My first gallery stop today was at King's Place Gallery, a commercial space that i read about in the book Quiet London. It was indeed quiet. The gallery also seems to occupy much of the building's foyer space. Most of the building houses the offices of the Guardian newspaper. There was a show of abstract paintings on by Sandra Blow RA. Many of them looked like tube maps. Or maybe that's just me.
As i left the back of the building i found myself on a spur of Regents Canal, thick with canal boats and of course the Canal Museum.
oops.
On my way to my next gallery stop i cut through King's Cross Station to see the famous platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter. The powers that be have installed half a luggage cart against the wall so you can have your picture taken and it looks like your running into the magical platform from the film. There was a weird, hilarious vibe amongst those in the queue waiting to be photographed, one of the most charming and dopey tourist traps i've ever seen.
here's how the photo is suppose to look....
There was quite a lineup to have your picture taken with the luggage trolley, and many of the people there were dressed up in costume. There is a girl whose job it is to hold the scarf out behind you to make it look like you're running.
beside this very popular luggage trolley is a gift shop of course. and it was very busy and yes i bought something.
You can buy a school tie or scarf, a quill or even a fancy wand. and all the books of course.
From King's Cross i carried on and passed what is perhaps the fanciest Travelodge i have ever seen. We're use to staying at the ones on the motorway so this looked abit more plush.
This is the Gogosian Art Gallery, one of the biggest art dealers in town. Interesting show but no photography allowed. Stern male gallery attendants in every room in black suits and with beady eyes, so i wasn't able to stuff a Warhol in my bag.
From there i found my way to the Dairy Art Center, tucked away down a small street near Russell Square.
The exhibition at the Dairy was based on the idea of islands, real and metaphoric. It was an interesting show.
On an island there are palm trees made of old rubber tires.
One of my last stops was at Persephone Books on Lamb's Conduit Street. They publish female authors from the 1930/40/50's. I bought the sequel to Miss Buncle's Book, Miss Buncle Married. My suitcase is getting very full.
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