Off-duty: Recommended reads from our website's editorial team this week
Artistic Spectacle Unveiled on London's King's Road: "Cascade" by Shezad Dawood
In the heart of London's King's Road, a vibrant explosion of colour and storytelling has taken centre stage. The artistic work, titled "Cascade" by Shezad Dawood, is a site-specific public artwork that adorns the historic façade of The Gaumont.
This captivating piece, unveiled last week, consists of two ceramic panels made up of 144 hand-glazed, sculpted tiles. It draws its inspirations from King's Road’s rich cultural and historical heritage, referencing figures such as King Charles II, and cultural icons connected to the area like British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and her boutique Sex.
One distinctive aspect of "Cascade" is its kinetic quality. The relief elements function as a quasi-sundial, with shadows moving dynamically in daylight, adding a temporal dimension to the piece. At night, the artwork is dramatically lit to enhance its visual impact and engagement with the public realm.
The commissioning of Shezad Dawood was carried out by Cadogan, a property group, in collaboration with a cultural panel including representatives from the Chelsea Arts Club, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Royal Society of Sculptors. This comprehensive cultural placemaking strategy roots The Gaumont development firmly in the local community’s heritage and vibrancy.
The Gaumont, a new creative hub developed by Cadogan, is a 220,000 sq ft mixed-use facility featuring a rooftop bar, a cinema, an office, residential and retail spaces. The unveiling of "Cascade" reinforces The Gaumont’s position as a major cultural and commercial anchor on King's Road, continuing Cadogan’s placemaking efforts seen previously with Duke of York Square and the revitalization of Sloane Street.
Meanwhile, in the culinary scene, Benares, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, has reopened following a refurbishment and menu revamp. The interior design of Benares was done by Dale Atkinson of Rosendale Design. Sameer Taneja is the executive chef at Benares, offering an elevated culinary experience that includes street snacks, contemporary dishes like oyster vindaloo, and traditional curries.
Elsewhere, Ellie Stathaki visited Benares and found it to be bustling with patrons enjoying the refurbished space and the revamped menu. In other parts of the city, Eel Sushi, a new sushi restaurant on Talbot Road, has been packed since opening due to excellent sashimi and nigiri.
In a different setting, Anna Fixsen recently returned from a ten-day holiday in Mérida, Mexico, where she stayed at Hotel Cigno, an elegant boutique property in the city's historic heart. Mérida isn't plagued by over-tourism, making its pastel-washed streets and points of interest unhurried and uncrowded. Anna also flopped on a white-sand beach at Casa K'u, a tranquil property an hour's drive to the coast.
Lastly, Gabriel Annouka attended the opening night of the exhibition 'LMK WHEN YOU REACH' by Bernice Mulenga. The exhibition features chaotic, yet powerful and tender images that aren't rehearsed but breathing, living moments charged with care and visible solidarity. Marvee's Food Shop offers elevated Caribbean food with spectacular sauces under the Westway, while Charlotte Gunn spent the week exploring her neighbourhood and found several new openings, including Frankie's, a wine and charcuterie bar at 331 Portobello Road.
In summary, "Cascade" celebrates and reimagines the King's Road’s cultural icons and artistic traditions through a dynamic ceramic work that interacts with natural light, connecting past influences with contemporary public art in a prominent London location. Meanwhile, the culinary landscape in London continues to thrive with a variety of new and refurbished restaurants offering unique dining experiences.
The artistic work, "Cascade" by Shezad Dawood, situates fashion and beauty as an integral part of the King's Road's rich cultural heritage through its reference to British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood. Meanwhile, the culinary scene in London's scene continues to flourish with new and refurbished restaurants such as Benares, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant offering street snacks, contemporary dishes, and traditional curries.
