That's All Folks...

As a farewell performance at the UK Pavilion, Fine Artistes managed to secure the services of a very famous man...

Mr Harry Hare, at 111 years old Britain's oldest man, paid a VIP visit to the Seed Cathedral to greet delighted local visitors. "What are all these foreigners doing here?" he quipped merrily, a twinkle in his eye.

Doctor Burke, his medical expert explains "The old chuff thinks he's in Brighton".

A jolly conclusion to our oriental escapade. Thanks for having us,Tania, and all the team at the UK Pavilion.
Click on this link for a slideshow of work done in China http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUMhFLcb38Q

Getting Near the End

Towelling off the tropical rain, I feel this may be a moment to celebrate our month's work at Expo. By my quick calculation we've performed on 20 days so far (another two to go); one was lost to a "Day of National Mourning". I'm proud to say that we adapted and invented, and lost no days to bad weather (which drove other performers indoors!).
Our work has been creative and varied: 20 separate scenarios so far, of which no less than 12 are completely unique to Expo. We've performed singly, in pairs, trios and all together: all scenarios have consistently engaged members of the public, and we're particularly happy to have have found ways to either circumvent or obliquely include the "photohunger" of our Chinese audiences.Although we expected the heat and the humidity the actuality came as somewhat of a shock: some of our ideas had to be mothballed: this, I feel, drove us to greater inventiveness -
Ric Jerrom, on behalf of Haf Morgan, Rose Popay and Neil Hornick..Fine Artistes

Victorian Photographer Distributes Moustaches

The visit to Shanghai by members of the British Victorian Photo Booth Society occasioned the handing out of moustaches on sticks to lucky visitors who couldn't wait to try out the black appendages on their own faces.
Someone thought that the UK Pavilion reminded one of a well-trimmed toothbrush moustache...

Right - Fine Artiste Fotographer "Francine O'Flaherty" finds physiognomical felicity with the addition of some well-placed face-fungus: the photo - portrait re-invented!

Krikitai Chi - Teaching Cricket to the Chinese

It's not all work and play at the UK Pavilion. Sometimes spiritual needs must be met. Hence the appearance of Captain N.H.Googly, Krikitai Chi Grandmaster, here instructing visiting students in the subtle arts of...(from the top)

1. The Shanghai Grip - a deadly force, not to be used casually at spectator events.

2. The Fielder's Run - not too fast, as fulfilment lies in the pursuit rather than the capture.

3. The Catching-the-Ball Manoeuvre - for advanced 'Scarlet Wicket' practitioners

British Poets woo Chinese Listeners at Expo

Four of Britain's best loved modern poets from the UK Touring Circuit gave public readings of their work to the visitors at the Shanghai Expo. As you can see, the Chinese were entralled by the lyricism and beauty of the works presented.
Have a look at the youtube slideshow of work in Shanghai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUMhFLcb38Q">

We take the evening off as Chaz from the LSUA arrives

In stark contrast to the Modern British Movement works, the enigmatic artist and animateur known only as "Chaz" made a rare appearance under cover of darkness, representing the London School of Unnecessary Art, and creating quite a stir (and a piece of no doubt Unnecessary Art, of course).

Brit Art - State of the Art or Art of the State?

Take a man wrapped in the Union Jack Umbrella wearing a matching tea cosy hat, put him near a group of Fine Artist(e)s, place them all in front of the UK Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, and you have the recipe for some Great Britannic Art.