Tuesday 8 December 2009

Let's talk Art today.

Two interesting and rather heartening pieces of information on Art today. The first is the winner of the Turner Prize - an annual award of £25,000. Richard Wright, at forty nine near to the upper age limit for entry, no longer paints on canvas but paints his highly original but transitory paintings on to walls and ceilings on the understanding that they will later be removed.
He says, "My work is not for the future, it is for now." His latest work, and the one that bagged him the prize is a huge wall of abstract mural in an intricate gold-leaf design and two much smaller red designs painted above an opposite doorway. Congratulations go to him for such a beautiful piece of work and such a change from recent winners.
The other piece of artistic news I read today concerns something which has literally sprung up overnight outside the Old Vic theatre in Waterloo.
Thirty pencil cypress trees - all potted - have sprung up in a makeshift forest. They are surrounded by a box shaped hoarding with life-sized images of larger trees. Passers by are encouraged to stroll between the trees and imagine they are in a forest - this is helped by mirrored backdrops.The display is an effort to help city dwellers think about the issues of deforestation. Over the Christmas period children will be encouraged to hang their home made decorations in the trees and in January it will be the venue for a dance performance.
They will be there until the end of February when they will be dispersed and planted in various neighbourhood green spaces. What a refreshing idea.
If you wish to read more about either of these two stories go to day's Times on line.

19 comments:

Granny Sue said...

The forest idea is excellent--art as commentary and experience. In Charleston, WV where I work, someone spray-painted white spots on the sidewalks and added a spot of yellow in the centers--an artist's rendition of it being so hot eggs could fry on the concrete! No one claimed responsibility that I am aware of, but I enjoyed the improv art--even though it really wasn't all that hot this summer.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I find it interesting that the artist creates knowing his work will diappear. Sort of like a sidewalk chalk artist. Or a housekeeper - nothing stays done for very long.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, I'd love to visit that forest! Lovely idea.

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

I saw an item about Wright's work the other evening and was also glad that he won. His gold leaf mural looked great. But allowing his stuff to be painted over seems rather extreme!

Reader Wil said...

I saw the painting of Richard Wright and found it very beautiful! Such a pity that it's going to be removed!
It's like great sand- or ice- structures: they are sometimes real pieces of art and yet doomed to be destroyed.

mrsnesbitt said...

Turner prize Winners always do well from the recognition! We visited Tate Modern a few years ago.....interesting!

Gwil W said...

I'd like to take my neighbour's dog for a morning walk in the city forest. It'd make a change from the daily puddle by my gatepost. I sometimes put some pepper down. Is that being too cruel?

Totalfeckineejit said...

Why should there be an age limit on artists!Down with this sort of thing! But congrats to he who won, though.I like the cut of his gib.And I like trees, trees in cities are wonderful.I hug trees,a proper arms out, eyes closed, dancing close at the Disco type hug,especially really old ones and I don't mind admittng it.Pip pip!

Tess Kincaid said...

I love the notion of art for the present.

Heather said...

It is very heartening that a beautiful painted work has won the Turner Prize and the forest installation is a wonderful idea - aesthetically pleasing as well as thought provoking.

Titus said...

Thanks Weaver! Hoping to see both of these up close and personal during the Christmas break. The children are particularly excited about the forest in the city, which is strange as we are surrounded by forest and woods and walk in them practically daily!

Golden West said...

I love the idea of greenery in cities, not just in parks but along sidewalks, parkways and amongst the buildings.

steven said...

hey weaver you know i love art - sometimes art is as simple as the frost you have in your header photo. it'll be gone sometime just like the snow on the other side of my kitchen window. i love the little forest idea. trees in a city are like water in the desert. have a lovely evening in the dale. steven

Cloudia said...

Makeshift forest: Cool!



Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

cloudia

Elisabeth said...

I'm appalled by the age limit on artists too. They offer them to the young and then they exclude the not so young. Does anyone know why?

The Weaver of Grass said...

So - some of you think it is ageist! Well The Turner prize is specifically to encourage young artists who are just starting out - not sure where this leaves a 49 year old.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Everyone seems to like the idea of the footpath forest - sounds lovely doesn't it. I don't think we need to take Poet's threat seriously.
It is things like these two items which make me sometimes wish I could go to London. Yes - I know I could get on the train for the three hour journey any time I like - but it is so tiring.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I saw his picture and thought it was wonderful. I am not sure I would be able to cope with losing it if I were him so it is lucky I am not!

BT said...

I wish I could walk through that 'forest' of trees Weaver, but I don't think I'll be able to. What a great idea. Great news about the Turner Prize Winner. I like his idea of his art being for 'now'.