This new show from the most famous couple in art is not as bold, or as immediately beautiful, as some of their previous high-profile exhibitions. If you’re seeking the shock-factor of series such as the ‘Naked Shit Pictures’ you might be disappointed, but dig deep and there’s layer after layer beneath the mass-produced surfaces of ‘The Urethra Postcard Art of Gilbert and George’.

With 564 works piled high on the walls, and each featuring 13 postcards set out in exactly the same pattern, the exhibition is a tad daunting at first glance. From tourist shop views of Trafalgar Square to Union Jacks and the calling cards of gay or transgender sex workers, all the sets are laid out to form an angulated version of the sign of urethra, used by one-time theosophist C. W. Leadbetter (1853–1934) to accompany his signature.

The urethra carries semen out of men’s bodies and urine out of a female’s – production for some, and waste for others. And for me, this show is about the ebb and flow of the big city – the industry and consumption; the new and the redundant; the opportunities for anonymity and rebellious self-expression that exist simultaneously in places like London.

With health awareness messages next to patriotic chest-beating and rose-tinted views of historical landmarks, the show confronts us with hundreds of adverts.  But the deeper connection is in imagining the lives on the other side of the cards – the people that bought them, scrawled messages on the back or tried to forget their wife as they phoned that S&M sex-worker.

Having a quick chat with Gilbert & George at the private view were Tracey Emin; Stephen Fry; Jay Jopling; Bianca Jagger; Courtney Love; Alan Yentob; Pandemonia and Konrad Wyrebek.

You start to imagine possibilities. What’s happened to ‘Transsexual Linda new in town’? Is she still out there, or does she have a new name online or in another city?

Some of the cards had a more personal tug and I began to wonder how I pictured my own future – the times I crossed Oxford Street in the mid-nineties, when a so-garish-it’s-tropical image of blue sky and red Routemaster buses was produced.

Konrad Wyrebek and friend

For big city people with a little time to spare, a visit to White Cube Mayfair could get you closer to the chaos and diversity of a seemingly anonymous and ordered place.  Wish you were there?

Gilbert & George: The Urethra Postcard Art of Gilbert & George runs until 19 Feb 2011 at White Cube, Mason’s Yard.

Matthew Miles is a freelance arts and culture writer, photographer and video producer.  To see more of his work visit: www.matthewmilescreative.blogspot.com

The ELLE Style Awards (newly sponsored by Next) have the reputation of being ‘the fashion Oscars’, but I reckon they’re the rebellious, bad gal cousin of the red carpet snooze-athons.  With not a floor length, chiffon Elie Saab dress in sight, the ELLE Style Awards are a fashion magpie’s dream and there’s always some naughty behaviour and gossip from the night  - last year courtesy of Mickey Rourke, who tried it on with Thandie Newton.

Last year’s awards saw Hollywood misfits Courtney Love and Mickey Rourke pick up Woman of the Year and Best Actor – a formidable and brave choice for ELLE, given their turbulent lives.  On the fashion side, Lara Bohinc, Rupert Sanderson, Peter Pilotto, Erdem and Christopher Kane all scooped prestigious awards, with Style Visionary going to Viktor & Rolf and Stephen Jones being recognised for his Outstanding Achievement.

This year, Naomi Campbell is being honoured with an Outstanding Contribution award for her 25th year in the fashion industry and for her role as Global Ambassador of the White Ribbon Alliance.

So, who is going to bag all of the prizes this year?  Any guesses?  I’m placing my bets on Georgia Jagger for the Model award, Carey Mulligan for Actress, Alexa Chung for Style Icon, Nicholas Kirkwood for Accessories Designer, Hannah Marshall for New Designer and Jonathan Saunders for British Designer.  If I get at least one designer right, I think I should treat myself to one of their pieces to celebrate!

Oh yes, and more ELLE-related news – they have just launched a new horoscopes application for the iPhone.  You can now get free daily astrological updates from ELLEuk.com’s resident astrologers, The Saturn Sisters.

As a horoscope sceptic, I’m hoping that ELLE will follow this with a fashion-based app, for when I finally get round to trading in my knackered old Blackberry for the phone of my dreams.

The ELLE Style Awards will take place on 22 February at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.