In Brussels, art nouveau found its most complete expression in the architecture of Victor Horta. Now the Brussels’ Musees Royaux des Beaux Arts has devoted a huge new “Fin-de-Siecle” section, a museum in itself, to the artistic context in which he thrived.
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Now fully restored, with its chequered Flemish floors, semi-circular gallery and portico inspired by a Roman triumphal arch, the Rubenshuis, Ruben’s home in Antwerp, is one of the most popular attractions in a vibrant city, just under an hour’s train journey from Brussels.
I first came across the work of Delhi born artist Dayanita Singh in an exhibition and book, Myself Mona Ahmed (2001), a photo-essay about an aging eunuch transsexual (hijra) living in a graveyard in Old Delhi. In this extraordinary body of work – the book contains various different kinds of text alongside the photographs) – one sensed not only compassion, but a collaboration between the person in front of the camera, and the one looking through the lens.
It is always interesting to pinpoint the moment when one becomes conscious of a change of mood or orientation in contemporary artistic practices. Something has emerged that offers quite a different tonic. This ‘something’ might be termed ‘mindful matter’: it is materialism with a twist, or with a new twist.
The Alternative Guide to the Universe, Hayward Gallery, 11 June – 26 August 2013. Souzu – Outsider Art from Japan, Wellcome Collection, 28 March – 30 June 2013.
When approached for an idea for an exhibition at Turner Contemporary, guest curator, Brian Dillon, editor of the arts magazine Cabinet, hit upon the concept of ‘curiosity’.
Thomas Ovans considers new collections by Maggie Butt and Fiona Sinclair
Metamorphosis – Poems Inspired by Titian – a collection published by The National Gallery
Don McCullin’s ‘Shaped by War’ Both the persona and work of Don McCullin, conflict photographer and self confessed “war junkie”, have always held a mesmeric allure over me.
Chris Beckett reviews The City with Horns by Tamar Yoseloff – and enjoys the Jackson Pollock poem sequence ,,,
Archives 2009 L O N D O N G R I P online art exhibition A late life adventure: the watercolours of JAMES N.BUTCHER Little Venice, Regents Canal, Maida Vale, London. 20 February 2004 NEW PATHS by James N. Butcher Professor Emeritus of Psychology University of Minnesota Many people possess unrecognized or dormant abilities that are never expressed in […]
Merryn Williams is thankful that many poets remain unconvinced about the necessity of war and find compelling ways to say so in this new anthology
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • art, books, poetry reviews, Year 2014