This is MI6 (yep, you’re thinking James Bond? we were too). This is the infamous building of Pierce Brosnan’s crash through the window in two films (“Tomorrow never dies” and “Die Another Day”, i believe...correct me if wrong). This building was implemented and approved in the Thatcher days, symbolizing a strong need to present security and stability. It’s also resembling a boat (namely a battle vessel).
from that view we moved onto the Tate britain. Here, we were instructed to pick a painting from an assigned room of the museum and make a presentation on what we knew about the piece. we had 30 mins.
Me and K Childs were teamed up and headed for room 9. there, we initially selected “The Plains of Heaven” by john martin. Off I was to get information from the local bookstore (Clever, yeah?). When i get back, K had gotten notes from a tour guide of another group, only it was for another painting, James Ward’s “ Gordale Scar”, this massive painting that we suddenly had to switch to. I had 5 minutes to prepare myself after that, but otherwise we did fine.
After the tate britain (and Gerard’s “Evil Printmakers” remark that i totally took offense too [note: i’ve got a solo print show at the BTSC in corner brook coming up in June. Helps, yeah] but it’s long been forgiven for) we headed directly to the Tate Modern by crossing the Millennium Bridge, a bridge made in 2000 to commemorate the turn of the century. too bad it had to close for it’s swaying and re-open after fixing it in 2004.
SO yeah, Tate Modern is by gallery of choice. Not only does it feature mostly art of the 20th and latest of the 21st century, but it is also encapsulated in an old power station. this is symbolic of art being not just a social powerhouse, but an economic powerhouse too. also, this building provides a lot of space for major installations, including this one:
we were admitted to seeing two new exhibitions: Roni Horn’s “AKA Roni Horn” and Rodchenko and Popova’s Defining construction”.
I’ve know Roni as a photographer on the most part (courtesy of Tamsin Clark’s introductory photo class this past year. Thanks, Tamsin!). THis show encompassed more than photos, garnering drawing and sculpture. Some of the sculpture i found just a little lackluster on their merit, but that’s just my tastes talking.
Her photos were impeccably made. Again, i take this medium as her hallmark medium and best weapon for her words.
Rodchenko and Popova’s show i found to be very visually striking. Defining Constructivism does just as the title suggests, portraying a multitude of works from these two in the era of the russian revolution (it’s oh-so soviet). I picked up various post cards - maybe you’ll get one? just keep your eyes peeled!
After the Tate Modern, Myself, Jill-bean, Marten-ben-boo and Kylie Bustin all decided to stay in london longer. We headed towards liverpool st. station on foot, only to grow frustrated and wind up eating at a great noodle bar and restaurant. Apium was it’s name, just by one of the tube stations in London.
We then headed down to St. Pauls to board one of the subway trains to liverpool st. Both mine and jill’s rail passes were bent from the day’s travels, meaning we had to show our passes to nearby security for passing. we both had the instant reaction of decline of our cards in the gates as “oh holy fuck! - are we stuck in london??”. We’re glad the admission on the rails isnt all automatic.
we then got back into Old Harlow around 11PM. This was our first time traveling the Tube and train system without gerard’s guidance and we made it! got to say, for the kilometers we cross and the time (saturday night) we made it out of there awesomely!
okay, i’m off to make some phone calls, cheers!
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