Category: Travel

The Jaunt, art and travel

The Jaunt is a project by Jeroen Smeets sending artists all over the world to find inspiration and create a new artwork which is printed in a limited edition. Before the trip, you can purchase the print sight unseen only knowing about the artist and their destination – a place they’ve never visited before. During the trip, you can follow the artist whilst they get immersed in the destination and get inspired to produce their artwork.

In this short interview, Jeroen tells us about how the idea behind The Jaunt started, how people have reacted to this innovative project and the last trip with artist Kristin Texeira.

www.thejaunt.net

Photos by The Jaunt

Jaunt #021 – Scott Albrecht – Masaya

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about how The Jaunt started?

My name is Jeroen Smeets. I’m from the Netherlands originally, but living in Copenhagen these days with my family. I’ve been working with artists for a while now through different jobs and projects. Ranging from editor-in-chief, creative director, art agency, gallery manager, publisher, journalist and everything in between.

The Jaunt started about five years ago when I first started talking about this project with friends and artists, trying to shape this idea I had of sending artists on trips all over the world to find inspiration. After a year of conversations we organised our first trip in April 2013, and have been running ever since up to trip number 35.

Jaunt #030 – Jean Jullien – Marfa

The Jaunt is an innovative take on the traditional artist residency. Can you explain briefly how it works?

We send artists on trips all over the world with the sole purpose of finding inspiration. There is no agenda and no briefing. The artists make their own trip and their own adventure. Once the artist returns from their trip, they create an artwork which we then produce as a limited edition silk screen print. We sell this print before the trip takes place. Meaning you have no clue about the outcome of the artwork until the artist has returned and you receive your print at home.

This way when you buy a print you become part of the experience and make it possible for the artist to go on their trip.

The Jaunt #007 – Jordy van den Nieuwendijk at work on location in Los Angeles

We love the surprise element of buying the print before the artist travels to their destination, without knowing what they’re going to create. How did your first customers react to this? Can you share some of the feedback or comments you’ve received since you started The Jaunt?

We work with a variety of established and upcoming artists, and this way we get to introduce artist whose work we admire to a new audience. One of the things I personally enjoy hearing the most is when people order a print from an artist they did not know before, but are very pleased with in the end and the artwork ends up hanging on the walls in their house.

The screenprint studio of Joris Diks where the artworks are printed

Your last trip has been with artist Kristin Texeira, whom we’ve interviewed before. Why did you choose Kristin and her destination, Newfoundland?

I actually just stumbled upon her work by clicking through different hashtags on Instagram, and it immediately captured my eye. Her work is to me a great example of an artist putting her own feelings and experiences into the artworks. Meanwhile she is able to tell a vivid story with her quite abstract work. So I got in touch with her and two weeks later her tickets were booked.

Originally I was looking into the Caribbean islands for her trip, but Kristin expressed a bigger interest in less tropical climates, enjoying the different elements of the weather and nature. Newfoundland, Canada seemed like a perfect fit for her.

Jaunt #012 – Cleon Peterson – Athens

You have published a book about your first 10 artists and their trips. Are you planning a second volume or other ways to expand the project outside of prints?

It’s in the works. The first book was self-published which is a big challenge, especially on the distribution end of things. So ideally I would like to collaborate with a publisher on the second book and make sure it gets the proper international distribution.

July 3, 2017
Utrecht Instants

We’re just back from Utrecht, where we’ve spent 3 amazing days working on a new City Guide thanks to Visit Holland and Utrecht Marketing. Before we publish our full City Guide on our website, here’s a little preview of some of the places we visited and shared on our Instagram profile during our stay.

The rooms at Eye Hotel, a boutique hotel located in a former eye hospital.

Some of the beautiful buildings by the Oudegracht, the “old canal”.

Daen’s, a coffee shop, hotel and clothing store in the heart of the city.

Miffy, a creation by the late Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna and a symbol of the city.

The impressive Rietveld Schröder House, built in 1924.

Koffie Leute Brauhaus, a coffee shop in the southern part of the city centre.

March 17, 2017
London Cyclist with Expedia

We recently collaborated with Expedia on a cycling route around East and North London for their London Cyclist guide. We often travel to London for work and the route we suggested, from Borough Market to Camden Town, is one of our favourites when we are visiting and have some free time.

You can find more about this route and all our recommended shopping and eating stops on the following link:

www.city-cycling.expedia.co.uk/london/heading-north-past-markets-and-waterways

Gulliver’s Wharf in Wapping

Regent’s Canal

Donlon Books in Broadway Market

Present & Correct in Islington

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February 9, 2017
The Bothy Yard

Designed in Edinburgh, The Bothy Yard is a home away from home for the modern explorer, combining the comfort and character of a boutique hotel with the buzz and social experience of a hostel. We chatted with The Bothy Yard’s founder Max Strzelecki to find out more about this innovative concept.

www.thebothyyard.com
Photos by The Bothy Yard

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?

My name is Max Strzelecki (str-let-ski). Edinburgh has been my home for five of the past seven years. My life here tends to revolve around people, waves, wind and building things… probably in that order. It’s easy to get the balance right here; you can enjoy the social buzz of city life and you’re also a stone’s throw away from the hills and the ocean. I’ve always enjoyed rich, simple experiences, whether it’s camping on the Isle of Tiree, hostelling in a surf town or cycling through Edinburgh’s side streets, there’s a lot to be said for the less-is-more approach.

How did the idea of The Bothy Yard come about? Could you tell us a little bit about the concept behind it?

It was the coming together of my love of experiencing the outdoors from the cosy comfort of a tent, and that of meeting new people and sharing stories from the road. I recently returned from 15 months in Australia, during which I spent a lot of time travelling and staying in hostels, mixing work (if you can call building Tough Mudder events “work”) and pleasure (being in the ocean).

I love the social element of the hostel experience; there aren’t many places where you are so strongly encouraged to approach a group of strangers and introduce yourself. That’s a beautiful thing, but I find communal dorm rooms very tedious. I know a lot of people who miss out on the social experience hostels offer because they don’t want to stay in a shared room. Knowing this and appreciating the unique cosy and protected feeling of camping in the wild, I had the idea of The Bothy Yard. The Bothy Yard is a hostel that offers each guest their own Bothy Box – a private sleeping and changing space with storage and all the other features a modern explorer needs, all behind a lockable door.

Who is The Bothy Yard for?

The Bothy Yard is for today’s explorers who want their days to be action packed, to meet new people, experience new places and really get in amongst it. At the end of the day when you’re tired and weary, you can close your Bothy Box door and have the peaceful, heavy, undisturbed slumber you deserve. We’re for people who want all of the social benefits of staying in a hostel, but with a bit of extra comfort and privacy.

You are launching a crowdfunding campaign in February, could you tell us more about it and the plans for the upcoming months?

This is a very exciting time for us! The crowdfunding campaign will be the first opportunity for people to book their stay at The Bothy Yard. We will be opening the doors of the first (mini) Bothy Yard in July of this year. The next few months will be filled with a lot of box construction, coffee, Frank Ocean and Tallest Man on Earth (our “getting stuff done” music). Edinburgh will be our home, but for now the exact location is a secret. Stay tuned for the announcement in the coming weeks. If you’re planning on visiting Edinburgh in the next year, be sure to follow our journey and book your stay!

February 6, 2017
Exploring Shoreditch with CitizenM

Located in the heart of East London’s most famous district, the new CitizenM Shoreditch has everything you need to explore all that this vibrant area has to offer. We stayed at this recently opened hotel and selected some of our favourite places in Shoreditch for this mini guide.

CitizenM Shoreditch

Designed by Amsterdam-based architecture and interior design firm concrete, CitizenM Shoreditch is the latest CitizenM hotel in London. The brand’s affordable luxury ethos is present in the 216 rooms and communal areas of the hotel, combined with a relaxed atmosphere and the lively streets of Shoreditch as a background.

The surrounding street art is extended into the hotel with a commissioned piece by AVAF located next to the hotel’s entrance. Art is also prominent inside the hotel, especially in the lobby area where several pieces are exhibited and limited editions at affordable prices can even be purchased. The hotel’s lobby is also home to the self check-in area, where you can easily select your room and its views, and the canteen where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet in the morning or cocktails and craft beers in the evening.

Design is an essential aspect of CitizenM and you can find many pieces of furniture by Vitra, from chairs to lamps, throughout the hotel. The lobby’s shelves are filled with art, fashion and design books curated by MENDO, an Amsterdam-based bookshop considered one of the best in the world for design titles.

The hotel’s rooms are equipped with everything you might need for a short stay in London. One of the most interesting features is the big window, extending across the room’s width and providing amazing views of the area. The 2 x 2 metre bed is also impressive and we can guarantee you’ll have a good night’s sleep. Other details that make CitizenM different to other hotels you might stayed in include the moodpad from which you can control the entire room – from the colour of the lights and temperature to the TV and blinds – and the high pressure rain shower with AM and PM shampoo/gel designed by the talented noses responsible for creations by Comme des Garçons and Helmut Lang.

CitizenM Shoreditch – 6 Holywell Ln, EC2A 3ET

www.citizenm.com

Eat & Drink

Shoreditch is filled with restaurants, food markets, cafés and bars so you won’t really need to leave this area of the city to find exactly what you want.

To start your day with a hearty breakfast or brunch (breakfast is served all day), head to The Breakfast Club, an independent chain of cafés founded in 2005 with locations all across London. It can be quite busy but we can assure you won’t mind waiting for the Huevos Rancheros, the All American and other delicious choices from their menu.

The Breakfast Club – 2-4 Rufust St, N1 6PE

If you like food trucks and food markets, you’ll find plenty in Shoreditch. You can grab lunch at Ely’s Yard Food Market at The Old Truman Brewery, with vendors changing regularly and often included in articles about the best food trucks in London. For dinner try Pump, a former petrol station now home to a great selection of food trucks offering dishes from all around the world.

Ely’s Yard – 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
Pump – 168 Shoreditch High St, E1 6HU

Finish your day with drinks at The Commercial Tavern, a pub with quirky interiors where you can enjoy a great selection of draft beers and also tasty pizzas at affordable prices.

The Commercial Tavern – 142-144 Commercial St, E1 6NU

Shop

From vintage clothing and books to homewares and the latest designer pieces, the shopping offer in Shoreditch is impressive.

The best way to start your shopping day in Shoreditch is to visit Boxpark, just across the road from CitizenM Shoretich. Opened in 2011, Boxpark is composed of refitted shipping containers offering affordable and flexible leases for lifestyle brands, cafés and galleries. A great place to discover new brands and buy something unique.

Boxpark – 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6GY

A few minutes away from Boxpark you can find Labour and Wait, a general store selling a carefully curated collection of new and vintage items, celebrating functional design and ranging from stationery and clothing to kitchenware and outdoor products.

Labour and Wait – 85 Redchurch St, E2 7DJ

London brand You Must Create (YMC) has their flagship store in the heart of Shoreditch. The ethos behind the brand is to take a traditional item and rework it to create something modern, giving a timeless quality to its clothes.

YMC – 23 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR

If you’re interested in books and magazines don’t forget to pay a visit to Artwords, a bookstore specialising in contemporary visual arts and covering subjects including photography, fashion, architecture, graphic design, fine art and critical theory.

Artwords – 69 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY

Enjoy

Shoreditch is filled with street art by emerging and established artists (look for Banksy’s pieces on Rivington Street). Wander around the numerous lanes and streets to discover colourful and impressive pieces all across the area.

For an unrivalled cinema experience head to Electric Cinema, with screenings for up to 50 people. Enjoy your movie from a comfortable armchair with cosy cashmere blankets. The cinema is part of Barber & Parlour, a three-floor space where you can get manicures, haircuts, beard trims and even food.

Electric Cinema – 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP

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November 29, 2016