Written by Nathan Gotlib
London, 24th July - So I had read about this exhibition in the newspapers and I happened to be in town to go and see the BP Portrait Awards 2012 (the show I try and go to every year, exquisite display of skill and draughtsmanship with an ever-increasing lack of content and concept). As the National Gallery is literally just around the corner, I thought I might as well have a look.
The exhibition features work by three contemporary artists: Mark Wallinger, Chris Ofili and Conrad Shawcross. All the work has been inspired by three paintings by Titian. The pinnacle of the work was the ballet performance at the Royal Opera House, a project all the artists worked on together with the Royal Ballet in response to Titan’s work.
Diana and Actaeon, Titian 1556-9
The Death of Actaeon, Titian about 1559-75
Diana and Actaeon, Titian 1556-9
This exhibition is particularly interesting because of two things. The exhibition features the artists' individual responses to the work. Ofili's colorful and engaging paintings, Conrad's mechanical arm and Wallinger's much appraised Diana. They each responded to the original paintings in their own way. Ofili’s paintings are beautifully colored and composed in his trademark large scale style. This was a great opportunity to see some of his recent work, as I hadn’t really heard anything from him after seeing his retrospective at the Tate a few years ago...
Chris Ofili's paintings. Photos by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images Europe
Chris Ofili's paintings. Photos by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images Europe
"Ovid Desire", Chris Ofili 2012
"Trophy", Conrad Shawcross 2012. Photo by The National Gallery
I was not particularly planning on writing about the whole exhibition, however it is about Diana that I would like to talk. The work features a small room within a room, in which a woman (fittingly named Diana) bathes herself. The audience is invited to look into the room from four different points of view, ranging from a keyhole to the space between the window shutters or even a small hole behind the bathroom mirror. Besides getting the gallery into some sort of trouble because it attracts perverts, the piece is also a prime example of a rising trend in contemporary art: the abandonment of the aesthetics for the sake of theatre. Work like this fits into the category of artistic pieces that invites the audience to experience a particular emotion when interacting with the work.
"Diana, 2012", Mark Wallinger. Photo: independent.co.uk
"Diana, 2012" Mark Wallinger. Photo: Mark Wallinger
The surge of that particular emotion becomes the concept the artist is trying to emphasize on. From what I gathered the Tate's next turbine hall exhibition will be something similar, featuring a whole lot of people wandering around aimlessly talking with you and telling you their life story before walking off again. Social interaction (and unease) is key in this sort of work. In an age where humanity becomes more and more of an optional attribute, maybe these kind of pieces are becoming increasingly interesting...
Secondly it fits the contemporary practice of artists conversations, having all three contemporary artists work together and off each other while inspired by Titian's work. Working together, they designed a set and costumes for a play at the Royal Opera House.
Photo: Johan Persson
All of the work is visible at the venue, including footage of the aforementioned event. The exhibition is basically a collection of all the work that has been done in regards to the Metamorphosis show that was held at the Opera House, including background research and work in progress. The different styles are definitely noticeable and are not clashing at all, shaping the play to be a colorful display of dance and body language.
Photo: Johan Persson
Photo: Johan Persson
The Royal Ballet responded beautifully to the work in harmony with the artsits' visualisations, taking the concept of creative conversation to a new high. Transcending the barriers between art and dance (barriers which are not always defined)it creates a refreshing interpretation of Titian's paintings.
http://youtu.be/z90BeVQiAtA
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