Week 13

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra' International Residency at the Barbican lasted for a week and I was lucky to catch their concert on Saturday night. Big Band Britannia spanned through decades since 1930s playing the best British Big Band jazz. I haven't been to a jazz concert for ages and this was quite a delight. Particularly enjoyable was music from earlier decades, whereas modern pieces were too 'groovy' for my 100% liking. Legendary singer Cleo Laine performed a couple of numbers with the orchestra, which definitely was the highlight of the evening. Her charming personality and incredible voice made the show unforgettable.

Before the concert I managed to catch The Sovereign European Art Prize exhibition. This is the only pan-European contemporary art prize, with artists nominated by art experts from throughout the continent. A wide geography allowed the exhibition to have a variety rarely seen in contemporary art shows. Admittedly the art on display was quite conservative, but that probably is exactly the reason why it was accessible and mostly enjoyable. My favourite picture was by Uta Koegelsberger from Urban Myths series.

Lars von Trier is one of the most famous Danish film directors known for his unusual approaches to the film making and exploration of controversy. He started Dogme 95 collective, which promoted independent film without barriers. Lars von Trier contributed to the movement by creating The Idiots, a story about anti-bourgeois group who spend their time behaving like mentally disabled in the public. The aim of their 'spazzing' is to release inner idiot and challenge society. It makes an uncomfortable viewing and does provoke debate about presentation and perception of disable people in the public.