The last few weeks I have been trying to take a more a multi-browed approach to culture (cultcha, innit?). So along with the FA cup final and Avengers Arise, last weekend, spurred on by an out of date copy of Time Out in the doctor’s surgery I went and visited the Zabludowicz Collection in Chalk Farm to see their current exhibition, Weighted Words. It looks at the power of language and words in contemporary art; as a performative tool, as a provocateur, eliciting emotion, reaction and how language communicates more than mere information. The exhibition brings together a diverse body of work from contemporary artists from Albania to LA that all seek to explore how to ‘paint’ with words, using phrases and fragments to build up an impasto of meaning. Some works do not resonate quite as strongly as others, but it is worth the trip, even for an avowed South Londoner myself. Ruth Ewan’s ‘ A jukebox of people trying to change the world’ is a particular highlight.

At the same end of the cultural spectrum, if at least at the other end of the Northern Line, Mike Ballard’s I.D.S.T. opens at Block 336. I admit I know little about this particular Ballard, but I went to the private view of Block 366’s first show, an underwhelming group effort that may have been better than I give it credit for, but was frankly overshadowed by a fantastic bunker-like concrete gallery space better suited to a rave. With the sound system blaring that night and Ketel One providing the cocktails, it’s certainly what it felt like. Hopefully Ballard’s ‘immersive installation of film photography and lightboxes’ should fare better than the odd assortment of painting and sculpture that I saw there.

But do go along, if nothing else to check out a great new arts space in a surprising location.

Flamingo International, the Global insight and brand consultancy that I work for, held a brilliant (even if I do say so myself) event last week called ‘an addiction to prediction’ all about our obsession with crystal ball gazing. Daniel Franklin of the Economist was one of the keynote speakers and highlights are here. It’s thought provoking stuff, and for those who really want to feed their addiction to prediction, I would recommend Jacques Attali’s Brief History of the Future. Politician, Economist and first president for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he makes a reasoned case for some pretty wild claims about the future map of our planets geo-political landscape, moving through a world of ‘hyperempire’ pirates, corsairs and virtual nomads to one of ‘international hyperdemocracy’ and collective intelligence. It needs to be read to be believed.

Last week I also managed to get myself on the guestlist for the Alabama Shakes gig at Brixton Electric (huge thanks goes to the management of the venue for that one!). Not one to believe the Guardian Guide hype, I was sceptical, but blown away by a band that has more visceral energy when live than their album would have you believe. Go see them this summer if you can get a ticket.

Talking of the Guardian, along with the occasional drunk rollie, I have given up the Graun as I have decided it’s bad for my health. There is little point reading something I agree with every day. I am currently mixing it up with the FT and The Sun, but have decided its time to broaden my media horizons and plan on continuing to mix it up- all part of a multi-brow approach...
Feel free to berate me for my opinions @alouneou or failtoplan.tumblr.com