Today I am remembering ALL the people who have died, been injured or fought for their beliefs.
Whatever 'side' someone belongs to it is, to them, the right one. They all leave family and friends behind to remember them and their bravery. Members of my family died in the trenches, whilst others helped the injured and fought in World War 2. I have visited war graves in France, Germany and the Far East. I lived near Belson. However, living in Germany showed me the same grief exists there too, for those involved with the war. Families mourn, wreathes are laid and the mental scars are still to be found amongst those involved.
I am particularly remembering my son's schoolfriend, Mark Reynolds (Royal Army Air Corps) who was killed, with his instructor,on his last training flight at the age of 24. He was awarded his wings posthumously.......
If only there were no need for conflict and all could live together in peace -whatever their colour, creed or political inclination...........................................................................................
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Friday, 11 November 2011
Colin Thubron-'To a Mountain in Tibet' lecture
Not being a reader of travel books, I attended this lecture expecting a large number of beautiful pictures combined with amusing anecdotes, with a few thoughtful asides- related to the spiritual side of things referred to in the pre-lecture ads.
Instead Colin, a very well known writer came armed with just one slide ( a map of his route to the holy mountain he visited) and a wealth of knowledge and information about Tibet and the religions of the area he visited for this trip. After the death of the last member of his family he decided to visit the holy mountain in Tibet where the world is supposed to have begun and is also the place where Shiva is supposed to contemplate. His description of it and the nearby holy lake evoked a beautiful vista. Whilst the devout pilgrims attempting to atone their sins and attain Nirvanah by making their way around the mountain by means of prostration was awe inspiring. Air burial, where the dead are cut up and fed to the sacred vultures was not a way I'd choose to go personally but I can see the environmental as well as spiritual appeal of it for some!
The talk was a most interesting, thought provoking and revealing experience that was informed by a wide range of texts. I was very impressed!
I was also left regretting the passing of occasions like this where one person can hold you with his experience and train of thoughts on such a serious subject (ritual, religion and death), without any other aid bar his voice and brain!
Instead Colin, a very well known writer came armed with just one slide ( a map of his route to the holy mountain he visited) and a wealth of knowledge and information about Tibet and the religions of the area he visited for this trip. After the death of the last member of his family he decided to visit the holy mountain in Tibet where the world is supposed to have begun and is also the place where Shiva is supposed to contemplate. His description of it and the nearby holy lake evoked a beautiful vista. Whilst the devout pilgrims attempting to atone their sins and attain Nirvanah by making their way around the mountain by means of prostration was awe inspiring. Air burial, where the dead are cut up and fed to the sacred vultures was not a way I'd choose to go personally but I can see the environmental as well as spiritual appeal of it for some!
The talk was a most interesting, thought provoking and revealing experience that was informed by a wide range of texts. I was very impressed!
I was also left regretting the passing of occasions like this where one person can hold you with his experience and train of thoughts on such a serious subject (ritual, religion and death), without any other aid bar his voice and brain!
Friday, 4 November 2011
Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, exhibition at the Brit...
After having watched the full programme (that this has taken short extracts from) on BBC i player I have become an unexpected convert!!!! Love the whole idea of this curatorial concept and the skill in contemporaneous antique forms-Chinese vases, reliquaries, pilgrims favours,and the viking/Sutton Hoo style burial. Not sure about Alan Measles, or some of the costume choices but really enjoyed the whole programme. Would have loved to hear the Germans reaction to Grayson!!! Well worth watching even if you hate it you can't help admiring the imagination and commitments applied to this exhibition. Hoping to go and see it and Leonardo da Vinci (a more conventional hero of mine-love the idea of Renaissance man being able to know a little about everything )exhibition in the New Year, if I'm lucky!!!:-)
There is a Grayson Perry vase in the MIMA collage exhibition (see previous blog) 'Transformer and Receiver'
Think five weeks of immersment in Modernist and Postmodernist art (handed in first essay yesterday) is having an effect on my Victorian/beauty mind set......?!!!!
PS Since writing this post I have watched various very iinteresting U-tube clips about Grayson Perry. Whilst very uncomfortable with the overtly sexual side of his art I find the ideas expressed with regard to the war on terrorism, class and religion very interesting. The same is true of how he has made antique decorative art forms contemporary ;tapestry, banners, pottery et al .Wish I'd watched these when told to do this for my design degree!!! The St Martins clips are very good, with film of a vase being made and a complete explanation of the thoughts that have informed all his work.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
MIMA- Middlesbrough Contemporary art-collage lecture ( Hamilton. Perry, elephant dung et al.......!!!!)
After a week incarcerated with my 20th century art text books felt it was time to experience the real thing, as well as attending a lecture to explain one aspect of the period-collage!!!!!
So I set off for Middlesbrough, to find the MIMA (Middlesbrough Institiute of Modern Art). I found an unexpectedly spacious modern building, in the middle of a large expanse of green , near the Victorian gothic style town hall (a symbol of past civic pride and the taste of that period). Quite a difference from the last time I visited that part of town!!!
I spent the time before the lecture looking at the current exhibitions. Despite all I've learnt,over the last few weeks, can't say I was impressed by the 'personal' images produced by Ben Nicholson, apparently 'one of the major figures of British Modernism'....... I did, however, stand in awe of the technical skill and tenacity of 'nationally recognised' local artist Richard Forster. He had produced amazingly accurate pencil drawings of photographs he has taken of the shoreline at Saltburn and the construction of Bauhaus designs in Germany.
The lecturer, Dr. Anderson, took us on a bright and breezy whistle stop tour of COLLAGE in the 20th century. With its roots in Print room decoration (lovely local one at Rokeby Hall if you like that kind of thing-I do, probably more than Moderism!!!) and Victorian scrap book making, it came into it's own in the 20th century. It peaked twice in popularity and useage.Initially developed by the Cubists Bracht and Picasso, it was taken on in the early part of the century by the Dadists for political means. Later it was again used extensively by the Post Modern Pop artists to raise questions about art and current concerns such as feminism.
Having briefly looked at the main exhibition of collage art- Transformer and Receiver, prior to the lecture I returned for another view, with the benefit of insights provided by the lecture. Must admit, although most not at all to my personal taste, it was interesting in its diversity, (film, printed banners, Grayson Perry vase, sculpture and many different kinds of traditional paper based collages, by many well known artists) as well as the varied messages the artworks were attempting to convey.
I think my personal favourite-if you can call it that, certainly wouldn't want it on my wall- was one which dealt with rape. A large scale work, it consisted of about half a dozen coloured copies/replications of famous past representations of women by the artist, under which were genuine newspaper articles, underneath those were simplistic sketches of articles and below those hand written transcriptions of rape accounts. I am sure the reason I took more time to 'look' was because one of the copies was a picture by the artist I researched for my dissertation. It gave me a new slant and made me think differently about the attitude of the original artist, as well as past viewers of art and representations of women. I guess successful art for me is that which engages us on a personal level, something that makes us stop and take notice rather than just walk on by........
The elephant dung picture (Pop corn) unsurprisingly left me cold, whatever it was trying to say!
Oh dear........think all that art speak is beginning to have an effect on my blogging ........................
So I set off for Middlesbrough, to find the MIMA (Middlesbrough Institiute of Modern Art). I found an unexpectedly spacious modern building, in the middle of a large expanse of green , near the Victorian gothic style town hall (a symbol of past civic pride and the taste of that period). Quite a difference from the last time I visited that part of town!!!
I spent the time before the lecture looking at the current exhibitions. Despite all I've learnt,over the last few weeks, can't say I was impressed by the 'personal' images produced by Ben Nicholson, apparently 'one of the major figures of British Modernism'....... I did, however, stand in awe of the technical skill and tenacity of 'nationally recognised' local artist Richard Forster. He had produced amazingly accurate pencil drawings of photographs he has taken of the shoreline at Saltburn and the construction of Bauhaus designs in Germany.
The lecturer, Dr. Anderson, took us on a bright and breezy whistle stop tour of COLLAGE in the 20th century. With its roots in Print room decoration (lovely local one at Rokeby Hall if you like that kind of thing-I do, probably more than Moderism!!!) and Victorian scrap book making, it came into it's own in the 20th century. It peaked twice in popularity and useage.Initially developed by the Cubists Bracht and Picasso, it was taken on in the early part of the century by the Dadists for political means. Later it was again used extensively by the Post Modern Pop artists to raise questions about art and current concerns such as feminism.
Having briefly looked at the main exhibition of collage art- Transformer and Receiver, prior to the lecture I returned for another view, with the benefit of insights provided by the lecture. Must admit, although most not at all to my personal taste, it was interesting in its diversity, (film, printed banners, Grayson Perry vase, sculpture and many different kinds of traditional paper based collages, by many well known artists) as well as the varied messages the artworks were attempting to convey.
I think my personal favourite-if you can call it that, certainly wouldn't want it on my wall- was one which dealt with rape. A large scale work, it consisted of about half a dozen coloured copies/replications of famous past representations of women by the artist, under which were genuine newspaper articles, underneath those were simplistic sketches of articles and below those hand written transcriptions of rape accounts. I am sure the reason I took more time to 'look' was because one of the copies was a picture by the artist I researched for my dissertation. It gave me a new slant and made me think differently about the attitude of the original artist, as well as past viewers of art and representations of women. I guess successful art for me is that which engages us on a personal level, something that makes us stop and take notice rather than just walk on by........
The elephant dung picture (Pop corn) unsurprisingly left me cold, whatever it was trying to say!
Oh dear........think all that art speak is beginning to have an effect on my blogging ........................
Saturday, 15 October 2011
'Six weeks' John Lewis-Stempel at the DLI
Having visited New College Durham, to attend my initial OU tutorial, I decided to go to a lecture at the DLI. I am ashamed to say it was my first visit to this small, beautifully located,modern museum, which is devoted to the history of the Durham Light Infantry (with an art gallery upstairs). I had been drawn finally to visit by reading a flier, which explained the 'Six Weeks' referred to the length of time a young officer was expected ton survive on average during the First World War.
With my background, interest in history and the war poets I was intrigued......
John Lewis-Stempel did not let me down. He made the trip to Durham worthwhile, with his very interesting account of the young men who volunteered to serve as junior officers in the trenches during the First World War. He explained that every aspect of the public school education ensured they were both fit enough, as well as embued with all the attributes necessary to lead their men, despite minimal training, in the face of adversity. Classical schooling, the house system and sports all played their part in forming heroic young men who were willing to lay their lives down for their country. It also was the foundation for the unique bond and paternalism that existed between these young men, in their late teens, and their soldiers. As a result whole year groups from all the public schools in Britain, volunteered endured horrific conditions and lasted for approximately six weeks before being either killed or maimed. By use of statistics, photograhs,poetry and extracts from letters John built up a sympathetic view of their predicament tempered with humour, to lift the sombre mood it produced.
I bought a copy of his book and will be using it as an escape, albeit sad one, from my challenging but very interesting 20th century art after I have finished reading about Effie's escape from a loveless marriage with Ruskin see previous post)
With my background, interest in history and the war poets I was intrigued......
John Lewis-Stempel did not let me down. He made the trip to Durham worthwhile, with his very interesting account of the young men who volunteered to serve as junior officers in the trenches during the First World War. He explained that every aspect of the public school education ensured they were both fit enough, as well as embued with all the attributes necessary to lead their men, despite minimal training, in the face of adversity. Classical schooling, the house system and sports all played their part in forming heroic young men who were willing to lay their lives down for their country. It also was the foundation for the unique bond and paternalism that existed between these young men, in their late teens, and their soldiers. As a result whole year groups from all the public schools in Britain, volunteered endured horrific conditions and lasted for approximately six weeks before being either killed or maimed. By use of statistics, photograhs,poetry and extracts from letters John built up a sympathetic view of their predicament tempered with humour, to lift the sombre mood it produced.
I bought a copy of his book and will be using it as an escape, albeit sad one, from my challenging but very interesting 20th century art after I have finished reading about Effie's escape from a loveless marriage with Ruskin see previous post)
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Modern v Victorian (Barnett Newman vThe model wife-Effie Gray)
Today is officially the first day of my course!!!
As I tried to get to grips with yet another 20th century artist (Barnett Newman),as well as another art historians style of writing, a copy of 'The Model Wife', by Suzanne Fagence Cooper dropped through my letter box,courtesy of Amazons amaxingly efficient book service........ One sticky, long drawn out 20th cewntury art chapter later I was finally able to open my new book.......... and devoured three chapters in quick succession of the easily read and very interesting biography. Victorian won hands down!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruskin and Effie's doomed marriage and her subsequent marriage to Millais are set to be my guilty pleasure/light reading it seems!!!!!
However, I am now aware of what abstract expressionism was about, as well as the place of readymades in 20th century art (Duchamp having been the subject of the previous equally dense but also interesting chapter) which can only be for the good!!!
As I tried to get to grips with yet another 20th century artist (Barnett Newman),as well as another art historians style of writing, a copy of 'The Model Wife', by Suzanne Fagence Cooper dropped through my letter box,courtesy of Amazons amaxingly efficient book service........ One sticky, long drawn out 20th cewntury art chapter later I was finally able to open my new book.......... and devoured three chapters in quick succession of the easily read and very interesting biography. Victorian won hands down!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruskin and Effie's doomed marriage and her subsequent marriage to Millais are set to be my guilty pleasure/light reading it seems!!!!!
However, I am now aware of what abstract expressionism was about, as well as the place of readymades in 20th century art (Duchamp having been the subject of the previous equally dense but also interesting chapter) which can only be for the good!!!
Monday, 26 September 2011
OU course......beginning to get to grips.....
Despite a late application ( well about four days before the cut off) the OU -with the efficiency I remember from days gone by- has already got my box of goodies delivered to my door. So, although the course doesn't officially start until October 1st, I have been grappling with Book 1 and Modernity/Modernism/avant-garde/extended fields/aesthetics etc. etc. for the past week or so. It is all proving to be very interesting and thought provoking. I am sure it will inform future gallery visits, as well as explaining much of the contemporary art I have been looking at over the years!
Had to smile as I read that many regard such as the 'emporer's new clothes.....that was exactly what someone had written in the comments book at the Damien Hirst print exhibition I visited at the Bowes in January!!!:-)
Had to smile as I read that many regard such as the 'emporer's new clothes.....that was exactly what someone had written in the comments book at the Damien Hirst print exhibition I visited at the Bowes in January!!!:-)
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