Time Out, Bob and Roberta Smith.

Bob and Roberta Smith spoke to Time Out about his belief that 'all schools should be art schools' and on standing as an independent candidate for Surrey Heath against Michael Gove.

Bob and Roberta Smith wooden alphabet blocks, Time Out London cover, January 27- February 2, 2015. 

Kit Grover worked with Bob and Roberta Smith to produce a set of wooden alphabet blocks for TATE in 2009 and the 'How to Improve the World' bag in 2006 for the Arts Council Collection.

Monday Portrait: Werner Herzog, 'Get Used to the Bear Behind You'

Werner Herzog, Grizzly Man.

On Friday night we went to a How To Academy's presentation of Werner Herzog in conversation with Paul Holdengraber.  There was a full house to compliment a book full of tips for navigating life and art.

On the back cover of his recent book "Werner Herzog—A Guide for the Perplexed" by Paul Cronin, are 24 maxims by the German director. Some apply to film, some apply to life, and all of them are worth reading. Revenge, bears, bolt cutters, jail...Herzog has you prepared for any and every situation, if only you follow these simple rules.

If you haven't made your New Year's resolutions just yet, here's a good place to start getting inspiration to make some changes in your life.

1. Always take the initiative.
2. There is nothing wrong with spending a night in jail if it means getting the shot you need.
3. Send out all your dogs and one might return with prey.
4. Never wallow in your troubles; despair must be kept private and brief.
5. Learn to live with your mistakes.
6. Expand your knowledge and understanding of music and literature, old and modern.
7. That roll of unexposed celluloid you have in your hand might be the last in existence, so do something impressive with it.
8. There is never an excuse not to finish a film.
9. Carry bolt cutters everywhere.
10. Thwart institutional cowardice.
11. Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
12. Take your fate into your own hands.
13. Learn to read the inner essence of a landscape.
14. Ignite the fire within and explore unknown territory.
15. Walk straight ahead, never detour.
16. Manoeuvre and mislead, but always deliver.
17. Don’t be fearful of rejection.
18. Develop your own voice.
19. Day one is the point of no return.
20. A badge of honor is to fail a film theory class.
21. Chance is the lifeblood of cinema.
22. Guerrilla tactics are best.
23. Take revenge if need be.
24. Get used to the bear behind you.

Monday Portrait: Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier, Self-Portrait, October 18, 1953, New York, NY.

John Maloof's 2013 documentary Finding Vivian Maier centers on his discovery of tens of thousands of negatives and photographs at a Chicago auction.  

Vivian Maier, undated.

Vivian Maier, 1959, Los Angeles, CA.

Vivian Maier, August 22, 1956. Chicago, IL.

The film shapes itself around the conflict between the photographer Vivian Maier's remarkable talent and her apparently self-imposed obscurity and career as a nanny. Since the film's release Maier's work has garnered international attention and has been widely exhibited throughout Europe and America.

Vivian Maier, Self-Portrait, 1955

In 2015 TATE has scheduled a record number of exhibitions focusing on female artists, incuding: Sonia Delaunay, Marlene Dumas, Barbara Hepworth and Agnes Martin.