Pasta Passione – Kids' pasta recipe competition. Are you the next (Australian) Jamie Oliver?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BanI2RXnvI8
Terms & Conditions see:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/australia/whats-on

David Lynch: Between Two Worlds GOMA

David Lynch: Between Two Worlds

14 March - 7 June 2015
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)

Rice paper 'Boat' by Zhu Jinshi at Pearl Lam Galleries.

An 18-metre 'Boat' made from bamboo, cotton and around 10,000 sheets of rice paper.!

'Boat' by Zhu Jinshi.
Images courtesy of Pearl Lam Galleries.

Pearl Lam Galleries announced today their collaboration with Hongkong Land to bring to Hong Kong for the first time a monumental 18-metre long, 7-metre high installation, 'Boat', by Zhu Jinshi, composed of bamboo, cotton and over 10,000 sheets of xuan (rice) paper.

Zhu Jinshi is one of China’s leading contemporary artists and xuan has been a major medium in his repertoire since 1988 when, working in Berlin, he produced A Cube of Xuan Paper, which will alson be exhibited by Pearl Lam Galleries at the same time in their March exhibition Perfection of Chance - a Yi Pai Exhibition at their Pedder Building space.

The sheer size and visual impact of 'Boat' is in stark contrast to the delicate nature of the material from which it is made, and the meditative process of working with xuan paper, is testament to his belief that it is only through the contact and dialogue with his chosen materials that he can express his perception and understanding of the world.

Primarily 'Boat' addresses the concept of time, both subjective time, and time in a cultural sense; Zhu Jinshi describes the function of the Boat: “Whereas time only moves forward, the Boat can be sailed in any direction. The Boat's cultural resonance is constructed of time itself, continuously ebbing and flowing through our imagination.” The Boat can thus be seen as a vessel for the cultural implications of its materials as well as for the artist’s own journey, and the viewer’s passage through space and time. The installation is representative of the art of ‘Yi Pai’, where the artist's fascination with time is transformed into a physical manifestation.

Pearl Lam said: “Zhu Jinshi’s xuan paper Boat is characteristic of the artist’s practice which deconstructs Western theories of art and visual language by rooting them to Chinese traditions and philosophy. The work’s many layers of cultural resonance embody Zhu’s own distinctive artistic career. I am delighted to be bringing a large scale installation work by the artist to Hong Kong for the first time.”

Exhibition Dates
9 March – 31 March, 2015
Daily, 9am– 7pm
The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong

Source: Pearl Lam Galleries

Luxury in Paris – Hotel Esprit Saint Germain

Terrace at the Hotel Esprit Saint Germain

Home from home in the heart of Paris!

On the Left Bank in Saint Germain des Pres, between the Jardins du Luxembourg and the Boulevard Saint Germain, Hotel Esprit Saint Germain has 28 rooms and suites. 

Takin advantage of a special promotion in 2015, you can enjoy three luxurious nights in Paris from Eur 1.680 in a superior room, double occupancy, including:

- Round-trips transfers in a private car on arrival and departure.
- Complimentary American breakfast daily.
- Complimentary bar in the lobby with champagne, wines, spirits.
- Complimentary mini bar in the room.
- Complimentary internet in all room categories - WIFI
- Complimentary access to the fitness centre (steam room and sauna).
- Complimentary access to the business centre.
- Complimentary daily newspaper of your choice.
- Complimentary flowers and fresh fruits daily.

Deluxe guestroom

- Including 10% VAT tax, other taxes and service.









Contact your travel agent for bookings 
Email: contact@espritsaintgermain.com  
Call +33 1 5310 5555.

(Accommodation is subject to availability  and offers can't be combined with any other offer and are not valid for groups.)

Gorgeous gardens – Bodnant in Wales.

Bodnant Gardens. Image: ©AP/BCT

Sloping down to the River Conwy with views of Snowdonia, Bodnant has plant collections from all over the world. At the height of summer the roses are fantastic, seen here on a visit with my mother, Jean.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden/

Small hotels, big ideas – incentives for Australians at two favourite London hotels.

Handy for Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the V&A!

Knightsbridge hotels The Capital and The Levin have special inclusions for Australians in 2015.

General Manager of The Capital and The Levin, Kate Levin, said Australian guests would be invited to enjoy complimentary:

• Breakfast on day of arrival before 10.00am
• Priority check-in and late check-out subject to availability
• Access to The Peak Health Club & Gym, Knightsbridge and discounts on selected treatments
• Transfers from Heathrow Airport for minimum 3-night stays in a Junior Suite

“Our properties are very popular with the Australian market for brief stopovers and long stays and we  are delighted that a number of these guests have been visiting us over many years,” said Ms Levin.

The hotels are in Basil Street, Knightsbridge close to Harrods and just a few minutes from Knightsbridge Tube Station as well as Harvey Nichols, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Hyde Park and the designer shops of Sloane Street. They are beautifully appointed and offer a range of specially tailored facilities and services including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout. Meals can be complemented by impressive wines from Mr Levin’s cellar and organic Levin Wines vineyard in France.

Levin wine.

Ms Levin oversees the operations of The Capital and The Levin, which were established in 1971 and 2007 respectively by her father, esteemed hotelier, David Levin, who has owned both properties since their opening. Few hotels in London can boast of outstanding staff loyalty, family heritage and the ability to remain true to classic British design.

The Capital’s 49 guest rooms and suites feature Luxury Temple Spa amenities whilst exceptional culinary experiences are presented at Michelin-starred seafood restaurant, Outlaw’s at The Capital - the London outpost for acclaimed Chef, Nathan Outlaw who joins with Head Chef, Pete Biggs in serving up a multitude of textures and flavours across its ever changing menu.  Guests can also enjoy wonderful cocktails and one of London's best whisky collections at The Capital Bar.  The Capital is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Pride of Britain – the latter a collection of 50 of the UK’s best independent hotels.

Outlaws at The Capital.

Further accommodation at The Capital is available at The Apartments next door, at which the inclusions are being extended to Australian guests, for stays in the 8 fully and partially serviced studios and one-bedroom flats with their own private entrance. The Apartments present a contemporary style, with parquet wood flooring and clean lines throughout and offers complimentary Wi-Fi.

Inspired by the elegance of the 1930s, The Levin is a charming townhouse featuring 12 rooms with sumptuous furnishings, exquisite eye catching designs and Luxury Temple Spa amenities. A flexible menu of small and large plates is available throughout the day in The Metro wine bar and bistro.

www.capitalhotel.co.uk                     www.thelevinhotel.co.uk
Source: Press release UTC.

David and Kate Levin.