Culture Diary, week commencing 16/05/2011

Hello! Mrs View here. Mr View is up to all sorts at ATP Festival this weekend so I'm stepping in. Here are the top things happening this week that I'm particularly psyched about...

Thurs 19/05
PARTS UNKNOWN 
12 artists from The Royal Standard Gallery, Liverpool, exhibit at Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh

The next exhibition from Liverpool's best contemporary arts space and studios (yes, I am biased, but it IS good) sees 12 of its artists making art in situ, playing with whatever materials and ideas they can find in Scotland's Capital. Kinda like the Wombles if they invaded an art gallery. And were talented artists. (You're fired. Mr View.)

http://www.embassygallery.org/upcoming/

Out Now
The Walking Dead DVD & Blu-Ray Release

Andrew Lincoln from This Life? Check. Drama about relationships? Check. American accent? Erm ok. Zombies? Hang on a minute... Oh yes, silly me, its The Walking Dead, and thank god it's here to perk up our Sunday evenings. Antiques Roadshow it ain't - there's more swearing, death and spilled giblets than Fiona Bruce could shake an axe at. Scary, funny and utterly compelling.

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Thurs 19/05
Mark Leckey
Serpentine Gallery, London

Yes, I know, TWO art exhibitions in the same blog this week. But Mark Leckey is worth it, we promise. 'Cinema In The Round', his lecture about the nature of images and cinematic objects, is the only presentation I've seen to successfully reference Homer Simpson's shoes, oranges and Felix the Cat all in one go. Hailing from Birkenhead (a self-confessed 'scally') and now a global star after winning the 2008 Turner Prize, Leckey's work is sharp, witty and I wish he'd been my lecturer at art school. 

http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2011/03/mark_leckey_19_may_26_june_201_1.html

Thurs 19-Sat 21/05
Kurt Vile and The Violators
Plus many more at Liverpool Soundcity

In it's third year, Soundcity has grown into a pretty cool, quality festival that might be this city's musical CPR.  For instance, the presence of Kurt Vile. Signed to awesome label Matador, mates with Josh T. Pearson, and owner of a quite frankly lovely head of hair, he also produces the most glorious music. All teenage summers and awkward first kisses. The Philadelphian brings all this to Soundcity this weekend, along with what promises to be the best and brightest of future music. The View is looking forward to seeing tons of new music as well as favourites Yuck, Willy Mason, and Colorama. There's also an intriguing line up of guest speakers in the first two days at the Liverpool Hilton which is certainly not your usual festival fayre. Worth a £40 weekend wristband we'd say.

http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/index.html