Lost in London: Week Two

• What was the venue like for each of these events? (Include the food-related events as well.) How did the architecture/design of the spaces make you feel, and how did that affect your experiences?

The venues were very diverse.  Like Meg said, we began at the top of the city and ended at the bottom.  The Sky Garden, Wellcome Collection, and British Library were all very grand.  They boasted large interior spaces and were formal.  The architecture of the British Library was more classical than the other two venues.  Busts of important people stared at passing visitors, and centuries old books graced bookshelves that seemed the stretch for miles.  These elements seem fitting since many historical artifacts and manuscripts are displayed in the darkened room of the Ritblat Collection.  The Wellcome Collection, on the other hand, was more modern in architectural design.  The spiral staircase was fairly minimal and contemporary.  The collection housed there weren’t as old as that of the library.  And those artifacts were fairly common: running shoes, a piece of bread, a small cat sculpture made of cat hair.  They’re things that everyday people find sentimental worth collecting.  Both the Gordon Wine Bar and Cafe in the Crypt were underground and old.  Even though the Gordon Wine Bar looked like a wine cellar carved into a cave, I felt that the space was very formal.  People were dressed up in suits and dresses, there were expensive wines, fine cheeses, and the tables danced in candlelight.  I particularly liked that each table was surrounded by an eclectic smattering of chairs.  This, combined with the low stone ceilings made for an intimate experience.  The Cafe in the Crypt’s barrel vaulted ceilings made for more room and lighting, but it felt more casual.  Dining has a lot to do with it.  Here, you sort of moved through line and served yourself.  The food options were also the kinds of sandwiches that I saw in most cafes on the street.  Wonderful food and experience, though.  Loved the pretty little fruit tart.  The crypt-like atmosphere was even more eerie because tombstones were used as floor tiles.

• Did you find some of the events challenging? Entertaining? Surprising? Off-putting? Was that response based on the content or on the form of the art?

I appreciated the Wellcome Collection since I had never seen that before.  It was a lot different from other museums and galleries that we have been going to.  I thought the concept was very touching.  Here, it preserves personal, and most of the time, common objects that hold sentimental value to someone.  I found it particularly emotional when I was listening to the audio from a 91 year-old woman about a black and white photo of three young girls.  There is something very relatable and conversational about the way those people shared their memories.  This contrasted from the Ritblat collection’s of world-renowned documents created by historically famous people.  I found it hard to personally related to the pieces that I admired just because they were manuscripts and documents that I had learned about in history courses.  I believe it was hard for me to relate, because I place them on pedestals.  I do feel a very strong fascination and connection, particularly with the Lindisfarne Gospel, but it’s more reverent and awe-inspiring.  But what was keeping me from feeling reverent to the prayer mat or the deer antler at the Wellcome Collection?  Was it because these are common objects?  Was it because I didn’t know the 17 year-old girl who created the cat hair sculpture?  Was it because I could hear that person’s voice divulging their memories?  Or maybe it was because I saw myself in those people, whereas the centuries separating me from the historically important people enshrined in the Ritblat collection make them idols to me.

• Did you find some of the events more “creative” or “artistic” than others? Why or why not?

No, because each art form is creative in its own specific way.  I feel like anything we see is top-notch, and never sub-par in creativity or artistic expression.  I want to say that it’s impossible to measure creativity, but everyone has opinions on art they don’t like, such as Damien Hirst’s dead shark in a box created just to make money.  But, like I said, all of the venues we have been to have been artistically nourishing.  On another note, I was very surprised with the fact that an entire story can be told through dance.  I had never thought of that before, but the pure emotion and movement of the Tanguera dancers easily conveyed the plot.

• What is the most memorable moment from each of the events? What did you feel in those moments? What did you think about?

 Somewhat surprisingly to me, I think the most memorable moment was when I was listening to the 91 year-old woman share her memories about the photo of her and her sisters when they were children.  I felt really moved, because it reminded me of my great grandmother who passed away in the spring this year.  My parents, sister, and I were very close to her. She lived across the yard from us so we visited often.  I grew up drawing with her, and I credit her with my love for art since she was the only artistic soul in our family.  She really supported me.  Anytime we would visit her cottage, she would tell these amazing stories of how she would walk a tightrope in her backyard, how she rode bareback to the market once and broke all her mother’s eggs and was reprimanded.  At 103 she really had the best stories.  Anyways, listening to the audio at the Wellcome drew up my own memories and feelings, and I appreciated it.

Crossbones Graveyard - noticing the white ribbons that memorialize those often overlooked by society, very sad but also happy that they people were being celebrated in such a bright and loving way

Southwark Cathedral -  obsessed with the French Gothic arches and also the Church cat, I couldn’t help but wonder what the story was behind the feline just wandering around the cathedral

Sky Garden - lovely view of the river, bridge, and London tower; “Where is Harper’s phone?”

British Library - holy shit the Lindisfarne Gospel, crazy ornate and jewelled cover; “Why didn’t they choose a better page to display?”

Gordon’s Wine Bar - discovered I very much enjoy eating cheese and drinking wine in cramped caves; “Was that the Tube that just rumbled beneath us?”

Cafe in the Crypt/Violin Concerto - I sure do love fruit tarts; “Are the tombstones being used for aesthetic purposes or are there people underneath?”

Tanguera - amazement that the performers were able to tell a whole story through dance; “Where do I sign up for Tango lessons?”

Guest Artist: Steven Wright - I loved that he makes art because he wants to and has to, and he doesn’t worry about if any likes it or appreciates it; “Will I be able to reach a point in my own artistic career where I, too, don’t worry about whether people like it?”

• Did those memorable moments – good or bad – affect how you feel about that kind of art in general? Do you think you would actively pursue (or avoid) this kind of art in the future?

I think that since my experiences were good they elevated my respect for each art form.  Tanguera impressed me so much that I made a silent vow to myself that I am going to learn Tango one way or another.  The concerto also made me want to play violin.  What’s it like to express yourself in such a way?  Does it feel like when you’re working on a painting and everything, even the mistakes, are going right?  Does it feel like when you’re trying to convey an emotion through pen and ink?  The way the woman was playing her violin looked like how it feels to make art: passionate and freeing.

• Did any of those memorable moments change how you feel about, think about, or experience some element of life beyond your relationship to art? Did the experience change you in any way? (Those are big ideas – but we’ll be doing some pretty amazing things!)

 While listening to the Violin Concerto, I couldn’t help but wonder about all the things that I am missing out on while living in Louisville.  If I were to come to London without someone knowledgable on different art forms I probably wouldn’t think to branch out and attend things like concertos.  There are so many genres that I wasn’t even aware existed in such interesting ways from tango to classical, from the Tempest to the Magna Carta.  I will admit to feeling some anxiety while wondering about life after this carefully curated London trip and even college, itself.  After I graduate, will I still be informed or know people who are are informed on different artistic happenings?  I want to make a point to research more artistic avenues that I may not know much about so I can still experience wonderful things.