The Classical Now

Super exhibition at King’s College at Somerset House looking at how contemporary artists respond to the classical tradition.

I did the show the wrong way round but it worked! It’s better to start with the Bush House section (go in through the back) which has some stunning works by contemporary artists which take their inspiration from classical art. Sacha Sasko’s “The Good Watchman” which was a classical head with an empty block where the eyes should be. It really plays with your mind as you can see the road behind through this apparently solid head. My favourite piece in the show was Edward Allington’s “Victory Boxed”, 99 small blue and white Winged Victories arranged in the pattern of the Greek flag.

There was a video installation in this section which I didn’t have enough time to engage with. It consisted of three upright video screens showing an artist sitting on a chair talking how they use the classical world as a resource for the present. You sit on a chair opposite them and listen though earphones. I’d like to have had time to listen but also I think I’d have felt a bit self-conscious sitting on a plinth watching.

The second section, in the Inigo Rooms at Somerset House, looked at the more detailed themes of place, myth and pose with each section including examples from the classical world. The last section pose was the most fascinating as it looked at how the poses of classical art have influenced contemporary artists and attitudes to the figurative form. I loved Yves Flein’s “Blue Venus”, a reworking of the Medici Venus. It was also an interesting idea to include 1970s kitsch French photographs recreating Roman scenes which felt like a nod to 18th century history paintings as well as the classical past.

It was also good to see a Pablo Bronstein drawing from an imaginary Canary Wharf Island Museum. I wish it could be built. It was also a nice touch to show a classically inspired Grayson Perry vase with an original one.

Closes on 28 April 2018

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