I’m going to be perfectly honest with you - I hate vodka. In fact, aside from [proper] ale, champagne, cognac, and white wine, I won’t touch much else. Nonetheless, being the adventurous spirit that I am, I accepted an invite to an exclusive evening of Belvedere vodka tasting at the oh-so-trendy Callooh-Callay.
Shoreditch is to me the main inspiration in terms of art, music and fashion. For the past few years, every Londoner has taken something from it, was inspired by it, or has wanted to live there. If you are an art fanatic, and love installations, you can try a new exhibition every Thursday, and wonder at some different ranges of arts, some amazing and some not-yet ready, and broaden your experience of modern art. After all, modern art started over a century ago, so we need to keep updated.
Some weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of Memento Mori, a unique exhibition at the Hoxton Art Gallery which delves deep into the meaning of mortality. Among the many talented artists whose works are currently being featured at the gallery (the exhibition runs until the 6th of October), I had the chance to chat with Shane Mecklenburger, the man behind the mysterious Armadillo Diamond.
Established in 2008, Not Just a Label was created to help designers gain exposure and finance their progression independently by providing an easily accessible retailing forum via an online shop. Last week, Made in Shoreditch contributor Jolita Abromaityte had the opportunity of chatting with the site's editor, Mariel Reed.
Odds and sods from around the 'Ditch - photographs by Tim D'Souza
When you finish eating, rest your chopsticks on top of your rice bowl, thank you very much. And thank Buddha this isn’t someone’s home, because you left your etiquette at the door by not bringing fruit, sweets, flowers or incense. And next time, if you do happen to remember to bring flowers, make sure they’re not yellow or chrysanthemums. No I’m not your mother-in-law or strict grandmother laying dinning etiquette rules down on the table like a bowl of scalding custard - I’m talking Vietnamese culture and their deliciously captivating way of doing things.
After our editor received two tickets to the opening of the Hoxton Pony basement some weeks ago and gave them to me, I had to struggle at the last minute to find someone to go with. Fortunately, Moni, a friend of mine agreed to meet me outside the place at 8:15, although it took her three whole cigarettes for her to make it. I’m a pretty punctual guy, and having arrived early, I was a bit peeved … but she’s a pretty bird, so I didn’t really complain. By 9, we were inside.
I love the air of mystery that surrounds Shoreditch House. Like with any member’s club, and any venue that attracts A-list celebs and a Daily Mail photographer, I often wondered: What on earth goes on in there? I was lucky enough to attend a party there a few months back, and being pretty clueless when it comes to directions, it took me a while to locate the entrance due to its unassuming exterior. I don’t know what I was expecting. A large neon sign? Singing and dancing doormen? It was just a building, with a normal, no-fuss door.
I discovered London-based freelance photojournalist Guilherme Zauith at the Candid Arts Studio in Angel. On display was his East London Hackney series, which may I add, completely drenched my ‘life is completely void of inspiration’ drought. Standing in front of his work sent me into an artistic alternate reality, as he had managed to capture parts of East London in such an organic and real kind of way, completely void of London’s highlighted glamour.
She hones— I hurled you Into my arms, the Cat in my voice a queen. You, ever in reserve, shied. Around us, East London took effect— A Pole, two Sicilians, married, two Greeks drinking Cobra beers, Fang in hand, Emily the scouse violinist, a German who Thought Berlin too small.
The [overrun] armadillo picked up in Texas by Ohio-based artist Shane Mecklenburger couldn’t have in its wildest dreams imagined that it would one day be cremated, and transformed into a shining piece of art. Transformed into a diamond from its ashes, Mecklenburger’s Texas armadillo will soon be on display at the Hoxton Art Gallery in Shoreditch, as part of their Memento Mori exhibition.
A start-up with humble roots (in the CEO’s bedroom to be precise), Floxx recently made the move to an office in the Shoreditch area. One of the reasons for the move was to be nearer to the ‘Silicon Roundabout’, the nickname for the lively tech scene centred around the Old Street roundabout. The ‘Ditch didn’t disappoint, and we soon found ourselves immersed in the vibrant tech scene.