Tag Archives: exhibition

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: Paul Klee, Tate Modern

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In an ideal world you would be able to walk around the Paul Klee exhibition at Tate Modern choosing Christmas presents for your family and friends… the pictures are such desirable objects, almost everybody finds them charming and most pieces would not require more than a single sheet of wrapping paper.

It is the modest scale and sweetness of Klee’s work that has stopped him from being valued as highly as his Modernist contemporaries and yet his imagination and invention surpasses all but a few of them. He was abstract before almost everybody else, he was surreal before the Surrealists and he explored technique for its own sake in a way not seen again until the Minimalists.

The extensive Tate exhibition is a pleasure from start to finish, which is not to say the art lacks darkness; on the contrary, a sense of the sinister or uncanny is present in almost every work on show. Klee’s childlike drawing and paintbox use of colour don’t conceal but rather reveal an extraordinary, elegant and sophisticated personality. He said “I want to be as though new-born, knowing nothing, absolutely nothing… ” He would have been 134 years old yesterday.

Paul Klee – Making Visible continues at the Tate Modern until 9 March 2014, more information and book here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, Chris Kenny.

Hello, my name is Paul Smith, Design Museum

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In the fickle world of fashion, it is a great challenge to achieve longevity. Paul Smith is a British fashion icon, like no other.

His collections manage the impossible – classic, smart and cool tailoring, paired with outlandish, daring and colourful design. His famous stripes are infectious and have been used throughout his collections, throughout his life. The ‘Smith stripes’ have been used to transform clothes, accessories and objects big and small including a psychedelic Mini Cooper car.

This fabulously funky exhibition takes the visitor into the world of Britain’s favourite fashion designer. Offering an insight into the lasting success of his unique and innovative fashion brand. We get glimpses into Paul Smith’s personal archive, from the humble beginnings in his first miniature Nottinghamshire shop in 1970, through to the global operation of today. Despite his international success, the Paul Smith label still has the originality and appeal that it had from the very beginning.

The contemporary, slick and sophisticated Design Museum is a suitable home for this celebration of Paul Smith. I left full of admiration and in awe of this brilliant British artist and trendsetter, and desperate for a Paul Smith wardrobe of my own.

Exhibition continues until 9th March 2014, book tickets here.