Wednesday, January 30, 2013

'Til Death Do Us Art

For the first time in what feels like forever, the temperature raised just enough last weekend for me to shrug off my heavy winter coat, big furry hat and boots.  Oh joy!


So, we took the opportunity to don our Sunday finest (or at least, something without thermal properties) and headed over to the Welcome Collection to have a look around the Death - A Self-Portrait exhibition.


Unfortunately, photography was not permitted once inside the exhibition.  I have seen numerous photos taken by my friends who have also been to see it, popping up on Facebook - but frankly, I am just not stealthy enough to sneak a few snapshots and didn't fancy getting told off by the museum staff.

I did, however, take a photo of the pretty lights in the cafe, and in the lift!


Anyway, here's a few pictures from the exhibition that I found online...

Marcos Raya, Untitled (family portrait: wedding), 2005 Collage: vintage photo with mixed media

Marcos Raya, Untitled (family portrait: grandma), 2005

The exhibit, as you can imagine, is macabre, with some rather creepy pictures and photos on display.  But perhaps the creepiest thing of all was John Isaac’s wax sculpture, ‘Are you still mad at me?’ (2001).  Propped up on a wooden crate, this life size piece was all skin, bone, flesh and guts and reminded me of a gruesome version of one of Gunther von Hagens' preserved bodies.


I loved all of the Día de los Muertos iconography, as well as the giant bone chandelier (made of plaster).  It was also quite fascinating and eye-opening to see the figures of how many people have died of various different causes during the 20th century, shown on a large spider diagram which took up an entire wall.  


But probably my favourite part of the exhibition were the little postcards which looked like skulls from a distance, but when you got up close they were two people kissing, or two people having a drink together, or a lady resting on a rock, and so on.  One of these pictures was used on the main poster for the exhibition.  I found them to be a mixture of romantic and haunting, but ultimately very clever in design. 


This is certainly a curious collection, belonging to Richard Harris, a former antique dealer based in Chicago.  It's worth a visit, and runs until the 24th February 2013.

18 comments:

  1. Oh dear! I love that hat and the brooch.

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    1. Thanks! Both of them were total scores from Ebay! :)

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  2. Oh la la I love your outfit. Green color is perfect for you.

    I really like your blog. I m following you now. Visit me if you want :)

    Kisses

    http://immortality-passion.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you! I have added your blog to my google reader! :)

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  3. That exhibit looks very interesting. When I went to the YSL exhibit, they said no photography. I just turned off my flash and snuck photos... because I'm a jerk!

    You guys both looks so very dapper. Can't wait to see what you both wear at VLV 16!

    HRF

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    1. I can't wait to see your outfits at VLV! Eeeeeeeek I am getting soooooooo excited!!!!

      I always get caught when I try to break the rules, so I wanted to save myself the embarrassment hahhaha! Maybe trying to take photos with a phone is the best option in this situation, rather than pulling out a camera?!

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  4. You both look wonderful! And I love the tie pin!!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. Thanks Janey! I love that tie pin too - and it's neat, because although it appears to pierce the tie, it doesn't - so no ties are damaged in the wearing of this tie bar! :)

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  5. My dear, you look so wonderfully pretty! Green is my colour of the moment right now (I'm both trying to wear and buy more), so this outfit is especially inspiring for me. I adore your cute little fur brooch as well (I'm on the hunt for a similar one myself).

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Awwww thanks Jessica, you make me blush! I am really into green right now too (ever since becoming a redhead - somehow it never really suited me when I was blonde). The brooch is from Ebay, and was a real steal, so keep an eye out there!

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  6. You both look amazing! This green fits you really nice and my husband will be jalous of this tie!!!

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    1. Thank you Laurence! My hubbie and I are always admiring the outfits on your blog!!! :) xx

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  7. Now that is how to dress to visit an exhibition! You both look fab. I really wanted to pop up and see this one before it ended, but won't have the time...it does look brilliant.
    xx

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    1. Why, thank you very much! :) It's a shame you can't make it, as I reckon it's right up your street m'dear! xx

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  8. The two of you are so stylish, it's ridiculous! I can't even begin to understand how you managed to match the green so perfectly! Loveee ittt :)

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    1. Awwwwww faaaaaaaaaaanks! As soon as I saw the green hat (on ebay) I knew I needed it to go with that skirt!!!

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  9. I love the green with animal print colour combo you're workinh here...I would never have thought to wear them together! The two of you make a very dashing couple and I'm sure you we much admired as you were out and about. xx Shauna

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    1. Thanks Shauna, that's very sweet of you to say! I love leopard print with just about anything, but I particularly like to pair it with red or green! :) xx

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