The Botanist: July: On Our Radar
On Our radar
Discover fun things for your diary this summer, including art, music, books and films.
Adam Bridgland
On Our Radar
Adam Bridgland is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Cambridge. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, he has exhibited widely in the UK, America, Europe and Asia. His distinctly British wit, vibrant use of colour and diverse materials make his work instantly recognisable in collections belonging to the V&A, The British Museum, Soho House, Los Angeles Natural History Museum, Aberdeen Art Gallery, The Courtauld Institute of Art and many more. In between preparing for three new shows and working on a series of glitter prints for Teenage Cancer Trust, we caught up with Adam to find out what makes him tick…
Adam’s installation Wake Up Next To People Who Make You Feel Happy
Glen Dye, Aberdeenshire
A short interview with Adam Bridgland.
My morning routine is usually chaotic — getting up early to rush to the studio or a project. I have never been able to rest easily. I drink about four coffees, which probably doesn’t help!
Three things that bring me joy are my children, football and music. The last gig I went to was Noel Gallagher with The Blossoms supporting at the Royal Albert Hall. I completed a limited-edition glitter print for the Blossoms for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The perfect summer dinner/drink combo is pasta puttanesca and a crisp Pilsner in a frozen frosted glass.
My last holiday was Ibiza. This was the second year we have been. We go to the quieter East side of the Island, it is so beautiful. The sea is amazing and it is a great place to explore small seaside coves and bars.
I’m currently reading A Mudlarking Year, Finding Treasure In Every Season by Lara Maiklem. As a kid I always wanted to be an archaeologist so finding treasure while walking along a shoreline has always fascinated me. I regularly collect sea glass too, small pieces of treasure thrown up by the sea.
My favourite way to spend a Saturday begins with walking my dog Ringo in the Fens behind my house, coaching junior football and then a trip to see the mighty Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium with family and friends.
The best thing about summer is the long warm summer evenings. Relaxing and enjoying a Botanist and tonic in the garden, watching the swifts glide and screech in the sky.
We Out Here, Dorset
Three Inspiring Summer Festivals
From Edinburgh to Venice, there are plenty of arts and culture festivals to choose from this summer. Here are our top three to add to your diary.
Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh, 10-25 August
Celebrating literature, words and ideas, the Edinburgh’s annual book festival offers on-stage conversations, workshops, creative masterclasses, think tanks, book signings and more from an international programme of authors, artists and innovators. It takes place during the huge arts and culture Edinburgh Fringe Festival, making it the perfect time to visit
the city.
We Out Here, Dorset, 15-18 August
Featuring a tree-lined forest
dancefloor that lights up at night, a giant record fair, and an eclectic line-up covering jazz, house, disco, soul and drum’n’bass, this relatively new addition to the UK music festival calendar has already gained a sizeable following, but with legendary DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson at the helm, is it any wonder?
Venice International Film Festival, Venice, 28 August-7 September
The world’s oldest film festival, this year marks 81 years
of the festival and opens with the long-awaited return of one of the most iconic characters of Tim Burton’s cinema in his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which will premiere alongside a programme of short films from new and upcoming directors. The festival is part of the
Venice Biennale — a celebration of art and architecture.
THis month we're drinking
A picture-perfect twist on a classic, this vivid pink cocktail is almost too pretty to drink.
Introducing the Pink Gibson.
