Union Jack & Stars and Stripes

Union Jack & Stars and Stripes

Aaaah, London and New York. The only two truly global cities in my mind.

I have recently had several heated discussions with friends, family and colleagues about what exactly defines a city as global. To me, I put aside any economic consideration and take the city at face value...some would classify my definition as a melting pot, but to me, a truly global city is filled with a mix of people, interests, arts, technologies and beyond. It harnesses all of those elements and develops into something of a global heartbeat...pulling in from myriad sources and influences, and pumping out the result just as strongly, thereby fueling the rest of the world.

Spending time in these cities certainly inspires the soul, awakens the spirit, and if nothing else, keeps you on your toes.

Union Jack

Following a harrowing week of coordination, the team from New York and Madrid finally met up in London to kick off an amazing project - activating the Master Plan for the repositioning of Covent Garden.

On the way to Covent Garden we stopped briefly at the British Museum to take in Foster's intervention...it was truly a stunning space to walk around. The interplay of classic architecture and the glass encasement as well as the striking light and shadows seem like an obvious solution, but to stand in the space does have a certain impact.






















Afterwards we were off to tour the site and take in all of its charms and shortcomings. A truly special plaza, at the crossroads of many of London's most prominent neighborhoods and quite literally the center of London, Covent Garden has long been abandoned by Londoners as an asset to the city due to its lack of personality and tourist crowds. For those in New York, the closest analogy to compare it with would be South Street Seaport. You really need to have a reason to go as a local.

















Our daunting task is to work with the team repositioning the area and to make an immediate impact on the perception and feel of the Covent Garden Area. We toured the city, popping into as many interesting new areas and concepts as possible, to discover what London is missing and what can bring Londoners back to this currently lackluster area.

After a great dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Maze and a kickoff meeting with the client the following day (details are hush hush for now, you'll just have to wait!) we were off to the airport to return to Madrid.

Stars and Stripes

A quick day passed, and I found myself headed stateside to reunite with my mischievous brethren in New York. After having spent two days in London, the density of the city and the pace of life were not too much of a shock to the system. In fact, I welcomed the fast! now! go there! see you then! way of life with open arms.

I spent my few days taking advantage of the Euro exchange rate with impeccable timing: shopping, dining at my favorite standbys, dancing with my favorite partners in crime, and visiting galleries and museums.

Highlights included Sharif Waked's Chic Point, a tongue in cheek 'fashion show' based on juxtaposing the Palistine-Israeli border check points with 'practical' fashion allowing individuals to expose themselves as necessary.



































Lots of Things Like This, at the Apex Art gallery on Church street, which classified several witty and biting hand drawings ranging from Shel Silverstein to Dan Perjovschi into what I would have never previously considered a genre.






















And the whimsical yet sometimes quite dark paintings and sculptures by Murakami at the Brooklyn Museum...a lovely way to round out the weekend.


















Not to mention a good dose of house music by my favorite New York DJ amidst the lovely palette of my favorite New York personalities.






















Stay tuned, as next week I transition from travel by alliteration to travel by verse...Dubai, Mumbai and Shanghai, prepare yourselves...Miss Chief is ready to soak it in!