Tag Archives: exhibition

Martin Creed, ‘What’s the point of it?’, Hayward Gallery

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Martin Creed is a British artist and musician. In 2001 he won the Turner Prize for the seemingly simplistic Work No. 227: The lights going on and off, an empty room in which the lights did indeed go on and off, at five second intervals. This eccentric artist lives and works in London and continues to push boundaries in his work.

Playful and peculiar, this first major survey of Creed’s work is currently on show at the Hayward Gallery and aims to encourage thought and discussion, exemplified by the title of exhibition, ‘What’s the Point of it?’ It is a random sequence of pieces, often art is disguised in a strange object, disturbing video or abstract action. There is a range of works and installations that will titillate and alarm all of your senses.

When you enter the gallery an impressive spinning neon banner reads ‘MOTHERS’, meanwhile metronomes tick constantly around the room. This neon sign seemed particularly appropriate when I visited (the day before Mothering Sunday), it is inspiring and yet intrusive. A man sits at a piano descending and then ascending playing each semi-tone, each note is given an equal amount of time. It is odd and leaves the visitor wondering ‘why?’

I have seen Creed’s revolting vomit video before, and this time round found it just as unsettling, in fact I couldn’t watch for more than a few seconds. Is this what the artist intends? Again we are left questioning, almost frustrated by the lack of understanding or explanation. Upstairs the pieces have a more pleasing aesthetic quality. Colour and shape is more evident and there are several entertaining pieces which are enjoyable to ponder and watch. Visitors are encouraged to enter a room full of white balloons, squeeze in amongst them and feel the static energy.

Despite an obvious lack of traditional artistic craft, this exhibition offers wit and wisdom and could not bore even the most complacent visitor. It is a colourful and varied display from one of London’s most thrilling artists.

Martin Creed continues until 5 May at the Hayward Gallery, more information and buy tickets here.

Sensing Spaces, Royal Academy

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If you wander down Piccadilly this weekend you may see families clutching long coloured plastic straws, arty types streaming out from the Royal Academy where the eclectic and expansive Sensing Spaces is taking place. A fun, exploratory exhibition, this show is ideal for family outings or friendship groups wanting to get out and do ‘something cultural’ on their days off.

Sensing Spaces examines the power of structural devices. There are seven architectural practices from six countries: they take over the Academy galleries, occupying a massive 23,000 square feet, and present an epic assault course for visitors of all ages. The ambitious project is captivating and within minutes I felt lost among the walls, tunnels and stairs.

Visitors are immersed in the creations immediately. The first piece, a weirdly wonderful wooden sort of house is by Chilean-Argentine couple Pezo von Ellrichshausen. You are invitied to explore the structure, climbing the stairs and observing the gallery space from another viewpoint entirely. The coloured straw structure, perhaps my favourite exhibit, comes later. It is a chaotic bird’s nest of coloured branches; enthralled and concentrated visitors surround the magical cave making their own additions to the piece. It is the creation of Diebedo Francis Kere, an African artist who brings fun and playfulness to the exhibition.

There is also a maze of tree trunks by Li Xiaodong to get lost in, and a beautifully impressive concrete megastructure by Grafton to admire. I loved the accessibility of Sensing Spaces, there is no need to have an expert knowledge of art or architecture when visiting, you can switch off and let the structures guide you through.

A different and disorientating exhibition that will challenge your perceptions of architecture and space.

Continues until 6 April 2014, book here.

David Almond and Franz Ackermann, White Cube Bermondsey

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When in London I like to spend Saturdays discovering new brunch menus and visiting art exhibitions. Bermondsey is an ideal area for weekend strolling, there are numerous cafés offering every cuisine and the prominent White Cube Gallery always offers something thought-provoking. With free entrance it is easy to drift in and wander through the tall clinically white interior.

Currently White Cube Bermondsey is exhibiting two very contrasting collections, both exhilarating in their own way. Darren Almond is an adventurous artist whose diverse work incorporates film, installation, sculpture and photography. In this instance he has produced an evocative series called ‘To Leave a Light Impression’, showcasing his mesmerizingly serene ‘Fullmoon’ series of photographs, depicting every continent in the light of the full moon, taken over a period of 13 years. The picture of Patagonia is particularly memorable, though each shot has its own eerily beautiful quality.

Franz Ackermann’s brightly coloured wall murals are completely different visually but just as impressive. The explosive spontaneity of the pieces is a joy to experience. The pictures are like complicated mind maps, vibrant layers of diverse materials. When you first encounter them the canvases look like a confused mess of neon hues. Walk closer, and a whole network of ideas becomes visible, to be interpreted differently by each viewer.

At the end of the art appreciation, pop into the shop to peruse the books. Next time you are wandering down Bermondsey Street in search of food, take ten minutes out to discover the imaginative world that the White Cube offers.

Continues until 13 April, more information here.