Imagine standing next to a glass box full of maggots turning into flies, watching them eat a great chunk of meat, oozing with blood, surrounded by their dead family that have been killed by an electric insectocutor, and you're inside the Damien Hirst retrospective at Tate Modern. However it's not all that gruesome, as the dead, the dying and the disgusting are juxtaposed by immense beauty.
One very popular room is full of live butterflies. Hirst had their eggs implanted into canvases, so that you can see their abandoned chrysalises. The butterflies seem to be enjoying their short lives, as they fly round, snacking at the plentiful fruit placed on tables, and drinking from plant pots. It is stunning walking into that room, and little children absolutely love it, especially right after they've seen the frightening, open mouthed (dead) shark kept in formaldehyde in the room before!
Of course it's cruel, and I'm not saying it's right, but you have to expect that if you're going to a Damien Hirst exhibition. And what is art if it doesn't provoke an emotion from the viewer, even if that emotion is anger or disgust? It's not the best place for vegans or animal rights activists, but it is fascinating, and there is even beauty in the horrific, such as the stain glass window patterns made out of (real) butterfly wings.
If you fancy a day out in London, then I'd really recommend this exhibition. If you do go, prepare to be shocked!
On another, slightly less gruesome note, I finally finished exams (!!!!!!!!!!) so to celebrate I'm going away for a few days with some friends. I'm escaping this dreary weather with... more dreary weather. Ah well, at least I can leave with the thought that I never have to wear school uniform again, plus I never have to have another maths or science exam again! I've got 70 days of summer and I'm going to enjoy every last moment.
(P.s. I hope you like my new blog design! A massive thank you to Jo-Anne for helping me with it, I don't know what I'd do without her!)
beautiful photos!i really like what you are wearing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing your exams! Cute dress! I hope you enjoy every day of your break!
ReplyDelete--TS
yea i love the bright yellow background, perfect for summer and matches your bright personality. i love your dress, so friggin pretty. also the butterfly chrysalises one sounds cool but i don't really like damien hirst, nothing against you of course. it's just not my style of art haha.
ReplyDeleteyou look so adorable :) i love your dress!
ReplyDeletex
Great bridge, I didn't even recognise it was London. Hope you are having fun.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
Cute dress! So jealous you got to go see this, getting tempted to hop on a train and run away to LDN for a bit!
ReplyDeleteThe butterfly exhibit sounds amazing! (not sure about the other ones!)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on never having to wear a uniform ever again! wohoo
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute dress!
ReplyDelete-loadsofashion.blogspot.com
yay for summer & end of exams!!
ReplyDeletekatie x
haha that's an interesting exhibition. to be honest I can't say I'd enjoy it myself, but definitely interesting concepts! yay for finishing exams :)
ReplyDeletemetallicpaws.blogspot.com
Such a beautiful dress x
ReplyDeleteLubna | ELLE VOX
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Wow, now that is one way to learn anatomy. What a sculpture!
ReplyDeletehaha the picture with the giant body is amazing :D
ReplyDelete" but you have to expect that if you're going to a Damien Hirst exhibition. And what is art if it doesn't provoke an emotion from the viewer, even if that emotion is anger or disgust? It's not the best place for vegans or animal rights activists, but it is fascinating, and there is even beauty in the horrific, such as the stain glass window patterns made out of (real) butterfly wings."
ReplyDeleteIt is not best place for activists, it is also not suitable for humans. How can you feel when your or any other human being's flesh is exhibited in an "art" show? Will you still say it is fascinating?
"there is even beauty in the horrific, such as the stain glass window patterns made out of (real) butterfly wings."
I think you are sick to say you support "animal" abuse under "ART".. That is murder..