Modern art education

The Tate galleries have added some interactive works in their exhibition that actually jump a few hurdles in engaging audiences and thank god for that.




The inclusion also of both interactive games and interactive screens as well a lot of opportunities for feedback is another great addition to the gallery experience.

The feedback area for The Turner Prize 2008 was an amazing inclusion and frankly much more memorable than the actually prize itself. The level of engagement with these interactive spaces was what really surprised me. The usual cynicism that goes along with arts education was completely removed and people genuinely wrote what they thought (good and bad), watched videos, drew and played and read the information available to them.

This was so much more fun that my childhood gallery visits. Thankfully art and fun is finally being combined!

The Musée des Arts décoratifs

This newly renovated wing of the Musée du Louvre, Paris - The Musée des Arts décoratifs is a perfect example of how a museum can be renovated to create an amazing experience for the viewer. Having been in the swing of visiting many galleries in a row this museum was a breath of fresh air. As each floor dedicated to a different era and the evolution of design is clearly demonstrated without being didactic. In particular the collection of chairs from the 60s is an installation in itself. The perfect visit for the history of object design. 

Rothko at the Tate Modern

To say this is one of the most emotional exhibitions I have ever seen seems like a bit of an odd comment but it was. Despite the busy crowd and large number of works Rothko's canvases completely immerse the viewer. A bit of an agnostic, Rothko's deep paintings capture amazing spirituality without being condescending. The murals which were intended for the Seagram building but never used due to Rothko's withdrawal from commission for the very posh restaurant of the Four Seasons are an amazing changing addition.

I spent 2 hrs in this exhibition and would have spent more if the gallery wasn't closing. The audio tour is also fantastic and you can listen to some of the music that he painted in the background. Information and displays which explain the conservation and content of his painting technique is the best presentation of this that I have seen. This is a complete must see!

More photos of Tate Britain and the very interesting public programs to come.

Jeff Koons on the Roof of the Met

This exhibition located on the top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and was very popular with visitors although the view from the roof may have help this along. Jeff Koons is commonly know as the artist who started out in advertising and shines (no pun intended) in this arena. Despite having seen these balloon works before, the location and subsequent reflections created in the works makes for interesting viewing. On until the 26th of Oct it is definitely worth the lift up to the 5th floor.

See the website for more

Catherine Opie @ The Guggenheim

Catherine Opie: American Photographer.

September 26, 2008–January 7, 2009

The Guggenheim itself was a little disappointing. What looks like a majestic climb from the outside was a slightly awkward and hardly spiritual experience. The large void in the middle does little but bring all the noise from the foyer into the gallery spaces. These letdowns were easily fixed when I stumbled across Catherine Opie's epic retrospective. This exhibition in a word is genius.

Although contemporary portraits are all the rage at the moment Opie's portrait lend themselves to a much more thoughtful rather than Vanity Fair appearance. Her most recent collection of personal photographs explore the understanding of gender is the most natural and real way. Her landscapes are mesmerising as they take on their own personality and mystery. It is worth listening to the audio tour for this as Opie personally discussing each separate series.

CATHERINE OPIE AT THE GUGGENHEIM