Galleries

Nov302020 by Alejandra Angulo. Subeditor: Emily LatimerNo Comments

From virtual tours to online exhibitions: How Covid-19 is challenging London museums and galleries

Photo: Alejandra Angulo Covid-19 restrictions have forced museums and galleries to reinvent for survival. Online platforms have been an alternative for cultural institutions, but are they enough to compensate for the financial sequels of the second lockdown? Westminster World talked to representatives of the London Transport Museum and Branch Arts project about the sector’s challenges, transformations and future. Chris Nix, Assistant Director for Collections and Engagement at London Transport Museum, believes that the pandemic is not causing only financial losses, but is also transforming the way people seek out cultural experiences. “Our shop has just done a refresh of the website and we were relieved to find that more people switched on to things online, but that was now

Dec102017 by Sreelakshmi VachasapthyNo Comments

Imaginarium: the next ‘go-to’ place for Christmas

Art, Culture, Entertainment, Food, Galleries, London, Music, musicians, Theatre

An underground hothouse in the centre of Borough Market, the Imaginarium welcomes Christmas with a different outlook. Opening up a creative hub for artists from all fields such as storytelling, painting and live performances. Photo Credits: Sreelakshmi Vachasapthy I was able to make it on the very first Sunday, where I witnessed the opening of these feasts, ideas and theatrics. It also gave me a chance to interact with the owner of the place- Naomi, who gave an insight about the events happening over next couple of weeks. She said: "It is a six-week long program which consists of theatrical events, music, arts, dinning and workshops for people to join." The place stands out for its interior work and atmosphere. It also has stores set up which marks London’s independent artists, d

Feb272017 by Evie Chomchuen (words), Naiara Marmol (videos), Coralie Ayala (audios), Arifa Khan (picture)No Comments

Who Wears the Skirts?

Art, Blogs, Culture, Fashion, Galleries

“I want to be a man” is her dream; Dinu’s ultimate dream ever since she can remember. Struggled through school dress codes, family’s understanding, and especially her mother’s happiness, Dinu was finally given an option to at least wear trousers instead of skirts at the age of seven. You could say she is a lucky one when compared to her friend, who was labelled a “she-male” “They basically called him she-male and you are not a woman because you have something between your legs and it didn’t matter for them the way she feels inside.” Dinu relived her childhood, telling a story of a friend who shared the same dream -- A dream to live a true self. It has been twenty-five years since Dinu's mother gave her the option of clothing, and today she is eagerly awaiting the operation of her

Feb272017 by Shiksha Arora, Marc Farràs, Carolina Hidalgo, Khyati Rajvanshi, Bria WoodsNo Comments

Four alternative ways of living in London

Culture, Experience, Galleries, Housing, Media, News, Social media

With the cost of rent skyrocketing out of reach for many living in the capital, four Londoners have managed to find affordable ways to live that could prove to be viable solutions in the urban housing crisis. Meet David, a Scottish bus driver. David has endured great instability in his life over the last year. After getting deported from Canada, David found himself homeless in the UK. Until now. David just moved into his new home in a converted shipping container in Walthamstow. This affordable housing project, mYPad, is the brainchild of the YMCA. The mYPad project, as David explains, is about “moving in people and enabling them to save money to move on.” David is not alone. According to Crisis.org, the affordable housing shortage in London has left over 8,000 people “sleeping ro

Mar242016 by Jordaania AndimaNo Comments

A loo experience you will never forget

Business, Culture, Galleries, Listen, Look

Angelica Morrison stands at London’s most expensive toilet. Opened eight months ago in Covent Garden it is a fancy lavatory, owned by the trendy 2theloo Company. But it costs. As Morrison finds out, it is £1 to enter and she had no choice but to pay. Neoliberalism, which turns everything into a business, has reached London’s toilets. Since London’s first toilet, resting areas have moved on to being more than just a place to “relieve one self”. They have turned towards the same direction as the Romans after the introduction of sanitation. According to the British Toilet Association (BTA), over 600 restrooms are believed to have closed down, with another 22 more underway. Raymond Martin, Managing Director of BTA, says the closure has affected the public tremendously. “We have actuall

Mar42016 by Catherine McMasterNo Comments

Performing for the Camera: is this art or pure self-indulgence?

Culture, Galleries, Look

The first ever Instagram series presenting as art has made its debut at London’s Tate Modern. In a refined, slightly austere bathroom with plain-whitewashed walls, cream tiles and a glass of half-filled with water beside the sink, a young woman reminiscent of Botticelli’s Venus, with alabaster skin and painted red lips gazes reflectively at her self-image. Her posterior juts out provocatively, challenging the viewer while she considers her facial image, seemingly unaware of her powerful sensuality. Amalia Ulman, 27 is an Instagram artist. Using the language of the Internet in her Excellence & Perfections #itsjustdifferent, she enacts a tale of a blonde moving to Los Angeles. Playing on ideas of narcissism within social media, Ulman complicates our understanding of what is re

Feb162016 by <a href="https://dreamingalemon.wordpress.com/">Yiwen Li</a>No Comments

Tattoo in London: From the Elite to the common English man

Culture, Galleries, Look, Video

Tattoos can be done anytime, if your budget allows. However, over 100 years ago, prices were not the only concern, you also had to be royalty or the son of a Prime Minister. Out of the Exit 4 at Piccadilly Circus, on the left side, there is Jermyn Street - a quiet lane with shops on both sides. This is where the first tattooist - Sutherland Macdonald - started the business in the English capital. Fast forward 100 years later, tattoo studios are spread across every high street, particularly Camden High Street and Soho. It is easy to spot people that have been inked on their arms when they roll up shirt sleeves after work. Nearly one in five Londoners have at least one tattoo and the proportion between males and females who get inked is not such a big difference, according to a surve

Feb112016 by <a href="https://aliteraturereview.wordpress.com/">Catherine McMaster</a>No Comments

Vogue 100: A Century of Style opens today

Culture, Fashion, Galleries

For the first time in history, 280 prints from the Conde Nest Archive and international collections are on display at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition is part of Vogue's centenary celebrations. Westminster World received an invitation to attend the exhibition’s public opening. The exhibition houses a number of recognisable English faces. Fashion icon and pioneer of the 90s 'grunge' trend, Kate Moss features in controversial underwear shots. Iconic British band, The Beatles also hang alongside photographs of the first Lady Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Despite the large variety of faces, fashion still remains the focus. The exhibition houses a series of Second World War photographs by Vogue’s official war correspondent, Lee Miller. His photographs showcase the

Mar162015 by Editor2No Comments

Collectors’ retreat on Southbank.

Culture, Explainers, Fashion, Galleries, Retro

The Vintage Car boot sale on 14th and 15th March had more than 100 classic vehicles on display. By Fabeha Syed subedited by Qiwei Wang Mr. Thatcher, a trader had all his collectibles and paintings displayed on his van. Among the traders and proud owners of Vintage cars, many collectors were also among the crowd displaying their antiquated collection near the Southbank this weekend. These collections ranged from vintage fashion, heir looms, clothing, accessories, books and many other forms of collectibles. “There are many retro lovers who can willingly pay anything to own a piece of old world charm. It’s my job to sell the collection I’ve got over the years” said Danny on asking if he feel awkward selling what many people consider treasure. His 1960s Mini Cooper had displaye

Feb192015 by <a href="www.indraja0201.wordpress.com">Indraja Gugle</a>No Comments

Polar Plunge leaves the Ice Bucket Challenge behind

Galleries, Health, Sport, Video

Londoners plunge into icy water to raise money for Special Olympics. Indraja Gugle reports from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sub-editor: Jipsa George On a Saturday morning in February, as the temperature dipped below 5˚ Celsius, Londoners gathered at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to plunge in icy water for the inaugural Great Britain Polar Plunge. This feat was designed to raise money for Special Olympics. London may be used to its inhabitants jogging in the snow, but a plunge in glacial water goes to show their great support towards inclusive sports like the Special Olympics. Sarah, a participant, was raring to go with her team of eight. “It’s all right so far, although we got more scared when we looked at the pool and there was lots of ice on top. But it’s for