Grayson Perry @ Serpentine Gallery ft. Serpentine Pavilion.

This years' architect chosen to design the Serpentine Pavillion is Francis Kéré. His installation resembles a nest with the vertical and horizontal criss-crossing of the steel beams; the bronze coloured steel beams appear at a first glance as wood. It is likely that it was Kéré's intention to make the material similar to wood, and he writes in his statement that the structure is supposed to mimic the function of a tree within his community in Burkina Faso (to shade, shelter and gather the community).

This giant over-hanging steel roof fans over a smaller vertical cylinder. The installation itself is quite small especially in comparison to previous years. It is competing with last years' white illusionist towering installation by Bjarke Ingels and the glowing holographic semi-transparent panes by Selgascano in 2015. In addition it could be criticised for resembling the Hive in Kew Gardens or the Beijing Birds Nest a bit too closely.

So if do you happen to be in the area by all means take a walk round the gardens, but personally I wouldn't make the commute.. (unless of course you are going to see Grayson Perry's exhibition!)

Now, onto.. GRAYSON PERRY.

(Below is Nina. We were here on a bland grey day to match a bland boring structure.)

Grayson Perry is presenting himself here as a Modern Venus of Urbino - naturally as a hermaphrodite. (Not to put a label on him). He is objectifying himself and drawing attention to his sexuality which is a constant question for his audience. He emphasises how his body and sexuality acts as an art form that helps him to sell his work.

The artists workshop surrounds him, his gaze towards to viewer is confrontational but at the same time neutral. It is possible that the artist is actually gazing into a mirror admiring himself - rather than posing as a model. He is his own muse.

Below is a pot by Grayson Perry. Which comes as no surprise. I really enjoyed the way he made various pots drawing on Oriental, Aztec and Roman influences which gold inscriptions and engravings about the Uk's political climate.