Tate Modern : The National Gallery

The last few weeks of my summer had me heading into London on multiple occasions, two of which were to check out two of the most well known London art galleries. I was no stranger to The National Gallery which sits in Trafalgar Square, however I’m some what ashamed to say this was my first time to the Tate Modern.

On the outside, the Tate Modern looks rather glum and with the current building construction going on around it, it looks far from the snazzy art gallery that is inside. The first steps into the gallery are ones which take your breath away, the vast openness of the gallery is astonishing. The general quietness is somewhat unnerving but it’s safe and comfortable when you realise that everyone there is enjoying the work that you too are enjoying and allowing the art to speak for it’s self.

Level 2’s collection displays range from sculptures to paintings which are by surrealists “who prized the power of the unconscious and dreams.” (Tate Modern Map description of Level 2). Personal favourites were George Condo’s Mental States (2000) piece which is dark, edgy and somewhat haunting. Along with that I also found Jannis Kounellis’ Untitled (1979) to really stand out. The stuffed birds standing out against the simple charcoal lines that appeared as a backdrop somewhat intimidating.

Untitled 1979 Jannis Kounellis born 1936 Purchased 1983 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/T03796

Further into the collection displays of poetry and dream is a small room which has an absence of light. Walking into the enclosed space is somewhat daunting and feels like you are walking for quite some time before you are in the centre of the room. This piece is by Bill Viola and is called Tiny Deaths (1993). This video art tests the viewers perception through the use of visuals and sound. For some time there may be no video playing, however subtle noises can be heard which are sure to raise the hair on your arms. The video images themselves seem almost like holograms, the people in them looking as if they are right next to you rather than on the walls.

Bill Viola: Tiny Deaths (1993) http://www.mrteethreviews.com/bill-viola-tiny-deaths-the-tate-modern/

Another piece to get you thinking is Michael Baldwin’s The Bigger Picture piece. What appears to be a standard mirror, has much more of an impact once the description of the piece is read. This piece is much more an interactive piece than any of the others with the people in the gallery, the viewer and those wondering in the background, becoming the subject of the art.

Level 4 continues with collection displays, however these focus more on the structure and clarity of the art along with the energy and processes used. As a fashion and textile student, I was highly interested in the work produced by Nicholas Hlobo, in particular the piece entitled  Ikhonkco (2010) which means a buckle from a belt. This piece includes paper manipulation and embroidery of ribbon which is stitched across the canvas to form a chain.

The National Gallery is a complete contrast to the Tate Modern. The work on display is more obvious; the paintings are more classical and contemporary to the time in which they were produced. Classic works from painters such as Van Gogh, Monet and Rousseau are just a few which adorn the walls of the gallery.

My personal favourites by Claude Monet are Grainstacks in the Sunlight, Morning Effect (1891) and Water Lilies (1916). Both pieces use a array of colour to enhance the light and it’s effects against the surface of objects. The unclear lines giving a softness and dream like state to the pieces.

Claude Monet; Water-Lilies (1916)
The National Gallery

Having done a lot of work based on Vincet Van Gogh in my art classes, it would have been absurd of me to pass by without taking notice of the work up close. The simpleness of the subjects painted are a strong contrast to the detail and lines used to show the colours and textures.

A less obvious favourite is Henri Rousseau’s Surprised! (1891) which I was very drawn to. Having most likely looked into the painting during my time at school, I became even more fascinated with the piece when I was able to see the sheer size of it and the crazy amount of detail which had been used to show the energy captured.

Henri Rousseau; Surprised! (1891)
The National Gallery

I’d find it difficult to choose a preference over the two galleries as both show completely different sides of the art world. Having such a strong love for the classics such as Gogh and Braque whilst also being open and interested in the obscurity of more modern art; I am left torn however I would without a doubt suggest checking both galleries out if you are ever in passing. Both the Tate and the National Gallery are free admission, some exhibitions do require paid admission, and are definitely an eye opener into the world of art for anyone interested.

Jade x

Countdown: 1 Day till Reading Festival – Neck Deep

It’s less than 24 hours until Reading and Leeds Festival kicks off with the trains and buses becoming rammed with the hundreds of campers making their way to the site. 

Last week was the last gig I attended up until now, going to see Neck Deep at the Hippodrome in London. 

  
Photo; Jade Bird 2015

Joining the large queue after bagging ourselves tickets to see Bring Me the Horizon next month, we had to wait a while before being let in. This was not one of my favourite queueing moments as I realised I had left my ID at home, hoping they wouldn’t ask for it. 

Despite our late arrival, we found a pretty decent place to stand and see the stage. I was incredibly interested in seeing how Neck Deep would sound acoustically and it was really good. I’d be lying if I said I knew the songs amazingly because I hadn’t had the album long. The dedication from the crowd singing along was stunning and quite a moving moment! One of my favourites was Can’t Kick Up the Roots. 

The chilled performance was then followed by a Q&A where they answered some obvious and weird questions. We then needed to wait even longer and were able to get our CD’s signed by the band members. The album ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’ is definitely worth a listen and has been on repeat the last week. 

  
Photo; Jade Bird 2015

That’s the last of the countdown, next post will be up next week with a recap of Reading Festival! If you’re going to either Reading or Leeds Festival, have a blast! 

Jade x 

Countdown: 2 Days till Reading Festival – 5 Seconds of Summer

As camping commences and timings for the acts are slowly announced, Reading festival is a mere few days away. It has now become a task of working out how to create a suitable outfit with a pair of wellies I can’t even remember the colour of.

The following concert I went to was for 5 Seconds of Summer at Wembley Arena. After attending both the Friday and Sunday show, these are definitely shows I could ramble on about forever but I will try to refrain from doing so. Not being from London and wanting to make a weekend out of it, we stayed in a hotel close to the arena.

So for the Friday show, we had managed to bag ourselves VIP tickets, something huge for us as we’ve never been able to get tickets like that before. Ever. Naturally we queued early and had a blast even though we were all ever so tired, it was without a doubt worth it! As previously stated, I am naturally a very awkward person so it was a surprise to me that we made friends and spoke to the girls in front of us who were really lovely.

                

Photos; Jade Bird 2015

The VIP tickets gave us early entry to the concert and viewing of some of the sound check along with a Q&A session. Again, naturally awkward, I didn’t have the nerve to actually ask a question. After a bit of trouble with lining back up, we were back at the front to head in for the actual concert.

I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to seeing Hey Violet but after watching them perform I was sold! I really enjoyed their performance and loved their cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space and their own, This is Why. With their fun personalities and quirky dress sense I was more than happy to be wrong with my original thoughts of them.

Photo; Heather Best 2015

It was absolutely insane once the Australian four piece arrived on the stage, the build up making me nervous. Slightly disappointed that I couldn’t see Ashton, it was more than made up for with having Michael stood smack bang in front of us. The skill and energy that the boys emitted throughout the performance was mind-blowing. Their casual conversations and dancing around showed that they were there to put on an enjoyable show that they too enjoyed; clearly still loving being on a stage. As much as many will say that the fascination with the band is all down to their good looks; I was more focused on Michael actually playing the guitar than I was with his face. With a strong love for Wrapped Around Your Finger, I was always going to be 100% focused on the lad in front of me, Michael singing the song incredibly. Their, at the time new, song Permanent Vacation, had the whole crowd involved as we tried to do Michael’s na na na’s and clapping in time with Luke (which was harder than it looked when doing both at the same time). We were also lucky enough to have Ashton step out from behind the drum kit and perform Pizza whilst John Feldman played the drums. I’ve never really been able to say which concert I preferred but this could very well be it! I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at home when at a concert and it was somewhat heartbreaking to see it come to an end.

 

Photo; Jade Bird 2015 (1,2 and 3). Dawn Bird 2015 (4).

Sunday’s show was a bit of a scare. With the incident with Michael taking place the day before, we were unsure if the show would go on. Luckily, Michael was okay and carried on like a trooper. During the day we tagged along to a Hey Violet acoustic hangout; outstanded by the sheer mass of people their to see them.

Photo; Jade Bird 2015

Our tickets for this show were seating and pretty far back but it was safe to say we still had just as much fun as we did two nights before hand. Michael seemed to be okay and despite the stage being set out differently (the flames taken out) it was just as good. I was in absolute awe with the intro to Everything I Didn’t Say as Calum stood playing the bass; this time being able to see all of it and fully experiencing the crowd turning silent.

Photo; Dawn Bird 2015

I would happily relive either of these shows, instead I will just have to (im)patiently wait for their new album to come out in October and hope for tickets to the tour that hopefully follows!

Jade x

Countdown: 3 Days till Reading Festival – Sleeping with Sirens vs. Pierce the Veil

As the weather continues to get progressively worse and I sit sporting a major headache (nothing to do with going to Sakura last night) I eagerly await the arrival of the acts to England and even better, Reading – my home town. Fittingly, Vic Fuentes posted on instagram last night about prepping for the festivals this weekend and that is who this post is about. Sort of.

Band practice today, getting ready to fly to the UK for our very first @officialrandl festival!! Plus @tonyperry is back and feeling better than ever! Here we go! @elmakias

April saw me go into meltdown as my uni deadline approached rapidly and my sister, being the lifesaver she is, took me into London to see SWS vs. PTV. But before even that, we had to make our way to Oxford Street’s HMV for a CD signing with Sleeping with Sirens. Being the terribly awkward person I am, mentioning to the band of 5 that I would be seeing them perform that evening was not an option. Barely being able to ask the question ‘how are you?’, I had no chance of stringing together a complex, coherent sentence.

Photo; Jade Bird 2015

After the longest walk to the venue; us getting off of the underground about four stops too early, we finally found The Forum in which the gig was taking place and joined the whacking great big queue. Pretty much missing the opening act as we stood out in the cold, we managed to find a pretty decent place to watch the show.

Pierce the Veil were on first, the opening to their set being awesome; one of the best I think I’ve ever seen. Naturally they sung a variety of songs including the hit song King for a Day which Kellin came out for. The energy emitted from the band was insane with jump kicks and a lot of running around. This was enough to get me excited for their set at Reading Festival; plus as the year’s gone on and I’ve been able to listen to more of their music, I have hopes that Bulls in the Bronx and/or Caraphernelia get performed.

Sleeping with Sirens were just as good; having seen them last year at Reading Festival I had no doubt that I would enjoy their performance. Despite some microphone issues, the songs were performed with so much energy; my favourite being Kick Me off of their new album Madness and getting goosebumps when they performed Roger Rabbit. With this in mind, it was no surprise that we purchased tickets for their upcoming tour next year!

Photo; Dawn Bird 2015

Jade x

Countdown: 4 Days till Reading Festival – All Time Low (Take Two)

I would like to have said I’m optimistic about the weather for this week; that it will be sunny for Reading Festival like it was last year, however the current weather is definitely not looking promising. With rain predicted for the next three days, it is almost a given that we will be sporting whatever chosen outfit with a pair of wellies (despite the little bit of sun on Saturday).

The fourth show I went to this year, again involved All Time Low – this time an acoustic gig which we acquired tickets through purchasing their latest album Future Hearts. If it had been another concert, I would have doubled this in with yesterday’s post as the shows were a mere two days apart, however with the show being acoustic and a lot more intimate, it felt fitting to have its own.

Photo; Heather Best 2015

It made a nice change to be let into the building on time, getting into the warm just as the clocks turned four. The acoustic set covered a number of songs, including classics such as Dear Maria and their new releases such as Something’s Gotta Give. They managed to bring the same presence to this show as they did in the large concert days before. With more touching comments, the lads taking breaks between songs and giving meaningful advice that no doubt went on to help many people there, they continued to keep the mood lifted with inappropriate comments and jokes that had the crowd in simultaneous laughter.

The crowd was something else. Due to it being an acoustic gig, I was under the impression that the crowd would have been calmer and the show less of a struggle to stand through. I was wrong, very wrong. The same current that had swept us up on the Friday had managed to engulf us once more. The All Time Low fans are clearly dedicated to getting as close to the band they support as humanly possible.

Despite the long journey to the Hippodrome in Kingston, the show was once again more than worth it. Hearing the band with just their voices and instruments made it clear that the band clearly have talent which I’m just as excited to see at the end of this week!

Photo; Heather Best 2015

Jade x

Countdown: 6 Days till Reading Festival – All Time Low and You Me at Six

Only six days until the festival kicks off with people beginning to camp in less than four, excitement for those going must be building.

The second show I went to, this time an actual concert which took place in London’s O2 arena, was that of All Time Low and You Me At Six who did a co-headlining tour.

Having been to the arena on multiple occasions, the large queue in which we joined was no surprise however the daunting wait seemed to drag to no degree. Unfortunately I found the opening act to be no better.

At the time of the concert, I had never heard of Walk the Moon, now their single Shut Up and Dance seems to be played on most radio and TV stations. In no way am I saying that the band failed to bring energy and excitement to the stage, however I can ever so easily say that they were not my cup of tea any more than those who opened for The Wombats. The band do a great job of entertaining my younger nieces with the catchy song, however I’ve yet to see someone of an older age enjoy them as much (maybe I just don’t see enough people).

  Photo; Jade Bird 2015

After what felt like hours, All Time Low finally graced the stage; encapturing the attention of everyone in the room. As a sucker for the boys of Baltimore, their charming, childish characteristics had grins plastered on everyone’s faces and their songs had everyone singing along. Before the show had started, scarlet red hearts had been handed out and were held up during the song Therapy and as the song began, a sea of hearts could be seen from all round.

 
Photo; Jade Bird 2015

Following the short interval, You Me At Six joined the stage, ever so slightly changing the atmosphere with their slightly heavier songs which brought about more and more mosh pits. The atmosphere and performance that the band brought to the arena had me falling in love with the songs I’d heard live in August last year at Reading Festival.

Although this had been the first time I had seen All Time Low, it was definitely not the last and I’m looking ever more excited to see them again next Friday, hopefully performing more of their new songs off the Future Hearts album.

 
Photo; Heather Best 2015

Jade x