Pip and I made an impromptu visit to the Tate Modern on Bankside. We were both intrigued by the latest art installation to fill the Turbine Hall. French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s ‘TH.2058′ consists of two hundred yellow and blue bunk bed frames. There are giant animal sculptures tacked on for good measure, including the spider which was on prominent display outside the gallery.
The artwork is set 50 years from now and symbolises an apocalyptic vision of London. I am not a particular fan of contemporary or conceptual art but I do like the idea of an installation inspired by real and fictional scenarios of the capital under attack, especially following my recent dissatisfaction of living here.
Visitors are expected to lie on the beds so they can experience the refugee camp atmosphere of the massive hall. A screen overlooks the work, playing extracts from science-fiction films. Books have been placed on top of the bed frames, including such apocalyptic classics as JG Ballard’s ‘The Drowned World’, Philip K. Dick’s ‘The Man in the High Castle’ and HG Wells’ ‘The War of the Worlds’.
The exhibit is accompanied by the sound of rainfall - supposedly the environmental catastrophe humanity has sought shelter from inside the gallery. I do hope that this is the rain to wash the disgusting and despicable scum off the streets.
I am looking forward to spending the next six months of lunch breaks in this environment, having a nice lie down, reading one of my favourite books and awaiting the coming apocalypse. Rain down.
2 Comments
Yes, sounds like fun.
I think I might pop over and join you at some point.
Can you take in sandwiches and ginger beer?
No ginger beer only real beer. There’s no ginger beer after the apocalypse or cream cakes. Plenty of baked beans though, so many baked beans.