Balman Gallery - Marc Chagall
I am particularly enthusiastic about the Mark Chagall exhibition at the Balman Gallery in Corbridge, which is open until mid October. I recently spent some time in the art section of my local bookshop, wanting to see more of his work. I knew from the pieces I had seen on leaflets for this event that I would fall in love with it. He was a French Russian artist who was one of the most important visionaries of the 20th century. He was a modernist and was talented in a wide range of mediums; illustrations, stained glass, ceramics, tapestries and fine art. His use of colour is outstanding and is exemplified by his work on the ceiling of the Paris Opera, which caused some waves when it was unveiled in 1963. His work is very much influenced by his Jewish faith, fantasy and Russian folklore of his childhood.
His most famous series include the 'Bible', 'Paris,' 'Fables of Fontaine' and 'Jerusalem.' Below are just a couple of examples of his beautiful, uplifting work.
"Paris through the window"
The Birthday Kiss
Laing Gallery - Futureland Now
After the Art of the Family exhibition at the Laing, a total contrast appears in the shape of Futureland Now: Reflections of the Post Industrial landscape. It poses the question - what role can contemporary photographic practices play in reflecting the issues of our time? Photography by John Kippin and Chris Wainwright explores the postmodern period of uncertainty and change on the back of the recession and uncertain times.
Moonrise over Teesside by John Kippin
Outsiders Gallery - Trustocorp
My favourite newly discovered gallery The Outsiders on the Quayside current exhibition is Borf - a street artist who has turned Rothko on his head. Be quick because this ends on 29th September, after the fantastic Morley exhibition. Their next treat, from Trustocorp, a US protest art collective is certain to provoke debate. There shows are interactive and appeals to lovers of contemporary art and has museum style contraptions to play around with. The work focuses on how money is the root of all evil and the solution to our problems simultaneously, and highlights the global effect of greed and the need for money! Can't wait!
Trustocorp starts on Friday 5th October until Saturday 10th November.
Baltic 39 - Andrew Miller
I had a pleasant surprise when I went to the Highbridge quarter festival a couple of weeks ago and stumbled upon Baltic 39 - the centrally located little sister to Big Baltic, a hub for contemporary art. It combines Baltic exhibitions, studios for thirty three artists and an exhibition space for Northumbria students. I saw a Northumbria University Graduate exhibition which showed a wide range of mediums (audio visual, fine art and sculpture). I really enjoyed the Andrew Miller bunting, the way the light streamed in and created the pointy shadows dancing across the wall was really something.
Andrew Miller bunting
Baltic - Janet Cardiff and Mark Wallinger
Currently Big Baltic has a nice variety of work - Janet Cardiff's "The Forty Part Motet" made me take time out of the chaos to reflect. It consists of forty voices played through forty different speakers grouped into eight choirs of five singers. You feel as though you are part of the choir, sitting with the haunting sounds of Tallis's Spem in Alium Nunguam Habui 1573 reverberating around you. (Tallis was the composer of the erm, background music in 50 Shades, just to bring down the tone).
Mark Wallinger - Site
Turner prize winning Wallinger releases three new commissions in his latest work. My mind was boggled by 100000000000000000 2012, a massive binary inspired chessboard covered in 65,536 stones. Trying to count them out down the side was a nightmare :) A brick wall and a digital self portrait completes the trio.
Already looking forward to November!
DJS
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