Tower of London: Poppies

This is just a little note about the current installation at the Tower of London. It's something I have been curious to see since it started in August, and almost being 11th November (the last day of this installation) I thought it was time I paid it a visit.

(Just a little F.Y.I incase you didn't know, this has been made to commemorate the First World War centennial, created by the ceramic artist Paul Cummins.)

It really is quite breath taking as you slowly approach the Tower. From afar there is just a sea of red, and as you slowly get closer each individual flower reveals itself.

It's quite a weird one actually. It creates a strange feeling for me. On a purely aesthetic level, sculpturally it is beautiful. They've done a brilliant job of integrating this historical site with these poppies that spill from the windows onto the grounds creating this rippling red sea.

But then you start to think about what each poppy represents, and why it is there. (It makes me feel slightly uncomfortable to be honest.) But nevertheless I think it is a very fitting memorial to remember a piece of history we should never forget.

Review: Pangaea: New Art From Africa and Latin America (EXHIBITION)

Boring information first up (so we can just get it out of the way, that way we can get to the juicier stuff quicker):

1. Current exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London. 
2. One of the last chances to see as it ends soon - 2nd November. 
3. It's FREE.
4. It's literally the ant's pants. (Which I think is a phrase that should replace the bee's knees.)

Let me slightly expand on that very subtle introduction of ants that I just mentioned. Rafael Gomezbarros is the creator of Casa Tomada. One of the most stunning sculptural installations I have seen. As you enter the Saatchi Gallery turn left. This is the room you must go in first. And this is the room where Casa Tomada lives. (Possibly not the best place for anyone who has any sort of slight fear of creepy-crawlies (especially those of the ant type) as they are invading the first room that is part of this exhibition.)

Please stare at the picture above in horror/intrigue and you'll understand what I mean.

If you can bear to get closer and inspect the ants individually, you'll notice that their bodies are made up of the casts of human skulls. Now there is so much that you could read into this (especially if you find out about the artist and his history), but I'm going to let you make your own minds up.

Whilst in my opinion the other works in this exhibition aren't as impressive, they are most definitely worth seeing. The rest of the display contains much more 2D work: large, vibrant, colourful paintings that clash with their subject matter, photographs exploring traditional African masks and more muted large scale paintings that are balanced on numerous objects such as keyboards.

It's nice to see an exhibition that's sole purpose is to promote non-European art. And it does feel a little different from what we are usually confronted with when we enter a gallery.

So if you're intrigued by the ants alone, and happen to be in London before this exhibition closes, definitely go and see this! (And did I say it's free!!)

BBC Audiences: Hannah Gadsby

Just a quick little post on this gem of a find. I did know that you could apply to be in audiences of recordings, but for some reason this actually never really clicked in my brain as being an actual possibility. 

Until my brilliant mother set me on the trails of Hannah Gadsby. She's a comedienne from Australia (who is rather amusing.) Yet how does she relate to the world of art Hannaa? Well, funny you should ask. At her time at university (the other) Hannah (as we shall refer to her) studied Art History. And she has developed two special shows where she combines her art historian knowledge with her funny bone. Hence the title of the two shows: Hannah Gadsby Speaks from her Art.

(A little F.Y.I for you: the show is going to be broadcast on 7th January 2015 on BBC Radio 4 - unfortunately they didn't give us the time, but if you keep an eye out you should be able to spot it.)

The Broadcasting House is in London (nearest tube Oxford Circus) and it's where they film the 6 o'clock news! As you're waiting to be taken to the room for the recording, you're in a room that over looks all the blurred desks that you see in the background which is pretty cool. (If you look at a certain angle through one of the windows at the back, you can even see the news reporter reporting live! And more importantly, there's a life-size Tardis in this room.)

Went on a little tangent there, but long story short, you can apply for tickets online (just google BBC Audiences or something similar), Hannah Gadsby is rather amusing, and you should check out the broadcast of her show as it talks about two famous pieces of art over the radio. (One being above.) Easy listening. And funny. Perfect.