Artists Rebranding The Christmas Tree Tradition

My latest article for Artlyst is entitled 'Artists Rebranding The Christmas Tree Tradition' and highlights Christmas Tree installations in London by Shirazeh Houshiary, Alex Chinneck and Anthony Gormley:

'Whether your preference is for the traditional decorations and associations of the Trafalgar Tree or for the innovative visual images created by these commissioned trees, London affords this year a breadth of engagement with the sight of decorated evergreens and the gift-giving associated with them.'

My other Artlyst articles are:

• Art Impacted - A Radical Response To Radicalisation;
• The Art of St Martin-in-the-Fields; and
• Was Caravaggio A Good Christian?

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Thea Gilmore - Sol Invictus.

Connaught Christmas Tree

I saw the Connaught Christmas Tree recently on a visit to Farm Street Church. Designed by Antony Gormley the Tree has been unveiled outside the Connaught hotel:

'The magnificent Western Red Cedar tree sourced from Shropshire stands 17.5m tall on Carlos Place. Its trunk has been transformed into a tapering column of brilliant light across which dance its branches and foliage.

Commenting on the tree, Gormley said, “It was a joy to collaborate with Zumtobel and their brilliant team of lighting innovators on this project. I thought that rather than decorating the outside of the Christmas tree it would be fun to light its core, the trunk, transforming it into a radiant centre against which the branches would become illuminated and silhouetted. I want the tree to celebrate life and all its myriad forms. At this, the darkest time of the year and at a moment of global dysfunction, I hope this magnificent tree conveys a feeling of continuance and vitality.”'

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Kate Rusby - Kris Kringle.

Seven Kings Winter Fayre

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Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

Christmas in London

I've just got a copy of the latest Step Outside Guide which is the seasonal Christmas in London - a family adventure day. The Step Outside Guides are little books that give you a BIG day out! With clear maps and instructions which let your kids lead the day out, they are guides to fantastic free-to see days exploring London which begin and end at tube stations!

In Christmas in London Jennie and Christopher Wren escort you on a detective trail, discovering elements from the story of the First Christmas, which you can stick on the stable scene. Which London Square is home to a shepherd and his sheep? Where can you find real gold, frankincense and myrrh? Let Jennie and Christopher show you!

As you travel, little wrens point out some of the beautiful golden ornaments on London’s buildings. They have stickers too, to decorate a Christmas tree in the book.

Then as darkness falls, you arrive at Trafalgar Square and enjoy the tree, the crib scene and a very special painting, before taking a sparkly bus ride along some of London’s most beautiful Christmas streets.

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The Pogues - Lullaby Of London.