Ori Gersht’s solo show This Storm is What We Call Progress opens at the Imperial War Museum London today

Still from Will You Dance For Me by Ori Gersht

I’m super happy today to report that Ori Gersht’s first solo museum show This Storm is What We Call Progress opens to the public today at the Imperial War Museum in London. I’ve yet to see the show but there’s no excuse to miss it as it runs until the end of April. See below for videos from the lovely Ori (I know him as both a friend and as a visual artist) talking in his inimitable fashion about his work.

There are also two boxed book sets available at £40 and £250, see below for details. I am just about to reserve one for myself  - the £40 one I hasten to add. Take a look at the videos below, read over for more about the show from the press release and head over to the museum. Then buy the box set – you won’t be disappointed. And, with a design by SMITH, the entire package looks like it has been both beautifully and sensitively produced.

Ori Gersht: This Storm is What We Call Progress from Photoworks on Vimeo

Artist Book: Ori Gersht from Photoworks on Vimeo

Hotshoe Blog supports second Colombo Art Biennale 2012

Just a quick post to point readers, and those who land on the site intentionally or unintentionally, to the Colombo Art Biennale 2012 taking place next month from 15-19 February inclusive. Hotshoe Blog doesn’t carry advertising usually but is happy to support artistic and photographic endeavours worldwide, such as festivals and event, particularly those that are new or have only recently been established.

Plus, The Roaming Eye has fallen in love with Sri Lanka; its people, the diversity of the landscape, the warmth and the organised chaos. And, despite the huge challenges facing many people in aspects of economic, social and political life – people still smile. Smile, because you can and it’s free.

So, do spread the word about the second biennale and set it as a date in your calender. The Roaming Eye will be chatting with one of the directors Annoushka Hempel this week and will be visiting the festival for two days in February. Back to some photo news round ups for the next post.

Photo Stroll through Negombo Sri Lanka

A quick photo stroll through Negombo with The Roaming Eye on the way to the local beach, awash with debris including straws and a lightbulb. The warning sign is not one I am familiar with as a Londoner where the threat of tidal waves in the capital is negligible. I’m not sure I could outrun one, even if I tried.

Photo Shows – The first Art Erotica show opens in London tomorrow

Hotshoe Blog welcomes news on all genres of photography so thanks to photographer Thomas Hodges, who has work in the show, for pointing out this event opening tonight with the Private View.

With a tag line: “Appreciating erotic art for a worthy cause” the inaugural Art Erotica exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until 27 January at The Gallery in Cork Street. Proceeds will go to the sexual health charity FPA. 

There will be talks and discussions throughout the ten-day show, including tomorrow’s breakfast event with exhibition organiser Kathryn Roberts who will life the lid on the behind-the-scenes goings on and the selection process.

PR about the event: “Art Erotica is a new event in the London art calendar that will present a long-overdue, high-profile opportunity to exhibit for artists producing work in the erotic genre. Brought to you by the organizers of the Cork Street Open Exhibition – a respected international event, founded four years ago – Art Erotica will benefit a selected charity and will be juried, with submitted work carefully and rigorously chosen for exhibition by a panel drawn from leading figures in the UK art world.

“Most mediums, including painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, drawing/graphic art, mixed media/construction and original prints are eligible for entry.”

Photo News – Colombo Art Biennial and The Roaming Eye arrives in Sri Lanka

I made it. Hotshoe Blog will for the next five weeks be The Roaming Eye reporting from Asia – Sri Lanka and Singapore – as well as covering its usual eclectic mix of photo-related news. Any leads, events or photographers from, or living in these countries, let us know and we can take a look at what you do.

It’s time to get away from the desk and from the usual stream of photo PR, which we will still be covering, and get out and about on a voyage of discovery. While The Roaming Eye adjusts to the East and a different time frame, I leave you with two music videos. One sums up the experience of travelling and is the theme tune for the Eye, the other reminded me of many photos I have seen in documentary projects shot in and around Eastern Europe. Images and sound, but particularly music, have a power to transport me… I hope these do too. Till tomorrow and a report on the Colombo Art Biennale (CAB) taking place from 15-19 February.

“The Second Edition of the Colombo Art Biennale with “Becoming” Sri Lankan Contemporary Culture at it’s very best. Experience the City of Colombo over a period of five days becoming an artistic phenomenon. The Colombo Art Biennale this year adopting the theme of “Becoming”, which will be reflected by the astonishing variety of the best of the best contemporary art on show. “Becoming” will be showcased at The National Art Gallery, JD Perera Gallery, Park Street Mews and Maradana Warehouse Project.”

Roam – B52s

I Believe - Simian Mobile Disco