I went along to the BFI on Thursday last week to see the Massive Attack BUG video special.
See my first post for more information on what BUG is all about. It was another excellent show with the sound problems of BUG07 a distant memory. I hadn't seen any Massive Attack videos prior to going but suspected they may be mostly dark, claustrophobic affairs. This certainly was the case with the videos for tracks from their 3rd and 4th albums. However, the videos for their earlier work reflect the lighter mood of the music. In particular the video by Bailie Walsh for 'Unfinished Sympathy' is a classic, featuring Shara Nelson walking through downtown Los Angeles.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the evening was just hearing the tracks at loud volume - especially the evocative, widescreen, layered opacity of the tracks from 1998's Mezzanine.
Host Adam Buxton was very funny as usual (and brought the usual selection of amusing youtube comments). Check out his youtube page for some of his recent stuff (including parts of 'Meebox' his pilot for the Big British Castle, which is funny - especially if you are a fan of A. Buxton).
Sadly BUG08 is sold out but I will aim to get back on board for BUG09 later in the year.
Monday 23 June 2008
Wednesday 18 June 2008
'Psycho Buildings' at The Hayward Gallery
I went along to the Hayward Gallery this afternoon to see their Psycho Buildings exhibition.
The exhibition features the work of artists who have tackled the subject of architecture, producing works that are meant to challenge, confound and inspire.
The Hayward Gallery has always been one of the more architecturally unusual buildings in central London so I guess it is appropriate that architecture is taking a prominent role in their main exhibition of the summer as the gallery turns 40. I have always enjoyed wandering around the different levels and different shaped rooms of the Hayward and today was no exception.
The highlights for me were the contributions by Rachel Whiteread, Mike Nelson and Do Ho Suh.
Whiteread's visually stunning 'Place' , a collection of 200 small houses all internally illuminated is the most striking piece. My immediate reaction was how warm and welcoming the piece was but on further exploration it reveals itself to have a slightly eerie quality as all houses are devoid of human life.
Mike Nelson's 'To The Memory Of H.P.Lovecraft' is a dark, brooding, slightly menacing affair, the slashed walls and scattered debris suggesting some kind of dreadful event has just taken place. The ambiguity of the cause only serves to increase its impact.
Do Ho Suh's 'Fallen Star 1/5' is another interesting piece - inspired by his decision to leave Korea in the 1960s to live in New York, it is a model of his home in Korea crashing into the flat he lived in in NY. The real highlight is the detail - nothing is overlooked.
The interactive pieces, although fun, were less effective for me personally. However, the Hayward must be saluted - one of the few galleries who would consider turning part of the building into a mini lake in the name of art. There is also a small cinema showing short films that tie into the artists-doing-architecture theme.
So - another excellent exhibition by the Hayward Gallery. Should we have expected anything else?
The exhibition features the work of artists who have tackled the subject of architecture, producing works that are meant to challenge, confound and inspire.
The Hayward Gallery has always been one of the more architecturally unusual buildings in central London so I guess it is appropriate that architecture is taking a prominent role in their main exhibition of the summer as the gallery turns 40. I have always enjoyed wandering around the different levels and different shaped rooms of the Hayward and today was no exception.
The highlights for me were the contributions by Rachel Whiteread, Mike Nelson and Do Ho Suh.
Whiteread's visually stunning 'Place' , a collection of 200 small houses all internally illuminated is the most striking piece. My immediate reaction was how warm and welcoming the piece was but on further exploration it reveals itself to have a slightly eerie quality as all houses are devoid of human life.
Mike Nelson's 'To The Memory Of H.P.Lovecraft' is a dark, brooding, slightly menacing affair, the slashed walls and scattered debris suggesting some kind of dreadful event has just taken place. The ambiguity of the cause only serves to increase its impact.
Do Ho Suh's 'Fallen Star 1/5' is another interesting piece - inspired by his decision to leave Korea in the 1960s to live in New York, it is a model of his home in Korea crashing into the flat he lived in in NY. The real highlight is the detail - nothing is overlooked.
The interactive pieces, although fun, were less effective for me personally. However, the Hayward must be saluted - one of the few galleries who would consider turning part of the building into a mini lake in the name of art. There is also a small cinema showing short films that tie into the artists-doing-architecture theme.
So - another excellent exhibition by the Hayward Gallery. Should we have expected anything else?
Sunday 15 June 2008
Fleet Foxes & Beach House at ULU
I went along to ULU to see two of the best new bands around on Wednesday 11th. Seattle band Fleet Foxes specialise in harmony-laden, baroque alt-folk whilst Beach House hail from Maryland and purvey a more textured, shimmering, hazy guitar pop.
First up were Beach House. Victoria Legrand's slightly raw, arresting voice comes across even better live than on record. They played from both of their excellent albums and also included a nice Daniel Johnston cover ('Some Things Last A Long Time'). They remind me a little bit of Broadcast which is not a bad thing.
Headliners Fleet Foxes are amazingly accomplished for such a young band. What they do is not fantastically original but they have brilliant songs and do all the good things really, really well. Beautiful melodies, note-perfect harmonies, nice lyrics and proficient playing. They played mostly from their new eponymous album but also threw in some from their debut EP 'Sun Giant'. Prolonged applause followed almost every song which seemed to surprise them a little.
'White Winter Hymnal' is being relaesed as their next single and you really should try to listen to it. They are playing Shepherd's Bush Empire in November and I may well be going along.
As an aside they also covered 'Crayon Angels' by the brilliant Judee Sill (if you don't know her music please try to listen - she was a genius and has arguably one of the most interesting stories in the history of folk music).
All in all - a great gig. My first trip to ULU for over 4 years as well which reminded me what a great little venue it is.
First up were Beach House. Victoria Legrand's slightly raw, arresting voice comes across even better live than on record. They played from both of their excellent albums and also included a nice Daniel Johnston cover ('Some Things Last A Long Time'). They remind me a little bit of Broadcast which is not a bad thing.
Headliners Fleet Foxes are amazingly accomplished for such a young band. What they do is not fantastically original but they have brilliant songs and do all the good things really, really well. Beautiful melodies, note-perfect harmonies, nice lyrics and proficient playing. They played mostly from their new eponymous album but also threw in some from their debut EP 'Sun Giant'. Prolonged applause followed almost every song which seemed to surprise them a little.
'White Winter Hymnal' is being relaesed as their next single and you really should try to listen to it. They are playing Shepherd's Bush Empire in November and I may well be going along.
As an aside they also covered 'Crayon Angels' by the brilliant Judee Sill (if you don't know her music please try to listen - she was a genius and has arguably one of the most interesting stories in the history of folk music).
All in all - a great gig. My first trip to ULU for over 4 years as well which reminded me what a great little venue it is.
Saturday 7 June 2008
The American Scene at The British Museum
After leaving the PCC (see post below) I decided to head down to the Hayward Gallery, hoping to catch the recently opened 'Psycho Buildings' exhibition. When I got there I was confronted with a massive queue. So, I opted for a change of plan and set off towards the British Museum. The 59 bus took me up Kingsway and Southampton Row before I disembarked next to Bloomsbury Square Gardens (possibly one of the nicest squares in central London?).
I was going to the British Museum to check out one of their exhibitions, 'The American Scene' which features a selection of prints from modern Amercian artists. Talk of prints by Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell had attracted me to the exhibition but when I got there, for me, it was other artists that seemed to stand out.
The show begins with a lot of prints showing New York street life and architecture. I particularly liked the street scenes depicted by Martin Lewis and the buildings as portrayed by Louis Lozowick - especially the futurism/cubism feel of his 'New York' piece (see below).
The American Midwest also gets a look in with some nice prints of rural landscapes before the show concentrates on more abstract prints. Along the way some colour prints from Robert Gwathmey also stand out - as used in the sign outside the main entrance (see below).
If you like modern art and want to see some beautiful prints of New York & America I suggest a visit - it is showing until 7th September (and is free!).
If you do go, make sure you pass through the Great Court and enjoy the spectacular glass roof.
I was going to the British Museum to check out one of their exhibitions, 'The American Scene' which features a selection of prints from modern Amercian artists. Talk of prints by Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock and Joan Mitchell had attracted me to the exhibition but when I got there, for me, it was other artists that seemed to stand out.
The show begins with a lot of prints showing New York street life and architecture. I particularly liked the street scenes depicted by Martin Lewis and the buildings as portrayed by Louis Lozowick - especially the futurism/cubism feel of his 'New York' piece (see below).
The American Midwest also gets a look in with some nice prints of rural landscapes before the show concentrates on more abstract prints. Along the way some colour prints from Robert Gwathmey also stand out - as used in the sign outside the main entrance (see below).
If you like modern art and want to see some beautiful prints of New York & America I suggest a visit - it is showing until 7th September (and is free!).
If you do go, make sure you pass through the Great Court and enjoy the spectacular glass roof.
Son Of Rambow
I went along to the wonderful Prince Charles Cinema earlier today to catch Son Of Rambow, the new film by Garth Jennings. The plot revolves around the attempt of a couple of schoolkids to make their own movie.
On the whole it is very funny, especially if you grew up in the UK in the 1980s and can appreciate all of the little references (does anyone else remember the concept of "tracking" when trying to play video cassettes?). I didn't really expect it, but it turned out to be a resounding feelgood movie also.
Definitely worth watching!
On the whole it is very funny, especially if you grew up in the UK in the 1980s and can appreciate all of the little references (does anyone else remember the concept of "tracking" when trying to play video cassettes?). I didn't really expect it, but it turned out to be a resounding feelgood movie also.
Definitely worth watching!
Friday 6 June 2008
London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican
I went to the Barbican last night to see the excellent LSO performing Mahler's 9th symphony.
It is a grand, vast, sweeping epic of a symphony. Quite demanding listening in some ways but ultimately very rewarding. The final movement is powerful stuff. Very sad and poignant. Click here for some background to the piece if you are unfamiliar.
I managed to quickly pop along to the Royal Festival Hall beforehand to catch a free concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra. I am happy to take advantage of any almost opportunity these days to sit inside the fantastic newly refurbished RFH. Since moving to London almost 9 years ago it has firmly become one of my favourite venues. I have had some great times there. Brian Wilson (6 times!), Yo La Tengo, Elliott Smith, Mercury Rev, Low, hearing Steve Reich's 'Music For 18 Musicians' live for the first time, the panoramic view across the Thames from the balcony during intervals, spending time in the member's area. Great memories!
See below for some pictures.
From the stalls:
It is a grand, vast, sweeping epic of a symphony. Quite demanding listening in some ways but ultimately very rewarding. The final movement is powerful stuff. Very sad and poignant. Click here for some background to the piece if you are unfamiliar.
I managed to quickly pop along to the Royal Festival Hall beforehand to catch a free concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra. I am happy to take advantage of any almost opportunity these days to sit inside the fantastic newly refurbished RFH. Since moving to London almost 9 years ago it has firmly become one of my favourite venues. I have had some great times there. Brian Wilson (6 times!), Yo La Tengo, Elliott Smith, Mercury Rev, Low, hearing Steve Reich's 'Music For 18 Musicians' live for the first time, the panoramic view across the Thames from the balcony during intervals, spending time in the member's area. Great memories!
See below for some pictures.
From the stalls:
From the stage:
From Golden Jubilee bridge at night:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
