Some great footage of the Czechoslovakian Spartakiad games which were used under Communist rule to oppose and suplement the Olympics. Working as one group effort rather than an individual performance more recent examples of this kind of practice can be seen in North Korea.

Recently Rick Owen’s let Lynn Yager into his exceptional Paris apartment for the Wall Street Journal. Have a look through more photo’s and read the article here

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting BRAFA art and antiques fair in Brussels. Held on the outskirts of Brussels in an expansive space it holds 128 different galleries from 12 different countries. With its strengths laying in decorative art, there were many ranging areas of art and antiques that transcended through many centuries and continents. Below are some of my favourite artworks from the hugely diverse selection exhibited.

Jane Graverol, Jeune femme assise, 1927 from Vincent Lecuyer’s gallery in Paris

An early 18th century skull of a hippopotomos from Finch & Co in London

Picasso, Nu agenouille et amour (1986), Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris

The Rape of Africa, David Lachapelle, 2009 Maruani & Noirhomme Gallery in Brussels

Head of the Devi, 5th/6th century Indian statue from Hioco gallery in Paris

Tim Noble and Sue Webster,  ’$’ 2001 at Guy Pieters’ Gallery in Paris

Extracts from Decameron, Canterbury Tales & Arabian Nights.

Lili Reynaud-Dewar.

To celebrate the publication of Forever: The New Tattoo, the publishing house Gestalten have not only made this short but film but have also arranged a very exciting talk which will include Alex Binnie, Duncan X, Matt Lodder, and Rafel Delalande.

Matt Lodder the tattoo historian will give a brief talk looking at different media perceptions of tattooing in recent decades and in return present a new way of looking at and thinking about the tattoo.

Duncan X and Alex Binnie will give a talk exploring the history of modern tattooing since 1980 and how the legendary shops Into You in London and Brighton have influenced and changed contemporary tattooing.

Alex Binnie’s fantastic book The Woodcut Portraits will also be available to buy as well as special edition prints by Rafel Delalande.

The event will take place this Saturday (the 22nd) in Berlin at  Gestalten Space, Sophie-Gips-Höfe, Sophienstraße 21, 10178 Berlin from 6.30- 9.30.

Forever: The New Tattoo explores modern tattooing and its phenomenal growth over the last couple of years. Not only does the book look at some of the best and most varied tattooers currently working but also other areas of contemporary tattoo culture. The book dedicates pages to the likes of Jondix, Guy Le Tattooer, Scott Campbell, Curly, Cris Cleen, Mark Cross, Liam Sparkes, Thomas Hooper, Fergadelic, Xed LeHead, Robert Ryan and many, many more…

Information about purchasing this new book can be found here

The day before yesterday I received this great email: