EXHIBITION VISITS

The use of museums for research and investigation is very beneficial, as I found out today. The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is an interesting space especially with the new and fascinating structure created by Sou Fujimoto. In many ways, this squared-edged and sharp structure appeared to conflict with its natural surroundings but ,personally, once I explored the structure, sat in it for a while and looked at my surroundings from within the structure, its a great idea. It acts as an observation area because everything is transparent and spacious due to its isometric plan. In addition, the internal space is riddled with steps and blocks to appreciate the design. At first I thought the structure looked random and out of place but after spending time around and inside the metallic framework I began to understand its purpose and ended up enjoying the concept.

Exterior of The Serpentine Pavilion

Transparent panels act as a roof to protect the interior and create a 360 view

The isometric, wire cube-framework of the structure allows people to look from inside to outside and vice-verse.

The framework design allowed Fujimoto to create many different levels and elevations

After visiting the Serpentine Pavilion, I spent some time in the V&A Museum of which I had never been to. Specifically, although there were several amazing pieces of memorabilia and priceless collections to see also, I visited the Illustration Awards, The Art of Remembering and Photographic Fictions as well as the Memory Palace exhibition. There were many inspiring pieces of work at the Illustration Awards from students and graduates alike that made it onto book covers and newspapers. My favourite collection was from George Butler who was sent to Syria to record his own observations in watercolour of a war-torn community, they were particularly emotive but at the same time very subtle. The Art of Remembering display showed a timeline of memories and their chronological progression while the Photographic Fictions exhibition showcased some staged photography as well as some intelligent digital manipulation. The Memory Palace also displayed some photography and creative illustrations using lesser known techniques to show how memories evolve. I left my own memory using the tablets adding to other memories left by previous visitors. My favourite displays where the Memory Palace because of the diversity of medias and techniques used and the Illustration Awards because I personally enjoy illustration and I am considering studying it at degree level.  

The work of Pietari Posti, winner of the best book cover at the Illustration Awards Exhibition

More illustrations from Pietari Posti which spanned across a number of book covers

Typographic memories at The Art of Remembering display

Staged photography from Hannah Starkey at the Photographic Fictions Exhibition. This display contradicted the often widely accepted truthfulness and genuine-quality of a photo

Another piece of photography from the Photographic Fictions display, this artist uses food products in his work and has experimented previously with sugar and chocolate. This piece was created using melted chocolate carefully placed to depict Jackson Pollock at work and then photographed.

My first hand sketched interpretation of this photo using pencil