The Great Art Debate

[thebish]

The third gallery we visited was, without doubt, the best experience... The National Portrait Gallery is free (though the Tories may be altering that soon) and so good...

seconded - endlessly fascinating.... my most visited gallery

[clapton is god]

The third gallery we visited was, without doubt, the best experience... The National Portrait Gallery is free (though the Tories may be altering that soon) and so good...

I'd never been before, though it's a long-term fave of my partner and she was able to shove me in front of the unmissable and prepared to be patient when other stuff caught my eye...

We went from early Tudors to the start of Victoria... all we could manage in three hours...

So we went from a time when only royalty was painted... to paintings of men who signed the death warrant of a king... to persistent astronomers... to poets... to reformers and philosophers...

We were, in a sense, looking at the democratisation of our country... In room 20 we ended... in front of a huge painting of the house of commons on the day the Reform Act of 1832 was passed - a very slender step but essential for what was to follow...

And, above all, this gallery seems to me a tribute to that most valuable human impulse... curiosity...

So good... so free... I'll be back, there are two centuries still to be explored...

Sounds horrendous

No, it really is magnificent. Spent half a day in there a couple of years ago and have been trying to get back ever since; hopefully accomplished later this year. One of the works has haunted me ever since. It was of the British generals of the first World War and I stood in front of it for ten minutes trying to see inside these peoples heads knowing what was to follow.

[Bruce Rioja]

One of the works has haunted me ever since. It was of the British generals of the first World War and I stood in front of it for ten minutes trying to see inside these peoples heads knowing what was to follow.

Ah, see. To gain an insight you need to stand with your chin on your thumb. Word.

[Lofthouse Lower]

Bruce you're on fire this week

[Verbal]

Not art, but a nice website which will hopefully crack a smile or so

http://dearphotograph.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jakerbeef]

I can hear the sound of 'the piss being taken'. (Which in itself is a pretty good title for a painting.)

Mate, I'm actually aching with laughter. Thank you so much. What a superb start to the day.

I was being serious. It's the title of a Vettriano...

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

The René Magritte exhibition in the Liverpool Tate at the moment is very good and very extensive - I visited while I was at home for the Bank Holiday.

As ever, I can do without the guff that others offer as analysis, but Magritte's work and own handwritten notes are thought provoking and entertaining. Definitely recommended.

National Portrait Gallery discussed above is also a favourite of mine.

Interesting that William floats the idea of the Government introducing entrance charges for such places... I have to say I have thought for a while that what is essentially a pretty large middle/upper class subsidy is difficult to justify when money is so scarce.

[Verbal]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TANGODANCER]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting link Verbal and a real example of the mighty fallen. Car capital of the world and the home of Motown music. Some interesting comments in the posts section too. Just tragic that some of those fine old buildings ended up like that.

[Lofthouse Lower]

The Pripyat stuff is just as chilling

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for that - I've always liked urban exploration type stuff.

In many ways the speed of the decline of Detroit is more interesting than Pripyat because in the latter case it's obvious why everyone had to up and leave all of a sudden.

[General Mannerheim]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i loved both of them links.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Just looked into buying that Detroit book on Amazon... £43. Myabve another time.

The rise and fall of cities fascinates me.

There was a time when Liverpool put things like this in its civic interior decor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SPQL.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TANGODANCER]

Thanks for that - I've always liked urban exploration type stuff.
In many ways the speed of the decline of Detroit is more interesting than Pripyat because in the latter case it's obvious why everyone had to up and leave all of a sudden.

Did you read the posts PB? A bit more insightful than most and interesting enough to read through.

[2399]

Saw on the recorded news the other day that a guy, who recieved a coveted grant of AU$20,000 made this:
A Double Stack of uncirculated AU$100 notes totalling $20,000


"$20000 cash artwork sells for $21350"

[thebish]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

you might enjoy a wander through an Urbex forum...

I find them endlessly fascinating - and would be very tempted to get involved my self were it not that I am a bit of a wimp in dangerous buildings with heights and unsafe floorboards - and not the bravest at sneaking past security guards to break into boarded-up premises!!

I find the old UK mental asylums utterly fascinating, haunting and moving...

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/

[Hoboh]

Again, not art, but still incredible.

The ruins of Detroit

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/20 ... roit/2672/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

you might enjoy a wander through an Urbex forum...

I find them endlessly fascinating - and would be very tempted to get involved my self were it not that I am a bit of a wimp in dangerous buildings with heights and unsafe floorboards - and not the bravest at sneaking past security guards to break into boarded-up premises!!

I find the old UK mental asylums utterly fascinating, haunting and moving...

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/

Bit like my fave site

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lofthouse Lower]

that top secret bunker tour of Manchester is worth £5

[2399]

Bit like my fave site

abovetopsecret dotcom/

Nice Art addition to an Art thread!

(I think they are Co-intelpro (artists)(some are, not all obviously))

[Hoboh]

Bit like my fave site

abovetopsecret dotcom/

Nice Art addition to an Art thread!

(I think they are Co-intelpro (artists)(some are, not all obviously))

Mmmmm and theres me thinking in the main they were mostly p*ss artists still well funny!