Bulletin

Festivals start in London this weekend.

Field Day, up first, in Victoria Park.

Run by Dan Crouch who was our neighbour (and host!) at the Owl & Pussycat on Redchurch.

Highlights will include Skepta, Four Tet, Floating Points, James Blake, Air and PJ Harvey, making a rare, but very welcome, headlining appearance on Sunday night.

Across the tracks at Hyde Park on July 1st, the mightly Massive Attack headline. Expect another batch of

incredible new music from them, around that time aswell.

“Don’t worry tonight we caught you but try again tomorrow and you might be fine”. The migration museum relates individual stories of migrants attempting to cross the border and the problems they face along the way. All the artists have been in Calais which gives the exposition a unique point of view that only very few can offer.

The exhibition features compelling works of art by artists, refugees, camp residents and volunteers who have all been to the ‘Jungle’ as it is often termed. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to go to the Museum and be a part of their journey.

From the onset this exhibit was bound to be a play on the heartstrings.

A platform laden with clay figurines all walking in unison immediately placed focus on the humanity aspect of the event.

Gallery 1 only added to this as 10 pedestals were topped with the life jackets worn by the migrants during their journey across the Channel, each one being in fact a life undoubtedly struck a chord with several teary eyed visitors.

On the walls of Gallery 1 & 2 were select photographs and portraits of the Calais camp community. Each image telling its own narrative and capturing the spirit of those featured. Suspended for the ceiling in gallery 2 were free hand portraits of the migrants proving to be a poignant sight.

Finally in gallery 3 an installation recreating the living conditions of the Calais camp, a blue tent standing proudly amongst boxes, wooden crates and various cooking pots and utensils. Behind the tent footage of camp life played on loop. Surrounding this postcards to those finally free of the camp hung pegged to a washing line, some rather moving bringing a tear to the eye.

Over all the event achieves its exploration into life at he Calais camp with as much gusto as heart. The exhibit, although topical is a must see.