V&A – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should see… Sky Arts Exhibition: Memory Palace

Nori Bell-Bhuiyan — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 10:00:21 +0000

Think of the world one hundred years from now. Imagine now that an immense storm has wiped out all of our treasured technology, our infrastructure of information and knowledge is gone, and humankind is living in a dark age.

This is the dystopian future explored in Memory Palace, an immersive exhibition (hosted by the V&A Museum) that is being described as a ‘walk-in book’. The author Hari Kunzru worked in collaboration with a group of 20 artists, graphic designers, illustrators and typographers to create the innovative and multidimensional exhibition. Due to the wide field of contributors the artworks vary dramatically in size, shape and appearance, sometimes with nothing in common but the story’s text, and the idea of lost memories.

While it may be based 100 years into the future, Memory Palace is a powerful reminder that, no matter where and when we are, our memories are our most treasured possessions. As Kunzru’s imprisoned protagonist asks; ‘if you could keep one memory, what would it be?’ This exhibition might just be it. (Words: Nori Bell-Bhuiyan)

On until 20th October. For more information visit: www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-sky-arts-ignition-memory-palace

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Something you should see… Light from the Middle East: New Photography at the V&A

Eri Otite — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:00:54 +0000

If I were to say to you ‘the Middle East’ – many associations may come to mind but chances are contemporary art would not be one of them. A major exhibition at the V&A is attempting to redress the underrepresentation of photography in the region (in both our minds and UK collections) with a new show on modern photography from and around the Middle East. The exhibition showcases the work of 30 artists all at various stages of their careers – from the internationally renowned to emerging talent. The artists are as diverse as their subject matters, as well as the techniques employed to engage with the medium of photography. From Atiq Rahimi’s use of the basic box camera to produce dreamlike portraits of the ruined city of Kabul – to the heavily stylised images of Tehran by the duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige.

Don’t be put off though – the images are not all war torn. Conflict is just one of several themes that appear in the show, and the idea itself has many manifestations. For instance, Shadi Ghadirian’s Qajar (1998) series explores the tension between tradition and modernity that women face in Iran, through her re-creation of 19th century Iranian studio portraits updated with contemporary props.

The exhibition features images of trees from Tal Shochat’s In Praise of a Dream (2010) series. Lush with fruit, the trees (which are real) have been photographed against a black backdrop – and the result is visually stunning. Shochat’s idealised setting for her fruit trees, which borrows from the conventions of portrait photography, reveals the power of photography to faithfully document and also to deceive. The Saudi artist Ahmed Mater also explored this concept in his Magnetism series – images that recalled the Hajj pilgrimage. A selection from this work is on view at the V&A. Look out for artists Jowhara AlSaud and Aimirali Ghasemi who both approach the idea of censorship by censoring their own images. Photographic figures are reduced to line drawings in AlSaud’s Out of Line (2008) series while Ghasemi conceals the identities of his subjects by blanking out their faces and exposed areas of skin in Party (2005). The Middle East is undergoing major socio-political upheaval at the moment, yet even in the midst of this profound change, artists from North Africa to Central Asia are producing some very sincere and thought-provoking work. (Words: Eri Otite)

Light from the Middle East is on until April 2013. For more info, visit www.vam.ac.uk

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Something you should see… Postmodernism: Style and Subversion 1970 – 1990 at the V&A

Rachel Segal Hamilton — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:15 +0000

“Weird for the sake of weird.” While it may have been written for comic effect, this flippant definition of Postmodernism, given by Moe Syzlak aka the bartender in The Simpsons, pretty much sums up the general public’s take on an often misunderstood contemporary cultural movement.

Fortunately the V&A is here to set things straight. The museum’s ambitious autumn exhibition – Postmodernism: Style and Subversion 1970-1990 – promises to chart how Postmodernism, from its origins in architecture, came to dominate popular culture and design during the 1970s and 80s. Far from being gratuitous, the show insists PoMo was a deliberate rejection of the simplicity of Modernism in favour of a radical rethinking of design through humour, clashing styles, mixed references and vibrant images.

As well as high profile fine art pieces, such as Dollar Sign (1981) by Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei’s Han Dynasty Urn with Coca Cola Logo (1994), this comprehensive show includes everything from a hologram portrait of Boy George to a novelty Mickey Mouse tea set. Video installations of Koyaanisqatsi, Godfrey Reggio’s mesmerising 1982 time-lapse film of a city at night and O Superman (1981) by performance artist Laurie Anderson should also be savoured.

Look out for graphic designer Peter Saville’s beautiful, pared down album covers, Hip-hop mix pioneer Grandmaster Flash’s trusty Technics and an extraordinary Constructivist Maternity Dress (1979), designed for Postmodernist icon Grace Jones by her then lover, Jean-Paul Goude (pictured). The latter is a necessary education for anyone who believes Lady Gaga’s outlandish style is every bit her own. (Words: Rachel Segal Hamilton)

Entry is £11 and runs until January 15, 2012.

[stextbox id=”custom”]V&A, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Tube: South Kensington

Further info: www.vam.ac.uk

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Somewhere you should go…London Design Festival 2011

Rachel Segal Hamilton — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:00:29 +0000

The capital’s creatives have had it scrawled in their diaries (in red Sharpie marker, naturally) for months. It’s a biggie, the London Design Festival – and now in its 9th year, it promises to be vaster and more exciting than ever. But, with a dizzying 250 events and exhibitions to choose from over nine days, it’s hard to know where to begin. We recommend kicking off at the festival’s core venue, the V&A, where you can grab a copy of the LDF guide before hitting the streets to explore what else is on offer. Then head down to ‘Cut it Out’ at Outline Editions, to check out new work by illustrator Noma Bar and bag your own limited edition artwork made with a giant, dog-shaped hole punch (no lies). Also, don’t miss ‘My London’ at Established & Sons, a series of collaborative installations by designers, artists and architects, paying homage to the big smoke, or ‘Mermaids‘ by Marcel Wanders, a watery re-imagining of Dutch design company Moooi’s London showroom. Finally, indulge your wildest foodie fantasies at a ‘secret sensory supper’ in the dramatic masonic temple room at Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel. And if that’s not enough, you can always get up the next day and start all over again. (Words: Rachel Segal Hamilton)

[stextbox id=”custom”]London Design Festival runs from 17 – 25 September 2011 at the V&A and other locations around London. For more info, visit londondesignfestival.com[/stextbox]

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