Bulletin

Just to prove that not all American men are totally insane, there is currently a bunch of amazing activity in London from some of the best artistic talent in the US of A.

First up, Ethan Hawke plays legendary troubled jazz trumpeter, Chet Baker in a cracking new bio-pic movie.

Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe is the subject of a DVD release- Look at the Pictures- that is a surprisingly brutal examination of his life. Controversial, hugely charismatic with immense ability, he is shown as fragile, manipulative and often petty.

Pioneering Master photographer, William Eggleston has a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Renowned for his vivid, poetic, mysterious images and celebrated for his experimental use of colour, this is a comprehensive survey across 100 works from the 1960s to the present day.

As part of BMW's sponsorship of the London Olympics, the brand has brought their Art Cars to a brutalist multi-storey car park in Shoreditch. It's co-hosted by the ICA and their touch shows in the cool, minimalist staging.

It's the first time in 35 years of the programme that the cars have been to the UK and they are only here for 2 weeks – so we would advise a visit before the show closes on 4th August.

There are 16 cars in the exhibition which span international road and race cars from 1975 to 2010. The vehicles might be highlights alone for car fanatics (3.0CSLs, Z1, M3s, 850CSI, 635CSIs, M1, 535i…), but it's the line-up of international artists and their interpretation of moving art that impresses most.

it all started with Alexander Calder in 1975 and takes in Frank Stella, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Fuchs, Rauschenberg, Hockney, Holzer and others, ending with Jeff Koon's 2010 M3 GTR which raced at Le Mans.

Everyone will have their favourites. I'd take Frank Stella's 1976 3.0CSL as a daily driver and put Jenny Holzer's 1999 V12 LMR up on my heated garage wall.

I am frequently asked what would be my last meal here on earth had I been sentenced to death on the electric chair or by some form of lethal injection. It is a question I dont take lightly as I have often contemplated it in private and there are several considerations.

My Conclusion

To Start

Pancakes wrapped with seared foie gras, caviar, sour cream and onions seasoned with himalayan rock salt

Main Course

Giant alaskan king crab garnished in truffle butter bisque served on a bed of assorted yellowtail, tuna and salmon carpaccio with a side of spiced jerusalem articoke french fries.

Desert

Chocolate fondant lava cake with a salted caramel core server with Ben and Jerrys cookie dough ice cream

To Drink….

Ardbeg Uigadaal peated special edition whiskey (54.2% ABV)

Of course others on death row have often asked for less elaborate meals.

Victor Feguer who was sentenced to death for kidnapping, murdering and raping his victims requested a single olive.

Timothy Mcveigh the infamous mass murderer who killed 168 people ordered mint chocolate chip ice cream.

At least with Ronnie Lee Gardner who decided to go for the sensible option of surf and turf, apple pie and vanilla ice cream accompanied by a Lord Of The Rings DVD common sense prevailed.