> ART CATCH UP

 London Town
22 December 2019

We take a day trip to London and explore the major art shows at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. Before heading home, we chill in a couple of our fave old City haunts... Cheers!

First up: Tate Britain... Anne Hardy wins the prize for best winter decorations with her post-apocalyptic commission. She has transformed the front of the London Gallery with ice, mud, tangled lights and torn banners. The result is truly unique and even includes a 21-minute quadraphonic soundscape... Then, we enjoy...

William Blake - A painter, print maker and poet who created some of the most iconic images in British art. With over 300 original works, including watercolours, paintings and prints, this is the largest show of Blake’s work for almost 20 years. It rediscovers him as a visual artist for the 21st century. Radical and rebellious, he is an inspiration to visual artists, musicians, poets and performers worldwide. A beautifully staged show, very enjoyable!

Nebuchadnezzar William Blake 1795

A destroying Deity William Blake 1820

Mark Leckey: O' Magic power of Bleaknesss - An ambitious new large-scale exhibition by the Turner Prize winning artist. Leckey transforms Tate Britain’s galleries with a life-size replica of a motorway bridge on the M53 on the Wirral, Merseyside, where he grew up. The bridge – a recurring motif in his work – is the setting for a new audio play. Focusing on a group of teenagers, the play is inspired by folklore and stories of changelings and ‘fairy raids’ and by the artist’s own pre-adolescent experiences. Composed of new and existing work, this exhibition is an atmospheric, theatrical experience of spectral visions, sound and video. BRILLIANT...

Installation view Mark Leckey 2019

Dave and 'The Depth of Darkness, the Return of the Light' Anne Hardy 2019

After a spot of lunch, we hit Tate Modern. It's hard to believe that this Gallery has been central to London's art landscape for 20 years...  it surely has to be one of the best Contemporary Art Galleries in the world!

Kara Walker: Hyundai Commission - Fons Americanus is a 13-metre tall working fountain inspired by the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, London. Rather than a celebration of the British Empire, this fountain explores the interconnected histories of Africa, America and Europe. Kara uses water as a key theme, referring to the transatlantic slave trade and the ambitions, fates and tragedies of people from these three continents. Fantasy, fact and fiction meet at an epic scale. Based in New York, Kara Walker is acclaimed for her candid explorations of race, sexuality and violence.

Alex and 'Fons Americanus' Kara Walker 2019

Dora Maar - This exhibition explores the breadth of Maar's long career in the context of work by her contemporaries and is the most comprehensive retrospective ever held. During the 1930s, the artists provocative photomontages became celebrated icons of surrealism. Her eye for the unusual also translated to her commercial photography, including fashion and advertising, as well as to her social documentary projects. Her relationship with Pablo Picasso had a profound effect on both their careers. She documented the creation of his most political work, Guernica 1937. He painted her many times, including Weeping Woman 1937. Together they made a series of portraits combining experimental photographic and printmaking techniques. In middle and later life Maar withdrew from photography. She concentrated on painting and found stimulation and solace in poetry, religion, and philosophy, returning to her darkroom only in her seventies. Fab show, great to discover the work of this incredible Lady!

 Hand-shell Dora Maar 1934

Untitled Dora Maar 1933

Nam June Paik - This major exhibition is a mesmerising riot of sights and sounds. It brings together over 200 works from throughout Paik's five-decade career – from robots made from old TV screens, to his innovative video works and all-encompassing room-sized installations such as the dazzling Sistine Chapel 1993. Experimental, innovative and always playful, this artist's work has had a profound influence on today’s art and culture. He pioneered the use of TV and video in art and coined the phrase ‘electronic superhighway’ to predict the future of communication in the internet age. Amazing show, great fun and very memorable - top marks!

Uncle and Aunt Nam June Paik 1986

Sistine Chapel Nam June Paik 1993

Dave enjoys the installation 

10 out of 10

> HAROON MIRZA: WAVES AND FORMS

 John Hansard Gallery, Southampton
19 December 2019

Haroon Mirza: Waves and Forms - This exhibition highlights the artist’s ongoing exploration of waveforms: how they are perceived, the emotional and physical responses they create and the various ways in which we relate to them.

I really enjoy popping into this contemporary art space in Southampton, there's always something new to explore. The long awaited move in May 2018, from the Gallery’s historic home at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus to the new purpose-built Studio 144 in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter, triples the space available for public programming, community-focused projects and active learning opportunities. The arts venue comprises around 75,000 square feet of stunning gallery, performing arts and film/media studio space across two iconic buildings, as part of a mixed-use development. This city-centre Gallery has dramatically increased the opportunities for the public to experience and be inspired by great art, as well as for creative collaboration with its new cultural neighbours in Studio 144 – City Eye and Nuffield Southampton Theatres.

Beautifully staged across two floors, Haroon Mirza’s artworks are united by an enduring preoccupation and engagement with diverse disciplines including physics, shamanism, artificial intelligence and astrology. He has won international acclaim for installations that test the interplay and friction between sound waves, light waves and electric current. As an advocate of interference, Mirza creates situations that purposefully cross wires. He devises sculptures, performances and immersive installations that skilfully blend ancient and contemporary technologies, offering up composite installations that mix an electric range of materials.

Haroon Mirza - Solar Symphony Solar Credit Thierry Bal

Haroon Mirza - Dreamachine 2.0 Credit Thierry Bal

Haroon Mirza - Pavilion for Optimisation Credit Thierry Bal

The John Hansard Gallery

Mirza describes himself as a composer, working with physical phenomena and found and created instruments, to create complex works that embrace both the everyday and the sublime. Through his work, processes are left exposed and sounds occupy space in an unruly way, testing codes of conduct and charging the atmosphere. Fantastic stuff!

10 out of 10

> A STORY OF INDIA

Southern India
18 Oct - 1 Nov 2019

One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and a myriad of attractions, this country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. We pack our bags, open our minds and head off - for a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to know the real Story of India!

We enjoyed a truly unforgettable holiday with Carl and Annette. Spectacular scenery, incredible food, amazing experiences and beautiful people. What more could you wish for?

Full itinerary to follow soon.

10 out of 10

> A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS

Soho Theatre, London
23 March 2019

The Soho Theatre - A Night at the Musicals is a tortured love letter to the glorious genre of musical theatre. High glamah, intense silliness, divine costumes and raggedy choreography are guaranteed in a night you’ll never remember!

Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo - Dubbed the ‘Ebony and Ivory of drag’ by the Australian press. Olivier winning star of La Clique & La Soirée, these two return home to London to finish their award winning sold out world tour. Hilarious hi jinks and shady shenanigans abound as they ‘Les Misérmassacre’ all the musicals you know and love. Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo dragged us through the back catalogue of fabulous musicals for a raucous night of ballsy ballads, delightful duets and slaughtered show tunes. From Gypsy to Grease, Annie to Lion King – no show was safe.

Brilliant fun and lovely to be back in the centre of Soho...

9 out of 10

> SWEET FEAST

Whitechapel Gallery, London
30 Dec 2018

The Whitechapel Gallery - has a long track record for education and outreach projects, focused on local people. It exhibits the work of contemporary artists, as well as organising retrospective exhibitions and shows that are of interest to the local community... always a treat to visit this fab London Gallery.

We really enjoyed this commission: Five hundred children visited Whitechapel Gallery on 28 January 1973 to learn about sweets as a popular art. An enticing display of confectionary including Belgian chocolate coins, French lollipops shaped as the Eiffel Tower, gummy mice from Germany, coffee-flavoured Hopjes from Holland, Italian marzipan fruits, salty licorice from Denmark, Irish mints and toffee from Yorkshire – was part of the ‘Fanfare for Europe’ celebrations, marking Britain’s entry into the European Common Market. Billed as a ‘Sweet Feast’, visitors were invited to sample candies that had been donated by some of the manufacturers. The exhibition came to an unexpected end when the children overwhelmed the guard and devoured all the displays.

So, a new film by Ulla von Brandenburg commissioned by Whitechapel Gallery with Le Prix Marcel Duchamp, following her nomination in 2016 for this prestigious annual award, recreates the event. Renowned for a body of work drawing on theatre and performance to explore complex social issues, von Brandenburg has also designed a colourful seating structure resembling a landscape, transforming spectator into participant.

Filmed with children from the Arnhem Wharf Primary School, von Brandenburg explores the dynamics between the individual and the group; and the hopes of young people at a time when Brexit may limit opportunities for future generations.

We also enjoyed this great show: Mikhail Karikis: No ordinary protest. Can sound mobilise socio-political and physical change? Working across film, sound and performance, Greek-British artist Mikhail Karikis adopts the children’s science fiction novel ‘The Iron Woman’ (1993) by British writer Ted Hughes (1930–98) as an ecofeminist parable in which communal listening and noise-making become tools to transform the world. Visually stunning and very enjoyable!

On Monday the 31st, we visited the 'Sky Garden'. It's London's highest garden and offers guests fantastic views out over the City. Well worth a visit... and your experience is free!

10 out of 10

> VENTNOR FRINGE

Ventnor, The IoW
11 August 2018

Ventnor Fringe - THE boutique culture-fest is now even bigger, even brighter and even more diverse! Can it possibly get any better? It's the perfect antidote to the stodge of Cowes week... friendly people, hidden venues and literally hundreds of things to enjoy! Ventor is THE place to be on the Island!

REPORT TO BE POSTED SOON!

10 out of 10

> VENICE ART ESCAPE!

Venice, Italy
3 - 6 November 2017

La Biennale di Venezia - The 57th International Art Exhibition, Viva Arte Viva... THE art event of 2017! We go see what all the fuss is about.

This years Exhibition includes 120 artists in the main section 'Viva Arte Viva', and 86 National Participants in the historic Pavilions at the Giardini, at the Arsenale and in the city centre of Venice.

Vive Arte Viva offers a route that unfolds over the course of nine chapters or families of artists, beginning with two introductory realms in the Central Pavilion in the Giardini, followed by seven more realms to be found in the Arsenale and the Giardino delle Vergini. There are 120 invited artists from 51 countries; 103 of these are participating for the first time.

“La Biennale must present itself as a place whose method—and almost raison d’être—is dedicated to an open dialogue between artists, and between artists and the public.”

“This year, direct encounters with the artists have assumed a strategic role, to the point of becoming one of the pillars of La Biennale, whose program is of unprecedented size and commitment. Our curator’s main Exhibition is surrounded by the 86 pavilions of participating countries, each with its own curator, which will once more bring to life the pluralism of voices which is a hallmark of La Biennale di Venezia.” Paolo Baratta

Our adventure started on the morning of Friday the 3rd... we drove to Stansted Airport with Carl and Annette to catch our midday flight. 1 hour and 45mins later we arrive at Treviso. A 1 hour bus trip to piazza Roma and we are ready to board a water taxi to Celestia, the closest stop to our Airbnb rental on the north of the Island. Linda and Fabio, our hosts, walked with us to our wonderful apartment - home for the next 3 nights. The house across two levels is fab, very comfortable and it also boasts a garden! We unpack quick to maximise exploring time. Soon, we are enjoying the narrow back streets and quiet canals. Heading west, we soon find a small bar where snacks and a few drinks are enjoyed. We continue west and soon arrive at Piazza San Marco. The moonlight lifts the damp cobbles, this City is always beautiful. Time to sleep, we have a huge amount of art to enjoy over the next two days!

Installation view - The Arsenale 

Neon wonder - Cody Choi for the Korea Pavilion 

Horse Problem by Claudia Fontes for the Argentinian Pavilion 

Saturday the 4th - Up early, it's a pleasant enough day. We enjoy a hearty breakfast after a trip to the local supermarket to purchase a few essentials. After breakfast we explore a bit more of central Venice before purchasing some fish from the market that is close to Rialto - that's tea for the next two nights sorted. In the afternoon we purchase our two event ticket and start with the Giardino delle Vergini. The art is epic, imaginative and spectacular as always. We spend a good 4 hours exploring, dipping in and out of the various pavilion's. It's thirsty work, we make the most of the on-site cafe and rest, conversation is sparked by the pieces we have seen - some good, some bad - but all worthy of discussion. In the eve we enjoy a drink out and return to our apartment to cook up a feast. The end to a perfect day!

Sunday the 5th - Breakfast is very welcome after the late night before - perhaps we over did the limoncello?! Today is all about the Arsenale. This undercover maze of re-loved buildings is wonderful to explore - the rough, industrial feel of the spaces balances perfectly with the art on show. 4 to 5 hours vanish quickly as we experience the massive amount of creativity on show. We round off the afternoon with a quick drink and make our way back to the apartment to cook up another feast.

 Faust by Anne Imhof for the German pavilion

Folly by Phyllida Barlow for the British Pavilion

Imitazione di Cristo by Roberto Cuoghi for the Italian Pavilion

Stand quiet and look out over the Mediterranean sea by Erwin Wrum 

The most beautiful Book shop in the world - Venice 

Lorenzo Quinn - Support 

Damian Hirst - Treasures from the wreck of the Unbelievable 

 

Monday the 6th - Our last day in Venice. We take a leisurely breakfast before a quick tidy up in preparation or our hosts. We take one more walk around the atmospheric back streets and waterways of this unique City, we stumble upon 'The most beautiful book shop in the world', a book lovers dream... It's been a fabulous few days, cant wait for 2019! 

The one that got away:
Damian Hirst's colossal exhibition - Treasures from the wreck of the unbelievable - spread across 54,000 sq ft of gallery space at not one but two museums; Palazzo Grassi on the Grand Canal, and the city’s old customs house at the Punta della Dogana. This show is based around the premise that the works on display are ancient artifacts that were “discovered” in 2008 in a shipwreck off the coast of East Africa. According to the exhibition’s introductory film, the ship and its priceless cargo were originally owned by a wealthy collector named Cif Amotan II, who lived around 2000 years ago.  While transporting the treasures as an offering to a faraway sun-temple, the ship foundered and sunk, leaving the collection submerged at the bottom of the Indian Ocean for two millennia – before being salvaged at Hirst’s personal expense and brought together for this historic show.

10 out of 10

> PAUL NASH

Tate Britain, London
21st December 2016

Paul Nash - A captivating show that uncovers the surreal and mystical side of English landscapes through the work of one of the most distinctive British painters

Time for a little culture of a different kind. We head to Tate Britain for a fix of all things artistic. Paul Nash was fascinated with Britain’s ancient past and spent time in southern England exploring the Downs and coastal areas. Equally inspired by the equinox and the phases of the moon, he used all these influences in his work, interpreting his environment according to a unique, personal mythology, evolving throughout his career.

Totes Meer (Dead Sea) 1940-1

Blue House on the Shore, 1930-1

The Menin Road 1919

This brilliant show featured a lifetime’s work. From his earliest drawings through to his iconic Second World War paintings, the exhibition reveals Nash’s importance to British modern art in the most significant show of his work for a generation.

 Rachel Maclean. Wat U :-) about?

We also took a peek at the 2016 Turner Prize entries and enjoyed the hyper-colour world of Rachel Maclean in her Art Now installation.

9 out of 10.