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Victoriana: the Art of Revival (great exhibition, London)”Come and be Beguiled by this Fascinating Miscellany of Curiosities”
http://www.run-riot.com/art/victoriana- ... rt-galleryThis was one of the reviews that lured me to this exhibition! And I have to say, I completely agree with it!
And so maybe I might not be the only magician for whom this exhibition is a great source of inspiration, and instruction, hence my decision to leave some details here!
After all don't we, with our slight of hand and illusions of all kinds, like to challenge people's all too comfortable perceptions of this world, just a little?!
"From the macabre to the quaint, the sensational to the surreal, Victoriana: The Art of Revival is the first-ever exhibition in the UK
to offer a major examination of Victorian revivalism in all its guises."
Featuring taxidermy, ceramics, fine art, film, photography, furniture, textiles and graphic design, this fascinating multi-media, multi-sensory show (at the Guildhall Art Gallery, near St Paul's Cathedral London) explores the on-going cultural legacy of our Victorian forebears, through the work – borrowed and specially made – of 28 major contemporary artists.
Jake and Dinos Chapman, Dan Hillier, Grayson Perry, Paul St. George, Rob Ryan, Paula Rego, Yinka Shonibare and Kitty Valentine.
“Dig deeper and you enter the Victorian underbelly, a world where the notorious Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of London, and art, ideas and literature were often dark and unsettling. This assorted medley of inspirations has fired the imagination of artists ever since and spawned the label ‘Neo-Victorian’.”
It's a magical show, with some amazing contemporary art –- even for those of us who think that we don't like the 'contemporary' stuff very much!
For me, the stand-out pieces were Matt Collishaw's magic lantern, Paula Rego's lithographs, and Tessa Farmer's swarm of sculpted flies ridden by evil fairies
(of all things!)
@andrewweale: “Fun and very, very quirky. If not a little kinky!”
@leighclothier: “A quick visit today to @GuildhallArt Victoriana: The Art of Revival... Loved it! Can’t wait to go again.”
There's also a season of free film screenings (off-site in Bloomsbury) and curator-led tours, for those who want a bit extra for the price of a £7 ticket (concessions available, including free entry for some!)
“There are plenty of free galleries in London, so exhibitions you pay to see must be exceptional. Victoriana is a worthwhile investment as it will linger in the mind for a long time to come” Verdict: ★★★★★ Eleanor MacFarlane
Enjoy
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/victoriana
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