For his first exhibition at East London's Matt's Gallery, Ben Rivers presents Slow Action, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi extravaganza that brings together a series of four 16mm film works that function as a cross between documentary, ethnography and fiction.

One of the most popular film artists working in the UK today, Rivers' films attract audiences, for one reason, because they are interesting and well-made films that finely tread the line between artists' cinema, art cinema and artistic cinema.

Slow Action explores curious geographical environments, in this instance the idea of island biogeography, and how species and eco-systems evolve when very isolated terms.  Filmed across Lanzarote, the island of Gunkanjima (an island off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan, also known as Battleship Island), Tuvalu (one of the smallest countries in the world) and the soon-to-be discovered island of Somerset, this is a gently moving series of portraits which keeps the Rivers' exploratory practice well alive.

Slow Action by Ben Rivers is at Matt's Gallery from 26 January - 20 March 2011.

Richard Nicholson began taking photographs of professional darkrooms in and around London in the summer of 2007.  Suffering from an embarrassment of riches at that time, there were 204 in permanent operation.  By the end of his project three years later only eight remained.  Unwittingly, Nicholson put in process the archival record of a series of spaces, which are in the twenty-first century proving to be defunct.

If you're interested in art, there is one text - and only one text - that you truly need to read (and don't just take my opinion on it, it's a generally-accepted truth).  The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction by Walter Benjamin (available online here) explains the value of art in a society where progression and evolution is based on technical development.

Showing in Analog, currently on exhibition at Riflemaker, alongside Nicholson are Lewis Durham, of the band Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, and Zigelbaum + Coelho.  Together, their installations, photography and sculpture have captured an essence, though familiar to us all, that will have disappeared sooner than you think.

Analog is on show at Riflemaker until 05 March, 2011

As Colin Firth's amazing performance for the Kings speech is still fresh in our minds, it was announced yesterday that the movie is course to be one of the most decorated titles of the year. With an incredible 14 Bafta nominations including best film, outstanding British film, best director and best actor for Colin Firth which we're sure will look great on his mantle piece next to his golden globe.

Other films joining the short list for Bafta's best films are; True grit with last year winner Jeff Bridges again being nominated for best leading actor; The social Network with 6 nominations, 127 hours with 8 nominations also including a best leading actor nomination for the lovely James Franco, Inception and Another year, Made in Dagenham and Four Lions for the outstanding British Films category.

Following hot on the heels of the Kings speech for the most nominations, is of course Black Swan, getting 12 nominations including a best leading actress nomination for Natalie Portman. In the same category, The Kids Are All Right co-stars Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are both nominated for best actress.

The ceremony will take place at the Royal opera house on February 13th and will be presented by Jonathan Ross.