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.

Review: Speed the Plow (PLAY)

Last Friday night (which we all know are famous last words) I went to go and see Speed the Plow which is currently showing in London on the West End. And I won't lie. I primarily went for one reason, and one reason only: Lohan. I wanted to see Miss Lindsay Lohan in the flesh as well as see her acting, and I am partial to a play or two so I thought, why not?

As everyone entered their seats, it didn't quite have the same atmosphere as seeing other plays. There seemed to be a buzz in the air and let's face it, everyone was probably there for the same reason I was.

I have quite an opinion on this performance as well as the play itself, as well as Lohan.

Firstly, I don't think she was as bad as everyone has been saying. I think she did well for the material she was given.

The script in my opinion is not good.

It comes across as messy, repetitive and boring. It tries to promote some sort of morals, it really tries, but it definitely does not succeed. The script seems to paint women as creatures who only seem to use their promiscuity to get what they want for no apparent reason.

You weren't sure whether or not the script was messy or their delivery was messy. (I'm leaning more towards that's how it was written.) The first 40 minutes of the play seemed unnecessary. They unnecessarily repeated unnecessary words unnecessarily. Other elements to the script didn't work either. The humour written into the script didn't come across, the banter came across as crude and humourless. Some of the lines came across as funny but mainly because we know of Lohan's past.

She did well with the material she was given. And despite having apparently forgotten her lines in previous performances, it was one of her male leads that forgot his words this time.

This play relies heavily on its leads and for me they didn't have enough sparkle needed. To be fair, they did the best they could with the material they've been given. One of the male leads did a really good job of making me hate him. So he was doing his job well as his character was insufferable. He had a terrible potty mouth. Which just annoyed me because there should be a reason why. And I just don't feel like they were trying to make any sort of point with it.

And fair play to Lindsay Lohan. The play started on time. She delivered her lines with some conviction. I just hope this is a continuing incline of improvement for someone who was a brilliant actress of my childhood.

Overall, it's not something I would recommend seeing. Not unless you just wanted to see Lohan in the flesh, and even then just go for the cheap seats.

We're Seeing Stars

There's stars in their eyes!

Or my eyes as it were.

One of the best places to learn about the stars is Greenwich. If you are in London, you must pay a visit to the Royal Observatory. The website can be a little confusing, in terms of what is free and what you have to pay for. (Unfortunately one of the thing that you have to pay for is the Meridian Courtyard where you can stand on the Greenwich Meridian Line (the centre of world time.) Which I think is awful. But anyway, I won't get into that.)

But a little gem that is completely free is the Astronomy Centre. There you can busy yourself with educational interactive games, as well as touching the oldest thing you'll ever touch: a 4.5 billion year old meteorite. Which is really cool!

But the main reason that we are here, is for the cracker that is the Planetarium.

I think everyone should go.

For a concession ticket (in my case a student) the price was £5.50. And I thought it was worth every penny.

The ticket price includes a 30 minute show in the Planetarium and dependent on the show you pick (I went for the one called 'The Sky Tonight') could include a live commentary by an astronomer. It is a fantastic way to get lost in the stars for part of your day. I really would recommend it.

Review: Antony and Cleopatra - The Globe (PLAY)

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Now yes, this is the wrong play, but it does nicely allude to what literary genius we are referring to!

Shakespeare.

The other day, me and my sister when to see Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe Theatre in London. I love Shakespeare, and love the theatre, so was excited to see another of his plays come to life (there's only so much you can do by readying aloud by yourself.) Despite this, I knew nothing of his play starring two of history's notorious lovers but was definitely willing to give it a go.

Especially considering that the ticket was only £5.

May I repeat.

Five. Pounds.

Throughout the summer, the Globe puts on Shakespearean plays, offering groundling tickets (a.k.a standing) for £5. This is an absolute bargain. And you must be thinking, there's a catch? Right? And yes, I suppose there are. But is it worth it? Definitely.

Here are a few pros and cons about these tickets:

• Pro: The price is fantastic.
• Con: You have to stand for the duration of the play.
• Pro: You can rest during the interval and sit on the ground.
• Con: You have to queue a little so that you can get as close to the stage as possible.
• Pro: You have one of the BEST views in the house.
• Con: If it rains, (as the theatre is open-air) you are left standing there in the wet. (Only macs are allowed for protection - no umbrellas.)
• Pro: You have some cheeky little secret eye contact with the actors.

Now briefly onto the play itself. As all good Shakespearean plays, this tragedy ends in a way you would expect, following the story of Roman General (Antony) turned to a fool through his love for Cleopatra. There is a balance of love and violence peppered with a clash of the East and the West. The production itself was very dynamic, and they really engaged with the whole audience by using the whole of the stage. I did enjoy watching this play, but it doesn't make it onto my list of favourites. But what I think really helped me enjoy my experience was the design of the theatre itself.

Being an open air theatre, there is a strong feeling of freedom that surrounds the production of the play. There is a feeling of anything-could-happen and a sense of improvisation if needed (even though no-one would change Shakespeare.) Because you aren't enclosed within a roofed building, you are opened to the elements. Which, of course, could be distracting - but luckily for me provided the perfect real-life pathetic fallacy. As Antony's power diminished, the sun went away and the clouds came out, offering a smattering of rain. (There was also the odd pigeon at the most dramatic points, just to add tension. If anything having no roof, somehow made the environment feel more true to life.)

At one point, Cleopatra even began talking to an airplane overhead, as it just happened that her line made sense to do so. (You had to be there.)

So in essence, in a really rambling way of saying so - if you're ever around in London at this time of year, grab yourself one of those £5 tickets and stick it out just like them peasants used to. (It really is worth it.)

And one last thing worth mentioning - slightly similar to the Art Everywhere Project previously mentioned, there is a bench hunt called Books about Town going on in London, where 50 book bench sculptures have been plotted around the city. Each bench depicts a different story. This one was outside the Globe, and of course featured the one and only, Mr W. Shakespeare. (These benches are only around until 15th September 2014 - so keep an eye out!)

#arteverywhere

Art is indeed everywhere. Just a quick little post about this art project that is happening around the country! This is something I just stumbled upon - which I think is great, which means that you don't have to know about it to actually notice it.

Art Everywhere is presenting a summer of art. From 21st July to 31st August 2014 many different art works have been chosen as part of this nationwide exhibition. Poster sites and billboards have been infiltrated with fine art instead of the usual adverts for things we don't really need.

Above is one I snapped on the tube - one of my favourites that I've seen (an art work by Ms Gillian Wearing.)

I've noticed this slowly ends up becoming an art treasure hunt.

So if you're in the UK, you should see how many you can spot!