Edward Burtynsky's "Water" Exhibition, Absolutely Brilliant!!!

Edward Burtynsky's "Water"

This was one exhibition i desperately wanted to see. 

"When you develop a concept that you want to follow, you move away from the randomness of taking photographs to the idea of making photographs." 

- Edward Burtynsky 

What Burtynsky's work is showing is an investigation into our world's continuous compromised environment. He takes photographs mainly from an aerial perspective which take on a unique abstraction and painterly quality. 

These images focus not on the water itself but on the systems that humans have put in place in order to hardness this element. 

"Colorado River Delta #2, Near San Felipe, Baja, Mexico, 2011" 
Chromogenic Print
Edition 6
122 x 162 cm

Isn't this beautiful? Even more breath taking if it were to be seen for real. I looks like a tree with branches expanding from within. The water is creating all this! The colour of the water contrast with its white surroundings giving the element more focus.

"Glacial Runoff #1, Skeidararsandur, Iceland, 2012"
Chromogenic Print
Edition 3
152 x 203 cm

From a distance the image looks like a pattern, an image split into 3 different colours.
The details collide together making it rather difficult to determine what exactly the subject is at first.

" Greenhouses, Almira Peninsula, Spain, 2010"
Chromogenic Print
Edition 3
152 x 203 cm

The landscape here has been carved into dramatic patchwork patterns. Like we have control over this terrain. Human intervention has led to these rich lands being bled of their natural resources.
Colour combination really appeals to the audiences eye.

"Pivot Irrigation Suburb, South of Yuma, Arizona, USA, 2011"
Chromogenic Print
Edition 12
122 x 162 cm

It makes you think about the different ways we humans interact with our environment.
How we are trying to control them, the outcome of what they can produce for our benefits.

To me, it gives off a sense of alien. Maybe from movies...
The large circles look like radars to me, signals, marks on the ground created by large pieces of technology.

"Pivot irrigation #1, High Plains, Texas Panhandle, USA, 2011"

Chromogenic Print

Edition 12

152 x 203 cm

I really quite like the composition of this image. Its like a framed photograph inside a photograph. 

Rather abstract and really emphasis human activity on land

"Dryland Farming #27, Monegros, Spain #27, 2010" 
Chromogenic Print
Edition 9
99 x 132 cm

You know those long roads in a desert, and it's just endless, a slight comfort of freedom arises inside you.
This is even better. Not only do you see the road, you see what's ahead and around. A clearer more descriptive perspective

The sizes of these photos were a good fit to the space provided for them in the gallery. People could interact with them from different distances, far and close

Well lit, creating more focus on the photographs.

"Rice Terrace #2, Western Yunnan Province, China, 2012"
Chromogenic Print
Edition 6
122 x 162 cm 

This is majestically beautiful, the labour that has been done on the land has overall created a piece of art. Without knowing, this is a good example of Subconscious art.
It has a slight impressionism in it, how it concentrates on the light reflecting off the water surfaces, the orange and yellow colours in the middle give a nice contrast to its surrounding greens.

Inside the gallery, bottom floor, they have a nice little library where you can have a look at current artist and other artist work.
Edward Burtynsky's book is a whopping 75 pounds so if your pocket is low on cash, come and have a look as well as his original work.

The photographs were really well presented, there weren't any air bubbles beneath the image like you see in some photographs.
Details were very clear, minimal noise in the photographs.
A good size, would make a perfect addition to someones collection

In the gallery, consumers were continuously asking about sizes and prices. It is clear that this theme and Burtynsky's work has appealed to the majority of the population

"Xiaolangdi Dam #2, Yellow River, Henan Province, China, 2011"

Chromogenic Print

Edition 6

122 x 162 cm

"Xiaolangdi Dam #3, Yellow River, Henan Province, China, 2011"

Chromogenic Print

Edition 6

122 x 162 cm

Near the end of this show, i thought to myself that most of his images are a more artistic and beautifully shown google maps. Like the crop land ones. 

I am fascinated with his work. People stick with the perspectives that are comfortable with them, but Burtynsky goes beyond this. 

This is my Favourite!!!

"Stepwell #4, Sagar Kund Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2010"

Chromogenic Print

Edition 3

152 x 203 cm

It has a story, a purpose, a previous life. 

At the bottom of this well, all you can see is trash thrown about. This is a beautifully constructed piece of architecture and its colouring on the walls tells us an age. 

Reminded me of M.C. Esher's work with the stair illusions. 

Overall this exhibition was one worth travelling to see. 

Now this is Art !!

Li Songsong's "We Have Betrayed the Revolution"

(Ground Floor Gallery, 6 Burlington Gardens)

This was an amazing visit, best I've seen in a while. 

First, isn't Songsong such a cool last name?

Li Songsong is a Chinese Artist. This is his first solo exhibition in London and I'm am sure it won't be his last. 

This exhibition provides a comprehensive view of Songsong's art and focuses on the essence of his technique and painting process.

These pieces of work portray historical figures and events that happened in China.

What i truly loved about his work was the process. the way he painted.  

Doesn't this look like a Bruce Lee modelling for Calvin Klein Underwear?

Songsong began with found images sourced from a media such as newspapers, magazines, or the internet. 
He reconstructs the image square by square building layers of paint. He uses oil paint in his paintings, he must have mastered his technique during his BFA in Oil Painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. 

People interacted with the pieces in 3 different ways. 

1. From a distance to see the overall image. 

2. Up close to see the smaller details.

3. Even closer to see the mix combinations created within the oil paints. 

The oil was so thick it made me slightly light headed, seeing the heavy usage of oil paint being built up on top of each other made me feel heavier....inside, like subconsciously. 

There was so much oil, i doubt that they were dry. I have tried using oil before and it was only a small piece but that took weeks of drying plus hours of using a hair dryer. 

Which begs me to a point, whilst viewing these pieces of art, the temptation to touch it is indescribable. Maybe it's just me but it was dragging me into it. 

In a painting, i look for the brushstrokes, i try to find the smallest amount of details made by a brush.

In this, the strokes were so wide, so big, there was hardly any marks made delicately but as you stand back, you can somehow see more than expected. It was like a deception of perspective. 

Li Songsong said 

" Everyone knows the story. The important thing is the way that you tell it. The way depends on your attitude, and attitude changes with time. As society changes, attitude changes accordingly."

Bright vibrant colours mixed together upon layers and layers. 

Unlimited amounts of texture. Nothing is ever the same in any part of the panting. 

This is called " Zhong Nan Hai"
Oil on Canvas

This is a bird's eye view of a location based in China. It looks really detailedly drawn, but as you get closer and closer, it doesn't seem as if the artist put in a vast amount to time in applying these details, or it may just be the process.

Its like playing with my mind.

I was so drawn to these pieces that i was considering buying one.....or all. 

Then i realised that requires money, money i know i don't have 

:(

I also like the fact that he adds in different colours, he adds in energising colours to liven up the situation painted. 

 So far, this was my most enjoyable visit to a gallery in London. The space was near perfect.

Ceilings high.

Pieces fitted on the walls well, wasn't surrounded by large empty spaces. 

Enough space for you to walk back and view from a distance.

Not all paintings were painted on canvas. 3 out of the 12 paintings were painted on Aluminium panels. This was an interesting contrast in material usage. 

The aluminium was a much thicker material, which stuck out of the painting much more. This created shadows which created images within the image painted on. 

Definitely a show or artist to see. I am sure he will continue surprising me with his work

Someday i will have one of his pieces up on my wall!

On till 9th November

Incredible Exhibition - South London Gallery: Oscar Murillo

Cultural Orienteering Part 1

Our task - Go around London and discover certain galleries that were given to us on a list

The first gallery our group went to was SLG

Oscar Murillo : If i was to draw a line, this journey started approximately 400km north of the equator. 

Fot those who haven't been to this exhibition yet, try to, its really something. 

The moment i walked in, i thought to myself "What a dump" and "What is this?". This was because everything was scattered about, pieces were stuck on the walls with tape?! Very poorly exhibited...or was it. I knew i had not fully understand the concept so i went to read the description of the show outside. First looks can be rather deceiving.                                     

                                                                              This exhibition, Murillo has delivered most of his studio content into this exhibition space, creating an installation which is itself, a work in progress.

 These pieces introduce ideas around processes of transformation,
there was some sort of edible substance in these plastic bags, then sculptures of them on the tables. It seemed that the substance had been transformed into another form using machinery.

The most putting off thing was that it has a stench and that flies were hovering them, not expected in a gallery, however i guess this does create a cultural atmosphere in where the artist did his research

This is Interesting!!!  

The paintings on the floor,  they have been folded and placed there on  purpose, and for sale, and people can walk on them .

Murillo wanted  paintings to become denser, dirtier and further degraded as people walk over them throughout the course of the exhibition. Weird huh? 

The paintings were worth 400 pounds each! On the floor, folded, ready for purchase. 

Personally i didn't walk over them, i felt somehow disrespectful towards the artist even if he encouraged it. My peers felt differently. 

 Contrast in texture, The raised floor level was smooth, clean
The lower level was covered with food bits, dirt, pretty much scraps from his workings. I found the texture incredibly interesting to walk on. It was a piece of art itself in that manner.

Lucky Dip

This was my favourite part of the visit. Only because i spoke to a man who worked there and it transformed into a fascinating discussion.

If we had simply walked in and left afterwards, we would not have fully understood Murillo's concept through this piece, for those who visit art galleries, ask the people there about the work, it only leads to better understanding.

This part of the show, located on the next floor up was called "Lucky Dip"
Murillo devised a lottery, each ticket is silk-screened printed.
Tickets are worked on by Murillo using oil paint.
Each ticket has its own individual number, name of buyer, style, colours and is signed on the reverse by the artist.

The tickets, they represent hope, luck, fortune and much more. When Murillo sells the ticket, and puts it up, he has this sense of ownership over someone. How would it feel holding onto someone's hopes and dreams?

What's amazing is that the tickets are not cheap. Each ticket is worth 2,500 pounds.
We asked the staff who worked there how much has he sold, he said 60. I calculated, it is around 150,00 pounds!!
That's not the best part, he has done this is the span of 3 weeks.
50,000 pounds - each week
7,142.86 pounds - each day
297 pounds - each hour
5 pounds - each minute

If my calculations are correct and this is right then OH MY GOODNESS!!

Each ticket has a uniqueness to it. Not only does the name of the buyer help with that but the colours are never the same. Numbers are written into the oil paint.

This is his space in which he deals with the tickets, he comes in on the weekends to work on them.
Its nice to see what it was like the last time he was here, it brings a sense of him into the work 24-7.

Holding onto faith of other people is rare. The possibility of winning a huge sum of money or loosing what you spent to purchase the ticket is always a gamble. 

I was mostly amazed on how much money Murillo made in such a short period of time. Being an artist is financially difficult which was why he inspired me through this project. 

Not that I'm going to concentrate on projects that will make me money. 

Tickets can be purchased online or through the gallery, so if you are interested....
Be quick though, it ends 7:30pm on the 18th October.

Thank you for reading

Eugene Lee

:)

Art made by Prisoners, Offenders, Secure Patients and Detainees

So i heard from a friend that there was this exhibition, where all the artwork there were made from criminals, people in prison.

This immediately caught my attention.

For those living in London, This Exhibition is at the South Bank Centre, SE1 8XX
Its Free Admission

This was it's Entrance piece. "Pirate Ship"
Artist at Bluebird House, Hampshire (Secure mental health unit, under 18's)

The "Pirate Ship" was entirely made out of recycled material, cardboard.

I was really fascinated by this piece due to the fact that it was all made from somebody's hands.

It shows that when somebody puts their heart, mind and soul into something, possibilities are endless.
I love creating things using my hands, this is a great encouragement in motivating me to do so.

Very good work ... but not my favourite piece.

 "Son of a Red Man"
Artist at HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc, Wales

I was interested in this because of its facial expression.
When i was at the gallery, being surrounded by the works created by offenders, i absorbed a strong sense of regret, memories, hopes and dreams.
It was rather emotional for me because i felt that some of the artist really felt sincere and regret and expressed it through a medium of art.

Looking at this sculpture, i feel upset, somehow making me think about the wrongs i did in the past, like i may have hurt someone and didn't notice.

This is a very powerful piece to me, the favourite of the day
I also want to start ceramics, its always been a fascination but never really experienced it.

I also want to say this, It doesn't matter who you are and what you have done in the past, it is what you do in the present and the future that makes you who you are.
These people, although stated as criminals and offenders, have actually inspired me, they showed me a glimpse of their affliction and how they are conquering it. A meanings to a true artist?

 "Forgiveness - The Prodigal Son"
Artist at Ashworth Hospital, Merseyside (Secure mental health unit)

Th title aroused my interest immediately.
Forgiveness.
We all have our secrets, we hold onto the things we've done wrong. The only for closure is forgiveness, but some of us are often too afraid to ask or not willing to forgive.

Just the title got me thinking.
You have to understand that everyone makes mistakes, your close friend or even family. Next time they do something wrong, forgive them. If no one makes mistakes, no one can learn from them and improve.

 "Mercury, Messenger of the Gods"
HM Prison Whatton, Nottinghamshire
(Right side piece)

I looked closely at this piece, i followed the marks on the page, i could see in depth lumps around the eyes, going in. I felt as if he (Rob) put more pressure down onto the page as he was colouring the eyes. Like he'd seen something bad and wanted to erase it. Emotional whilst drawing.



"Bluer Shade of Green" (One above)
Greenwich office, London Probation Trust
This was simply a beautiful portrait, Beautiful colours, beautiful girl and beautifully painted.
I rather like the lens flare effect in this painting. Maybe she is his (Nigel) girlfriend or wife waiting for him to return. At home? His place? Was it an anniversary? Does she seem upset, worried or about to quit? Paintings like these raises so many questions it sparks unlimited interest.

 "The Last Time We Met"
HM Prison Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Sorry about the slight reflection of me, this was a piece behind glass so harder to shoot.

Again, the title interest me.
This is a memory so dear to him/her.
Were they a family once upon a time?

Memories like this are hard to forget, love is such a powerful emotion that it can drive him to do good, and return to this scenario once again.
Certain memories can keep a person together, motivate those to accomplish the impossible.

I would just like to thank the Koestler Trust and Southbank Centre for continuing their partnership and showing the works of prisoners, offenders, secure patients and detainees.

Anyone can create art, art doesn't necessarily mean a painting or a drawing, it is something with meaning that you express to others in a form. Art is life, anything and everything you see is Art.

If you disagree, question or tell me about it, i would love to talk to you about it and hear what you have to say.

Love you all
Smile as big as you can NOW :)

Eugene Lee