There’s only so much straight news anyone can swallow, even when it is about the looming demise of life on this planet. So thank god for satirical cartoons, or to be precise: Earthworks 2008, a collection of environmental caricatures recently on show at City Hall.

The exhibit showed a selection of the best of 600 cartoons from around the world that were entered in this year’s Biennial Ken Sprague International Cartoon Competition. Cartoonists were invited to submit works on the subject of our threatened environment, particularly the impact of global warming.

After looking at 50 images in a row you do develop immunity to cracked earth and deforested tree stumps, however a good one in five cartoons caused me to express myself anywhere between a wry snort and a caustic cackle. 

The laugh-o-meter shot the highest for All This Will Be Yours My Son by Serbia’s Miodrous Velickovic. This depicts a man standing with one arm round a wide eyed youngster and the other extended with a flourish to illustrate the overflowing rubbish heap they are standing over. The glazed half smiles of the figures involved shows with hilarity-inducing accuracy how little attention the average Joe pays to their surroundings.

There is always a fear with irreverent humour that you will cause serious types to choke on their Cornflakes, but as John Green, secretary of the Ken Sprague fund points out: ‘Cartoons can reach parts that other arguments can’t. We have been inundated with doom-laden predictions and scientific facts on the inevitability of global warming, but here we can exorcise our fears.’

And how familiar these fears are: from a laptop whose screensaver of tropical fish is the only colour in the desert that surrounds it, to the labourers rolling out a grass carpet complete with sheep over parched ground, this is stuff we sense is upon us but cannot bear to watch.

Competition entrants were from all over the world and there were allusions to real environmental disasters such as the Myanmar flood.

John Green had another point to make about using cartoons to express one of the most talked about concerns of 2008: ‘What is striking about all of them is how unnecessary language or translations become – the visual imagery transcends the need for words. Despite cultural and language barriers, most cartoonists have used an imagery that can be understood internationally, across cultural, religious or political barriers and boundaries.’

Let the last word go to someone who would like to be concerned about the environment but who is instantly bored by the subject, me: buy a print and be humorous and topical for a mere £10.

Unfortunately the exhibition ended at the weekend, however it is possible to see some of the featured cartoons at the Ken Sprague Fund website.

For further information please contact the Ken Sprague Fund:
tel: 02085793553
infor@kenspraguefund.org

Prints are £10 each and originals range from £25 -£100

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A jaunt on London’s tourist trail would not be complete without the prerequisite outing to Betty’s Buck’ Palace, an expedition to the Tower to gape at the crown jewels, and a trip to Trafalgar Square to marvel at the size of Nelson’s Column. But how many tourists (or Londoners for that matter) can boast having been to Canada House – the grand old Greek Revival building towering over Trafalgar Square?

Not many, I’m sure. And why would they? Unless you’re Canadian (of which I’m not), there’s probably not a lot of reason to rejoice in some dated mammoth of a structure dedicated to the country that spawned Celine Dion and Bryan Adams. In fact, quite the opposite.

Well that’s where you’re wrong. Canada House is actually something of a cultural hub: a centre promoting Canadian film and visual arts (and err…music), and they have a continuous programme in the gallery that includes contemporary painting, sculpture, crafts, photography, drawings and new media.

The latest exhibition: Vancouverism: West Coast Architecture + City-Building, is part of the London Festival of Architecture, and it offers the perfect opportunity to check out this historic building hosted by the Canadian High Commission.

Vancouverism? You ask. Well, without getting lost in architectural jargon, Vancouverism is the ‘high-rise, high-amenity, high-sustainability, high-design style that’s come to symbolize the newer parts of Vancouver’s downtown’.

In short, it’s all about making the most of space, and using sustainable products; something Canadians have become quite adept at. The exhibit, curated by architects and critics Trevor Boddy and Dennis Sharp, features the work of some of the major players in bringing the Vancouver skyline to the world: renowned architects Arthur Erickson and Bing Thom, as well as James KM Cheng and innovative engineers Fast + Epp.

Inside there are some unique features including architectural drawings, detailed models, photographs and video installations. There’s the world premiere of a model of the 2012 Winter Olympic speed-skating building (not even the Vancouverites have seen that one), and a giant light fitting made from recycled wood chip that has been taken from trees that are dying because of climate change.

But by far the event’s most visible attribute is a massive wooden wall on the building’s exterior made from red cedar blocks and rope that has wrapped itself around the north corner of Canada House like some kind of giant snake.

Vancouver-based architect Gerry Epp, one of its creators, was inspired by the way birds’ nests support themselves: “We had a very narrow construction zone between the grade two listed, Canada House’s walls (which we could not touch) and its perimeter wrought-iron fence. This form was chosen to rise high, while maintaining stability in all directions.”

The construction certainly draws attention to Canada House, giving an otherwise tired and traditional old building something of a contemporary twist. Even Bryan Adams got in on the act in 2005 when he exhibited some of his own photographs inside (which consisted of 30 individual portraits of Canadian women). Whatever next: watercolours by Celine Dion?

Vancouverism: West Coast Architecture + City-Building
June 24 to September 10
Canada House
Trafalgar Square SW1W 5BJ
Monday to Friday 10.00am to 6.00pm

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Green is the colour of the season at London Fashion Week (of the eco variety, not the envy kind). As the au courant crowd jostled into the entrance of LFW’s Design Exhibition for its final day on Wednesday, “eco-fashion” was the word on everyone’s lips. Yes, the sunglass-clad über-tanned clan really do care about more than Cristal-fuelled parties, carb-free meals, glitz, glamour and glossy magazines.

At one end Matthew Williamson was punting umbrellas for charity, while darling of the moment Luella’s exclusively designed T-shirts for the Environmental Justice Foundation’s campaign were being flogged to help end abuses linked to global cotton production.

On the runway pouting waifs were parading garments woven out of recycled refuse, while mobile phone hazard Naomi Campbell was doing her bit for the Rotary Club’s work for flood victims.

Name dropping aside, what earned the greatest greenie points at this week’s exhibition was Estethica: London Fashion Week’s much-acclaimed platform entirely devoted to the best in eco-sustainable fashion. To celebrate its first anniversary Estethica joined forces with sponsors Monsoon and Accessorize to raise general awareness about fair trade, organic fibres and the recycling of materials.

Christian Lacroix and Betty Jackson created pieces, alongside Luella, for the Environmental Justice Foundation’s ‘Pick Your Cotton Carefully’ campaign. The fairly traded and organic T-shirts have been produced to promote the selling of ‘clean’ cotton in an industry rife with forced child labour, heavy pesticide use and environmental degradation.

A company that is carefully considering its carbon footprint is Terra Plana. The Bermondsey-based shoe company employs a pioneering approach to shoe making with its stylishly sustainable soles created from recycled materials using innovative technology and their signature stitching design. They have a number of sub-brands which exemplify different aspects of their ethos. One of those is Worn Again which utilises discarded and discontinued stock to create its range of high-fashion shoes, including car matting, tyre trim and bicycle inner tubes.

Other eco-warriors creating an ethical stir within the mainstream fashion world include Gary Harvey with his couture-inspired dresses prepared entirely from recycled garments; From Somewhere, who provide funky, fresh designs made from reclaimed leftover fabrics from six Italian fashion and textile manufacturers; MUMO which focuses on bringing talent from developing countries into the UK; and Naturevsfuture: a womenswear brand that utilises organic cotton, wool, hemp, soy, bamboo, seaweed and wood pulp fibres.

Who said fashion was frivolous? Eco fashion is now not simply a trend, but a full-scale movement, and this year’s London Fashion Week has proven that it is now cool to care.

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We’ve all heard it. The ‘O’ word. But what does ‘organic’ actually mean? And is it really that good for us?

We city slickers can be cynics - naturally suspicious about the authenticity of organic food. Particularly when it’s (typically) more expensive than super-brand supermarket produce. So on recognising this lack of general knowledge about the issues surrounding food production, I’ve dug up some of the finest unadulterated wholefood joints in the big smoke to put the city cynics to rest.

London life can be a fast-paced, frenetic, and sometimes frugal existence. Urban dwellers in the capital are faced daily with the threat of air pollution, noise pollution, air conditioning, road traffic, crowds, crime and congestion. Between the office, the tube and home, it’s a wonder we have a chance to eat at all. Never mind lose sleep over the cocktail of poisonous compounds coating our cornflakes.

Now thankfully we can count on a host of healthy, organic-educated eateries in London’s West End to raise both our spirits and our awareness.

These inner-city gems proudly provide organic produce free of any artificial poisons, which won’t contain the highly toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics and growth hormones used in intensive farming.

As well as this your food will be free of artificial colourings, flavourings, additives, sweeteners and the thousands of other unnecessary chemicals used in food manufacturing today.

But how do we know it’s organic?

Thankfully, to ensure that consumers are not misled, anyone in the United Kingdom wanting to grow or process food which is to be sold as organic must by law be registered with UKROFS (United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards) and adhere to regular check ups. In short, if it’s food and says it’s organic, you can bet your bottom dollar that it is. Naturally grown and ripened produce is the way forward. Here’s just a few of the best in the West, tried and tested:

Bünker
41 Earlham St, Covent Garden WC2H 9LD
Tel: 020 7240 0606

Fancy a pint? Try The Soho Red, a thirst-quenching organic dark ale concocted on site at this micro-brewery. The basement bar is brimming full of signature beers using only the finest natural ingredients. While you’re there tuck into some wholesome pub grub, including wild boar and apple sausage or bier battered fish and chips. It’s a heaving haunt so book a table or arrive early.

Fresh & Wild
69-75 Brewer Street W1F 9US
Tel: 020 7434 3179

Always popular Fresh & Wild is a health-hedonist’s haven. Their Brewer Street branch (one of six stores in London) serves wholesome organic hot and cold dishes from the salad bar, which you can enjoy in the humming café or on the run. Specialties include pumpkin and sage soup, honey and ginger tofu kebabs and a variety of salads and baked goods.

Planet Organic
22 Torrington Place WC1E 7HJ
Tel: 020 7436 1929

Firm believers in organic and natural food, Planet Organic is the UK’s original organic supermarket. A fresh juice bar, salad bar, health and bodycare centre, bookstore, dining area and grocer’s reside under one roof. They staunchly ban genetically modified foods, hydrogenated fats, and artificial ingredients from their shelves. Try their revitalising juices and smoothies, including the Fatigue Fighter or Rise and Shine.

The Grocer on Warwick
21 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NE
Tel: 020 7437 7776

A sophisticated concept in casual dining The Grocer serves fine modern organic cuisine in the heart of the West End. Its window neatly displays pastries and sandwiches, enticing you inside the stylish surroundings. There you’ll be greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread, baskets of cakes and croissants. Using seasonal ingredients free from anything artificial they boast an array of quality ready meals, soups and preserves to buy.

Aveda
28-29 Marylebone High Street W1U 4PL
Tel: 020 7224 3157

At the Weymouth Street side entrance of this concept salon and experience centre you will find Aveda’s environmental café. Chunky wooden tables and candles add to the earthy atmosphere. Blackboards display a diverse range of organic choices on the menu. And while you wait for your wholesome meal to arrive you can pop into the adjoining salon for a soothing massage.

Total Organics
6 Moxon Street, Marylebone W1U 4ER
Tel: 020 7935 8626

This funky hideaway serves scrumptious salads, paninis, omelettes and sandwiches in a cosy café at the back of the store. They’ve created a colourful menu of healthy super juices like The Alfie (carrot, apple and wheatgrass) and The Akai, a natural berry harvested in the Brazilian Rainforest mixed with guarana. You can knock back a wheatgrass shot on the run or buy dried pastas, soups, breads, fruit and vegetables in their store.

Vita Organic
74 Wardour Street W1F 0TE
Tel: 020 7734 8986

Pile your plate high with Vita Organic’s delicious vegetarian and vegan gourmet cuisine. Specialists in live, enzymatic and gently cooked food they have an extensive raw food menu as well as a juice bar. Relaxed and fulfilling, this is a truly uplifting experience without breaking the bank.

Organic Delivery Company
68 Rivington Street W1
Tel: 020 7739 8181
email: info@organicdelivery.co.uk
web: www.organicdelivery.com

This Soho-based company delivers organic vegetarian produce to the whole of London in the evening and fruit boxes to central London offices during the day. You can order on-line at: www.organicdelivery.com or if you prefer you can call them on 020 7739 8181

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

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