New London Art Shows. Three you must see.

Two of the “must sees” have just started at the Hayward Gallery , Southbank.

Move: choreographing you

“Move: choreographing you” develops the relationship between artists, movement and dance. Visitors are encouraged to take part by just posing within the installations, or, for the more ambitious: dancing, using hoola hoops, standing on seesaws, throwing dummies around and (see picture) apparently simple swings between suspended rings: simple until one realises that they are suspended on rubber bands. Or you can just watch others trying or daily performances of up to 30 professional dancers.

To accompany the exhibition there is a three day Symposium of modern dance from 26th to 28th November with a number of free events. See: www.southbank.co.uk/move.

 

10,000 Waves

The nine double-side screen “10,000 Waves” installation is within the “Move….” show – but is totally different. The 50 minute programme is a beautiful and poignant saga of the Chinese immigrant cockle pickers who travelled thousands of miles from a remote part of Northern China to die in the waves at Morecombe Bay.

There are three overlapping elements in the programme: the long journey of the immigrants; the docu-drama of the tragic night with sounds of emergency services messages and news bulletins and a film about a film being made in modern Shanghai. The latter includes a Chinese Goddess who looks after seafarers played by a great star of modern Chinese cinema, Maggie Cheung. “10,000 Waves” is a marvellous and moving programme. Do make time to see it.
Information:
Show runs to 9th Jan 2011
Tickets: £11 (various concessions)
Info: www.southbank.co.uk/move

Shadow Catchers: Camera-less Photography

“Shadow Catchers: Camera-less Photography” is at the V & A. to 27th March 2011

This is the first show of contemporary artists using the medium of camera-less photography. The simplest explanation of “camera-less” is to coat sheets of paper with light sensitive chemicals and just expose the paper (which can be very large sheets) in windows, or with objects laid on and so on. This is harks back the earliest days of photography.

Each of the five artists in this show have taken their own direction but there is some emphasis on nature, the outdoors, leaves, water , skies with some exposures happening under water such as: “paper left in the garden at night with rain and lightning affecting the image.”

There are some fascinating images in the show. Martin Barnes, the V & A Curator’s overview
refers to : “In the age of mass produced , snapshot digital camera imagery………” and ” a surprising alternative collection of images, often large scale, beautiful crafted, unique etc.”

For photographers like me it’s a reminder of our pre-digital days in the wet labs with the “craft” elements of developing and hand printing. This show is a “must see” for serious photographers. The V & A’s notes (available at the show) on the various processes for camera-less photography are short and clear. There is a good programme of support events including workshops to try out camera-less methods and on 4th February a Symposium
where all five artists will discuss their techniques – and their inspiration !

“A History of Camera-less Photography” at the V & A to 27th March 2011

In parallel with “Shadow Catchers…” this is a display of historical works created without a camera drawn from the V & A’s collection – the world’s oldest museum photography collection.

Information

Show runs to 27th March 20111
Tickets: Shadow Catchers £5 (concs £4)
History of Camera-less FREE
Info: www.vam.ac.uk