Intern Lights Up London Town

Posted by: Megan Friedman, London Alum, 08'

My name is Megan Friedman and I have been an intern at Illuminations for the past three months. I have decided to write a top ten list of sorts. I am going to call it “Megan’s top ten experiences as an intern at Illuminations”. Excuse the poor title, as I am only an intern.

Here goes:

10. Transcribing Art Race
This might sound dull to some, but with this transcribing I was able to watch every single episode of Art Race (which is Illuminations' yet-to-be-unveiled series for Gallery HD shot in the States this summer). I don’t necessarily have to watch this show again, as I can probably repeat every episode word for word, but I did really enjoy it and am glad I had the opportunity to help out with it.

9. Our office
Probably one of the best reasons to come to work everyday is actually the location of Illuminations. It is by far one of the most comforting offices I have ever worked in. The temperature here is either below freezing or so hot you fall asleep, but even with that being said, I still love it. The only negative of the office is the cobblestone path. I slipped and fell hoping no one saw me, but that of course did not happen and I believe I was one man’s amusement for a day.

8. Filming for Last Will
Ian and I went to film Alex Fleetwood’s “game/artwork/experience” Last Will. Unfortunately, I was not able to experience it first hand, but it seemed like such an innovative idea that was amazing to witness. I thought I would get away without having to interview anyone, but I was not so fortunate. I “interviewed” two women and embarrassed myself slightly by stumbling through some questions. Luckily, they only needed four minutes of footage and I am pretty sure my interviews were edited out.

7. My week in Cheam
There is nothing like a week in suburban London editing the beloved Art Race. I went along for the week to help out, which basically means I made sure everyone was well fed. Let’s just say a Sainsbury’s worker and I developed quite a lovely friendship by the end of the week. It was pretty exciting to meet Ben and Kenny, the artists from Art Race, as I had been transcribing their every word and action for many weeks.

6. Filming at the V&A
Last week I was able to go the V&A to watch Linda and Ian film some priceless artefacts. They were filming a mechanical globe made for Rudolph II and a bronze relief bust of Rudolph. I felt pretty special when I was given my own security tag. Too bad it is probably the most horrendous photo I have ever taken. It was really fun being in the back room of the V&A filming such rare and expensive items. I almost wanted to just pick one up, but of course this would have been entirely inappropriate and I probably would have been kicked out of the museum and asked to hand back my special security badge.

5. Julian Opie opening
I was able to attend the preview of Julian Opie’s newest exhibit at the Lisson Gallery in Marylebone with two of my favourite colleagues, Cat and Ed. It was pretty exciting, as we were able to spot Julian Opie in the crowd, my first and only “celebrity” sighting while I have been in London. The problem was we only saw half of the exhibit. For some reason we did not know that there were two separate locations housing the exhibit. Either way, it was an interesting show and there was free wine.

4. Andy Warhol exhibition
Ed and I travelled to the Southbank Centre to see the Andy Warhol exhibition, Other Voices, Other Rooms. It was such an enjoyable exhibit. I was particularly impressed with how you could watch all of Andy Warhol’s forty-two television programmes. I think I spent most of my time in front of the television, but at least I wasn’t watching X-Factor, unfortunately my new British obsession.

3. Going to Cambridge and Brighton
Although this wasn’t technically an “Illuminations” experience I am going to consider it one anyway. I was able to travel to Cambridge with Ed to his family home, as well as to Brighton to Cat’s family home. It was so nice having home-cooked meals and comfortable beds to sleep in. I wanted to travel to both these places and it made it so much easier having the lovely Cat and Ed show me around their hometowns.

2. My trip with John and Ian to Roche Court
This is probably one of the best experiences of my entire time in London. The New Art Centre at Roche Court is amazing. Not only was I fortunate enough to see the Clare Woods exhibit, but I was able to see other works by Barbara Hepworth, Antony Gormley, and Anthony Caro, just to name a few. I would never have known about it on my own and getting to spend the day there was something else. If you do get a chance to visit, please go into the room with all of the rain boots. There are literally hundreds of pairs, in every size. It also did not hurt that they served wine with lunch. I have tried several times to get this going at Illuminations but it has yet to occur.

1. John, Linda, Seb, Louise, Yoni, Matt, Cat and Ed
What can I say about the lovely people who have made my experience at Illuminations so wonderful? I am not sure what I am going to miss most. I have enjoyed all of the teasing, chatting, and certainly the going out for drinks after work. I am seriously very sad to leave the Illuminations family and I want to thank each of you for making my time in London so enjoyable.

Well there you have it. This American in London’s top ten experiences at Illuminations. I will miss London, but alas I am headed back home to Joshua Tree, California. Perhaps I will start my own blog now and keep everyone up to date with my daily life in the bustling metropolis that is Joshua Tree. Don’t worry… I am just kidding.