Nº 55: Henry Tudor Pole
The art historian recs Van Gogh's letters, a station bookshop, and byob sushi.
We’re back with Henry Tudor Pole. Read on to find out what he’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations every Monday.
Henry Tudor Pole is a writer, art historian and creator of 500 Review, publishing a weekly review of a contemporary art exhibition in 500 words.
☞ ZAIBATSU: Book in advance, then head over to Greenwich’s finest Japanese fusion restaurant, Zaibatsu, withdrawing £20 from a cash machine along the way. Don’t be put off by the aquarium decorations or the green tea ice cream – Zaibatsu gets it right where it counts: great food, generous portions, BYOB and a lively and blissfully unpretentious atmosphere. Order spring rolls, spicy edamame beans and nasu goma before moving on to noodles or something that arrives in a cloud of smoke. They’ll kick you out after an hour and a half, but you’ll still have change in your pocket to spend at the pub next door. Then let the mood propel you up Maze Hill to Blackheath, where you can launch a firework into the night sky in honour of the Virgin Mary.
☞ ROMAN TEMPLE, GREENWICH PARK: Did you know there is a Roman temple in Greenwich Park? It’s along the ancient road, Watling Street, that crosses Britain from Dover to Holyhead, so presumably it was once packed with Italians on their way to the duty-free market in Londinium. Photographs won’t do this magnificent structure justice, so you have to go there and experience it for yourself.
☞ BANNER REPEATER: In an ideal world, all train platforms would have bookshops on them. Situated on platform 1 of Hackney Downs station, this one has a range of artists’ books and an exhibition space. The person behind the till has the tact to completely ignore anyone who enters, which means you can happily browse for as long as you like, or do an interpretative dance in front of an art film. You don’t need to tap into the station, just approach the guard and whisper the password: Banner Repeater.
☞ BEE-SIDES: In its present form this band includes eight musicians, including a brass section. The music is soulful and melodic, and lead man Jack Segal gets the crowd going for a big singalong at the end. Good vibes, but I would say that because I’m in it (keyboard). So come and see for yourself! We’re headlining Paper Dress Vintage in Hackney on 12 April.
☞ THE LETTERS OF VINCENT VAN GOGH: These letters dispel the myths around van Gogh and reveal a man of astonishing depth and integrity, who was also a brilliant writer. In turn, this helps you to see the paintings afresh and realise, again, just how good they can be. The Penguin selection by Ronald de Leeuw is great because it keeps each letter intact, preserving the rhythm of Vincent’s impassioned correspondence with his brother Theo.
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