Seriously though, your range is outstanding. I had to look up Fornasetti but after seeing examples it is so clearly you. Really fascinating work. I know Clarice Cliff but only from the occasions that I’ve watched the Antiques Roadshow (I’m such a heathen! ). Actually that reminds me of when I went to the British Museum. One of the last displays we viewed was the ancient Chinese pottery. After 30 minutes of looking around the many hundreds of dynastic bowls, jugs and cups I started to feel like I was browsing through the homeware section of Debenhams! What did I tell you? Heathen.

Great stuff though Cid, I really enjoyed that. I had a very, very brief scan of the Ainu and now I’m determined to find out what social reasons force them to hide their racial identity.

GDave

What an excellent comment… thanks for the tip, I’ll be sure to follow it up and report back.

Art wise, well where do I start. I have visited the V&A more times than I care to remember and seen so many fabulous exhibitions, including photography. I’m not a great painter, never was but I do draw… more especially I like crafts and architecture. Fornasetti has been a favourite of mine although I still don’t own any books… must put that right one day. If I’m in the mood I like Dutch Masters and the Impressionists. I love the bold colours of Clarice Cliff and 20s/30s art in general. I like vintage clothes and as you all by now know, Japanese items because of the quality spinning, dying and weaving processes. I’m a fan of Charles Rennie Macintosh and his talented wife and Klimt…. the mosaics of Barcelona and everything Gaudi. I’ve dabbled in stained glass and have seen some outstanding exhibtions featuring contemporary glass artists. Think that should do for now… I’m currently looking into the art and culture of the Ainu people which ties in with my current obsession with Japan.

Cid

Regrettably, I’ve got to tell you that I do watch Eurovision almost every year. It’s such a farse and I love it for that same reason. I missed Terry thought this year.

With regards to (visual) art, I’m not really the sort of person who could reel off names, but my favourite medium is photography. I went to an installation some time ago where random people on the streets were given disposable cameras and were briefed to take pictures of their day-to-day lives. (sounds a bit like Twitter ) The results we blown-up, mounted on canvas and displayed for all to see and it was pure magic. You’ll never see more honest imagery.

Musically, and I tread carefully as I know Miles, Rod and Dave love their spandex-clad, glam rock bands, I love very experimental and challenging electronic artists. I’d list names but that would be pointless. But as I know you’re a Japanophile I would URGE you to listen to Tujiko Noriko. She is simply a genius. Perhaps start with her ‘Shojo Toshi’ album and then go in any direction. I can supply examples if you find her difficult to find.

Okay, I’ve gone on long enough. Tell me about your arty prefs!

GDave

Is there a great deal of planning necessary for a trip to Lakeland Plastics? You are full of surprises.

With you all the way with the artistic entertainment given by the Russian hosts last night. Could be why we didn’t win because that would be an almost impossible act to follow. What will the Norwegians come up with I wonder? Haven’t watched the song contest for years but if it’s going to be like that I shall tune in next year just for the spectacle. What sort of art do you like, I’d be interested to know.

Cid

I’m not sure we knew you were a triple toilet owner…. as I was once told, that puts you into a certain bracket. Toilet envy exists you know and those with more than one attract a certain amount of attention…. until that is, the on-looker realizes how much cleaning is involved Of course, when I’m not dressed in formal silk kimono and obi, I’m Lincolnshire’s answer to Dynorod and have become something of an expert on the subject… well perhaps expert might be stretching it a bit, but fearless and determined might be closer to the truth. I shouldn’t let on to Sharon though or I’ll end up unblocking sinks in her restaurant

Cid

Twitter on the other hand, I just don’t “get” that at all. I’ve looked at a couple of people’s pages and I genuinely did not know what I was looking at and lacked any desire to learn.

Cid, yeah, the half-time show really was pretty spectacular. I loved that they lowered the swimming pools right down to the audience. That’s the kind of art I appreciate; something that stimulates the senses.
My ship didn’t come in, I’m afraid. Armenia finished 10th. Boo hoo! Funny though that you should mistake me for Norwegian. My surname is traceable to a Norwegian Viking dialect. 100% of fact.

GDave

Miles

Thanks, your advice is helpful. I might take a look or should that be a perch or nest? Either way I feel I ought to know these things in case I’m missing out.

I wouldn’t feel too sorry for Miles… he’s the jet setting type these days and a nice little job cleaning toilets is probably a (pardon the pun) relief for him

Keep us up to date with the restaurant progress and general hot gossip.

Cid

You would like facebook if you enjoy reading forums on different subjects, you can play games with your friends.. you can literally abuse your friends on these games… poor Miles he is always toilet cleaning for me, I may promote him to Chef but not yet because I am wicked like that.

You can meet up with old friends/people you have worked with. There is literally a group for everything. Facebook is great but you must set your privacy settings high so people have to request your friendship. You can also protect every part of your facebook. I have mine divided into 2 sections, 1 is for my friends and they can see all my photos and posts whereas the other one is set up for people i don’t know to play games with them who can’t see much about me at all.

Passes the time, give it a go, you can always deactivate you account if your not happy with it.

Twitter and Facebook are social media outlets. Because of a professional relationship with a nutrition school, I ended up on Facebook. All the sudden, people started coming out of the woodwork asking to be FB “friends.” People I don’t even know. I don’t “get” it. I’d rather spend my leisure time over here visiting with all of you.

I see no point in following someone’s tweets (comments) on Twitter. You’re limited (thank God) to only so many characters. People write this mindless dribble and for some reason think others are going to be fascinated by it all. Follow me on Twitter? I think I’ll pass.

Tweet, tweet.
Melissa