A swift and productive trip to London

I’ve got to the point in life that I only manage to get up to London once a year, twice at a push.

Of course, it was Origin time and I made my annual pilgrimage to check out the best show in town. I like the new location at Spitallfields and it did appear that any teething problems from last year have been dealt with effectively. Before I got to Origin on Friday though, I went to see the much talked about Power of Making at the V&A. I was v excited about the prospect of a flagship exhibition and I arrived with the space heaving with people and happily, free of charge to get in. I met my good pal and old art school partner in crime, ceramic artist Catrin Howell and we skipped in together, all giddy and expectant. The room was full of objects, floor to ceiling, jockeying for attention, and also packed with humans. Walls were emblazoned with films of makers busily making which, for me, was the highlight f the show and gave credance to the title of the exhibition. The rest, as an exhibition didn’t seem to work. Objects as diverse as a saddle, barrel, digital rendering of a baby, glass eye balls, 2 coffins and various bikes were placed in no particular sequence or grouping.  I think I must be getting old or too female or just a lover of beautiful objects, but I thought it would have been better placed in the Design Museum or at least have had some rationale for the choice of objects and how they were displayed. But, hey-ho, only my opinion, go see for yourselves and tell me what you think? I understand the notion that making takes on many guises from the traditional, the contemporary and the combinations of both married with technology, I just didn’t enjoy the choice of objects and to a lay-person, it must have been very confusing. It was not surprise that the majority, including me, were gawking in wonder at the mesmerising films on the walls, which truly did convey the Power of Making.

The day turned into the evening and some cocktails and very spicy Chinese food in China Town was consumed with my old (infants, junior, secondary & foundation) school pal Gareth Williams, Jane Audas, (uber blogger, design anorak, writer, critic, curator and general know-it-all when it comes to style), Cat and her boyfriend Andy. Discussing, amongst other things, which modern day icon comes close to compare with Marilyn Munroe (Jane was writing a piece for Japanese Vogue-GET HER!). Anyway, we generally decided there wasn’t really anyone but Scarlet Johanssen was about the closest with shades of Eve Mendes and Beatrice Dalle thrown in for passion, smouldering sex appeal and crazy vulnerability. Other suggestions welcome, but we threw many people into the ring, with lots of Nahs and Maybes, finally deciding there wasn’t really anyone.

So, onto Origin. Rocked up at opening time and heaved the numerous flyers I’d brought for many and various activities onto the display stands, checked if some other flyers had been delivered, sorted them and then methodically went up and down each aisle chatting and eyeing up as many stands as I could. Happy to see so many makers from madebyhandonline. Sparred with the cheeky and v talented furniture maker Christian O’Reilly and gave out flyers and application forms for The Contemporary Craft Festival and Made by Hand at Tredegar House. Bought a mug from Chris Keenan, pacing myself as we have The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair next month, followed by MBH at Tredegar, have/want to buy (at least) something at each show. It’s the Law.

Who else was at Origin? Helen Noakes was having a great show, along with Pacha. In fact everyone seemed to be doing well on the day I was there and that was before the very busy days of Saturday an Sunday. The event itself was full of good quality makers, a much larger proportion of first time exhibitors which is fine, but I did miss a lot of makers who usually are there. But new is good. I didn’t feel the Lux Craft exhibition added a great deal to the event as the whole place seemed a bit cramped and the black walls didn’t ease the slightly claustrophobic feel. But overall, I enjoyed the experience. Saw lots of people, jewellers, Karen Dell’Armi and Janet Hinchliffe McCutcheon, glass artist Kathryn Roberts, weaver Laura Thomas and the lovely Jennifer Collier. I like Spitallfields too, and enjoy the venue much more than Somerset House. It’s easier to get to and it’s a lively place to visit in its own right. Long may it continue!