Cathy's Art Diary

Small exhibition at the National Theatre looking at the creative processes behind their current production of Timon of Athens. I saw the show a few weeks ago so was fascinated to see how the show was put together? I was amazed that all the furniture for the play had been made by the props department including the set of plush red velvet dining chairs. I also liked the fact that, despite the play was set in a contemporary setting, the exhibition also placed it in its historic world with various Jacobean objects on show.  

Nice exhibition at the British Museum to celebrate their recent acquisition of the only complete set of these prints in Britain.   Created for Ambroise Vollard who had a passion for publishing books by leading Parisian  artists the prints were shown alongside the classical sculpture, Rembrandt prints bronze mirrors and Ingres drawings which inspired them.  The tranquil theme of  artist and model evolves into more vicious Battle of Love group depicting scenes of rape and elements of voyeurism.  The was a Wonderful variety of nudes from simple line sketches to pictures where cross hatching denotes the form.  My favourites were "Sculptor, Model and Sculpted Bust" which shows naturalist figures creating a Picasso head and a Wonderful, lusty "Bacchic scene with Minatour". The descriptions were excellent explaining the technique and symbolism.   Reviews Daily Telegraph Evening Standard

Sumptuous exhibition at the British Museum looking at the world of Shakespeare, putting the plays into the context of their times. Themes covered included the histories, the classical plays, Arcadia and the place of Venice. It was particularly strong in the later sections and placing the works within Jacobean politics. I must admit as I know the period quite well I could have guessed most of the objects and pictures which might be in it. However one revelation to me was the diptych showing views of old St Paul's which was owned by John Donne. Two wonderfully detailed pictures  which even included a tiny choir in one scene. The use of text was good with quotes from the plays by most objects and good records of speeches. As ever St Crispin's day brought a tear to the eye but best was Brutus's speech with the actor holding a Roman medal commemorating the plot. It was a shame that at times the spoken word from other displays interrupted as well as the tinny s

This years garden in the courtyard of the British Museum has a North American theme concentrating on the east and central states.  Produced with Kew Gardens there are sections on wetlands, prairie and forest.  I always love looking at the different foliage against the classical stone building. This years feature was a small wooden bridge to give the garden shape.  I like the colourful section facing the road full of delicate flowers making a backdrop of colour. 

Fascinating exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum looking at the work of the Heatherwick Studio, a design studio set up in 194 by Thomas Heatherwick, which covers architecture, furniture, engineering and much more. This was a very topical exhibition as most recently they designed the wonderful petal caldron for the Olympic flame however I hadn’t realised how much else which was familiar to me was by them from the zip handbag through to the roll up bridge at Paddington. The exhibition had a lot in it, almost too much for the space. Because you needed to read the explanations and see the short films it would have been nice to have the labels in more prominent positions as they often got blocked by other visitors. However I loved the new Route Master bus and even the exhibition guide was delivered via a quirky machine which you cranked so the guide came out like toilet paper.

Sumptuous exhibition of ball gowns at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the newly restored costume galleries. The dresses were beautifully displayed with the ground floor looking at the history of the ball dress and the new upstairs space acting as a showcase for current designers catwalk and red carpet creations. It traced well the evolution from the formal modern red carpet dress which can be viewed from any angle. I would have liked a bit more on who owned the dresses and where they were worn plus about the main design houses but mainly it was about glamour and fantasy and was full of women discussing their favourites. Talking of favourites, not that I could wear it, but I loved a printed latex gown in skin colour with a black lace print by Atsuko Kudo. Reviews Guardian

Wonderful wacky public art display throughout London as part of the London 2012 Olympics in which various hat designers produced hats for statues. I only got to see those in Trafalgar Square but they were a delight and the sense of fun and excitement when you spotted Nelson’s Union Jack number complete with Olympic torch was wonderful. I particularly liked the gentleman on a horse whose horse has a matching gold turban to his! Reviews Guardian

Statues of the London 2012 Olympic mascots arranged around London on six walking trails to highlight the best aspects of London and good photo opportunities. I have only managed a few of these on the South Bank between Southwark Cathedral and the Festival Hall but they are a fun addition to London during the Olympics and Paraolympics. There are great queues to be photographed with them which we joined in with! I hope to fit some more in before they disappear. 

Exhibition of posters designed by designers/studios in London and Zurich and displayed at the House of Switzerland, a temporary space set up during the London 2012 Olympics to promote Switzerland and its products. Although just a small exhibition of 12 pieces there were some striking images my favourite being a coat of arms by Niall Sweeney and Nigel Truswell in which the dragon wears white high heels and the lion has trainers on!