TATE MODERN TRIP - Too contemporary for my liking
My very first visit to Tate Modern was during the christmas break and I have to say that I was frustrated and unsatisfied.
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This quote and the gallery itself is too conceptual.
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Red
Boris Mikhail |
- I had thought that this series of photographs are very powerful and it indirectly screams 'Communist' due to the red tones. Though what I found interesting is how the photographs are arranged. The first few photographs on the left were of mundane life, gradually showing the 'wonders' of the community, getting much more monochromatic with more violent scenes. Goes to show thought is placed in exhibiting artworks!
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I find it ironic how Ai Wei Wei was considered
a controversial artist in China. |
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| AI WEI WEI Documentary |
- He mentioned being oppressed by the government and policies for creating art. I have known art to be a platform of expression, reflection and a response from the artist and towards the world/society. Whereas in his case, he is restricted by authorities (due to the country's political system). I simply find it ironic. Though perhaps there is a certain extent as to where an artist could freely express their opinions.
- I personally think that visiting galleries gives a lot more intimate experience between yourself and the artwork. Even if you can't touch them, you could tell the details, texture, colours that you can't easily see online or books.
- I also seem to notice that people tend to react differently towards artworks showed in galleries. Perhaps it is because people associate galleries to be curated and approved by authorities/professionals. Hence assuming that the artworks showcased are all significant and of different caliber. However, I do find these exhibited artworks to have authenticity/authorship.
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| Sheela Gowda, Bangalore |
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| It's a tube like-Star Trek-pod mirror (?) |
- There are other similar artworks such as these two -being minimal and conceptual. This is the thing with fine art, where it is very open to interpretation and I personally think that only the artist now the meaning behind it, unless it is deliberately communicated to the audience.
- Though there are much more ambiguous artworks, for instance Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain'. In which I saw it and I wasn't sure how I felt (?)
Thoughts
- I am not too fond of abstract art (conceptual, maybe some). Though, I personally enjoy the simplicity and perhaps it could often be seen in my own practice lately.
- Though what makes such artworks peculiar is that it is open to interpretation (I tend to not over-think it though, since it may not mean much). I would say that it is the type of gallery to show that artworks that 'it is art if you think it is'.
- However, what I quite enjoy about these pieces of work, people are entitled to their own opinions and I find that interesting. Some would adore a white, plain painting, whereas I disagree that it is not art (it isn't engaging nor evoke thought, emotions, aside from annoyance). There are varying perceptions towards art.
