DRIVE

Capitalising the title is  necessary, as this film certainly delivers a punch!! The film is based around the central character of the unnamed Driver, expertly played by Ryan Gosling, who manages to pull off the moody introvert. He is a stunt driver/Garage worker who moonlights as a driver for criminal gangs,and for someone who initially shows no apparatus for emotions, becomes involved in the lives of his next door neighbour; Irene and her son.

The best word to describe this movie is cool, from the pink italicised font to the outfits, especially the Drivers which will, surely become a classic. It was certainly well shot by director Nicolas Winding Refn,  and the use of dark and light was highly effective, but the best addition to the film was the soundtrack. It was cleverly entwined into the action, from the general thumping beats at the beginning which played alongside the car chase to the somewhat ethereal 80s tunes which created a direct contrast to the violence expressed in many of the scenes.

However I must expand on my viewing experience, which was slightly ruined by the projector breaking 3/4 of the way into the film, there were hurried exchanges between technicians and rowdy shouts from the audience but their was nothing to be done. The offer of a free film did not really consolidate my desires to see the conclusion, ands returned home with a mind full of speculation over the endings, and so far I have managed to avoid Wikipedia to see the what did occur.

 Since writing the previous section I have now managed to see the end, which although mildly shocking, is a fitting and simple ending atheistically shot and manages to tie in to the sense of emptiness and isolation which runs for the duration of the film.

Some will immediately discount the film due to the use of occasionally gratuitous violence, but it is of the noir genre, so such scenes are somewhat expected. It is a film that should be seen as there has obviously been much thought put into every aspect of its design and production, and although there is violence in it, this is not the central element it is the Driver who seamlessly and effortlessly glides through life, much like the cars which he so confidently controls.

Street Art

 Just thought this article was of some interest, as the pavement has been transformed into an art form playing, with the perspective of the pedestrian. When you see this style of street Art it only works when you see it from one angle, and when seeing it through the form of the photograph this angle is given to you.


Check out the article it can be accessed below:::

Street Art Article

David Hockney--> Is he the most influential British artist of all time?

 A recent poll carried out by The Other Art Fair, got a thousands artists to vote on who they believed was the most influential British Artist. The results are written below::

1. David Hockney

2. J.M.W. Turner

3. Grayson Perry

4. Francis Bacon

5. Jack Vettriano

6. Lucian Freud

7. Thomas Gainsborough

8. Sir Peter Blake

9. Banksy

10. Stanley Spencer

The results are quite interesting, and I think we must first discuss the British artists who are absent. Most notably maybe are some of the member of YBA's, including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Jack and Dinio Chapman. These are people who have made a successful but controversial career in Art, and some have even won the Turner Prize, but the survey clearly shows how many do not see them as inspirational figures; curious considering that a lot of the art press is concentrated around them but maybe they do not see them as true artists due to there sometimes controversial and shocking work, which often seems the main reason for its creation.

Obviously some the names were bound to be on the list including J.M.W. Turner, Lucien Freud and Stanley Spencer. But I find it quite odd that Thomas Gainsborough should be on the list and not John Constable, whose work I find more superior. There are also absences from people such as Sir Joshua Reynolds and the   Pre-Raphaelites, but I suppose the artists who voted although they may like the traditional artist, may not really look to such work for inspiration. It is interesting that many of the artists are more considerable as the modern masters, such as Freud. Also the inclusion of Banksy shows the importance of street art to the modern artist, and it is interesting that he is on on the list, as no one knows who he actually showing it is his art is a key inspiration.

I think we must now move onto David Hockney, personally i was mildly surprised at him being considered the most influential, but when you consider his work I think it is more understandable as to why. Firstly we must first acknowledge the importance of Hockney and his pieces such as Splash (seen below) which among others made a key contribution to pop art in the sixties. His ability to use and master various materials should also be regarded with some merit and such a wide scope of both material and subject may go as some way to understand why he above others is more inspirational.

Art of America

Just a quick post, the BBC have got a new art programme out, and it is led by critic and author Andrew Graham Dixon, it gives an overview of the Art of America right from the start of civilised America. It was a interesting watch and focused on the Art of America that is not usually looked at, and allows you to see the slow transition of the art form the past to the modern day contemporary styles. Andrew Graham Dixon; as always, is always charismatic in his presenting and combines both fact and opinion to instruct the audience about the art. If you have free hour try and watch this programme, as it gives an insight into American art and looks to be a promising series.

 Check out the Link below to watch the first episode of the series ::: Looking for Paradise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017755r/Art_of_America_Looking_for_Paradise/

Little Ashes

I am aware this is a film that has been around for a while now, but I have only just recently came across it and wanted to share my thoughts. I think odd is good word to describe the feature, it portrays Dali much like his art work: surreal and mad, and chooses to focus on his rise to fame and his supposed love affair with poet/play write Federico Garcia Lorca. The film just feels a little weak and none of the issues are fully developed and it seems unaware of its true idea choosing to avoid full controversy, and just lightly dips into some of the aspects of Dali's early life. Highlighting the fact maybe more evidence was needed in order to make the film more for filling . Lead actor Robert Patterson certainly helped the film commercially, but I did not feel he was key star, his excitably and almost mocking portrayal was uncomfortable at times especially when compared to the reserved and thoughtful portrayal of Federico Garcia Lorca by actor Javier Beltrán, who should be considered the true star of the film. 

Olympic Art ---> Is it worthy of a Gold Medal

The Olympics is not just about sports and in anticipation for the main event a cultural olymipad has been occuring. Although many havent even heard of it, the project has involved such things as organising art exhibitions and plays. But probably its most publized event is the recent publication of 12 posters advertising the olympics and paralymics created by 12 of Britians top artists.


The posters are all abstract/ modern in design and there is a notable absence of realism within the pieces. The 12 Artists include Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Tracey Emin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Bob and Roberta Smith, Martin Creed, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Chris Ofili, Bridget Riley and Rachel Whiteread; all of whom were shortlisted to create the posters from a list of around 100 artists.

We must take a closer look at some of the posters and there artists. Firstly Howard Hodgkin's Swimming. A simple piece using the material of paint to mimick the fluidity of water, it will be a painting that will divide audiences and many will just see it as a squiggle of a paint brush, but personally Hodgkins has created a dramatic wave which sums up the excitement and drama of a swimming race and the artist himself describes his work as "representational pictures of emotional situations" and through simple brush strokes has capture a vivd sense of movement and fluidity, and ambiguity of the darkened space; is it a swimmer?? adds a further layer of interest to the poster.

Tracey Emin is another one of the artists featured, I have never really been a fan of Emin, mainly because of the shocking nature of her work, which i find quite hard to appreciate, but her olympic poster seems a lot more simple and resigned than usual and its message adds an air of innocence to proceedings, especially with its accompanying plain white background.

One of the posters that I am not particually a fan of is Martin Creed's Work no. 1273, firstly the title, I dont understand why there is a need for an abstract title as I think it alienates the mass market many of whom already see modern art as slightly elitist.  The painting depicts a podium but it has a static and basic element which makes  it personally unapealling, and does not promote an air of achievement. Then there are the colours which are supposed to represent the colours of the olympic rings, but they are muted and dulled down, which once again does not really encourage achievement, making the whole thing seem dull and unassuming.

 Michel Craig-Martins poster I think will be a popular design, his distinctive style is evident and it portrays a very simple and clear of the message that people will be able to understand/connect to.

Although some of the posters have considerable artistic merit. I think the paintings should not be as abstract, as although they evoke a reaction there has already been much controvery over the abstract olympic logo, so such modern posters seem quite an odd move, but they are obviously trying to make an olympics for the modern age. When you compare the posters for the 2012 olympics to the poster for the last olympics held in London in 1948 there is a stark contrast, and I think the 2012 posters make it in noone clear where the olympics are occuring as London is vibrant and cultured host city, but you could not tell thisfrom the posters.

Turner Prize

After realising the short list earlier in the year, the 28^th annual Turner Prize is now on display. This year it is moving away from its usual London Base and up north to the Baltic gallery in Gateshead. This is certainly an interesting change, but maybe an attempt to move away from the controversies of its past and thus allow people to merely focus on the artwork itself. Then I here you say it’s the Turner Prize, a prize focused mainly on the conceptual artist, a style which many find hard to engage with. However this year’s short list certainly offers a more conservative range, although there is a contrast in materiality, there is nothing shocking like in previous years.  The candidate that personally stands out is George Shaw. His paintings which may to some seem mundane, focus on the suburban landscape of Tile Hill in Coventry, where he grew up.  His unpopulated landscapes seem to perfectly capture the dull reality, of suburban life. His material of choice is Humbrol model paints, an interesting feature, as in not only allows him to create precision painting, but helps highlight the uniformity of such a landscape. But whether an artist such as George Shaw has the ability to win the Turner Prize, seems somewhat hard to believe; considering the past winners, but it would certainly be a nice change that these unassuming displays of the sombre reality of everyday life could win such a showy and prestigious prize.

The other candadites include Hilary Lloyd, Karla Black and Martin Boyce.