Tag: exhibition

Michelangelo Pistoletto and Myself

Michelangelo Pistoletto and Me

I should have posted this ages ago, but time has been against me.

This photo of the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto and myself was taken at the opening of Pistoletto’s show at the Continua Gallery in Beijing last month. I am a big fan of his early works, especially the Minus Objects and the Labyrinth which was recreated for this show. The original showing of Labyrinth has personal significance for me as it was one of my very early formative experiences with art and was influential on my own development. It’s use of materials and the alchemical effect on them really opened my eyes to what was possible with art.

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Beautiful New World

I’ve finally been able to post shots of the artists’ work from Beautiful New World: Contemporary Visual Culture from Japan, the show which my fiancée has been working on.The show was split over three venues in the 798 Art District in Beijing, Long March Space, Tokyo Gallery and Inter Gallery. Each venue presented works under a different theme within the Beautiful New World concept. Long March Space presented ‘Beautiful Real World,’ Inter Gallery ‘New Media World’ and Tokyo Gallery ‘End of the World and Future World.’

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Before I go to China . . . Henry Moore

Just a quick post before I leave for Beijing in a few hours time.

I had a few hours spare yesterday morning, before I had to go to the airport to pick my parents up from their holiday, so I made a swift trip over to Kew Gardens to see the Henry Moore show.

Large Reclining Figure, 1984

Henry Moore, Large Reclining Figure, 1984

This is a great collection of 28 sculptures, placed within the landscaping of these botanical gardens. There is a real sense of these pieces working well with their surroundings. And it’s good to see them being used!

Despite the warnings, the pieces were being used as playgrounds by children who had been dragged along by their parents. I felt annoyed at first that I wasn’t able to appreciate the pieces in some kind of ‘pure’ state, without the distraction of people clambering over them, but I soon realised this was a great way to appreciate the pieces, by interacting with them, not just viewing them from afar in stately isolation.

Of course, this brings up questions about the preservation of art, questions which usually seem to be concerned with commercial value (as in “to touch a piece will reduce it’s value”), but I actually think we shouldn’t be so precious about these works where a physical relationship adds so much to the appreciation.

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