The Ripley Scroll at The Science Museum

Named after Alchemist George Ripley, The Ripley Scroll was a golden key in the understanding of The practices & beliefs of Alchemy. Intended to be viewed in a single glance, they were often accompanied by English Alchemical Poetry.
The Scroll on display at The Science Museum dates from the 18th Century & is thought to have been commissioned by a wealthy patron. These intricate shots were taken on an afternoon's stroll round The Science Museum & is part of the 'Signs, Symbols & Secrets,' exhibition until April 2013. God Bless Instagram.

This is the Dragon Ourobos: a symbol of chemical dissolution. He dissolves silver & gold which are symbolised by the moon & sun.

 This is believed to be Hermes Trismegistus; the legendary inventor of Egyptian Alchemy & author of the emerald tablet; the most important of all alchemical works.

These three figures symbolise the body, spirit & soul. Alchemists often describe metals as being like bodies.

 

 The chemical process in the creation of the philosopher's stone as taught to an apprentice.

Bird of Hermes

Three balks red,white & black represent different uses of philosophers stone, one of which is the ability to transform metal into gold/silver & to produce good health & longevity.

Performance Alive in London - Part 1

Dear Bishi World,

After my series of shows at The Print Room, I've got to be honest, I went off the idea of blogging - mostly from being utterly knocked out from getting together 'Albion Voice Live'. Does that happen to any of you out there? Thought So.  

{The sneak preview of 'Albion Voice,' Live at the Print Room is above! Thanks to all the SUPER team at The Print Room for making the shows possible!}

What I have realised is that Performance is alive & well in London. So up yours to anyone who begs to differ. I've been mesmerised by the amount of new & revolutionary work this capital throws up at us.

Anna Meredith 'Hands Free,' - The Proms 2012

Commissioned by The National Youth Orchestra, Anna Meredith's piece 'Hands Free,' was an immersive piece for the entire orchestra & premiered at The Proms 2012 by The National Youth Orchestra.

I could only describe it as being somewhere between an early David Bedford Sound Piece combined with some Pina Bausch style choreography. It was an exhilarating ending to an evening that began with The National Youth Orchestra playing pieces by Edgar Varese, Nico Muhly & Messaien's 'Turangalila,' Symphony. The atmosphere in the Albert Hall was electric.

 Anna Meredith's new EP, 'Black Prince Fury,' is out now Moshi Moshi Records & she appears at the Ether Festival 2012.

Ed Fornieles & The Dreamy Awards

The Dreamy Awards is artist/provocateur Ed Fornieles latest immersive project for The Serpentine Gallery. The Dreamy Awards is designed to recognise "those individuals & institutions that are helping to shape our current cultural & technological landscape.' It was an awards ceremony with a philosophical twist. Watch Zac Effron, accept his award here:

As in earlier works such as 'Dorm Daze,' each person attending becomes a participant, adopting a character creating an endless narrative with a myriad of dimensions. 

{Carrie Cassette Player & Myself, taken by Ronojoy Dam}
 
 What really interested me was at the point where people began to loose a sense of themselves within their created persona's. Conversations between people blurred the boundaries between reality & character play into a state of sub-euphoria.

There was even a face off between some of the 'jerk,' characters & rapper Mykki Bianco. Bianco was unaware that the fight being provoked, was entirely scripted. After years of promoting nightclubs, events & performances - this took the social experience to the next level. By parodying aspects of the digital age, Ed Fornieles' work creates a secret door into which we can escape to another world. Similar to the internet, in that case.

Until Part Two….See you! xx

Bishi & The Dark Magic of Angela Carter

Photo By Julian Foxton

2012 is the 20 year death anniversary of Angela Carter, one of the late 20th Century's most influential & ground breaking writers.

A few years back, I had the joy of being one of the judges for The PRS Foundation's 'New Music Award,' where I met fellow judge & outstanding pianist Joanna MacGregor.
 

We really hit it off . So much so, that she invited me to be a part of a very special performance to close The Bath Festival 2012 entitled, 'The Dark Magic of Angela Carter.'

 MacGregor was commissioned by The Angela Carter Estate, to set to music, some unpublished poems , that I had the honour of singing as a world premiere. This very prestigious evening, also featured readings by, one of Carter's close friends, Marina Warner & actress, Harriet Walter.

The presentation was loosely based on Carter's musical selection from Desert Island Discs. We were joined by Kiku Day on Shakuhachi, Genevieve Wilkins on Percussion & Martynas Levickis on Accordion, in an evening of music & spoken word. 

 Photo By Julian Foxton

I can say hand on my heart that being involved with this show has been one of the most exceptional I've ever experienced. You couldn't hear a pin drop in the room.

Meeting Marina Warner has been particularly inspiring, having been a fan of her writing for so long. After the performance, she recounted how establishment figures, such as Salman Rushdie, revered Angela Carter's work & recognised her magnitude as a writer. I was totally blown away.

I've also been enjoying Susannah Clapp's book - 'A postcard from Angela Carter,' whom I also had the pleasure of meeting. Do buy it if you are a fan - it's a heart warming read.

I hear there are plans to bring the show to London - I really hope that this can happen!

Many Thanks to Julian Foxton Photography, The Bath Festival & Claudine Spiteri at  Livestock Productions.

http://livestockproductions.co.uk/

xxx

Bishi & The Diamond Jubilee

Love or Hate The Monarchy, there's no denying they know how to put on a good show & create the most jaw dropping spectacle. Whether it's weddings, flotilla's or post pop concert fireworks, no one tops The House of Windsor. Personally, I am interested in The Royal Family as a controversial institution that continue to divide the people in their opinions.

I was amazed how  the feeling was on the streets of London was wonderfully mellow with empty champagne bottles lining up The Embankment instead of the traditional pools litter & vomit. 

Anyway….

The New Line of Bishi Ltd edition Prints & Ceramics are on display as part of a groups show called, 'Souvneir.'

Curated by Josh Knowles, The Pump House Gallery in Battersea, is hosting a month long exhibition of Royal Memorabilia provided by the public. 'Souvenir,' is an on going project by Knowles about popular culture, mass production & souvenirs.
http://pumphousegallery.org.uk/exhibitions/souvenir
Here are some photos about the exhibition:

In the spirit of Queens & regality I just have to add how INCREDIBLE I thought Grace Jones, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones & McCartney were at The Diamond Jubilee Concert. It was the legends who were showing up the kids this week. And what a joy it was.

AMEN!

DJ Fun at SOS

Last week I had the pleasure of DJ-ing at Jim Warboy's spectacular den of debauchery SOS. It's been a while, since I've DJ'ed to a load of freaks & queers - I had simply forgotten how much fun it was. What added to the pleasure was the amount of people I haven't seen properly from my days co-founding Kashpoint; Viktor, Petter Wallenberg, Piers Atkinson, Niyi.

I had a ball vogue-ing with Jamie Bull who runs the ingenious tumblr http://4fucksakebabes.tumblr.com/

I'm not that nostalgic, but it was nice to be united with my nightclub brothers & sisters, once again. I was dancing on tables & falling over after too much vodka. Two of my favourite past times. Oh and coming out of a club when the sun is rising.

Andre J - What's in Your Bag?

I can only describe encountering Andre J, for the 1st time, as like coming across a unicorn in a dark storm. I was totally transfixed by Andre's presence, as she/he glided into a nocturnal soho fashion soiree. When I went over to introduce myself, she/he was SO adorable, I was relieved. Sometimes these things do not always go hand in hand.

Andre J is a genderless super heroic fashion/ nightclub legend hailing from New Jersey, who was famously broke down the barriers of  gender when Carine Roitfeld  put her/him on the front cover of Vogue Paris.

Andre then exploded onto The London Scene, being well known for hosting Jim Warboy's legendary nightclub, Caligula - I'm sure many a London freak harbours fond memories of being wasted in the Victorian Bathouse near Liverpool St.

Warboy even created an infectious club hit 'I am' which has since gone on to be a viral smash.

From her/his Facebook updates, I see Andre is also an empowerment coach to young girls in The Lower East Side. I like to describe her/him as a harmonious blend of James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, George Clinton & Willie Ninja - That's a lot of DNA honey.

I am lucky enough to have become close with Andre. She/He was a real support & source of strength to me when I was in the states last year. And we partied GOOD.
{I LOVE YOU HUNTY.}

Now Andre is back with her/his own TV show, 'What's in your bag,' where regular New Yorkers are stopped in the streets to have their bags given a good seeing to. And to wax lyrical, street style with Andre.

It's awesome & wonderful to see the way people react to Andre. She/He radiates such love, that her positivity breeds back warmth & joy in all the people she/he meets. It's almost Buddhist.

Now all I got to ask is, when are you back in London GIRL? We miss you!

Fore more episodes: http://www.whatsinyourbag.tv/

Andre J: http://www.andrejworldwide.com/html/index.html

The Almighty Missy Elliott

Before MIA, before Minaj -hell, even before Rhianna & Gaga there was Missy Elliott.

Missy Elliott; a 360 degree Artist - Rapper, Musician, Producer, Performer & All round Force of Nature who, together with best friend Timbaland pioneered a futuristic of sound-scape of beeps, bleeps & raw attitude.

This was a pair who clearly loved music. You can hear echo's of musique concrete, electronica, industrial noise & Afro Beat, pepper their sound. Arguably, they were the first duo to start experimenting with Arabic & Indian music in the Hip Hop genre.

Now, you can read Missy's rags to riches tale all on Wikipedia. The impact, she had on my life as an artist & a woman of colour acting against traditional expectation is what makes me most passionate.

Missy's sexually fluid lyrics were both assertive, yet playful & sensual. Whether she was cussing, 'One Minute Men,' needing to shave her 'cha cha,' or using an elephant's noise to describe a man's 'package', this brand of Ghetto Burlesque was both irreverent & smoking hot.

The songs were full of references to experiences with both men & women without the forced bubblegum commercial bisexualism of pop tarts like Katy Perry. She was not playing up to men's fantasies but asserting her own experiences with wit & flair.

Her videos, in particular the early work with Film maker Hype Williams, were visionary. Williams' transformed Missy into a Science Fiction Super Hero. In contrast to other MTV females, rather than being embarrassed by her size, Williams blew this up & framed it centre stage.

In an era of global body dysmorphia & Size 0, Missy took a totally unapologetic attitude to her size.

Now, I like all the modern day rap girls. But there was something so uncompromisingly empowering about Missy.

She never comes across as someone trying too hard. Her output seems less concerned with trying to shock, seduce & get people 'talking.' {Or in this era 'tweeting.'} A woman NOT acting like a stripper, which seems to be the primary concern of most women in entertainment, is SO refreshing.

I read that Missy' health wasn't doing so good, allegedly down to Graves Disease. But, according to Wikipedia, in recent times she seems to be back producing & touring. She has even appeared in the new J. Cole song, 'Nobody's Perfect.' Wherever you are Missy - you changed my life & I love you so much for it.

Lucian Freud at The National Portrait Gallery

I have always felt a very special connection to The art of Lucian Freud. I discovered it by accident on the same holiday, as an 11 yr old, as I sat reading the Biography of Leigh Bowery.

It was the 1st time I'd really learnt about most things - Cottaging, Night Clubs, Michael Clarke, Performance Art, Taboo, Minty & Smashing. Little did I know I was about to embark on my own artistic journey with some of Bowery's greatest collaborators; Matthew Glamorre, Richard Torry & Les Child.

I've been lucky, living in London to have witnessed quite a few presentations of Lucian Freud's work. However, this recent retrospective at The National Portrait Gallery contains some rare & late works by Freud.

It also contains two incredible rooms; 1 dedicated to Performance Artist, Leigh Bowery & the other to his nightclub cohort Sue Tilley.

The gargantuan paintings of Leigh Bowery are a reminder of his omnipotent presence & influence on Art Culture. The size of the paintings also serve as a powerful reminder that these were life changing events for both painter & sitter.

'He was still in a sense performing because of his physical awareness which was extraordinary.'

Freud commented on Bowery's 'remarkable intelligence,' while Bowery returned the compliment by describing his sittings being, 'like receiving a university education.'

The room curated with the 'Big Sue,' series aka Sue Tilley was a chance to realise Freud's occupation with Human Flesh in all it's glory. I wasn't thinking about the infamous prices one received at auction but how the mass of flesh looked almost like abstract sculpture.

New Video 'Albion Voice.'

Welcome to the premiere of the video to My New Single, 'Albion Voice,' Hope you all enjoy it. Lots of Love, Bishi xxx

Director: Matthew Hardern
This is the lead track from the album of the same name -
Limited free download available from May 28th for the Queens Jubilee !!!
www.bishi.co.uk

Recorded over 2 years in London, LA and Buenos Aires this song features, (film composer) John Williams' string players! It is about the search for identity in a multicultural world.

Bishi's new album Albion Voice explores themes of Britain ancient and modern, the rich tapestry of East London's folklore, social politics and cultural mix providing a vivid backdrop to the writing.

The Joshua Lightshow...Freak Out

The Joshua Lightshow, inaugurated  by Joshua White, invented the oil based Lightshow as we know it. White describes it as, 'a visual experience that the audience could enjoy while listening to the music of the time.' That era being in the 60s.

All the effects were built from scratch & performed live in real time.
Here is an infamous film, recorded on 35mm film, 'Liquid Loops.'

 The Joshua Lightshow famously performed with The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Silver Apples and  Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention.
They even created happenings with Yayoi Kusama & were a guest feature in the infamous party scene in, 'Midnight Cowboy.'

White laid the JLS to rest in the 70s, but revived it as White discovered a group of younger artists, which include Seth Kirby & Ana Matronic of the Scissor Sisters, who loved the analogue equipment that created these shows. These days they their work combinse modern technology & they perform internationally in Galleries, Museums & prestigious venues, such as The Welcome Collection in London & The Planetarium in NYC.

For me the Joshua Lightshow are the godfathers of a type of visual music spectacle that has  influenced my own work.

I even collaborated with the Bardo Lightshow for my webcast, 'The Power of Projection,' I premiered on Nick Knight's Showstudio.
Here's a still by Matt Chaney

                                                                       Freak Out!

Did Someone Mention Tea Sets?

Hello Bishi World,

Just to let you know the new single, 'Albion Voice,' is out NOW on itunes:

                       http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/albion-voice-single/id510824887

                  Over in Bishi Towers, we are busy developing a merchandising range of plates, mugs, designer tees & prints for the Album Release.

 

The inspiration had mainly been based in classic commemorative plates, but harnessing the punk energy of Jamie Reid's artwork with The Sex Pistols & Gilbert & George's 'Jack Freak,' range.

In fact, Louise Gray has just written a piece about the new record drawing comparisons between myself & The Sex Pistols in the New Internationalist Magazine May 2012 Issue:

Read more on her blog:

                                            

http://louisegray.net/2012/04/23/putting-the-black-in-the-union-jack