A teddy bear wearing devil horns: "it’s a nervous thing"

Very chuffed to nab last minute tickets for The Acid Test, by Anna Reiss, at The Royal Court on Monday! Known to me as the inspirationally young playwright who wrote something and won an award last year, I definitely wanted to see something of hers.

Enthusiastically asked to enter “flat number 11 please” by the FOH usher, me and my favourite theatre-buddy Milly squealing at this prospect..! and entered a female, fairy-lighted flat. Beautifully laid bare, the scene was charmingly messy and disordered: girly knickers drying on the maiden, Take a Break! placed  beside the television, next to it Catch Me If You Can on DVD, a bottle of pale pink nail varnish behind the television, and various other bits of debris strewn around the room – receipts, odd shoes, a tube of Pringles. Like the play itself the scene was so real it was hard to believe that it had actually been created.

 A cuddly toy placed on the shelf, wearing sequin devil horns goes on to observe the Friday night in the flat. We learn that the mess belongs to Dana, Ruth and Jessica; each character so believable and representative of the 20-year-old girls that live today; the blonde n pretty likeable one, the childish indie kid and the slightly macho moody yet ‘deeper’ one. The story starts to unfold once Jessica (macho n moody) brings her dad back to the flat, after he’s been thrown out of the family home. Hysterically awkward at first, dad is offered a drink and things start to un-ravel. During the long, drink fuelled evening, a dysfunctional father-daughter relationship is revealed, one that cannot be blamed on a violent abusive past but one based on simple hatred. The three of them (being dad, Dana and Ruth) turn on Jessica, as Dana and Ruth become uncomfortably affectionate towards the dad.

The direction has a wonderful subtleness to it – everything from chocolate smears on dad’s work shirt (after creepily making strawberries and melted chocolate for the girls) to Jessica’s excruciating body language I found unforgettable. This may be a bit rash (but fuck it, I’m a blogger, I can be opinionated!!): want to get more problem-audiences into theatre? Put on more work like this. A brilliant example of a true, domestic situation that each and everyone one of us can relate to.

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POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No. 6

Going To Work

LS Lowry, 1959

“This art is a terrible business”  -  L S Lowry, 1887 - 1976

Happy Single’s Day! (was what I thought on the 14th)

by Nico van der Merwe

¡San Valentín!  As a single pringle, here’s 3 things I loved this week, besides male company: 

·         My first lesson of Spanish. I’m actually fucking doing it! Hurray. I’m totally trying to steer clear of any self-absorbed diary-like entries (!), so to keep this post arts focussed, an arty Spanish fact for you:

Madrid’s International Contemporary Art Fair, ARCO, celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, and will showcase art from 197 international galleries from 21 countries. ARCO (the largest contemporary art fair in Spain), seeks to revive the interest for modern art, despite the economic crisis.

·         Brighton Rock. Kings Speech, Black Swan, Kings Speech, Black Swan, Kin... but Brighton Rock is what I choose to see. I thought it was excellent! Chillingly brutal, well paced and stylishly updated to the 60s. Especially liked the ending; seemingly happy (‘Pinky’ gets his comeuppance). But in fact it is not so; the ending ending is grim. Intrigued? Maybe I need to read the book before I can truly judge the film – as I am frantically doing now, with Never Let Me Go (really hard to get into, but it’s worth getting into, I’m told!)

Sam Riley's "dead-eyed look" as Pinky. Throughout, his face is so tensed you never see his teeth, except for the once, revealing a snaggle tooth. Now thats chilling!

·          The London Met Arts Society: it is finally on its feet!

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POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No. 5

Miroslav Bartak

Dynamite Ink (UK)

I found this, along with two other postcards of a similar nature, in a little stationary shop by uni (Holloway Road) for 25p. I smile every time I look at this one J

How so subtly witty is this one?! Comic images of her hacking at the man’s arm with underlying ideas of objectification (putting yourself on show maybe?). And of course I think of meaty masculinised Britain. Or have I got it totally, totally wrong?

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So, what did I really think about the Antonioni Project? Apart from “I can’t say Antonionioo!!”

Ivo van Hove’s Antonioni Project is based on the scripts of three films by Michelangelo Antonioni. Merging live performance, projection and film, Hove explores the intimate relationships between several couples under a number of different circumstances. The piece reminded me very much of the film (and play) Closer, in a sense that sex is thrown about: everyone is pretty much ‘getting off’ with each other. But visually, it was beautiful, and once again it challenged my usually hostility towards uses of technology!   

But (and please excuse my use of the word) what about the subtitles. Hmm. Of course, a play spoken in non-English is no indication of quality levels, but I do (and did) believe that it affects theatrical experience as a whole. Does having to concentrate on English translation not interfere with what you actually see? Of course it does! (Well, me and Milly thought so).

The language did intrigue me however, sparking wonders of Dutch culture and where the play was actually ‘set’. The rich and attractive characters come together at the end for one smart yet long, hazy party, held together by the glorious onstage jazz band and made memorable by the heavenly balloon scene.

A wonderful evening at the Barbican with my beautiful Mil!

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POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No. 4



Songthrush

John Gould 1804-1881

One of many from the vast 'Chris collection'! Amongst the random, retro, cheesy, cheery, crap and cracking cards, this one stood out. Reminds me of being little and riffling through my Dad’s bird-watching books!

Check out the radio-active eggs! Maybe toxic pollution was anticipated earlier than we thought.

More from the amazing Athena range soooooon!

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Turner and Turner

Watching The Painter at the Arcola last night got me thinking about the Turner Prize this year.

Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the play is about JMW Turner (18^th century landscape artist), his life and the people that surround him. Apparently Turner bought his paints in the Arcola’s new location, which was why the writer was asked to write a play about him (ooh).

So first off, I’d totally recommend The Painter!! The domestic ‘situations’ that make up the performance are dramatic and gripping, while the characters are entirely believable yet so intriguing.

See it next Tuesday if you can, its pay what you can; now there’s a plan.

Under 26s can see it for free, trust me.

But the Turner Prize. What did everyone think this year? Susan Philipsz’s Lowlands Away, featured three recordings of a traditional Scottish folk song, sung by the artist. Speakers were situated in opposing corners of the room, but the piece was formerly performed under a bridge in Glasgow (pretty magical ay). I’ve always been rather sceptical of sound, or in fact any technical installations, but this piece for me was an exception. I bloody loved it! The alternating intonations were eerie yet wondrous; ultimately atmospheric. And Susan Philipsz: I instantly liked her because she was a woman (and friendly in the Turner film) and I think Rob (my proudly Scottish housemate) did because she was Glaswegian. Well done Philipsz! (I still wear your badge).     

POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No.3

(from) Inflammatory Essays, 1979-82

Jenny Holzer

YES. This reminds me of a conversation I had today with Rachel actually, about anger towards other people, (or recurring violent thoughts about other people!) Luckily, the important people in my life are amazing, but I think this is something we can all feel from time to time. Art like this, I believe, can make one feel a bit ‘better’. I, and we, can dance off anger and paint it in pink :).

A thought: at a graduate exhibition the other week, one girl whose work was being exhibited said: “I don’t like art with meaning.” What? Surely that’s like saying “I don’t like bread baked with flour”. Or am I wrong? I’m not an artist (just an enthusiastic appreciator I’d like to think!) so are perceptions of art different to those who actually create it? I’d love to know what anyone thinks!

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Innocent and naive without depiction: the face of a balloon

My brain isn’t full of words and 'wisdom' today, from the frantic thought and scribble in the exam today (!). So I thought I’d share a poem from the volume Ariel by Sylvia Plath, a lovely Christmas present from Milly.

Balloons

Since Christmas they have lived with us,

Guileless and clear,

Oval soul-animals,

Taking up half the space,

Moving and rubbing on the silk

Invisible air drifts,

Giving a shriek and pop

When attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling.

Yellow cathead, blue fish –

Such queer moons we live with

Instead of dead furniture!

Straw mats, white walls,

And these travelling

Globes of thin air, red, green,

Delighting

The heart like wishes or free

Peacocks blessing

Old ground with a feather

Beaten in starry metals.

Your small

Brother is making his balloon squeak like a cat.

Seeming to see

A funny pink world he might eat on the other side of it,

He bites,

Then sits

Back, fat jug

Contemplating a world clear as water.

A red

Shred in his little fist    

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POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No. 2

The Love Potion, 1987

David Hockney

I bought this while visiting Salt's Mill in Yorkshire - an old textile mill holding one of David Hockney's largest collections. Such a lovely day with the fam! The Love Potion (I think) illustrates illusions brought on by alcohol consumption (maybe, in this case, wine goggles!) The female figure is sad and passive, while the protagonist directly rejects his love interest pre-potion intake. Hmm. His expression, however, implies one of passion, determination; his eyes failing to leave her :-)

What do you think? Do you disagree? Tell me!

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Blue Valentine, Taylor Wessing and "Wilton's!"

Expecting to see something roncom-ish and easy to digest, Blue Valentine came as a wonderful, beautiful surprise (!). In fact I felt so immersed and involved, I forgot who I was watching the film with! (sorry Jumping Joe). It's about a couple having marital problems. I liked it, really natural with those ‘touches’. A bit too pretty to feel real though. When will the US get truly gritty when it comes to looks?!

Managed to drag myself down to the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. Here’s who won!

1^st: David Chancellor, Huntress with Buck

2^nd: Panayiatis Lamprou, Portrait of my British Wife

3^rd: Jeffrey Stockbridge, Tic Tac and Tootsie

4^th: Abbie Trayler-Smith, Untitled 2

THE WINNER

None of the photographs really captivated me; most of the portraits had a solemn feel about them. I found the BP painting prize a lot more enjoyable, and felt that it had ‘more in it’ almost! Maybe painting is where my true love lies. Oh! And have just remembered what someone said, once:

“It could be said that photographs now replace what painting has depicted”, or something along those arty farty lines.

No! No!

Highlight of the week was visiting Wilton’s Music Hall, helping out as an usher. It’s the oldest surviving music hall in the world (!) opening in the mid-1800s. But there’s nothing princely or pretentious about it. The experience filled me with joy; we even got an umbrella each on our way home!

“Here at Wilton’s we have plenty of umbrellas” :-)

I hope Peter the pianist doesn’t mind me robbing his photo...it totally sums up the vibe of the place!

 

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POSTCARD OF THE WEEK: No. 1

I own too many lovely jubly postcards. On reasoning that “it’s only 30p” at the galleries and museums, I’ve ended up with LOADS. In a bit to ‘better’ myself (ha to the neats) I’ll do a postcard of the week, every week. Sharin’s carin’ :-) (Reid, 2010).

Nyrmla’s Wedding 2, 1995-6

The Singh Twins

One of my faves! Bought at the National Portrait Gallery. The National Gallery is too big, I like faces. The Singh Twins live on The Wirral (my home town) and I’m a twiny too so I find them instantly likeable!! Such a shame the photograph is shite – its f’in beautiful, incredible detail, sheer artistic skill. I love how the clash of Indian heritage and westernised consumerism is conveyed in this piece (check out Ronald McDonald in the background!) amongst the flourishing eastern patterns.

:-)

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Can you believe I found this on the street, in a bin?! Well, by a bin...

I absolutely love it. Rather like a loutish, modern day version of The Scream?

Ahhh!

(Obscene gesture!!)

I've never found it scary. I just see scuffle in a British pub. And one might quite like the idea of thugs hanging above her bed.

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Hello fancy bums, freaks, neats and chums :-)

Happy 2011! Blog blog blog. I'm really looking forward to getting into it! It'll keep me going you know, I'll feel fullfilleddddd. Anyway, here is my first 'thing' :-)...