Ruin Lust

Thought provoking exhibition at Tate Britain which looks at how artists have been inspired by ruins both real and imagined seeing them as either nostalgic or a warning of the future.

I particularly loved the second and third rooms which just seemed to be full of some of my favourite artists and places as well as having some wonderful new discoveries. The pieces chosen were clever such as picking a number of unfinished Turner sketches which were in themselves also in themselves like ruins. There were some lovely group hangings such as five pictures of Llanthony Priory from different dates and a Piper and a Coltman next to each other both showing a Romanesque arch.

There were also interesting ideas about how people have viewed ruins such as the lovely picture of early 19th century people going round a ruin at night lit by flares.

Another room looked at how depicting ruins after a war can help people understand or come to terms with the destruction giving a modern twist on the romanticism of ruins. This then lead into the ruins of modern housing estates and wondering if they would ever be seen as beautifully or whether they are just a commentary on economic times.

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