Even though I was barely in London, I saw some stuff. Only visited one museum besides the British Museum, and it was a standout. I'd be remissed if I didn't mention the magnificent Tate Modern museum.
I love museums and galleries just as much for the space itself, as the art collections. The architectural aesthetic is an equal player in the experience of viewing art. A museum is one big installation.
The Tate Modern is ginormous and I think I only saw ~30% before work called. The museum is free, except for the special exhibits.
The special exhibits were: Mona Hatoum (Palestinean installation and video artist who lived in England most of her life); Bhupen Khakar (modern, provocative Indian painter); and Georgia O’Keeffe (Flower painter). I decided on Mona Hatoum, whose work seemed the most interesting.
My decision to choose Mona Hatoum was the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.
Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But, my artistic taste buds were tickled. Everyone is lining up to see Georgia O’Keefe and barely anyone for Mona. Suckers! Sorry, Georgia, your flowers are pretty. But, Mona is operating on a different frequency that my brain is completely tuned into.
I'm not the only one who was starstruck by this exhibition: See article: "One of the shows of the year"
In one installation called "Homebound", there are numerous kitchen utensils sitting on table top counters and on the floor in in a huge space. They are connected by live wires, and an electrical current is pulsating through the space. You can hear and feel the electricity from two rooms away! I was spellbound.
Image taken from the Tate Modern website.
Mona's work reminded me a little of Jorge Macchi, abstract Argentinean artist that I saw and reviewed in an earlier post at the MALBA in Buenos Aires. She even did a few pieces of art where she deconstructed city maps, similar to Jorge.
I was not able to take any pics in the Mona Hatoum exhibit, but her work is electrifying, intriguing, unnerving, nerving, exciting, and fresh. More. I want more! I did buy some postcards though:
After the Mona exhibit, I didn't want or need to see anything else. My brain was fully satisfied and I had to go back to work.
But, before I left, I squeezed into the packed elevators to visit the top floor of the museum and check out the 360 views of the city. Spectacular!
And, back into the tube to head to work.
Two big big thumbs up for the Tate Modern!