I have an issue with Galleries .. they're too quiet and I have to build up my courage before going in and once there, viewing pictures I'm not sure I want, I'm working out how to leave as quickly as possible without causing embarrassment or any sort of scene. I've tried .. 'Is this the dry cleaners' and 'I'm meeting someone but they're not here .. I'll look outside' but this causes the inevitable embarrassment above mentioned as the 'Gallery People' look at me knowingly thinking .. 'He knows nothing about art'
So I made my own 'Gallery' at Caffe In Mayfair. Its for people who love to view photography in a place where people make noise and have drinks and fine food whilst looking at pictures. They might not necessarily wish to take a University Course in the activity before making a purchase and hanging the framed item next to the 'Ascending Ceramic Ducks' in the living room, because its a Cafe.
Caffe In might be the most fascinating place to observe 'breakfast' in London. I say 'Breakfast' as by lunch time there is no where to sit and I have to leave my 'table of residence' and stand outside. We've thought of everything here and recently added a beautiful new awning rated to 'Hurricane' standard or worse 'British Drizzle' ... you don't want to get caught in it, especially if you are new to 'The Drizzle' as we call it, Its a British thing, not rain or mist, its somewhere in between and can last for weeks) .. back to the Cafe ..
By early afternoon peace has returned and contemplating the constantly changing pictures on the wall with a cold beer or glass of wine is the way to go.
My favourite time is the early evening and for now I'm keeping this a secret, as soon everyone in Mayfair is going to hear about the new awning and the ridiculously reasonable Champagne prices and I'll be back on the street.
Note about 'art' : there's nothing wrong with ascending ceramic ducks.
See you at the Cafe in Shepherd Market.
Caffe In, 3 Shepherd Street, Mayfair, W1J 7HL