Anish Kapoor's sculpture at the Royal Academy of Arts
I did a lot of traveling in 2009 esp. later in year and so managed to visit quite a lot of art and photography exhibitions around the world. And here's a list of the exhibitions I visited from summer until winter of 2009:
London:
Garden and Cosmos: The Royal Paintings of Jodhpu, British museum (May – Oct 2009)
Wonderful and delicate paintings produced for the maharajahs in Marwar from 1725 to 1843 are on display at the British Museum. Colourful and detailed, the paintings tell so much about the history, life style, religion, fashion and culture of that period. Truly remarkable.
Design High, Louise Blouin Foundation (June- Aug 2009)
A range of design/ art installations are exhibited at the huge gallery, it's rare to see a spacious gallery like this in London! Most of the work on display are huge too, and they examine the boundaries between design and art, function and form. There are some interesting furniture/ installation esp. Womb house by Atelier van Lieshout, which is humourous and memorable.
Johanna Billing: I’m lost without your rhythm (July- Sept)/Alexandre de Cunha: Laissez-faire (July- Sept), Camden Arts Centre (July - September 2009)
Telling tales, V & A (July - October 2009)
Can design be regarded as art? This exhibition showcasing 'fairytale-themed' contemporary designs from Europe (mostly the Netherlands) make us wonder the boundaries between art, craft and design. Some of the designs are hardly functional, so do we just dismiss them as 'bad' designs? Can decorative designs be conceived as 'good' even if they don't fulfil their original function? Some bizarre and interesting designs esp. the ceramic pyramids designed by various Dutch designers (like Hella Jongerius and Studio Job) for Royal Tichelaar Makkum. Useless but cool.
Super Contemporary, Design museum (June – October 2009)
15 leading London designers (including Paul Smith, Zaha Hadid, Tom Dixon, Ron Arad etc) were commissioned to design a better London. Some good ideas but probably wouldn't work in reality. Interesting enough but a bit disappointing.
Anish Kapoor, Royal Academy of Art (September – December 2009)
This exhibition became the talk of the town for a few weeks! A cannon shooting out red wax inside the Royal Academy might sound crazy but it happened! All I could think of was how were they going to clean the mess (or sorry, I mean art)! I really enjoyed Kapoor's small architecture exhibition last year but I found this rather mainstream... fun, loud but a bit shallow.
David Chipperfield: Form matters @ Design Museum (Oct 09 - Jan 2010)
It's hard to believe that British architect, David Chipperfield has only a handful of buildings that were realised in the UK! Why is Chipperfield's design more appreciated abroad? He seems to be doing very well elsewhere but here, even though 2 galleries are on their way. (Personally I think architecture competitions are a waste of time because most of time, the winners don't get to build their designs anyway!) At last, we can only appreciate his work through this comprehensive exhibition at the Design Museum. There are models, drawings and photographs that demonstrate his style: understated, simple, functional and bold. It has nothing to do with fashion nor trend, I believe his work will stand the test of time. Great stuff!
Less and More - The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams @ Design Museum (Nov 09 - Mar 2010)
Dieter Rams is probably one of the most influencial product designer of our generation and yet he is not as well known as designers like Philippe Starck. By looking at his understated, simple and sleek designs, we can understand more about him, his philosophy and the reason why he is still relatively unknown outside of the design world. He has inspired designers like Jonathan Ive (for Apple), Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison and many more. When looking at his work during the Braun days, we can appreciate how timeless his designs are and see his influence on our everyday lives. A true master.
Bangkok
Portraits of the KING... The Art of Iconography @ Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (Aug - Nov 2009)
In Thailand, it's hard to avoid images of the Thai King because they are everywhere! The Thai King is an iconic figure and so he always appears ageless. i.e. we rarely get to see recent images of the elderly King within the country! With all the recent political issues, the future of Thailand and the Monarchy is still unsure, but this exhibition provides a good starting point for those who want to understand a bit more about Thai history and their attitudes towards the King.
The Guggenheim-like Art centre
Art outside of the Art centre
Tokyo
Washi: The timeless beauty of Japanese paper @ Suntory museum of Art (Sept - Nov 09)
A exhibition on traditional Japanese paper, washi, with work ranging from calligraphy to kimonos and fans. Craftsmanship and beauty are the focuses here. Particularly fascinating if you are into paper like me, but some extra contemporary work would have made it more interesting.
Exhibition posters of Washi & The Outline in Roppongi Hills
The Outline： The unseen outline of things @ 21_21 design sight (Oct 09 - Jan 2010)
I was quite excited before my visit to Naoto Fukasawa's major exhibition in Tokyo. Famous for his minimalistic approach to design (notably Muji's CD player), Fukasawa's work is often described as simple, clean and functional. This exhibition uses a rather clever and unique approach to explore his work... photographs. Photographer, Tamotsu Fujii, spent 4 years taking series of photos that offer variations and intepretations of Fukasawa's designs. Displaying side by side, the photos seem to enchance and magnify the beauty of the products. This is quite unexpected and very refreshing indeed.
Ko-Imari in Paris: Enchanting Beauty 350 Years of Japanese Porcelain Exports to Europe @ Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Oct - Dec 09)
A huge collection of porcelain and ceramics exports from the 16th and 17th century, from vases, plates, bowls to tea pots etc. Yet what fascinated me was not the exhibition itself, but the beautiful Art Deco ex-residence of Prince Asaka. I just love the Art Deco style furnishings! However, the garden was a bit of a disappointment, perhaps because it was getting cold... I am sure it would look quite different in spring/ summer.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Singapore
Baba Bling: The Peranakans & their jewellery @ Peranakan Museum (May -Dec 2009)
While I was in Singapore, I met and chatted to some Peranakans (descendants of early Chinese immigrants and local women from Singapore, Malacca and Penang etc) and I was very impressed by their enthusiasm of their heritage and identities. Hence I was curious to find out more and thus it brought me to the Peranakan museum. The temporary exhibition showcases beauitful jewelley from the Peranakan families, mostly made of gold. It's hardly surprising that jewellery was not only used as decoration but also as symbol of status, however, it's odd to know that children also worn jewellery to show off family wealth! In today's dangerous world, this would be an invitation for kidnapping... not a good idea!!
Baba Bling
Tactile @ 8Q, Singapore Art Museum (Nov 2009 - Jan 2010)
13 local artists are brought together to showcase their artwork through the senses. Each artist has a distinguish style but my favourite is Teng Yen Lin's Linear Perspective.
Linear Perspective
Thrice upon a time: A century of story in the Art of the Philippines @ Singapore art museum (Nov 2009 - Jan 2010)
I know nothing about Filipino art and so this exhibition is an eye-opener for me. I am truly impressed by the diverse and unique work showcased at the museum. The European, folk and religious influences can be seen in many of the works but somehow these artists manage to create their own style that are different from both Western and Eastern art. Thumbs up for both the artists and exhibition curators!
Jose Tence Ruiz's Paraisado Sorbetero
Tupperware @ Red Dot Museum
To visit a world class design musuem (the original branch is in Germany) in South East Asia is a thrilling experience! But to find out that Tupperware won the best design team red dot award 2009 is even more thrilling! The eye-catching tupperware display stands out amongst a room full of sleek designs. Cool.
Red Dot museum
Hong Kong
The Prosperous Cities: A Selection of Paintings from the Liaoning Provincial Museum @ Hong Kong Museum of Art (Sept - Nov 2009)
The paintings exhibited are exquisite! Refined and detailed, they showcase the brilliance of Chinese art or paintings. However, the confusing layout, dull looking display and decor are huge letdowns! The curators here really need to spend some time visiting world class museums like Louvre and British museum to understand the importance of exhibition design.
The Ultimate South China Travel Guide – Canton @ Hong Kong Museum of Art (Sept 2009 - March 2010)
I thoroughly enjoyed this small but fun exhibition! And it's so refreshing to see this in Hong Kong! The exhibition is curated in the style of a travel guidebook for foreign travellers in the 19th century, and even the exhibition leaflet is designed in a guidebook style! A humourous and unique approach that provide visitors an understanding of life in Canton in the 1800s.
Fa Pai (flower plaque) heritage - local craft aesthetics @ HKICC Lee Shau Kee school of creativity (Nov - Dec 2009)
This small exhibition is an interesting one because it examines an local craft that is on the brink of extinction. In a city where anything old (including people), historical or traditional are considered as 'out', many local craftsmanships are disappearing with the demolishments of local areas where communities are forced out and businesses are forced to close down. It's encouraging to see children taking part in the exhibition and to know that there are people here who are fighting to conserve the heritage of Hong Kong.
Fa Pai exhibition
Paris
Madeleine Vionnet, puriste de la mode @ Musee des Arts Decoratifs
Known as the 'Queen of the bias cut' and 'couturier of couturiers', Madeleine Vionnet inspired many famous designers like Cristobal Balenciaga, Ossie Clark, John Galliano, Azzedine Alaia, Yohji Yamamoto and Sophia Kokosalaki (who was appointed as the creative director of Vionnet between 2006-7). This exhibition, filled with the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen, were mostly made between 1912 and 1939. Words that sum up her work: simplicity, perfection and sophistication.
Louis Comfort Tiffany, couleurs et lumiere @ Musee du Luxembourg (Sept 2009 - Jan 2010)
Was this the last exhibition to be held at Musee du Luxembourg? When I visited, there was a petition going around to save the museum from the closure. I am not sure of the dispute behind the closure, but from the point of view of a visitor, it would be a loss for the public.
I am not a particular fan of Tiffany, but I was curious to see the original works by the founder of this famous brand. And I was quite plesantly surprised by the colourful and decorative works by Tiffany esp. his mosaics and stained glass window based on drawings of Toulouse-Lautrec. The craftsmanship was simply outstanding. It's a real shame that this kind of craftmanship is disappearing fast in our convenience-based society today.
The Dragon’s gift – The sacred arts of Bhutan/ Threading the Genji-Mongatari – Homage to Master Itaro Yamaguchi @ Musee National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet
As someone who knows Paris quite well, it's hard for me to believe that I have never visited Musée Guimet, a museum devoted to Asian arts. I am not even sure how I managed to miss this amazing museum for all these years! There is so much 'treasure' here, it's hard to know where to begin! You will probably need at least 3 hours to see everything properly including the exhibitions, and the best thing is that it is not as touristy and crowded as The Lourve. Highly recommended!
Chinese ivory-carved house at Musee Guimet
Voyages. Regards de photographes japonais sur le monde @ Maison de la culture du Japan a Paris (Oct 09 – Jan 10)
An insightful photography exhibition of six contemporary Japanese artists, traveling from Mount Fuji in Japan to India and Portugal, showing isolation, over-population, disappearing culture and other issues through their camera lenses.
Chasing Napoleon @ Palais de Tokyo (Oct 09 – Jan 10)
This exhibition examineed various utopian ideas that emerged around the year of 1977. A fascinating exhibition esp. by Amercian artist, Paul Laffoley.
Palais de Tokyo
Jean-Michel Frank @ Foundation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent
How do we define good designs? Sometimes only time will tell. Good designs should be timeless and this statement applies to work by Jean-Michel Frank, the legendary interior decorator/ furniture designer of the 1930s and 40s. If we look at his work today, they don't even look out of place in a modern home and that is what good design is all about. Tres chic et moderne!
Jean-Michel Frank exhibition
Islamic Arts @ L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Oct 09 – Mar 10)
I have never been to L'Institut du Monde Arabe before, so it was interesting to visit this Jean Nouvel designed building as well as seeing the huge exhibition on Islamic arts. There was a lot to see, from pottery to calligraphy, paintings and carpet... very diverse and educational. However, sometimes with big exhibitions like this, my concentration level would decrease because of information overload! I love Islamic arts but I think the overall layout is rather dull, it would have been better if it is lightened up more.
L'Institut du Monde Arabe
Delpire & Cie @ Maison Europeenne de La Photographie Ville de Paris (Oct 09 – Jan 10)
Robert Delpire has been an important figure in France for over 60 years. He changed the modern photography scene by publishing work of future photography legends like Cartier-Bresson, Brassaï, Doisneau, Lartigue and Bischof. As a fan of 'street photography' and having previously worked as an Art director, I found this exhibition very inspiring because of Delpire's diverse range of work . Besides photography, there are children's books (illustrations), editorial work, advertising and videos. I also love this small Marais gallery, it's a hidden gem.
La subversion des Images: Surrealism, photography, film @ Pompidou Centre (Sept 2009 – Jan 2010)
When I was studying at art college years ago, I wrote an essay on Surrealism because I have always been fascinated by this art movement. Hence I was quite relieved when the strike at the Pompidou Centre ended just before my departure.
The exhibition concentrates on the film and photography side of Surrealism, showing over 350 works by famous Surrealists like Man Ray, Salvador Dali, Luis Bunuel and Andre Breton etc.
Soulages @ Pompidou Centre (Oct 2009 - March 2010)
A retrospective of the most famous living French abstract painter, Pierre Soulages, covering more than 60 years of work. Soulages is famous for his use of black throughout his career, and like the Russian/ American artist, Mark Rothko, his work is meditative and poetic.
Via. Design 3.0 1979-2009 30 years of furniture design @ Pompidou Centre (Dec 2009 - Feb 2010)
An exhibition organised by VIA (Valorisation de l’innovation dans l;Ameublement) and Centre Pompidou, which pays tribute to French furniture design over the past three decades. There are 40 prototypes including big names like Philippe Starck and Ligne Roset.
Via. Design 3.0 exhibition
No comments:
Post a Comment