art blog since 2009
Published on Culture 24 Laissez-Faire – Alexandre da Cunha, Camden Arts Centre, London, until September 13 2009 Some artists take inspiration from nature, and some from light: however, Alexandre da Cunha must have taken inspiration from the acquisition of a job lot of industrial mop heads. The mops are now woven together to form a …
September 4, 2009
Published on Culture 24 I’m Lost Without Your Rhythm – Johanna Billing, Camden Arts Centre, London, until September 13 2009. Most conceptual art has a tendency to sharpen up the critical faculties. Johanna Billing’s video pieces, on the other hand, charm them into agreement. Be warned that this show could make you want to sing …
September 4, 2009
Published on Art and Music Take a Sad Song and Make it Better You Don’t Love Me Yet is a woeful, mixed-up song by a troubled singer from a trippy 60s rock band. But artist Johanna Billing is puzzled by Roky Erickson’s little known classic. “It’s quite a hopeful song,†she suggests, “Because it’s ‘You …
September 3, 2009
Published on Culture 24 Beyond These Walls, South London Gallery, until September 20 2009 Beyond These Walls opened on July 24, three weeks after a fire killed six people in a neighbouring tower block. It was a grim coincidence: this is a show about the gallery’s local context, and the disaster has highlighted the contrast …
August 24, 2009
Published on Culture 24 SANAA – 2009 Serpentine Pavilion, Hyde Park, London, until October 18 2009 The slim steel pillars of the 2009 Serpentine Pavilion don’t so much hold the structure up as keep it tied down. The roof looks weightless and amorphous. At one point it is anchored just a metre above ground; elsewhere …
August 21, 2009
Published on Art and Music Not the New Grunge, then Judging by his taste in alcohol, Dan Ormsby is a man who appreciates innovation yet can also laugh at the notion. While on stage with band 4 or 5 Magicians he breaks off mid-set to raise a bottle of his new favourite tipple and announce …
August 17, 2009
Published on Culture 24 Home Improvements by Millie Burton, The Space, Hove, until September 25 2009 It’s not many galleries where you might turn up to find a business meeting in progress among the exhibits. But this very scene turns out not to be performance art. An exhibition really is taking place in a boardroom. …
August 17, 2009
Published on Art and Music Kier Vine/Charlie Dark/Gold Future Joy Machine/Dels/Speech Debelle/Sebastian Rochford and Leafcutter John He doesn’t quite hammer nails through his piano, but shortly after beginning to play Kier Vine does get to his feet and walk away. His instrument carries on playing, thanks to the magic of electronica and the recital takes …
August 7, 2009
Published on Culture 24 Zachary Walsh – Greek Street, Ink_d Gallery, Brighton, until August 23 2009 Zeus has you fixed with a hard stare. It’s a surprise to meet him in the flesh like this and he looks avuncular, somewhat amused, yet quizzical. It’s definitely him because stretching out behind are eagle wings and to …
August 6, 2009
Published on Culture 24 Jack Freak Pictures, Gilbert and George, White Cube, London, until August 22 2009 Two years ago Gilbert and George were accorded the ultimate mark of respect from the art establishment in Britain. The highlights from their lifetime’s work were put on display in the most extensive retrospective show ever to be …
July 30, 2009