A Festival of Light.

This image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. It displays the aftermath of the collision of two galaxies. A phenomenon so cataclysmic to us, but so infinitely small in comparison to the vast expanse of space. What we can see here, is the various bits and pieces, shattered suns, fragmented planets and everything else that creates a galaxy, being flung out into inter stellar space.

And did you know, that in approximately 3 to 5 billion years, our very own Milky Way, will be colliding with our neighbouring galaxy Andromeda.

I only wish I could see the sky as all the planets and stars of Andromeda come racing towards us. It will be the ultimate festival of light.

where's the art gone?

When I browse the shelves in Borders, Waterstones or any other modern bookstore, I find myself disappointed. Partly because of the frustration I have at attempting to drown out the noise of the milk steamers and innane chatter from the inevitable Costa or Starbucks that resides within it's walls. But mainly because of the images that stare back at me. Only one in a handful of books have a cover that grabs me. So many of the covers are dull, lifeless, or just photgraphs of actors from the film, or a landscape that may have some relevance to the plot. And what upsets me most, isn't that I find them boring or uninspiring (although it does upset me, more than you know) But the thing I find most tragic, is that 99% of the time, I am sure that the cover art does not do any justice to the words it represents. Literary art lies within it's pages, whether it be a word, a sentence, a character, a name or the whole bloody thing! On those pages, someone has painstakingly created their art. And then some publishing company gets hold of it and sticks an everyday standard and predictable cover on the front of it.

So I ask again,what happened to all of the great cover art that used to be produced?!

It's no coincidence, I believe, that some (but of course not all) of the great books of all time, are also considered the books with the greatest covers of all time. Bring back the art I say. Bring back the colour, the sketches, the off the wall and edgy designs! I love walking into an Oxfam or Age Concern and seeing all the bright, wierd and wonderful designs on the front of some of the old books. I should just as easily be able to achieve that in any modern bookstore. And maybe then I wouldn't be so peeved about the noise of the coffee shops.

So lets have a pick me up, and remember some great covers, and some great books!

When Did Smoking Die?

Long gone are the days when smoking was seen as edgy, sexy, and glamorous. A cigarette was an indulgence that was used to create an atmosphere, a mystery and a lust. Now, smokers are shunned for fear of infecting the rest of society. So I spent the afternoon, fondly looking at the stars of yesteryear enjoying their ultimate accessorie, the cigarette. And secretly wishing the small stick did the same for me now as it did for them then.

Time for a cigarette?

Brigitte Bardot

In my opinion, you can throw your Angeline Jolies, your Rosie Huntington-Whiteleys, your Nicole Scherzingers and your Katy Perrys over the side of a large cruiseliner multiple times.

What the world needs is to pin this woman up on it's wall and start drooling.

How much do I want to be this woman? A fucking lot.

The Tour Show

Ben Tour is a young artist from Vancouver, Canada. His work is created out of watercolour. BUT it's not as classic as you might imagine. This old school art form comes to new age life under his supervision.

Also note the illustration he did to accompany an article on the genius that is Flying Lotus.

You should probably also know, he smokes when he drinks, and he likes to listen to Four Tet.

This boy might be perfect.

Check out more of his work here: http://thetourshow.com/

Amanda Camenisch

Amanda Camenisch is a young photographer based in Zurich and London.

She said her step into photography came when she reached the limits of pen and paper and couldn't create the images 'the pictures which were flashing in front of my inner eye'.

She claims her inspiration comes from stories. As a writer I relate hugely to the way that stories create the most vivid images in the individual's conscious. Maybe I'll see what images I can create to accompany my stories?

I hope Amanda realises that just as she gets her inspiration from stories, her ethereal and dreamlike photography acts as inspiration for other to imagine stories behind her work.

Who doesn't want to step into the world she creates?

Fake Pool By Leandro Erlich

Known for his installation that appear to defy nature. The laws of physics appear to bend to the mind of this man. To spend an afternoon watching the rippling shadows in here would be an afternoon well spent.