All images via lawsonsbooks.co.uk

Delighted to announce the launch of the latest beautiful publication by those lovely people at Lawson's Books. Anna et Salomé – a book of new photographs by Barcelona-based photographer Adrià Cañameras.

notes from a quiet break

 

And as the weather in Edinburgh started becoming truly rubbish about a week ago, my daughter and I hopped on a plane and fled to the Gard and its 30 degree welcome. Things of note during our stay this last week: a trip to the tremendous Musèe PAB in Alès that has a fine collection of modern and contemporary art and a gem of a shop housing a wonderful collection of prints and publications; the sighting of a prehistoric-looking praying mantis; writing Christmas food and drink articles for The List magazine whilst sitting in crazy heat, eating ice-cream, and enjoying Tracy Thorn's brilliant book, loaned to me by my friend Brian friend before heading off.

We leave the south of France tomorrow.

run for the hills

Living in Edinburgh, we are most fortunate to be able to experience the many festivals, almost on our doorstep. I have been loving the Fringe 2013 so far, but with city's population doubling at this time, things can become pretty stifling. Earlier this week we shot off to the capital's Pentland Hills for a bit of a breather.

Italia 2013 #4 Venice Biennale

My edited highlights of last week's trip to the Venice Biennale 2013. We were there six years ago and loved it so much we returned, with a 3-year-old in tow. She seemed to like it too. With so many things to see at one of the greatest shows on earth, it is hard to pinpoint favourites. Here are some of the things that certainly stood out for me in 2013: Channa Horowitz, Ryan Trecartin, Prabhavathi Meppayil (Cut, 2011), Italian photographers Luigi Ghirri and Luca Vitone, Transfiguration at the China pavilion, Morton Bartlett's dolls, Kohei Yoshiyuki photography 1946, Mathias Poledna 2013 at the Austria pavilion (last photograph above), the Russian pavilion, all work by AES+F. Plus many, many more.

Italia 2013 #3 Venice

To end our recent jaunt to Italy, I requested we leave from Venice. Enjoying the main island by day, we escaped to the calm of La Certosa island for nighttime. An idyllic spot and a perfect get-away from the main tourist drag (bar the mosquito monsters).

Italia 2013 #2 out and about

More from our recent trip to Italy. We are grateful to the current hot shining sun for our return to Edinburgh. It has made settling back into real life that bit easier.