For his latest solo show, the Danish artist pits monkey opposite man at the V1 Gallery in Copenhagen

Sometimes a creative idea or concept is so fascinating, so full of creative potential, it is worth revisiting and exploring some more. This is exactly the thinking behind Danish artist Troels Carlsen's latest exhibition, Sipping from the Mirrors, at the V1 Gallery in Copenhagen. The collection of lithographs form a collection that has never been seen outside Basel before and highlights the skilful, unique detailing and distinctive style the artist has perfected throughout his acclaimed career. For Carlsen the exhibition is a chance to explore ideas of humanity, nature and duality, incorporating his early creative ... article continues »
       
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Our writers are picking their favourite albums. Here, Jon Dennis salutes the sprawling variety of the Beatles' double album

I first heard the White Album on Christmas Day 1978. I was shocked. I immediately phoned my best friend Louis and demanded he abandon his family and come over to listen to it right away. "No Elvis, Beatles and the Rolling Stones in 1977," the Clash had declared on the B-side of White Riot. But in the late 70s, just as contemporary pop music was moving out from the shadow of the 60s and getting interesting again, we'd been discovering the Beatles. We'd devoured their red and blue double-album compilations, as well as Sgt Pepper and Abbey Road. But nothing had really prepared us for the White Album.

The White Album is year zero. For a start, there's the blank sleeve, designed by the late Richard Hamilton. It gave nothing away, in stark contrast to the multiple clues offered by Peter Blake's detailed collage for Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released the previous year. If Sgt Pepper was British psychedelia's high-water mark, The Beatles (the White Album's actual title, and itself a blank) signalled turmoil. Revolution was in the air in 1968, with widespread unrest and the disintegration of established social orders. And the Beatles' own disintegration was becoming evident for the first time on the White Album. Recording sessions were often fraught, each member working separately...

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A new survey shows one fifth of parents have taken an under-five to a festival. Is this a good idea? And if so, how do you make them sit through the Low Anthem? Try these tips ...

It was early Saturday afternoon at Larmer Tree Gardens, home of End of the Road festival. The Broken Family Band had taken to the stage and, as their opening chords rang out, my son â€' then five years old â€' flung himself to the ground at my feet. He clutched his hands to his ears and screamed: "No! No! No!"

It's not the kind of experience that leaves any remotely diligent parent thinking they've made the right choice about the weekend's family entertainment. Nevertheless, according to a survey of 1,500 parents conducted for the baby and parenting website gurgle.com, a fifth of mums and dads have taken an under-five to a music festival in the past year.

In the event, we had a decent time at End of the Road. My daughter â€' then nine â€' made a fortune collecting plastic glasses and claiming back the deposits. My son enjoyed the circus skills workshops and messing around in the woods. It was certainly a much happier experience than Latitude in 2007, when I had to threaten a drunk teen who was trying to push me and my son â€' three at that point â€' out...

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We announce the winner of the monkey mash-up competition where creatives were invited to makeover their mascot

In May 2011, the iconic Belgian label Kipling launched their ‘Monkey Mash-Up’ project, inviting people to get creative and customise the brand's monkey mascot. To kick off the project, Kipling teamed up with Dazed & Confused, challenging three talented Londoners to give their monkey a design makeover including Susie Bubble of Stylebubble, Alex Brownsell of eccentric colour salon Bleach and comic book artist/illustrator Jessica Penfold. ... article continues »
          
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Yesterday saw more debuts from the Manchester international festival, including Punchdrunk's Doctor Who show and an opera by Damon Albarn

The Manchester international festival is hitting its stride now, with a tranche of new work unveiled yesterday. Punchdrunk's kids-only show The Crash of the Elysium, a collaboration with the makers of Doctor Who, opened its doors in the afternoon. Mark Brown went along and loved it, saying "there are scares but there are good scares." You can read his report here.

Then at the Palace Theatre, Damon Albarn's opera Dr Dee debuted to an audience including Alex James, Paul Simonon (bassists of Blur and The Good, The Bad and the Queen respectively), New Order's Bernard Sumner and Blur drummer Dave Rowntree. The beginning saw a raven fly from the balcony onto the stage - very impressive. Albarn was onstage throughout, singing the opening and closing songs, but more often hovering over the action on a platform high above the stage. Albert Hickling greatly enjoyed the piece, giving it a four-star review. We also posted a video yesterday in which Albarn talks us through the concept.

Incidentally, Damon Albarn was at breakfast at the Guardian's hotel this morning grinning from ear to ear and surrounded by adoring women of various ages. Lucky him, eh?

In other news, Dave Simpson went to see Sinead O'Connor at the Pavilion theatre, in the course of which she apparently had some choice words to say about

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The renowned accessories brand launch their new 'Monkey Mash-Up' competition to customise their cult monkey friend

Iconic accessories and luggage brand Kipling launch their ‘Monkey Mash-Up’ project, inviting one and all to indulge in their own creativity and customise their notorious monkey mascot. To kick off the project, Kipling had teamed up with Dazed & Confused, challenging three talented Londoners to try their hands at giving the cheeky monkey a design makeover. Susie Bubble of Stylebubble, Alex Brownsell of eccentric colour salon Bleach and comic book artist/illustrator Jessi... article continues »
         
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Photos by Kirstie Shanley

It's been four years since the premiere of Damon Albarn's maiden voyage into opera, the Jamie Hewlett co-created Monkey: Journey to the West. Now, the BBC reports Albarn's got another stage show on the way, and it's set to premiere this summer as part of the Manchester International Festival (which, as reported earlier, is the same fest that Bjoerk will be debuting new songs from her forthcoming LP Biophilia).

Duffy hates Kid Rock, The Kooks move on â€' your music gossip stop

Now that we've returned from Neverland and Narnia, we'd like you to suggest songs with surprise cameos

Greetings, humans. I come from the far-flung land of Itaintalfchillyinere with a vital message for your queen Thatcher. The only problem is, I appear to have dropped the message while riding bareback on my griffin. I know it was something about celebrating miners. But I can't remember the rest.

I can't imagine I'm the only one to have been momentarily discombobulated by fantasy week and all its attendant fancies. Cigarette trees, hobbits, dragons and pointyheads, we had the lot. But which songs made the final cut?

Your A-list (with column addressing its contents): Ramble On â€' Led Zeppelin; Stargazer â€' Rainbow; Hermod's Ride to Hell â€' Amon Amarth; Little Demon â€' Screaming Jay Hawkins; She Was Born to be My Unicorn â€' Tyrannosaurus Rex; Fire Coming Out of a Monkey's Head â€' Gorillaz; Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (part 1) â€' The Flaming Lips; Wondaland â€' Janelle Monae; Flying Teapot â€' Gong; Big Rock Candy Mountain â€' Harry McClintock.

Now I do believe there are six RR debutants on that there list. Or seven if you count Tyrannosaurus as different from T Rex. Diversity is always a sign of a good week, I think.

The B list:

King Crimson â€' In the Court of the Crimson King

This ticks a lot of the boxes; ethereal music, the feel of a tale told around a campfire, an occasional...

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