I've now changed the layout/format but I've breached my word count by 256 words. Shit!
Feature idea:
A Bluffer’s Guide to London’s Art
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur with a Masters in gazing pretentiously at canvases to enjoy what London has to offer.
London is a fantastic city for art - from the Tate Modern and the White Cube to the Royal Academy and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
The range of art available can seem somewhat overwhelming so here’s what you need to know about essential art to see in London.
Modern and contemporary art:
Most young art-types, naturally, may tend to flock to places such as the Tate Modern or the White Cube as these galleries offer art that pushes the boundaries. From Tracey Emin’s Turner Prize-winning My Bed (which was later sold) to Damien Hirst’s Formaldehyde Shark, many big, temporary projects are housed at the Tate.
The Tate Modern is a goliath building located just opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be a coal-fired power station in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. Floors three and five house modern art from 1900 onwards, whilst the fourth floor is reserved by big, temporary projects. A new exhibition, which is part of a BP art display, is being launched in September and will feature Tracey Emin’s new collection of sketches called 1000 Drawings. Currently showing is a Futurism exhibition – a technique stemming from 1909 that expresses the dynamism of modern life.
Two other well-suited galleries are the White Cube and the Royal Academy. The White Cube is tipped to also showcase Emin’s work in September and The Royal Academy of Arts will display Anish Kapoor’s new work on September 26th.
Addresses:
Tate Modern: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG.
Tate Britain: Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG.
The White Cube: 48 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB.
The Royal Academy: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD.
Classical art:
If you’re more a prudential and conservative art-lover – or If you just want to see some more time-tested, well-known art – the Tate Britain, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert may be more your cup of tea.
The Tate Britain is, pretty much, the Tate Modern’s more bookish elder sibling. It houses some modern art but most of its collections go back as far as the year 1500. There are currently two decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions).
The National Gallery holds some of the most well-known work from some of the most world-renowned artists. You’ll find Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Rembrandt’s Lamentation Over the Dead Christ, Monet’s The Thames Under Westminster and Cezanne’s An Old Woman With a Rosary, amongst others. There are guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
If public and historical figures are more your thing the National Portrait Gallery should cater to your tastes. From Churchill to Lord Nelson, to the supposed Portrait of Shakespeare and beyond, this gallery has it all. Also, the BP Portrait Award is currently being held here in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 entrants. Admission is free (see www.npg.org.uk).
The Victoria and Albert is a final must-see. Currently, a free Baroque Art exhibition is being held ‘til July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. Also on display are religious paintings by Rubens and Tiepolo.
Addresses:
National Gallery: Trafalgur Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
National Portrait Gallery: St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H OHE.
Victoria and Albert: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL.
The best bet:
The highlight of the entire London art scene has to be Picasso’s Guernica – a huge blue-shaded mural lamenting the cruelness of war - which was first painted in 1937 after the bombing of a Basque village of the same name. It’s being shown at the White Chapel Gallery.
- 77-82 White Chapel High Street, London, E1 7QX.
Artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the White Chapel Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon (the ‘-isms’):
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Baroque Art: Art of the 17th and 18th centuries which reflects the opulence of Rome as laid down by such figures as Bernini.
Futurism: A technique originated by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in 1909 which expresses the dynamism and chaos of modern life.
End
Word count: 949
Showing posts with label Features. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Features. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
My fourth draft.
Just when I thought my feature was coming together - with a few tweaks here and there - the editor, Krysten, says the layour needs to be changed to a more eye-friendly format and a bit of colour on the types of crowds which are attracted to the galleries needs to be included. Oh, it's a tough, tough job for the uninitiated.
Feature idea:
A Bluffer’s Guide to London’s Art
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur with a Masters in gazing pretentiously at canvases to enjoy what London has to offer.
London is a fantastic city for art - from the Tate Modern and the White Cube to the Royal Academy and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
The range of art available can seem somewhat overwhelming so here’s what you need to know about essential art to see in London.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. It houses work by such renowned artists as Tracey Emin (unfortunately not the Tuner Prize-winning My Bed, though) and Damien Hirst. A new exhibition which is part of a BP art display is being launched on September 20th in which Emin’s newest collection of sketches is to be included. Also showing is a Futurism exhibition.
- Bankside, London, SE1 9TG.
The Tate Britain – the Tate Modern’s more bookish elder sibling - houses modern art, but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions).
- Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG.
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to other major works such Rembrandt’s Lamentation Over the Dead Christ, Monet’s The Thames Under Westminster and Cezanne’s An Old Woman with a Rosary, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
- Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
If historical and public figures are more your cup of tea - rather than artists and the intricacies of art - head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
- St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk).
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is another must-see. Currently, a free Baroque Art exhibition is being held ‘til July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. Also on display are religious paintings by Rubens and Tiepolo.
- Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL.
The steal of the whole London art scene, though, may be Guernica – a Picasso painted in 1937 which reflects the tragic comedy of war. This is currently being shown in the White Chapel Gallery.
- 77-82 White Chapel High Street, London, E1 7QX.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the National Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon/the –isms:
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Baroque Art: Art of the 17th and 18th centuries which reflects the opulence of Rome as laid down by such figures as Bernini.
End
Word count: 790
Feature idea:
A Bluffer’s Guide to London’s Art
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur with a Masters in gazing pretentiously at canvases to enjoy what London has to offer.
London is a fantastic city for art - from the Tate Modern and the White Cube to the Royal Academy and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
The range of art available can seem somewhat overwhelming so here’s what you need to know about essential art to see in London.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. It houses work by such renowned artists as Tracey Emin (unfortunately not the Tuner Prize-winning My Bed, though) and Damien Hirst. A new exhibition which is part of a BP art display is being launched on September 20th in which Emin’s newest collection of sketches is to be included. Also showing is a Futurism exhibition.
- Bankside, London, SE1 9TG.
The Tate Britain – the Tate Modern’s more bookish elder sibling - houses modern art, but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions).
- Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG.
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to other major works such Rembrandt’s Lamentation Over the Dead Christ, Monet’s The Thames Under Westminster and Cezanne’s An Old Woman with a Rosary, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
- Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
If historical and public figures are more your cup of tea - rather than artists and the intricacies of art - head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
- St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk).
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is another must-see. Currently, a free Baroque Art exhibition is being held ‘til July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. Also on display are religious paintings by Rubens and Tiepolo.
- Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL.
The steal of the whole London art scene, though, may be Guernica – a Picasso painted in 1937 which reflects the tragic comedy of war. This is currently being shown in the White Chapel Gallery.
- 77-82 White Chapel High Street, London, E1 7QX.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the National Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon/the –isms:
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Baroque Art: Art of the 17th and 18th centuries which reflects the opulence of Rome as laid down by such figures as Bernini.
End
Word count: 790
Draft three of feature.
This may now be the finished article. You can see how I've tightend up the intro..
Feature idea:
A bluffer’s guide to London’s Art
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur with a major in how to gaze coquettishly to enjoy what London has to offer.
London is a fantastic city for art - from the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
Most Londoners, it seems, have had a dip in a few galleries, but I’m sure you’ll agree that the range of art available is somewhat overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know about essential art to see in London.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. It houses work by such renowned artists as Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. A new exhibition which is part of a BP art display is being launched on September 20th in which Emin’s newest collection is to be included. Also showing is a Futurism exhibition.
The Tate Britain – the Tate Modern’s more bookish elder sibling - houses modern art, but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions).
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to other major works such Rembrandt’s Lamentation Over the Dead Christ, Monet’s The Thames Under Westminster and Cezanne’s An Old Woman with a Rosary, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
If historical and public figures - rather than artists and the intricacies of painting - are more your thing, head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk).
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is a final must-see. There’s currently a free Baroque Art exhibition being held until July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. Currently on display are religious paintings by Rubens and Tiepolo. You can get there via South Kensington. Entrance is free.
The steal of the whole London art scene, though, may be Guernica – a Picasso painted in 1937 which reflects the tragic comedy of war. This is currently being shown in the White Chapel Gallery.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the White Chapel Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon/the –isms:
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Baroque Art: Art of the 17th and 18th centuries which reflects the opulence of Rome as laid down by such figures as Bernini.
Where to find the galleries:
Tate Modern: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Tate Britain: Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
National Gallery: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
National Portrait Gallery: St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
Victoria and Albert: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
White Chapel Gallery: 77-82 White Chapel High Street, London, E1 7QX
Feature idea:
A bluffer’s guide to London’s Art
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur with a major in how to gaze coquettishly to enjoy what London has to offer.
London is a fantastic city for art - from the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
Most Londoners, it seems, have had a dip in a few galleries, but I’m sure you’ll agree that the range of art available is somewhat overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know about essential art to see in London.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. It houses work by such renowned artists as Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. A new exhibition which is part of a BP art display is being launched on September 20th in which Emin’s newest collection is to be included. Also showing is a Futurism exhibition.
The Tate Britain – the Tate Modern’s more bookish elder sibling - houses modern art, but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions).
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to other major works such Rembrandt’s Lamentation Over the Dead Christ, Monet’s The Thames Under Westminster and Cezanne’s An Old Woman with a Rosary, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
If historical and public figures - rather than artists and the intricacies of painting - are more your thing, head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk).
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is a final must-see. There’s currently a free Baroque Art exhibition being held until July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. Currently on display are religious paintings by Rubens and Tiepolo. You can get there via South Kensington. Entrance is free.
The steal of the whole London art scene, though, may be Guernica – a Picasso painted in 1937 which reflects the tragic comedy of war. This is currently being shown in the White Chapel Gallery.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the White Chapel Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon/the –isms:
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Baroque Art: Art of the 17th and 18th centuries which reflects the opulence of Rome as laid down by such figures as Bernini.
Where to find the galleries:
Tate Modern: Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Tate Britain: Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
National Gallery: Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
National Portrait Gallery: St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
Victoria and Albert: Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
White Chapel Gallery: 77-82 White Chapel High Street, London, E1 7QX
The development of a feature.
I've been tasked with writing a feature on art in London. After much ado focusing on completely the wrong angle, I re-wrote it a bit more strongly. However, the angle is far too obvious so I have to re-write the re-write, focusing instead on certain artists and where to find their work. I also need a stronger intro.. The second par. is based on anecdotal evidence and so should be re-written or removed. This is my second draft. I hope you enjoy it.
Feature idea:
A bluffer’s guide to London’s Art
As most Londoners know, London is an important city for art. There are several prestigious galleries here, most of which showcase some of the world’s best art by some of the world’s most famous artists.
But can you say you’ve ever been to one? No? Well, you’d be surprised how few Londoners can say they have.
If you’re a budding art enthusiast, there’s no one to stop you seeing what the city has to offer but yourself. From the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. The gallery is open 10-6pm Sunday-Thursday and 10-10pm Friday and Saturday.
The Tate Britain houses modern art but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions). The gallery is open from 9-5.30pm Monday-Friday.
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to major works by Rembrandt, Monet and Cezanne, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
If historical and public figures - rather than artists and the intricacies of painting - are more your thing, head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk). The gallery is open from 10-6pm Monday-Wednesday, and 10-9pm on Thursday and Friday.
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is a final must-see. There’s currently a free Baroque Art exhibition being held until July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. You can get there via South Kensington. Entrance is free.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the National Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon (the –isms):
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Feature idea:
A bluffer’s guide to London’s Art
As most Londoners know, London is an important city for art. There are several prestigious galleries here, most of which showcase some of the world’s best art by some of the world’s most famous artists.
But can you say you’ve ever been to one? No? Well, you’d be surprised how few Londoners can say they have.
If you’re a budding art enthusiast, there’s no one to stop you seeing what the city has to offer but yourself. From the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain and the National Gallery, there’s a multitude of classic and modern art to feast your eyes on.
The first gallery that springs to mind for most young art-types is the Tate Modern - a goliath building located opposite St Paul’s by the Millennium Bridge. It used to be an industrial factory in the 1940s and 50s but it was converted to suit its current use in 2000.
The building is comprised of five floors. On floors four and five, contemporary art from 1900 onwards is housed, whereas floor four is the home of temporary exhibitions. The gallery is open 10-6pm Sunday-Thursday and 10-10pm Friday and Saturday.
The Tate Britain houses modern art but a large sum of its art dates back as far as the year 1500. There are currently a couple of decent exhibitions on by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Tony Swain (see www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions). The gallery is open from 9-5.30pm Monday-Friday.
If classic, renowned art is more your thing the National Gallery is certain to cater to your tastes. From Van Gogh’s Sunflowers to major works by Rembrandt, Monet and Cezanne, the National Gallery has it all. There are also guided tours every day from 2.30-3pm.
If historical and public figures - rather than artists and the intricacies of painting - are more your thing, head to the National Portrait Gallery. It houses portraits of such greats as Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and the supposed portrait of Shakespeare.
Also, the BP Portrait Award 2009 is currently being held in which 56 portraits will be selected from a record 1900 candidates. Admission to the exhibition is free (www.npg.org.uk). The gallery is open from 10-6pm Monday-Wednesday, and 10-9pm on Thursday and Friday.
The Victoria and Albert Gallery is a final must-see. There’s currently a free Baroque Art exhibition being held until July 19th in which art from 1620-1800 is being displayed. You can get there via South Kensington. Entrance is free.
More information:
Key artists to look out for:
Van Gogh: Van Gogh had a short, eventful life. He was an advocate of expressionism - a method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive. He cut off part of Gauguin’s earlobe in an epileptic fit. He’s rumoured to have cut off one of his ears but a new theory suggests Gauguin exacted revenge in a final altercation between the two. He shot himself in July 1890. Look out for Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters.
Picasso: Picasso developed the style of Cubism. He went through two short periods in the early 1900s – his blue and rose periods. His most famous work is Guernica (1937) about an air-raid on the Spanish town of the same during the Spanish Civil War. You can find Guernica at the National Gallery.
Monet: He founded the French movement of impressionism, focusing on ‘plein air’ (plain air) subjects such as woodland scenes and other scenic settings.
The jargon (the –isms):
Cubism: A painting method in which subjects are reduced to geometrical shapes. Picasso was one of the major advocates of this technique.
Expressionism: A method originating in Germany in which artists sought to express the meaning of being alive
Impressionism: The name of the technique originates from a painting by Monet entitled: ‘Impression, Sunrise’. The technique involved visible brush strokes and an emphasis on light.
Surrealism: A technique in which subjects were distorted and time was fractured. Ominous landscapes were often used. Salvador Dali pioneered the method in the late 1930s.
Monday, 25 May 2009
A feature piece on a community garden scheme in Brighton.
A Story of Decay and Renewal
by Robert Head
IT’S FAIR to say that the Lewes Road area of Brighton has seen a certain amount of dereliction over the past few years.
Shops hither and thither open and close like ephemeral sign-posts which read: ‘Warning! Danger ahead’.
The warning signs come in the shape of small shops. A few have closed, but a majority have down-sized. Only a handful of shops still cling on.
However, the largest, albeit now non-present, indicator of the last ten years has been the closing of petrol stations. Stiff competition and other market factors meant that two former garages on Lewes Road and a third by the Hollingdean viaduct began to close one by one, leaving only a single garage on the gyratory opposite J Sainsbury’s.
The site of a long-since gone petrol station midway along Lewes Road which was left derelict six years ago has seen a recent burst of activity in the form of a community garden scheme. The project, championed by Duncan Blinkhorn, 47, is dubbed the Lewes Road Community Garden, and its roots are only just beginning to take stock. Duncan is a Brighton resident of 26 years and campaigned for various peace movements in the 80s.
On Sunday May 10th the lock on the gates was broken by Duncan's brigade. From thenceforth a clean-up operation was started. Sacks of rubbish, broken glass, and other bits and pieces were cleared from the 20 metres-squared area which is owned by agency, King Sturge. Unlike the land at the bottom of Coombe road, this land has been left undeveloped for six years.
It started with a re-shuffling of the stones strewn over the site and then grew to encompass several large, plant-filled, concrete bollards, a huge circle of turf which sits neatly in the centre of the site, and a portable toilet.
Local passers-by were encouraged to help out and that’s just what they did. Plants, and other items such as a pine bench, were donated by members of the public and friends of Mr Blinkhorn. It has even been said that a few members of the police force have been actively contributing to the project.
When asked what spurred him on, Mr Blinkhorn said: "I deserve better walking past this every day. I find it an insult that anyone could let this space rot and not intervene." He also cited a recent study which showed that, on average, residents of Lewes Road die 9 months earlier than the national average because of pollution problems.
A launching party on the evening of May 24th was amply attended and saw the ‘official’ opening of the area to the public.
A group of students sat relaxed on a section of the turf chatting away. They were Thomas, Becky and Dan, of Sussex University; Simon, of the Brighton Film School; and Thomas - a young man from Brittany, France, visiting the south coast of England for three weeks.
Thomas said that his home town is quite a small student town with few green spaces and, like Brighton, most of the green spaces are located out-of-town. He commented: "there is a nice ambience here and good community work is being done."
Earlier on the same day, Mr Blinkhorn exerted a half-day effort of asking passers-by their thoughts and he was met with unquestioning support. "I asked 40 or 50 people," he said, "and I videoed around 20."
Thomas Turbine-Tree, of Sussex University, said that he’s hoping artists from the university and Brighton will get involved and showcase their work - which may involve sculptures and paintings - for free.
An acquaintance of his, Daniel, commented: "it’s wonderfully symbolic that the site was run by a petroleum company and now it’s for the community."
Sarah Bargiela, a student studying post-graduate psychology, is the face behind the website. She was cycling past when she saw the site and enquired to satisfy her curiosity. She felt the scheme to be important and thought it deserving of some good publicity.
She commented: "using a derelict site to create a communal, green space has brought a fantastically diverse group of people together and resulted in a sharing of skills and a beautiful space to spend time - a focal point for Lewes Road residents."
The police have no qualms, but there have been a few petty grievances expressed by the Franklin Tavern pub, opposite. During the afternoon of May 24th, many drinkers enquired about the scheme with a certain degree of pessimism. Mr Blinkhorn commented: "the pub is supportive with regard to the spirit of the scheme but they fear anti-social behaviour."
Chris Lewis, the owner of the pub, has worries about the security of the site and the fact that drug users may congregate there. She said: "shops around here stay open ‘til 2 a.m. and I’m worried about the site’s not being monitored. It’s good that there is a toilet, though, as there are very few facilities around here."
When quizzed about the upcoming Euro-election of June 4th, a majority of people said they’d vote Green and support MEP Caroline Lucas. Although it sounds like the question may needn’t have been worth asking, many cite the need for urgent green action and feel that the only party representing them is said party.
For more information on the scheme and how to get involved, go to: www.lewesroadcommunitygarden.org. Alternatively, you can join the Facebook group of the same name.
by Robert Head
IT’S FAIR to say that the Lewes Road area of Brighton has seen a certain amount of dereliction over the past few years.
Shops hither and thither open and close like ephemeral sign-posts which read: ‘Warning! Danger ahead’.
The warning signs come in the shape of small shops. A few have closed, but a majority have down-sized. Only a handful of shops still cling on.
However, the largest, albeit now non-present, indicator of the last ten years has been the closing of petrol stations. Stiff competition and other market factors meant that two former garages on Lewes Road and a third by the Hollingdean viaduct began to close one by one, leaving only a single garage on the gyratory opposite J Sainsbury’s.
The site of a long-since gone petrol station midway along Lewes Road which was left derelict six years ago has seen a recent burst of activity in the form of a community garden scheme. The project, championed by Duncan Blinkhorn, 47, is dubbed the Lewes Road Community Garden, and its roots are only just beginning to take stock. Duncan is a Brighton resident of 26 years and campaigned for various peace movements in the 80s.
On Sunday May 10th the lock on the gates was broken by Duncan's brigade. From thenceforth a clean-up operation was started. Sacks of rubbish, broken glass, and other bits and pieces were cleared from the 20 metres-squared area which is owned by agency, King Sturge. Unlike the land at the bottom of Coombe road, this land has been left undeveloped for six years.
It started with a re-shuffling of the stones strewn over the site and then grew to encompass several large, plant-filled, concrete bollards, a huge circle of turf which sits neatly in the centre of the site, and a portable toilet.
Local passers-by were encouraged to help out and that’s just what they did. Plants, and other items such as a pine bench, were donated by members of the public and friends of Mr Blinkhorn. It has even been said that a few members of the police force have been actively contributing to the project.
When asked what spurred him on, Mr Blinkhorn said: "I deserve better walking past this every day. I find it an insult that anyone could let this space rot and not intervene." He also cited a recent study which showed that, on average, residents of Lewes Road die 9 months earlier than the national average because of pollution problems.
A launching party on the evening of May 24th was amply attended and saw the ‘official’ opening of the area to the public.
A group of students sat relaxed on a section of the turf chatting away. They were Thomas, Becky and Dan, of Sussex University; Simon, of the Brighton Film School; and Thomas - a young man from Brittany, France, visiting the south coast of England for three weeks.
Thomas said that his home town is quite a small student town with few green spaces and, like Brighton, most of the green spaces are located out-of-town. He commented: "there is a nice ambience here and good community work is being done."
Earlier on the same day, Mr Blinkhorn exerted a half-day effort of asking passers-by their thoughts and he was met with unquestioning support. "I asked 40 or 50 people," he said, "and I videoed around 20."
Thomas Turbine-Tree, of Sussex University, said that he’s hoping artists from the university and Brighton will get involved and showcase their work - which may involve sculptures and paintings - for free.
An acquaintance of his, Daniel, commented: "it’s wonderfully symbolic that the site was run by a petroleum company and now it’s for the community."
Sarah Bargiela, a student studying post-graduate psychology, is the face behind the website. She was cycling past when she saw the site and enquired to satisfy her curiosity. She felt the scheme to be important and thought it deserving of some good publicity.
She commented: "using a derelict site to create a communal, green space has brought a fantastically diverse group of people together and resulted in a sharing of skills and a beautiful space to spend time - a focal point for Lewes Road residents."
The police have no qualms, but there have been a few petty grievances expressed by the Franklin Tavern pub, opposite. During the afternoon of May 24th, many drinkers enquired about the scheme with a certain degree of pessimism. Mr Blinkhorn commented: "the pub is supportive with regard to the spirit of the scheme but they fear anti-social behaviour."
Chris Lewis, the owner of the pub, has worries about the security of the site and the fact that drug users may congregate there. She said: "shops around here stay open ‘til 2 a.m. and I’m worried about the site’s not being monitored. It’s good that there is a toilet, though, as there are very few facilities around here."
When quizzed about the upcoming Euro-election of June 4th, a majority of people said they’d vote Green and support MEP Caroline Lucas. Although it sounds like the question may needn’t have been worth asking, many cite the need for urgent green action and feel that the only party representing them is said party.
For more information on the scheme and how to get involved, go to: www.lewesroadcommunitygarden.org. Alternatively, you can join the Facebook group of the same name.
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