In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































What are we to make of Ken Livingstone's first Mayoral election broadcast?


First up – the promise to cut fares or resign by a nominated date (October 7th) is one of the few definite, measurable and significant promises anyone has made in the whole campaign. It has power and traction, and I think it’s effective here.

But what of the rest of the video?

A bunch of self-described “ordinary Londoners” moan about all manner of things that the Mayor can do absolutely nothing about – electricity bills, childcare, the NHS – and then beg Ken to win the election and save them all from the nasty Tories. For connoisseurs of Ken’s campaign, the elderly Jewish man in particular will raise a knowing smirk. Subtle this messaging ain’t.

The peroration that these “ordinary Londoners” concoct is a curious one.

“Come on Ken! London needs you…Win it for London Ken!”

That’s right, “ordinary Londoners”, Ken is doing YOU a favour by standing in this election. You’re quite right to be grateful to him for sacrificing himself in your service.

It sounds less like an appeal for votes and more like a candidate clapping himself on the back and expecting the electorate to join in.

It’s an interesting tactic, let’s see how it plays out.

UPDATE: Ken was so moved at this broadcast’s unveiling that he burst into tears, says The Standard’s Pippa Crerar. Remarkable.

London's biggest street art mural is cool. But don't pretend it's not commercial


There are two eye-catching logos in this picture. One is for London Underground.

Creative Review report on London’s largest mural, a just-finished 450 square metre art work adorning the Megaro hotel and Karpo restaurant opposite St Pancras station.

Remi/Rough, one of its creators, says this:

“When they [the parent company] were looking to rebrand their hotel and restaurant business last year, they saw that we had painted a hotel in Vancouver and their art direction agency, The Narrative, approached us and asked if we’d paint the building. We said yes, but made it clear that we wouldn’t paint any logos – because that’s completely against what we’re all about.”

Hang on. How are logos “completely against what you’re all about”? This is a commission to rebrand a hotel/restaurant. That’s great, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But to pretend that painting a logo on it would have been somehow offensive to artistic sensibility is a bit of a stretch.

Isn’t the whole mural one big 450 square metre logo?

It’s great for artists to get commissions. That’s not selling out, it’s earning a living. But to pretend it’s no logo? That’s just kidding yourself.

Creative Review – London’s largest mural


























































In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































They're sculpting a replica London at the Japanese sand museum, just for fun

We don’t have rights to the pictures, because we’re cheap and honest, but you can see them all here. My favourite is the one with the umbrelllas and rain.

Design you trust – Sand sculptures exhibited at tottori dune
Architizer – Building a miniature London in Japan grain by grain


























































In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































Daily "Twitter poll" of how Mayoral candidates are doing online

Will Parbury’s aiming to do one here. A conclusion from his first attempt:

“The three establishment parties with male candidates all have more negative tweets than positive. The Independent and Green female candidates have more positive ratings.”

Could be intriguing, although I suspect it will tell us more about Twitter than it does about the election.


























































In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































Were the Shard climbers frauds?

No, they were not, it appears from this sceptical post by photographer Paul Clarke, and the reassuring comments that follow.

Paul Clarke – Shard and Fraud?

The Dulwich Picture Gallery collection is now on Google Art Project

It includes this kickass composition entitled Fox and Poultry, by Paul de Vos.

See the collection here and read the press release here.


























































In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































Dude, where's my ergonomic touchscreen? Ashton Kutcher is the wrong man to play Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was a genius in the tradition of great men who have irrevocably changed the world. Is Ashton Kutcher the actor to capture that? Nope, says Mike Bonnet.

Annoying habits of Londoners #6: Finding people dry


I don’t know when “dry” became synonymous with “boring” in contemporary London speak. No doubt it’s dry to even ask. But by the time I pitched up in 2008 the usage was well established.

There is no greater insult on the city’s twentysomething social circuit. By all means be rude, be stupid, be selfish, be sick. Be obnoxious, uncaring, unreliable and insincere. These sins are entertaining, and so forgiven. But if you’re dry? Ugh. Do you have to come?

Dull people are dull, you might say. And who likes that?* But dryness is typically not a judgement on a person’s conversational skills, interests or manner, but on their difference from the judges. Finding people dry is a way of asserting the primacy of your tastes at the expense of other points of view. Don’t share my music/clubs/jokes/drinking habits/fashion? There must be something wrong with you – oh yeah, YOU’RE DRY.

The dry can remoisten, but only by jumping into the river of conformism. Then they swell up like a sponge and are welcomed back with open, sopping wet arms. Perhaps it’s better on the bank. You’re nice and dry there, after all.

*I accept that some people you meet really are boring. I mean really. But “finding people dry” is a more loaded phenomenon.

See also:

Annoying habits #5: Moaning about the sex after a one night stand
Annoying habits #4 – Dancing along to your own headphones
Annoying habits #3 – Holding the door open
Annoying habits #2 – Being annoyed when strangers gawp at you
Annoying habits #1 – Applauding at the cinema

Follow Mike
Twitter: @MikPollitt
Email: michael.pollitt@snipelondon.com

The five worst ideas in the UKIP London elections manifesto


1. Impose a levy of 25p on all overseas visitors to raise money for the restoration of Big Ben.

How, why, when, where, and above all how will this be collected? At the airport? What tourists are going to have 25p in change on them at the airport? And what about those who drive/train/swim over, what about them? Does this include business visitors? What if they decide to make a weekend of it? How can this possibly be done?

2. Cut rates for local businesses employing local people.
What counts as a local business, and who counts as a local person?

3. Change operating procedures in the Met to support an easy system for people to effect Citizens’ Arrests for vagrancy, drunkenness, vandalism, weapons, low-level disorder, thieving, shoplifting etc. to help improve Met clear-up rates.
“You sir, are naught but a filthy vagrant. I shall arrest thee forthwith.”

4. 20 minutes free parking across London.
Why incentivise driving?

5. Stop spending public money on public sculpture when pensioners can’t afford heating.
I like this one. Burn the sculptures for fuel!

Here are a couple of ideas worth having a debate over:

1. 70-minute multiple bus journey tickets
Brian Paddick has proposed something similar, it’s attractive for a number of reasons, but I’ve yet to see a costing.

2. Cut Council waiting lists in half by filling empty properties from a central register and prioritising the needs of long-term Londoners.
Housing is long term problem number one for the city. Could more central direction help? Or are councils best placed to administer it locally? I don’t know, but it’s an argument worth having.

Here is the manifesto (PDF). And here is the campaign website.

See also:

Let’s look at the UKIP’s candidates for London Mayor
Vote small, and vote often if you really want to make a difference this election


























































In the Woods Festival 2013

















































Stay on the Job Uncle Sam poster



















































































































































































































































































Emirates Air Line
Emirates Air Line










































































































































Dead fish in London's river Lea caused by pollution after a storm














































Dustin Wong














































Artists impression of a fatberg on the 4th plinth





















































































































His Clancyness
















London home owners, private renters and social renters 1961-2011
























































Jaako Eino Kalevi





































































































































































London median rent chart 2013










Lilo Evans and Tristan Stocks in the Mikado






Chart showing how Londoners get to work across inner and outer London
Chart showing how Londoners get to work by mode, 2011 data
Chart showing how the way Londoners get to work is changing over time
























































Map of empty homes or second homes in London




















































































































London borough population changes 2011-2012







































Map of red kite sightings in London, May 2014









Artists impression of the "Teardrop", as seen from Ridley Rd, Dalston























Poster against Chatsworth Rd market in London


























































































































































































Tim Cresswell's poetry collection Soil, published by Penned in the Margins































Steffaloo

Steffaloo













































































































































































































































































A History of London in 10 Objects from the Museum of London hits number 3: Roman stuff

Some archaeological peeps at The Museum of London are ripping off the British Museum’s History of the World in 100 Objects with their own History of London in 10 Archaeological Objects. And why not? Was it not Tacitus in his Agricola who wrote: “A format once marketed is for all time a marketable format.”?

Anyhow, so far they have chosen a prehistoric flint from the Thames, then an Iron Age dagger from…the Thames, and third some Roman cereal (insert Weetabitticus joke here) from Fenchurch St.

Updates seem to be coming once a month or so, with the final 10 to be selected by the end of the year. Plague and fire I’m expecting to be well covered, but what other events and items will they pick out from their copious vaults?

This is interesting, people! Check it out.