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I've just come back from this exhibition at the Tate in St Ives. Some of it made quite an impact, namely:
- Mark Wallinger's Angel, filmed at Angel tube station, everything happening in reverse. It confused me as to whether the artist - speaking at the bottom of an escalator, constantly moving to keep still - was in reverse or not. It was strangely emotional, the footage towering above me. Wierd. Felt like crying afterwards, although I can't really pinpoint why.
- Steve McQueen, Bear. I was not convinced by this. It's supposed to show our cultural attitude toward the black male, as macho and a sexual object, but slow moving film of two naked black men being provocative towards each other just seemed to be reinforcing the stereotype rather than questioning it. I'd rather have seen them doing something totally opposite to the stereotype, as I think that might have made people question it - and from that, their own reactions - more thoroughly. Anyway.
- Tracey Emin, Cunt Vernacular. A visual diary. The camera pans around her flat, a voice reads entries. So ordinary (although some of the experiences are horrible), it could be a blog.
- Susan Hillier's An Entertainment was for me the best exhibit. Four huge screens showing blurred images of Punch and Judy, with a soundtrack of screaming children. Felt like I'd walked into one of my own dreams.
Last but not least, Gilbert and George had me falling about laughing with Gordon's Makes Us Drunk. They're seated at a table by a window, quietly drinking gin and smoking until they become pissed. The soundtrack is made up of pieces like 'Land of Hope and Glory'. These two are surely taking the piss - and this video runs in the gallery's cafe, so is accessible to all.
And I have a huge crush on one of the big, blonde curators. A good morning! |
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