Nanotechnology within ‘The Field of Jeans’ could rid London’s air of pollutants.

Could a pair of high-tech jeans be the answer on how to clean up London’s air? Although London is reported to be one of Europe’s cleaner cities, it inevitably boasts pollution. In order to make London cleaner, the Greater London Authority is committed to implementing different strategies to make the capital ‘cleaner, calmer, more enjoyable so that we can all lead better lives here’.

The latest method to clean up London’s air is notably ‘unconventional’ and remarkable and comes in the disguise of a pair of jeans.

The jeans are fitted with nanotechnology and act as a catalyst to tackle pollution. The nanotech denim has been developed by researchers at both the London College of Fashion and at Sheffield University and were put on display at the London Design Festival, which was held in September of this year. The range of jeans is called ‘The Field of Jeans’ and its developers are known as Catalytic Clothes.

Talking about the potential impact wearing such nanotechnology clothes could have on the environment, Catalytic Clothing said:

“A significant reduction in the level of air borne pollutants in a large city such as London could be achieved if, for every metre of pavement width, 30 people wearing Catalytic Clothes walked past each minute.”

The clothes fitted with the nanotechnology work by acting as a photo catalyst to break down pollutants in the air by using light as a source of energy.

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London cabbies to practise ‘smoother driving’ with the Spring-O-Meter and learn how to save fuel in London.

London cabbies have been known to sometimes throw and tantrum or two and drive erratically through the streets of London believing they are ‘above the law’.

Although any misbehaving on the road might now not be so easy for London cabbies thanks to a new gadget known as the Spring-O-Meter.

In an attempt to cut fuel bills by enhancing fuel efficiency, this dashboard-mounted device informs drivers when their driving becomes erratic. The Spring-O-Meter dances about when a driver brakes suddenly or moves forward too quickly, and when it gets really annoyed with a cabbie’s driving, it loudly beeps its horn.

Spring-O-Meters were put in the vehicles of cabbies for a two-week trial to see whether the ‘smoother driving’ encouraged by gadget helped them learn how to save fuel in London.

The trial showed that the fuel of the cabbies using the Spring-O-Meter fell by 12% and if they continue to use the device for 12 months, they would save approximately £600 in fuel.

The brain behind the scheme is Jamie Young, of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts.

“We chose cabbies on purpose because they are stereotyped as set in their ways and so are a relatively difficult group to influence,” Mr Young said.

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Whilst using public transport, such as buses and the Underground, may be a more convenient way to travel around London, there are times when you may find yourself driving in the capital.

If you taking your car into London, it is a wise precaution to find out as much information about parking before you embark on your journey. If you are bold enough to brave the traffic and congestion charges, our guide to car parking in London may help your quest to park your car run a little more smoothly.

1. Generally speaking car parks in London are located close to railway and Underground stations.

2. Car parks are well sign posted and are usually identified by a big white “P” on a blue background.

3. There are many NCP – National Car Parks – dotted around London and at the airports. Although, be warned, NCP car parks are usually expensive, sometimes costing as much as £10 an hour.

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Contemporary art in London survives the hard times and comes to life this October.

Amidst renewed worries about financial unrest, an exhibition organised by the Saatchi Gallery in London and a sale by the auction house Bonhams, are boosting confidence in the contemporary art market.

On October 13, 2011, Bonhams Auction House will put on sale about 30 to 50 lots of contemporary art. Also in October this year the Saatchi Gallery is to put on a promotion of young artists, an event that will coincide with Frieze Art Fair.

From the 13 – 16 October, the Frieze Art Fair will take place in Regent’s Park. The event features more than 170 of the most exclusive art galleries in the world, as well as a talks and seminars held by various prestigious members from the world of art, an artist-led education schedule, and a specially commissioned artists’ project.

This annual event is Europe’s biggest commercial event for contemporary art and gives visitors the unique opportunity to see and buy work by leading artists from around the world.

For more information and to buy tickets for the Frieze Art Fair, visit friezeartfair.com.

According to dealers the prices for art have now recovered to pre-economic crisis levels, although some dealers are still concerned about the financial instability. Speaking about the sale of contemporary art amidst the unstable market, Anthony McNerney, who heads Bonham’s contemporary art team in London, said:

“Sellers are telling themselves, I might as well do it now. If there’s a dip like there was in 2008, it will dry up. Owners know that if they have a great work, there are still wealthy people willing to buy it, almost whatever the price.”

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Art London 2011 – A relaxing yet sophisticated art fair with an emphasis on helping charities.

Last year The Times described Art London as “one of the most enjoyable modern art fairs” and the year before that Wall Street Journal described it as being “a relaxed modern fair.” In combining contemporary art with blue chip historical, Art London provides a refreshingly relaxed yet cosmopolitan edge to art events in the capital.

Held from 6 – 10 October, 2011 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this year’s fair is to include the works by some of the most important modern British artists, including Ceri Richards, LS Lowry, Graham Sutherland, and many more.

Although, far from concentrating solely on the contemporary, the Art Fair also embraces the works of significant Edwardian artists, such as Sir John Lavery, as well as concentrating on the Pre-Raphaelites era, with the works of the likes of Sir Edward Burne-Jones being shown.

This leading art event is also devoted to displaying international art, and the works of artists such as Camille Pissarro, Giorgio Morandi and Pablo Picasso will also be presented. Although this year, unlike other years, there will be an emphasis on artists from the Far East, with works from India, China, Vietnam and Australia being given a notable new prominence.

Art London works alongside several charitable organisations and this year its four official charity partners will have stands at the fair.

The British Heart Foundation, ACE Africa UK, an organisation dedicated to help children suffering from HIV and AIDS in South Africa, the Amber Foundation, which supports youths living at its residential centres that are from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the Almeida Theatre.

All four of the charities will benefit directly from the sale of the works of art from their stands.

If you want to as Elle Decoration quoted, “discover offbeat works by artists you might have not heard of before”, or muse through the works of the world’s leading artists, old and new, in a refreshingly relaxed ambience, a visit to this year’s Art London, should be marked in your diary.