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The Big Egg Hunt

Posted: 28/02/2012 23:00

My short walk to work from Green Park tube is usually a time to take in the latest designer window display (as an aside, my current favourite are the completely mad, Rococo-inspired Miu Miu shoes) but this morning I was completely distracted by two large decorated eggs that I spotted as I walked the streets of Mayfair. It was a nicely surreal moment and one I imagine that will keep occurring for the next 40 days of Lent. This is because, from Pancake Day, 200 giant and uniquely crafted Easter eggs have been smuggled into a variety of locations for 'The Fabergè Big Egg Hunt'. The charity event will raise funds for Action for Children and Elephant Family and is tipped to smash the Guinness World Records for the most participants in an Easter egg hunt.

The eggs have been strategically placed throughout the capital, each designed by the world's leading artists, architects, designers and jewellers. Each egg therefore represents a unique moment to be discovered. Personally I am looking forward to seeing what the Chapman Brothers have contributed, especially in light of the knowledge that this event has enormous family appeal. I imagine the egg won't be directly borrowing Nazi imagery from their deeply satirical and nihilistic exhibition last summer. The high profile contemporary artists Marc Quinn, Polly Morgan, Rob and Nick Carter and Antony Micallef have all contributed their own egg, which are all destined to become much sought after artworks available to buy at auction after the hunt ends. The Carters have created their mesmorising work using neon, so we should be able to spot it easily enough.

What is particularly appealing about the hunt is the sheer size and scale of the undertaking and the fact that there is a cross pollination between artists and designers from different backgrounds. Fashion designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and couture maker Bruce Oldfield sit alongside the contemporary artists and architects rather brilliantly. Of course Fabergé have contributed an egg, no doubt it will be by far one of the most valuable in the set and probably not one I will stumble upon outdoors.

The cross-capital, trans-culture exhibition is also a competition; the public can download maps and clues regarding the locations of all 200 eggs and participants are in with winning a grand prize. What with the Gagosian Gallery's International Spot Challenge, art and prizes seem to be de rigueur at the moment. I wonder if the Russian socialite Valentine Uhovski feels like running around London after winning his special edition Damien Hirst print by visiting all eleven worldwide shows in just eight days. At least travelling from one side of London to the other presents no jet lag issues, though I doubt even Fabergé can do anything about possible traffic delays.

Sarah Fabergé, great granddaughter Peter Carl Fabergé released a statement: "Eggs have become synonymous with Fabergé and it is almost impossible to think of one without the other! The egg is symbolic to so many nations and cultures representing new life and rebirth. We at Fabergé have recently undergone a rebirth ourselves opening our first boutique in London after an absence of more than 90 years! How could we not become involved in a big egg hunt taking place right on our doorstep in support of these two wonderful charities, Action for Children and Elephant Family whose tireless work involves nurturing young people and the animals that share our planet?"

It is of course a razor sharp marketing exercise for Fabergé, they not only have the run of the city, supplanting a billboard for a amusing oversized egg, but they are also keeping company with a great list of contemporary creative minds, both incredibly established and also, encouragingly, more emerging. Let's hope they are able to raise the huge target they are aiming for - a sum in the region of £2million to be split between the two charities.

 
My short walk to work from Green Park tube is usually a time to take in the latest designer window display (as an aside, my current favourite are the completely mad, Rococo-inspired Miu Miu shoes) but...
My short walk to work from Green Park tube is usually a time to take in the latest designer window display (as an aside, my current favourite are the completely mad, Rococo-inspired Miu Miu shoes) but...
 
 
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Reality always bites
Sometimes just a bit peckish
05:13 PM on 02/29/2012
"This is because, from Pancake Day",??
The onset of lent is Ash Wednesday- Shrove Tuesday being the correct name for the preceding day.
Still if you are more interested in fashion, eggs and luvvies why would you need an education regarding religious festivals.
Why be so out of touch with the average reader?
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Chiefy17242011
Cyber-Nat, Cyber-Democrat
01:39 PM on 02/29/2012
Loves, Sweeties, Dahlings, Lend me your ears.

Let me start by saying best wishes to Action for Children and Elephant Family and a hope for as much cash as possible out of this “event”.

Which, if you are outside London, (and in particular, outside of that very cozy section of Metropolitan London Life where Contemporary Yartz, and whether or not the design of the egg will “borrow from Satirical and Nihilistic exhibitions” IS important), seems, well, a little irrelevant ? A little self-indulgent ?

There is, unfortunately, so much wrong in the world today, in Britain today, in London today. Here and Now. The Real World.

Could the time and effort in this have been better spent ? It could be argued that if it raises 2 million quid then No, It’s a Brilliant Idea and More Of It.

I don’t know. A smokescreen ? The Liberal Metropolitan Elite patting themselves on the back that their delight about what many of us would consider to be Emperor’s New Clothes can be translated into Charidee Works ? Maybe I’m just not clever enough to understand it all.

Sorry, but this afternoon, this article rankles.
Southern law girl
Researching my viewpoint....
02:00 PM on 02/29/2012
Nice one! Love eggs too, I also like Faberge, wouldn't anyone? In Faberge, Russia had the unique of design, both in the use of shape, material, and of course hard stone, and metals. There is so much that can be done for charity if people only had the motivation, although sadly, often motivation has another agenda. Not being cynical, but that is the truth. However, these charities are very good causes, no doubt about that. Well I never, Huffypuff reporters can afford to live in the wonderful areas of London, gosh they must be a very well paid job, get to college and study English at advanced level folks. Maybe there's a vacancy! I don't mean for me, I'm not available for journalism, very important for our democracy, but far too shallow for me. Todays news is tomorrows fish and chip paper, so my Grandmother used to say. :-) LOL!
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Chiefy17242011
Cyber-Nat, Cyber-Democrat
02:43 PM on 02/29/2012
Thanks Lass, I needed a wee smile ;)
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David Daisy May Boldock
Yorkshire..Gods Own Country
04:59 PM on 02/29/2012
Don't forget the scallops with plenty of salt and vinegar lol