Orienteering in London - The Freud Museum

Now as we hadn't actually been given any information about the places we were visiting, I thought we were going to see something about Lucian Freud the painter. However it was actually the house where Sigmund Freud lived where his study remains preserved as he used it for the public to see.

The house is obviously in a residential area and isn't that close to any other amenities. The people occupying the surrounding area were generally residents going to and from their homes so the people that visit this museum would have to be people who knew it was there and willing to try find it amongst the houses. You are encouraged to learn about the space and take a good look around.

There is a £3 admission charge which I thought was fairly priced. 

Orienteering in London - Camden Arts Centre

 Third was Camden Arts Centre which is a space for contemporary art exhibitions and education.

The arts centre is situated in a beautiful old building with modern twists just off Finchley Road. We made a bit of an error on the way to here as we assumed that Camden arts centre would be close to Camden town , but we were so wrong it was quite a trek to get there. However we found out in was very close to Finchley tube stations so is actually easy to get to.

The inside was nice and welcoming, there was a cafe and everything was well sign posted so you knew where to go which is helpful. The spaces that the art was housed in were great , nice and light and spacious, so the work wasn't too cramped. The assistants in the rooms were also friendly and helpful and they more than willing to talk to you. 

Orienteering in London - The British Library

So next we got to The British Library down Euston Road. The building is situated right next to St Pancras and Kings Cross so has good transport links. Also Euston road is very busy has lots of traffic and buses down it and has lots of other attractions and shops which generates a lot of tourism and consumers. This makes the library location ideal due to the the close vicinity of other amenities and the vast amount of people within area which can possibly visit.

The building to me isn't one that is greatly attractive especially with St Pancras behind it , which greatly contrasts. Also I felt rather overwhelmed and intimidated due to the size of it, this feeling carried on inside.

The interior is modern and vast , I didn't really know where to start or where to go as  it wasn't very well sign posted.

I was surprised to find out that you had to be 18 to join the library which I thought was a bit exclusive. I didn't want to join as I thought my uni library provided what I needed and I just felt overwhelmed with the vastness of the place.

Orienteering in London - The Showroom

So as a start to my course we got given a little orienteering task. I got given the name of 5 places to go and find and write a little about them.

• The Showroom
• The Freud Museum
• Parliament Hill 
• The British Library 
• Camden arts centre 

The first place we visited in my group of 5 was The Showroom.

The Showroom is a small gallery space that shows contemporary artwork by artists that haven't had much previous exposure in London.

The space is situated in a residential area just off Edgware road from where we walked from a bus stop to the gallery. Edgware road was buzzing with people and had a lot of shops and cafes. We also passed through back streets where we came across markets selling domestics goods and groceries and people going about their day to day life. From the journey from the bus stop to The showroom I got a feeling that the area is quite multicultural and that there is a lot going on , however when I reached the immediate area around the gallery I wasn't sure if it was best placed as it was quiet and I didn't know if the type of people that were making the area surrounding so busy would be the type of people who would want to access contemporary art

The building certainly stood out and made me want to go in. We had to ring the bell to get in, which was initially quite intimidating and made the play feel quite exclusive. My concerns were dashed when the door was opened as the gallery assistants were very welcoming. The inside was very cosy and the cushions and chairs really encouraged you to relax in the space and engage in the work.

The work was heavily based on people, domestic and living issues which actually fitted well with the situation of the gallery.

When we arrived we were asked if we could fill out a form about the gallery and the show we had seen and the assistants were very appreciative that we did it. there was also a separate comments book which we could write it. This made me feel that the space really valued it's audiences and visitors opinions and the experience they had whilst at the showroom.

I really enjoyed discovering this place and would recommend visiting it if you are in the area. 

Made In Chelsea

So my move is officially on the countdown. I am moving 3 weeks today into the hustle and bustle of the big smoke which is London. This time next week I will be in my university halls in Southwark having met some complete strangers who I am going to live for at least one academic year.

Then I will embark on my freshers week for my starting at Chelsea College of Art and Design where I will hopefully complete my BA in Fine Art. God help my body as I know it will have deal with being poisoned from the large amounts of alcohol consumed.

I am looking forward to embarking on a new life, experiencing new things and meeting inspirational people. However as the time draws nearer I am getting apprehensive about my move. I live in a tiny village in Yorkshire so my surroundings will be a big change as well as the pace of life. Further more there is the worry about the general unknown, will I like who I'm living with? Will I make friends? Will I enjoy my course? Will I like where I live ?

I know ultimately I will be fine and I will make it work for me whatever happens, I just can't help but feel slightly nervous about leaving my safety net.

Plus I am leaving behind people that I am going to miss very much, who I love very much. Although as I have their complete support it does make that slightly easier and I know someone special is going to make the effort to see me which I very much appreciate.

Anyway I will stop waffling and just let you know that the picture at the top is where I will be studying, very nice isn't it !!!