Tate Modern lunchtimes
January 26th, 2007
I’ve been hanging out at the Tate Modern at lunchtimes for a while now. I’ve discovered some tremendously comfy leather chairs on the level 3 balcony, and it’s a great place to work at the Sisyphusian task of getting through the Economist before the next issue arrives.
But there’s only about a 50% chance of a chair being free so I’ve been using the time to look around the galleries, something I rarely do considering the time I spend there <whisper>lots of the art just makes me think how arbitrary it all is …still, what do I know</whisper>
First discovery is Lichenstein’s Whaam!, which is impressive, but looks a bit faded in real life. Nice to see the halftoning up-close though, and it was a welcome reminder of my 6th form common room, which had an enormous Whaam! mural down the smoking end. I’ve just bought a Terratag gundam canvas print in the same style, so it was good to see the inspiration.
No Woman No Cry, Chris Ofili’s memorial to Stephen Lawrence, also left an strong impression. It’s beautifully detailed and textured up-close; interestingly layered with lovely colour. I think it’s resting on balls of elephant dung.
I also spied a few pieces in the the soon-to-open Gilbert and George show. From what I could see it doesn’t look up my street at all.
Will the chairs be free tomorrow I wonder?