Tag: Art

The Good, the Bad, and the Unexpected Bride

Let’s get the bride out of the way first. I was leaving my flat late one morning and was surprised to see a bride and groom (or perhaps two actors playing bride and groom, leaving a townhouse down the road.

Two Good To Be True

I like to mention the local shops and restaurants that give friendly service in Bloomsbury and Kings Cross, the neighborhoods that my current flat is bordered by. I have had several very nice encounters with the staff of “La Dolce London,” a charming cafe just a brief walk from my flat. Their coffee and other offerings, as well as their customer service are all excellent. As you will see below they also have some clever decorating.

They always have a smile and kind word for patrons. Stop in on Marchmont Street if you get the chance.

Ancient India-Living Traditions

The second good thing is the exhibit at the British Museum that looks at devotional art of three religions that have their roots in India-Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. The period considered was 200 BC to 600 AD. It begins with a representation of an important figure from each faith tradition.

For those of us unfamiliar with the depth and intertwining of the three faiths, it is interesting to learn, for example, that Ganesha is a god revered by some in all three faiths, though primarily a Hindu god. A Tirthinkara is an enightened leader in Jainism. This figure looks something like a Buddha but has an an endless knot symbol in the middle of his chest.

Male Yaksha and Female Yakshi Nature Spirits

These ancient spirits were adopted by all three faiths and many Yakshis were given male consorts when they were adopted by the three faiths.

Vishnu and Shiva

These two are recognized as principal deities in Hinduism. As you will see below, Vishnu is represented in human form here while Shiva in a symbolic form.

This exhibit opens the door and the mind of those of us who are mostly unfamiliar with the traditions associated with the three faiths. I hope this small introduction may lead you into further exploration.

We Must Never Forget Evil and We Must Forgive

This is what i took away from my most recent visit to the Weiner Holocaust Library. It’s current exhibit, “Looted to Families, Nazi Theft and the Search for Restitution,” teach the lessons of never forgetting history and learning, through forgiveness. This was the story of the Wertheimer and Keitenhauser families. The Wertheimers were a Jewish family, the Keitenhausers were Austrians with a strong connection to the Nazi Party in Austria after the Anschluss.

The Wertheimer family were forced to sell their properties at a vastly reduced price. They could take very little with them. The Keitenhausers prospered with the head of the family, Josef,a Nazi Party member had responsibilities, including spying on his neighbors. He also secured a position as Head Teacher (principal, in US terms), replacing a man who was not a party member. As happened throughout Germany, Austria and all the Nazi occupied countries, the Wertheimer’s posessions that were left behind and looted by neighbors and among those posessions was a table that made it’s way to the Keitenhausers.

Auschwitz transfer list. A member of the Wertheimer family was on this list. None of these people survived.

Many years after the war, in the 2000s, Katherina Mayrhofer, an Austrian artist and great granddaughter of Josef Kaltenhauser Sr, found a table in the attic of the family home. She discovered the table was an item looted from the Wertheimers. She contacted Diana Jelinek, a Wertheimer descendant and her daughter, British artist Emily Davy. The two artists restored the table and had a new key cut for it.

The two artists restored these skirts from the pre-war era.

Handmade keepsake box belonging to Josef Kaitenhauser Sr.

If I could recommend one small exhbit space to everyone who visits London, it would be this small gallery at the Weiner Holocaust Library. Each exhibit reminds us of how Europe descended into madness and attempted genocide. But we are also reminded to be ever vigilant with our liberty and freedoms.

A Bit of Nature to Conclude

As I walked back from the Weiner Library, my mood was lifted by this view of the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel through the ancient trees in Russell Square.

Another Tate, Another Home Opener

This post takes us to the Tate Britain and Craven Cottage

A Visit to the Tate Britain

I used to view the Tate Britain as the stodgy older sibling of the Tate Modern and the other Tate galleries around Britain. But in recent year what I have experienced in my visits have changed that view.

Edward Burra

This retrospective of 20th Century English artist Edward Burra focuses on his interest in experiencing society and culture abroad. We see satire, whimsy and color in his works that pull you into the places he painted.

Delightfully, the exhibition included music that could be played as one experienced these wonderful images.

I left this exhibition feeling uplifted by the experience of seeing these works. I had little idea of what was to follow.

Requiem- Chris Ofili

The fire at the 24 story Grenfell Tower in June 2017 took 72 lives and displaced hundreds. It was caused by a refrigerator fire on a lower floor and made worse by flammable cladding that had been placed on the exterior of the building. Confusing guidance to residents about whether to evacuate the building in a timely manner was also a problem. The main stairway in the Tate Britain now has a monumental work honoring an artist who died in the fire and all those who perished Because of its location in a starewell, it was difficult to capture its beauty and grandeur,

Ithel Colquhoun

Finally, I visited another exhibit of the works of another 20th Century British painter, Ithel Colquhoun who is described as a painter occultist, poet and author. Her works are an interesting blend of figures, symbols, and color. I was particularly taken by the last one I show, below, ‘Death of thede Virgin.’ I have seen death bed paintings by several artists in recent years. My immediate thought was of Edvard Munch’s “The Sick Child.’ But upon reflection, I can think of several more. It is the gift of visiting so many exhibitions focusing on different artists and cultures that allow me to appreciate these types of similarities in universal themes. I also was pleased to find an exhibit docent who had the time to discuss this subject with me.

Back to Craven Cottage

Many of my friends know that I have been a fan of Fulham Football Club for some years now. I was lucky to buy a ticket for Fulham’s home opener against the once mighty Manchester United. The match was exciting, including a controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision. Ultimately, the final score was 1-1, but it had been a beautiful afternoon.

What a great sport!

Next blog, coming soon about my latest wander around Covent Garden!

And So It Begins Again

The flight from Miami was pretty smooth and arrival was timely. It’s funny how quickly you get over the annoyance and inconvenience associated with a long trip. My case the fact that my flat was ready and I could immediately collapse into a nap probably helped.

What’s Taken So Long?

So here I am two weeks in to the journey, and this is my first post. It has been a great two weeks, but I just got a bit complacent.

Also, I had a hard time figuring out how to upload photos to my new tablet. I decided to start things off on a slow and easy pace. Above are a few pictures of the magnificent old trees in Brunswick Garden which is just a short walk from my flat. These large urban green spaces are one of my favorite things about London.

While having brunch on my first morning I noticed this peculiar renovation technique. I assume its done to save as much as possible of the original exterior features of an older building but it struck me as odd to look up at this grand old building and see that the top story and roof were gone.

Dylan in London

On a sunny afternoon, I ventured south of the river to the Old Vic Theatre to see “The Girl from the North Country,” a musical drama featuring the songs of Bob Dylan. Hearing Dylan’s lyrics and music in this format was stunning and a reminder of what a brilliant body of work he has created.

Here are photos of Ryan Heenan and Rebecca Thornhill (left) and Justine Kehinde. The story takes place during the Great Depression and demonstrates the universality of the themes Dylan has written about.

Gardening Through History

My next adventure took me back to the British National Library, once again, my nearby neighbor in Bloomsbury/Kings Cross, and always the home of wonderful things.

The exhibit is called “Unearthed,” and it tells the story of gardening in the UK and its former colonies. It tellsl us too, of how diverse plants and methods passed among the places the British came in contact with over the centuries.

The entrance to the exhibit.

The MultiMedia screens made this into a virtual experience.

Plants that are great food sources. The library’s extensive book collection enhanced the exhibit.

Making the point of the importance of community

This box allowed plants from the other side of the earth to be maintained alive on the long sea journey to England.

Til The Stars Come Down

This was a well-acted drama centered, apparently, on the marriage of a young woman from the North of England in the former mining country and a Polish immigrant. Her family is mildly racist and has festering woumds from Margaret Thatcher’s mine closings. Underneath it there is boiling cauldron of family secrets involving sexual relationships among the family. It was staged well with seats for audience members on three sides of the stage. They became extras during some scenes. For me, the themes in this play have become too common in the West End, sort of like “the Troubles” define much Irish theatre for the last several decades.

Funny Sidelight to this Theatre Visit

I had dressed in black trousers and a dark blue button up shirt and had a seat on the aisle. As I do when I sit in the aisle seat, I will stand against the wall to allow the rest of the row easier access in the minutes before the show begins. Unbeknownst to me, I was dressed exactly like the ushers and other front of the house staff, so I kept getting asked if I sold programs or where seats were. The young usher near me and I had some good laughs about it.

A Visit to Queens Park

One of the things I love about London are the small and large parks that let the city breathe. One of these is Queens Park where I noticed these two statues.

The first is of Queen Charlotte and the second is to honorwomen and children who have been to the local children’s hospital.

The Tate Modern Takes Me Back to Australia

The Tate Modern is exhibiting the works of artist Emily Kame Kingawarray who lived in the ancesteral land Alhakar in Australia. Her work reflects the region, its land, plants, animals and ecosystems. Upon seeing the first of her works, I felt transported back to Australia. Here are a few examples of her incredible work.

Herbert SmithFreehill Kramer Portrait Award

These are three of the finalists.

Some Random Photos from the First Weeks

These were taken at various locations including the Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Portrait Gallery and outs the British Library.

This ends the first blog of this year’s sojourn. I apologize for any glitches. I am still fighting with my Galaxy Pad and trying to understand the new editing and other tools in WordPress. I hope you enjoy this scatter shot offering.

Weird and Wonderful Art

Four radically different art exhibits in London are the subject of today’s installment.

The Tate Modern

The Tate Modern Gallery can always be counted on for unusual displays of art. Mire Lee envisioned the vast cavern that is the Turbine Hall of the museum as an “Open Wound.”

One of the major exhibits on at the Tate Modern is “Mike Kelley Ghost and Spirit.” This is a hard one for me to explain. Remember that guy in college who you were never sure if he was an Yippie, a stoner, or just a weird Art student? Well, this is his ouvre. Personally, I found some of it interesting, but quite a bit of it seemed sort of dated and “70’s not very successful experimentation.” I must not have been in the right mood for it, though, because it is a very important exhibition.

After Mike Kelley, I treated myself to a “visit with old friends,” favorite works from the Tate Modern permanent collection.

Art in the Park

As part of a project to put more public art in its parks, Camden Council, the local government responsible for maintaining the park at Russell Square in Bloomsbury erected this piece, Echo 2024 by Joe Duggan.

Finally, just across the road from Russell Square is the Weiner Holocaust Library. Its current exhibit, to quote the library’s description, “surveys the life and career of Jewish émigré sculptor Fred Kormis and reunites some of the most important of his diverse works, from the woodcut prints he produced in a Prisoner of War camp, to the medallions he made of leading figures in British life, and the first memorial in Britain to the victims of Nazi concentration camps.” At this particularly difficult moment in the history of the world and of the Middle East, the exhibit is particularly important in reminding us of why Israel was created as a homeland for the Jews who survived the Holocaust. Mr. Kormis, a veteran of the Austrian army from World War I, was lucky to escape from Nazi occupied Europe and find a new home in the United Kingdom.