Only In London

As I chomp on a couple of pieces of  Wintermint-flavored Orbit chewing gum, I realize I am creating material for art.  Actually, I always thought the wad of chewed gum had some sculptural interest and potential, but I never imagined using it as a medium for painting!

Ben Wilson, outsider artist

London, England

Photograph by Andrew Testa for the New York Times

Well, what if you were walking around London and came across a man lying on his side on the sidewalk?  On closer inspection, you would find him using a blowtorch to soften sidewalk chewing gum, shape it, and apply color and a lacquer finish for protection.  You might slap yourself for never having thought of the idea yourself!  As it is, Ben Wilson, 47, has beat you to it, having already made thousands of chewing gum pictures around London, painting in any kind of weather.  His little pictures describe the immediate neighborhood, its inhabitants and personal events in their lives. He generally does not charge for his work. "Everything is transitory.  What's important is the creative process", he explains.  He feels the way that the paintings relate to the community are sufficiently satisfying.

Ben Wilson doing his part to beautify the sidewalks of London

Photograph by Andrew Testa for the New York Times

What can you do about the unsightliness and mess of chewing gum on the street?  And what about  focusing on  artwork rather than the constant barrage of advertisements?  These were some of the concerns that inspired Mr. Wilson.  He also does normal-size paintings that are for sale.

Tiny chewing gum painting by Ben Wilson

Photograph by Andrew Testa for the New York Times

So keep an eye out, everyone, for how you can help the community and make art, too, using something that is very likely right under your nose, in your mouth, or stuck under the table! You, too, could be an outsider artist, and you wouldn't necessarily have to work outside.

Postcards from London

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with great pleasure that I visited my daughter in the great city of London, where she has been a student at University College London since January. I may as well have been on another planet; it is such a marvel of sights, sounds, and sensations, amidst a swarm of humanity. There is never enough time and too many things to do, not to mention one never has enough money! Fortunately, I have visited London before and experienced a good sampling of the various delights and diversions.

Yours truly and my daughter, Emily.

This is an excellent example of how cohesively London blends the old with the new. Beautifully! There is a sensitivity shown on the architect's part in terms of material, color, design and fenestration. I think the new architecture has a lot of individuality, but doesn't compete with its Siamese twin neighbor. What could be hvac, (or havoc) look like flying buttresses! There is a lot of glass, and there is a verticality to the design which echoes Gothic cathedrals.

The Tube: a civilized way for ladies and gentlemen to traverse the city.

Not for those inclined to claustrophobia, the tube is a great adventure into the bowels of London town. Clean, rapid, and economical, they are the most efficient mode of transportation. Now "Mind the gap" when you enter and exit a train, lest you lose a heel!

The pulse of the city is intense yet invigorating. Oh, the humanity! Pop into a pub, however, and be transported back into past centuries. Put back a Pimm's or cider with a plate of chips...oh, the simple pleasures of living in the moment! Time stops, or seems to, until you go back outside!

Time can stop again if you come across a park. The weather cooperated with downright balmy temperatures for several days while I was there. Londoners didn't miss a beat in plopping down in the many parks to read, nap, or lunch.

Night time: there are so many shows to see, so little time! Note the building heights...not a canyon of skyscrapers here and the sky is actually black, too. So much about London is about how a world class city respects its inhabitants by being infinitely livable and civilized. I am already planning my next trip back; one shouldn't stay away too long from the mother country!

London Bridge

So I'll be off to London tomorrow to visit my daughter, who is studying at UCL. We will have adventures together in this great city: visiting art museums, antique malls, and auctions. We'll enjoy the theatre, shopping, and try to do more than time permits. I'll be looking for new art and interior design inspirations in this great old city and bring it all back to share with you.