to allow future generations to remember and appreciate the roots of their own societies.  Many galleries include such photography exhibitions as part of their regular schedule, including the Tate galleries supported as they are by the Tate Foundation.  The Foundation supports and guides the work of the Tate Galleries and the Trustees and Honorary members include Mandy Moross, Sasan Ghandehari, Elisabeth Murdoch, Marilyn Ofer and Simon Palley.

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/blogs/all-blogs/Cultural-Crossroads/2012/11/abu-dhabi-art-kicking-off.html

Jennifer Rubell: Not Alone

Question: Are you likely to be more empathetic and feel more connected if you experience the same as another individual?  Well yes, it goes without saying that if two people both have the same experience - let’s say treading over hot coals - then they’re pretty likely to form a bond with each other regardless of whether they’re strangers or not.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

This is the thought behind the latest theme which Jennifer Rubell - queen of participatory art - asks the viewer to actively immerse themsleves in at her Not Alone exhibition, which includes Rubell completely naked, astride a horse, and she would quite like us to do the same. Well, maybe not the horse part as there are limitations to what you can do in a gallery, but she’d certainly like us to join her by disrobing. 

Where a State of Undress is the State of the Art

It’s fair to say that Rubell has always wanted her viewers to participate directly in her art and not just be voyeurs.  This latest exhibition at the Stephen Friedman Gallery is a retrospective of her work from the last three years since the birth of her second child, and there is a noticeably maternal empathy in her work, which again draws visitors in to the experience in a very physical way.

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

The piece which has been attracting most attention in the exhibition is her film ‘Posing’, in which visitors are invited to disrobe in a changing room in the gallery and then enter a screened off room, au naturel, to watch Rubell, also naked,  posing in a number of positions, but most famously astride a horse. It might not exactly be what you’re expecting when going to a museum, but there is more purpose to the experience than just to excite the naturalists amongst us. Traditionally, portraits and sculpture featuring prominent figures atop a horse have always hinted at power, superiority and dominance. But in her film, Rubell asks ‘what if that’s a naked woman?’

She commented:

“Equestrian portraiture is kind of doubling down on your position in regard to the viewer in that you’re even higher than the viewer as a subject. But all of that is subverted when you’re a nude woman because, well… you’re not quite Napoleon.”

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

‘Posing’ is a classic piece by Rubell given her interest in creating works which require a level of trust and intimacy with the viewer. Also showing in the exhibition is Rubell’s clever hand-blown glass new born baby, which visitors are invited to hold, ideally with care. The duality of purpose being to show the fragility of life particular to new-born babies and entrusting complete strangers to respect her work and refrain from any damage. It dispels the idea of not being able to touch a work of art and morphs into a ‘I musn’t drop this’ moment.  In making the viewer the guardian, the work demonstrates Rubell’s implicit optimism about humanity and the hope that we will essentially look after each other.

‘Ultimately we as humans will actually take care of each other, take care of the things that are dear to us. It’s a very optimistic piece for what I feel are very pessimistic times.’

  

Jennifier Rubell, ‘Not Alone’, Stephen Friedman Gallery

Gallery One

25-28 Old Burlington Street

London

W1S 3AN

United Kingdom

http://www.stephenfriedman.com/

Taking Part in Art

Participatory art is just one of the forms being actively promoted in London, and it is part of the diversity that makes the capital such a vibrant and important artistic centre.  The ability of galleries, theatres and venues to be as liberal and imaginative as they are is due to the support of government, commercial and private sponsors who all appreciate the value of the arts to the city.  These include the University of the Arts London (UAL) and the Tate Foundation.  Supporters of these institutions include committed individuals such as Sir Nicholas Serota , Sir Anthony Salz, Yassmin Ghandehari, Sasan Ghandehari and Peter Simon.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/blogs/all-blogs/Cultural-Crossroads/2012/11/abu-dhabi-art-kicking-off.html

Private Jet Charter Is Good For Business

Private Jet Charter

Private jet charter dubai flightsw always used to be the preserve of top executives in the largest corporations and the rich and famous, but the globalization of many businesses around the world has led to shift in the economics of not just the travel of top bosses, but also business travel for members of the company elsewhere on the management ladder.

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With many large organisations shifting operations around the world to take advantage of the lower costs of operating from regional sites instead of just being in major cities where property costs are a lot higher, arranging for managers and executives to get together for meetings and conferences involves a lot more travelling, and this also applies to customers and suppliers who have also diversified their sites around the world.  Include into the equation the fact that more and more business is done internationally, where other companies in those countries have adopted the same strategy and you can appreciate the journeys involved with even the most routine dealings.

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The shift in the this costing of flying is arrived at by calculating the total costs of a business trip, rather than just the price of a business class seat on a scheduled flight.  

These factors include:

Total Journey Time for a Private Jet Charter Dubai

Scheduled flights fly from large international hubs, which are often hours away from both the start and arrival of the trip.  Because this eats into the time of the person, and so something like a four hour flight can use a full day out a persons schedule – and very often more than this if they have to get up very early.  This allows for the time for checking in as well as getting through the baggage claims hall and customs checks on arrival. All the while the passenger is not making money or doing business for the company.  

As private jet charter jets can fly from many smaller airfields, they can use the extended network of local airports that exist in most countries.  This means a passenger will be able to find a much more convenient local operator, greatly reducing not only the travel time to and from the airport, but also steering clear of the hassles and time involved with checking-in through a terminal with hundreds of other travellers.

Flying to Dubai Economically

Getting to and from the hub airfields, especially if the trips are extended, also means the airport transfers can be quite expensive. Train, taxi and car hire fares can add significantly to the costs of the trip.  Longer journey times can also mean overnight stays are needed, which is another additional cost that could be avoided if the trip was quicker and the return flight could be made in the same day.

If a group of staff are travelling (such as a sales team attending an exhibition) you can multiply the costs, and before you know it you’re up to the price of a private jet charter anyway.

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When taking all of these factors in to account, hiring a private jet doesn’t seem such an extravagance after all.  In fact it can make a lot of sense to a business that likes to make money the smart way.

Can you afford to ignore the best landlords insurance London can provide?

When they take out landlord buildings insurance London property owners know they face a number of choices before making a final decision and signing on the dotted line. The danger for many would-be investors is that they will be so busy with all the other things they have to take care of that they will end up agreeing to a policy without really checking all of the minor details. We all know what it’s like when you are rushed off your feet, of course, but this is one of those issues which should always require close attention.

The repercussions of signing up to a policy that doesn’t provide the right levels of cover can be highly damaging, and they could end up costing the property owner a huge sum of money. There are dozens of things that can go wrong once the agreement has been signed for, so having the peace of mind that a robust policy brings is something that you can’t put a price on. No wonder the finest landlords buildings insurance London has to offer is generally in great demand among the capital’s minor and major investors.

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With such a large population and a wide area spread across a sizeable number of neighbourhoods, the UK’s capital represents a good investment opportunity for those who are looking into buying property. House and flat sales in just about all parts of the city tend to be rather fast, and it has to be said that property prices have remained rather high even when the recession was at its height. If you have enough money to purchase a home in London that can then be rented out, you are likely to be sitting in a very pretty position indeed.

One of the more interesting aspects of the property scene in London is the fact that neighbourhoods are always diversifying. The city is a constantly evolving entity and it remains something of an unpredictable place for many. Areas that were once considered the victims of a harsh urban sprawl are often highly gentrified in the 21^st century, and as such represent an intriguing investment. Where once was decay and deprivation, there now stands hope and harmony. No wonder the finest landlords insurance London can offer is usually in great demand among the investing community.

Searching for the best landlord buildings insurance London can bring

With a wonderful choice of landlords buildings insurance London investors can afford to shop around for the deal that offers the right cover at the optimum price. It takes a great deal of care to select the policy that ticks all of the right boxes, of course, and this could be one of those occasions when the would-be investor has to consult an expert or two before making the right decision. There could be all sorts of problems if a mistake is made at this stage, of course, so it makes sense to stop awhile in order to find out what is right or wrong about the decision.

Every year millions of tourists flock to the city in order to check out the world-famous landmarks and to soak up the culture of one of the world’s greatest destinations. Short breaks to London are on the bucket lists of a great many men and women around the globe, and those that come don’t always want to stay in hotels and guest houses. There are more and more tourists who are looking to stay in houses, flats and apartments for a few days instead, and because of this the market for property in the centre of London and in the suburbs is becoming even busier.

Thanks to the availability of jobs in the south-east of England, the migration from other parts of the United Kingdom continues to increase. More and more British men and women have decided to up sticks and move to the capital in order to find work, and a number of them decide to remain in the region for many years. No wonder London represents such an intriguing opportunity for those who are looking to change their lives. The streets are not paved with gold, of course, but they are perhaps paved with hope.

If you have recently come into some money and you are trying to decide whether to invest in the capital’s property scene, you will need to make sure you are making the right decisions from the word go. The very best landlords insurance London can offer is ready and waiting to be snapped up, so if you are not sure which road to take the best option is to ask for some advice from someone in the know. In the fast-paced world of property ownership, you should be ready to take a little time out in order to study the policy before you reach a final agreement.

Don’t forget the commercial insurance London needs!

There are times when you find yourself too busy to remember all the things you have to do, but when it comes to something as important as commercial property insurance London property owners know this is one box that really has to be ticked. Amid the hustle and bustle of looking after a portfolio of properties, it can be all too easy to let things slip your mind, but failing to take care of a matter as important as this can lead to repercussions that could become extremely serious in the coming months and years.

London is one of the world’s truly great cities, and over the last few decades it has become one of the most attractive of all to eager property developers. An increasing number of individuals and commercial organisations have been looking at the UK’s iconic capital with a view to purchasing flats, houses and commercial buildings in a bid to maximise their investment. Given the fact that there is a steady stream of people looking to live and work here, their strategy could perhaps hardly be considered to be a gamble.

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There are so many good reasons for people to consider moving to the city, of course. First and foremost, London is able to offer its residents a very pleasant lifestyle, thanks in part to the proliferation of parks and open spaces. No matter how hectic the metropolis might become, it’s so good to know that some very welcome peace and quiet can be found in locations such as Regents Park, Kensington Gardens and Hampstead Heath. This is particularly good news for men and women who tend to work for longer hours than usual, especially if they have a high-powered job in the heart of the financial district.

One of the most tempting aspects about living a life in London is the fact that the city has such an extensive public transport network. Getting from A to B in many major capitals can be something of a hit and miss affair, but it’s certainly not the case in London. Those all too familiar red buses cover the whole of the city centre as well as the outlying suburbs, and many routes run all night in order to help you get home after working late shifts or perhaps after enjoying a night out in the West End.

Finding the best commercial property insurance London can offer

When it comes to selecting commercial insurance London property owners are all too aware of the fact that they have a choice. Because of this, they can afford to shop around for a policy that covers all eventualities and at a price they can afford. Buying a commercial property in the centre of this great city will not be cheap, of course, but it can be reassuring to know that there will be a steady stream of potential tenants hoping to take occupancy. No wonder people from all over the world are happy to sink their money into the highly diverse capital of the United Kingdom.

Many of the world’s most famous banks, stores, fashion houses and major telecommunications specialists open offices in London, and thanks to a wonderful choice of properties they can expect to have a great many options open to them. Whether they are looking for a small suite of offices or to take over a whole office block, there is every chance that they will have a number of options open to them. This spells good news for any corporation which is looking to open a London office in the next few months.

The standard of schools in London makes the city an attractive proposition for parents of young children. Those who move to the UK’s capital will have a great deal of choice when selecting an educational establishment, whether they need a primary school for the very young or a college for those in their late teens. It should also be pointed out there are several universities in and around London, including some which have been producing top quality graduates for many years. No wonder more and more parents are choosing to lay down roots in the city.

Finding a place to live in London is perhaps a great deal easier than many outsiders may have thought. There are flats and houses in all parts of the city, including the very centre of town. Needless to say, the price of property, whether to rent or to buy, will not be cheap, but if you can afford to live there you will have plenty of dwellings to choose from. If you are thinking about a move to the area, you can easily find anything from a bungalow in Battersea to a flat in Finchley. An exciting journey awaits, and it’s one that will bring you plenty of pleasure along the way.

Get to that city break with the help of London airport transfers

Every week, thousands of people make their way to various European destinations from Heathrow or Gatwick, and those who start the journey with London airport transfers are able to relax from the moment they leave their homes. When thinking about a city break, there will be plenty of destinations to choose from, each offering their own particular mixture of landmarks, experiences, nightlife and hotels. In many ways, there is no right or wrong reason to choose a particular place, because it will all depend on what you are looking to gain from making the trip.

One of the most popular destinations in Europe is the German capital of Berlin. This wonderful city offers a fascinating mixture of old and new, from the majestic splendour of Brandenburg Gate to the solemn, thought-provoking Holocaust Memorial. There are some excellent museums here, and a number of attractive public squares which are perfect for sitting back in a comfy chair and savouring a cold beer and perhaps some delicious bratwurst. If you are yet to visit Berlin, it could be time to make the booking and prepare for a trip to what is rapidly becoming the go-to city of Europe.

It goes without saying that there are plenty of waterfront destinations to choose from across the continent, and those in the southern countries are generally warm and sunny throughout the summer season. If you happen to be a golfer, it’s a good idea to spend some time in Vilamoura, a beautiful town that’s located in Portugal’s glorious Algarve region. Within a short distance from there you will find a superb range of courses on which to test your skills, and of course you will hopefully be able to play under clear blue skies and a delightfully hot sun.

There are several high quality city break destinations to be found in Scandinavia, including Stockholm, the attractive and sometimes quirky capital of Sweden. This is a metropolis that offers visitors a very laid-back holiday, so it’s best to arrive in a relaxed frame of mind right from the start. With the help of London airport transfers from either Heathrow or Gatwick, your journey can start on the right foot and remain that way through to the end. The same applies if you go to Oslo, Helsinki or Copenhagen, all of which are excellent locations in which to unwind.

Avoiding the crush thanks to London airport transfers

If you are planning a short city break, perhaps one lasting only two or three nights, you might want to think about travelling light. If you are able to keep all of your belongings in a flight bag or backpack, you will be able to avoid the extra costs that many airlines charge for luggage. This can represent a significant saving for the cost-conscious traveller, and that has to be good news in the current economic climate. As an added bonus, when you arrive at your destination you will be able to avoid the queues at the baggage carousel.

Any traveller who is wondering how to keep their luggage requirements to a minimum would do well to look at the worldwide web for advice. In recent years, a growing number of people have used gap years to backpack their way around the world, and thanks to this activity many of them have become experts in making the most of the space they have available. Therefore, if you are planning a trip and you don’t want to carry too many items, listen to the voices of the experts and get ready for a highly effective way of travelling.

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While avoiding the rugby scrum at the baggage carousel is a major plus point of travelling light, it should be pointed out that you won’t be able to get round the queues when you have to go through security. This will vary from one airport to another, of course, but even at the most laid-back locations it will still be an unavoidable nuisance. Given the number of atrocities that we have seen on planes and at airports over the years, you can perhaps understand why the authorities are always so keen to make sure another tragic indecent doesn’t take place.

The whole air travel experience is perhaps more stressful in the modern era than it ever was in the past, but that doesn’t mean we should be avoiding the whole process. Being able to see other parts of the world, to take in the sights and sounds of exotic destinations and to sample the culture of people we are yet to meet is something we all need at times. Thankfully, when we travel from Heathrow or Gatwick we can make the most of the relaxing service provided by London airport transfers, in order to start the journey in a manner that lends itself perfectly to the ultimate travel experience.

A great way to see London is via the best executive cars Aldershot can offer. If you want the services of the friendliest executive chauffeur Aldershot is the place to be. When it comes to using the most elegant executive taxis Aldershot people know who to call.

Find the best commercial insurance London has and relax

There are some people who think the best commercial property insurance London can offer is always the cheapest, but this is simply ignoring the facts of life about this matter. Finding a competitive price is important, of course, because we all need to know we are getting value for money with this hugely important commodity, but if the policy is a weak one that doesn’t offer enough cover, the whole purchase can be a false economy that, in the long run, could even have some very serious consequences.

A landlord who has to manage several houses, flats and apartments will know just how vital it is to have the right cover, and that means a policy that is thorough enough for every eventuality at a price that makes it affordable. And when it comes to finding good quality commercial property insurance London owners know that it makes sense to shop around on an annual basis. If a provider gives you a good price this year, there is no guarantee that the same thing will occur again next time, so it always a good idea to do some research on an annual basis.

Serving up the commercial insurance London really needs

There are some major differences between the policies of the commercial property insurance London has to offer and domestic insurance, but in many ways the principles remain the same when renewal time comes around. If there appears to be little or no difference between the various options on the market at that particular time, it may be best to stay with the current provider, but if something far batter has come along it could be the time to make a switch. As always, it’s best to keep the options open before you make a firm commitment by signing on the dotted line.

If you are new to property ownership, you can be forgiven for finding the whole process somewhat complicated at first, but rest assured it isn’t as complex as it appears to be. Once you have found your feet, you will start to pick up snippets of information here and there, and in no time at all you will be an experienced and knowledgeable expert. More and more men and women are discovering the fact that when it comes to commercial insurance London has many people in the know, so good advice and reliable guidance is often only a phone call or an email away.