Is that really the time?

Strewth! It can't be that I haven't blogged for nearly two months can it? I was convinced I'd posted in mid October (not that I can actually remember what I think I posted about so I suppose that proves I didn't). Sorry about that folks. My new year's resolution will be ... to stop apologising for not blogging more often. So what have I been up to that was so important and time consuming? Procrastinating, obviously. Anyway to business.

Continuing the 'Time' theme (see what I've done here?) I finally made it to Royal William Yard to see (most of) the rest of BAS7 at which the standout was (extremely uncontroversially) Christian Marclay's 'The Clock'. This is a piece that comes weighted and freighted with awards, adulation and that most damning and meaningless of descriptions 'masterpiece'. Perversely then I lowered my expectations accordingly and was rewarded by being blown away by one of the most complex, involving, moving and downright fun pieces of work I've seen in years. If you want a review then Peter Bradshaw's 'Guardian' piece pretty much mirrors some of my own reactions. What I'd really like to know is what the class of really rather young primary school kids entering as I was leaving made of it? How many of them had ever seen a film actually projected before? How many could actually tell the time?  If you haven't seen it yet you have two weeks(ish) in which to do so and I urge you to. And if you have already seen some of it you'll need no prompting from me to go and see some more.

Is it just me or has Christmas started later this year? We're into the fourth week of November and I don't think I've heard 'Roy Wood and Wizzard once yet. Come to that I don't seem to remember noticing any Chrimbo stuff in the shops before Halloween, must be the recession, or retailers finally taking notice that starting the festive season too early really gets up people's noses. Anyway as Thanksgiving is nearly upon us (or at least upon Americans) I now feel perfectly justified in plugging a mate's work and pushing my own so here goes.

One of the most beautiful books of landscape photography you will ever see 'Y Ser Yn EU Tynerwch' (The Stars in Their Tenderness)  from Gareth Roberts. I was at art school with Gareth (which is a whole other story, or possibly a book in fact) and this is a book of 'nightscapes' of Snowdonia taken with what we (ex)photographers call 'a proper camera' on 'proper film' ie they ain't digital. Yes, it's in Welsh, go ahead be cosmopolitan, you leave French Vogue lying about where people can see it don't you? Available from Amazon or better still direct from the publishers Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. Treat yourself it's a steal at that price.

And so to plugging my own work. Bank Square Arts Market in Tavistock now has its own Facebook Page here and will be holding two Christmas Markets. The first next Sunday 27th November and the following Sunday 4th December. These will be held indoors (in the warm) at Tavistock Pannier Market (behind the Town Hall) and Bob's Cafe will be open, so make a day of it, open from 10.00am 'til 4.00pm. I'll be there for both Sundays and thepicturepalace Christmas cards featuring the inimitable Will Hay will be available. There'll be framed prints and new work for sale as well. In keeping with the season I'll be bringing the three wise men (or the three kings if your prefer). You can find one of them below (give yourself a prize if you guess who the other two are).

'Buster' 2011