Sunday 18 November 2012

Barbican's Rain Room

At some point in most of our lives there's been a time when we've been caught out in the rain - without a brolly - soaked to the skin. Brrr.

The other day though, I was strolling leisurely in the rain yet remained completely dry. Well, that must be because you had an umbrella I hear you say? WRONG. I was in fact at the Barbican's newest art installation called the Rain Room. It's a very clever concept actually, incorporating art with science and technology, and the magic only comes alive through audience interaction; when you walk into it.

It's the strangest feeling; as you stand on the edge of the rain you think to yourself, "there's no way it'll stop raining...I mean, how does it even work?? Surely I'll get wet!". You don't get wet. Unless you run around like a loony boon (very tempting were it not for the other 4 people allowed in the room and the Barbican staff watching...). The folks at the Guardian have kindly provided this video explaining how it all works, so I don't have to...



Not too shabby, eh? Make sure you don't miss it! It ends 3rd March  2013, and yes there is a queue but it's definitely worth it. After all, it's only here you can control the rain - and you can leave your brolly at home (if it's not raining in the real world, that is).

Here's some photos I took earlier:



Where the rain begins and ends... nice and dry!


My friend mocking the rain...!


Thursday 8 November 2012

PITCHFORK

My oh my...was my last blog post really over 2 months ago?? Shame on you! Well, more like me, oops!

ANYWAY - I went to Paris last week to go to what I was expecting to be a pretty sweet music festival called Pitchfork. Did it live up to my expectations? Oh God YES!! In fact, it went above and beyond them! It's only their second year in Paris (originally from Chicago in the US) but my musical antenna senses it's only going to get bigger and better.

There was music from the likes of M83, John Talabot, Chromatics, Jessie Ware, Death Grips, Simian Mobile Disco and so much more... As you can see, there's a little bit of a variety with genres so there's something for (almost) everyone! And for you fuss-pots out there, the quality of the sound system and lighting was on another level, and to be frank, puts everything else to shame (like the Two Gallants gig I went to two days after Pitchfork - even though they were great in their own right!!). And if that's not enough, you can rest assured you'll get your money's worth as there's only two stages at arm's length from each other (okay okay, maybe not that close - but close enough!) and each set is one after the other, so all you have to do is just turn 180 degrees and enjoy the next act into the small hours. Not too bad, eh?!

But don't get too comfy, for there's pesky little pickpockets about! I know this as I had my phone nicked - scum bags! As a result, I have no photos of my own to share with you *boohoohoo* but my friend has kindly offered his for me to use. Hooray! Here they are in all its glory...


Grande Halle de la Villette - BOOM!


Italians do it better - Chromatics:

We had to buy tokens so that we could buy food and drinks!




John Talabot!

The insane Death Grips

Disco ball reflections!

 Room with a view...

Oh and the Eiffel Tour of course, with the beautiful autumnal sky...