There is a new resident at in the City of London. A sculpture of an eagle clutching a wriggling snake has been found at the Minories and was originally placed over a Roman tomb. It is dated from the 1st to the 2nd Century AD, but when you see it in person it is hard to believe, it looks as though it was carved yesterday. The Eagle will be at the Museum of London for six months, and I really recommend visiting, it's such a beautiful object.
The Eagle can be seen at the beginning of the Roman gallery at the museum of London : http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/galleries/roman-london/
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Visit to the Petrie Museum
CBA London (http://www.archaeologyuk.org/cbalondon/) organised a private tour of the Petrie Museum, part of UCL just off Tottenham Court Road. Having studied British Archaeology, I don't know much about Egyptology, but like most people find it fascinating. I think it's one of the first things people think about when archaeology is mentioned: tombs, sand and mummies (and dinosaurs!). The museum was created in 1892 through Amelia Edwards, who donated hundreds of Egyptian Antiquities. Edwards was a pioneer in the protection of Egyptian sites and artefacts, and was a co-founder of the Egypt Exploration Fund in 1882.
William Flinders Petrie excavated some of the most important sites in Egypt, including King Akhenaten's city of Amarna, and also worked in Palestine. Petrie set new standards in archaeology at the time, and believed in the importance of recording and studying artefacts. Petrie also linked styles of pottery with the different time periods, helping to date the different sites he worked on.
Petrie sold his collection to UCL in 1933, which created one of the largest collections of Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt. What I loved about the museum is the way everything is packed into such a small space. Everywhere you look there are artefacts, you could spend days looking through the collection. Just when you think you've seen something, you realise that the drawers open underneath the displays, and more artefacts are there to be seen. It is also one of the first museum collections to be digitised, so if you take note of an artefact number you can look it up online.
 |
| William Flinders Petrie |
William Flinders Petrie excavated some of the most important sites in Egypt, including King Akhenaten's city of Amarna, and also worked in Palestine. Petrie set new standards in archaeology at the time, and believed in the importance of recording and studying artefacts. Petrie also linked styles of pottery with the different time periods, helping to date the different sites he worked on.
 |
| The pottery types set out by period/age |
 |
| Some of the many beautiful objects on display |
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 13.00-17.00 to the public, and is free to visit. More information can be found on the website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie
The BBC also had a programme on this year called 'The Man Who Discovered Egypt' about Petrie's work in Egypt. It isn't currently on iPlayer, but has been shown several times this year, and is worth keeping an eye out for:
Monday, 4 November 2013
McCurry UNTOLD at the Southbank Centre
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of going to see Steve McCurry at the Southbank Centre. Steve McCurry is a photojournalist who has been working for 30 years in countries such as Afghanistan, India and in his home country photographing the aftermath of September 11. His most famous photograph is the Afghan Girl, an image that came to represent the trouble in Afghanistan and has been reproduced all over the world. Her haunting eyes capture both beauty, and the horror of war.
The lecture was based on his new book 'Untold: the Stories Behind the Photographs', and looked at some of his images, and the stories behind how he captured them. He also gave little tips on how to capture an image, taking in the surroundings and people around him.
What I like about McCurry's photography is to me it makes me feel better about the human race. Even photographs taken in times of war and trouble bring over a sense of beauty and hope, even if there is a feeling of sadness. In many of the portraits the individual looks straight down the camera lens, making the images feel very personal, like you're looking into someone else's world. The photographs are special as they show normal people around the world going about their lives, and it's a privilege to be given a glimpse through McCurry's lens.
After the lecture I was able to get the new book signed by Steve McCurry, and I was little star struck! He seemed a very nice guy, and was really patient with the long queue of fans waiting. I thanked him for his wonderful blog, which I recommend to anyone. Each blog is based on a theme (books, trees, prayer etc) and is a mixture of McCurry's photographs and famous quotes. I find it really uplifting, and a highlight to the week.
http://stevemccurry.com/blog
I also recommend his website, which contains many of his images, as well as upcoming events and exhibitions:
http://stevemccurry.com/
The lecture was based on his new book 'Untold: the Stories Behind the Photographs', and looked at some of his images, and the stories behind how he captured them. He also gave little tips on how to capture an image, taking in the surroundings and people around him.
What I like about McCurry's photography is to me it makes me feel better about the human race. Even photographs taken in times of war and trouble bring over a sense of beauty and hope, even if there is a feeling of sadness. In many of the portraits the individual looks straight down the camera lens, making the images feel very personal, like you're looking into someone else's world. The photographs are special as they show normal people around the world going about their lives, and it's a privilege to be given a glimpse through McCurry's lens.
After the lecture I was able to get the new book signed by Steve McCurry, and I was little star struck! He seemed a very nice guy, and was really patient with the long queue of fans waiting. I thanked him for his wonderful blog, which I recommend to anyone. Each blog is based on a theme (books, trees, prayer etc) and is a mixture of McCurry's photographs and famous quotes. I find it really uplifting, and a highlight to the week.
http://stevemccurry.com/blog
I also recommend his website, which contains many of his images, as well as upcoming events and exhibitions:
http://stevemccurry.com/
Sunday, 27 October 2013
The Fascination of Mountains
Last year at the London Film Festival I spent over £200. It was an amazing experience, and well worth the cost, but I decided this year I couldn't spend that much again. So I allowed myself 1 ticket. When the festival list came out, it was such a difficult decision. What to go for? Gravity, Philomena, 12 years a slave... this year was incredible. But I decided to combine my love of silent films and mountains, and go for the Epic of Everest. This was a film of the original Mallory and Irvine expedition in 1924 which the BFI had painstaking restored. I knew that this was the one film I had to see.
“So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.” ― George Mallory
I am completely obsessed with mountains. I don't know why. I find it so fascinating, and yet I don't think I could climb myself (see previous post on wall climbing!). It's the idea that people are willing to take themselves out of a comfortable life and risk thereselves completely. There's something about being completely alone on a mountain that appeals, being one with nature and also being at nature's will. I guess nowadays we're so comfortable in our lives, that the idea of doing something away from technology and comfort really appeals. Getting away from the mundane modern existence. I also love the idea of the gentleman explorer, like Mallory, dressed in proper dress and ready to conquer the challenge for Queen and country. Any adventurer or explorer really fascinates me.
The film itself is stunning, and the silence of it really echoes the feel of being on the mountain away from civilisation. You really feel the battle that these men are going through to climb Everest, and the sheer determination. I was also amazed about how many donkeys and sherpas they had carrying the boxes of supplies to Everest, really extraordinary. Not to miss out the baby donkey that's born on the journey! The new score written for the film echoes the surroundings, and has hints of electronic sounds and Nepalese instruments. It also really depicts the tragedy of the event beautifully, and I did feel the emotion and sadness of the loss of Mallory and Irvine. I do believe (until proved otherwise!) that they did make it to the top, and got into difficulties on the way back down the mountain. In a way, I hope we never find out what actually happened, leaving the story open to debate and speculation.
The Epic of Everest is available to see around the country at selected cinemas http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/bfi-film-releases/epic-everest and also on the new BFI Player http://player.bfi.org.uk/
Here are some other books and films that I love:
'Into Thin Air' and 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer
'Lost on Everest, the search for Mallory and Irvine' by Peter Firstbrook
'Touching the Void' by Joe Simpson (and the film of the same name)
'Mountains of the Mind' by Robert Macfarlane
'The Wildest Dream' directed by Anthony Geffen
'The Great White Silence' Directed by Herbert Ponting
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Art Under Attack: Histories of British Iconoclasm
Art Under Attack: Histories of British Iconoclasm at the Tate Britain
I went along to this exhibition having not read about it, and not really knowing what to expect. It was a lovely surprise. The exhibition was about attacks on art from the 16th century to the modern day. The first room was about the reformation, and had pieces of artwork taken from religious sites that had been parcially destroyed. I really liked seeing pieces from the collections of English Heritage and the British Museum, and the idea that the galleries had worked together to put together the exhibition. I found it really interesting that during the reformation the art works were damaged, but not removed from religious sites. It was almost as if they couldn't remove the pieces from a sacred place, but maybe I'm reading too much into that.
The room dedicated to the suffragettes I found fascinating and really moving. I can't imagine being that desperate to be treated as an equal in society that I would go to a gallery and slash a painting, but these women did. I don't agree with what they did, but through their protests and attacks women's voices were heard, and they did so much for us today.
I found the last few rooms in the exhibition disappointing, as they didn't have the meaning that the earlier displays had. for me the paintings by the Chapman brothers didn't have the passion and the history of the earlier pieces. I feel that the destruction of art as a creative act is not the same as a woman slashing at a painting to protest about her lack of rights.
I really recommend this exhibition, as it's something that stays with you afterwards and makes you think. I was surprised about how quiet the exhibition was, there were hardly any visitors on the Saturday I was there. I felt this really benefited the feel of the rooms, as it was very quiet and peaceful. I could wander round in my own time and reflect on the damaged art and the different issues that were represented.
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/art-under-attack-histories-british-iconoclasm
I went along to this exhibition having not read about it, and not really knowing what to expect. It was a lovely surprise. The exhibition was about attacks on art from the 16th century to the modern day. The first room was about the reformation, and had pieces of artwork taken from religious sites that had been parcially destroyed. I really liked seeing pieces from the collections of English Heritage and the British Museum, and the idea that the galleries had worked together to put together the exhibition. I found it really interesting that during the reformation the art works were damaged, but not removed from religious sites. It was almost as if they couldn't remove the pieces from a sacred place, but maybe I'm reading too much into that.
The room dedicated to the suffragettes I found fascinating and really moving. I can't imagine being that desperate to be treated as an equal in society that I would go to a gallery and slash a painting, but these women did. I don't agree with what they did, but through their protests and attacks women's voices were heard, and they did so much for us today.
I found the last few rooms in the exhibition disappointing, as they didn't have the meaning that the earlier displays had. for me the paintings by the Chapman brothers didn't have the passion and the history of the earlier pieces. I feel that the destruction of art as a creative act is not the same as a woman slashing at a painting to protest about her lack of rights.
I really recommend this exhibition, as it's something that stays with you afterwards and makes you think. I was surprised about how quiet the exhibition was, there were hardly any visitors on the Saturday I was there. I felt this really benefited the feel of the rooms, as it was very quiet and peaceful. I could wander round in my own time and reflect on the damaged art and the different issues that were represented.
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/art-under-attack-histories-british-iconoclasm
Shunga at the British Museum
Last week I went to see the new exhibition at the British Museum 'Shunga- Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art'. Shunga are drawings and paintings that were created from 1600-1900 in Japan, and depict erotic scenes. Yes, it's a little bit naughty. To be honest the graphic nature of the pictures didn't bother me, I've got used to this through going to exhibitions throughout the years.
One exhibition that springs to mind is 'Pop Life: Art in a Material World' which was at the Tate Modern 2009-2010. In the exhibition there was a small room dedicated to Jeff Koon's 'Made in Heaven' collection of paintings and sculptures. These detailed very intimately his relationship with his pornstar wife, and were really in your face. There was a lot of giggling from the visitors who walked in. The Tate had warning signs on the door, which of course encouraged people to enter and have a look in the first place. I think that's so typically human, any warning of explicit material and we can't help but be curious. I think it's difficult to define what is porn, and what is art, and artists are always going to push the boundaries. At the end of the day it is depicting something natural.
The shunga images are very well drawn, and very beautiful. I don't know much about Japanese art, but to me they felt very typical of the culture. I personally didn't find them erotic, but I was a little creeped out by the odd lone man who insisted leaning a little too close whilst trying to view the images. The images are comedic too. I found the depiction of the women strange as they were shown as very masculine. The detail of the breasts were not drawn, which seemed odd as there was a lot of attention and detail drawn of the genitals. It would also seem that every gentleman in Japan is well endowed! The most popular picture on display when I visited was an orgy picture at the beginning of the exhibition, it was definitely a crowd pleaser (!!)
I was particularly impressed with the pictures that included westerners. I thought they were very clever in the way a different culture was portrayed, and the artist definitely made it clear where the characters were from. My favourite part of the exhibition was of course the Netsukes, they are just beautiful pieces of pocket size art.
I did enjoy the exhibition, however after a while I did find it a little repetitive. I loved the rooms that the British Museum had placed the exhibition in - Rooms 90-91. This made a really good change from the reading room, as there was more space to move around and it was easier to see the drawings. I also liked the way you leant into the drawings with a ledge in front of you, it made the exhibition feel more intimate, as if you were peeking into a private scene. It was great to see something completely different at the British Museum, and learn more about a culture I knew nothing about previously.
One exhibition that springs to mind is 'Pop Life: Art in a Material World' which was at the Tate Modern 2009-2010. In the exhibition there was a small room dedicated to Jeff Koon's 'Made in Heaven' collection of paintings and sculptures. These detailed very intimately his relationship with his pornstar wife, and were really in your face. There was a lot of giggling from the visitors who walked in. The Tate had warning signs on the door, which of course encouraged people to enter and have a look in the first place. I think that's so typically human, any warning of explicit material and we can't help but be curious. I think it's difficult to define what is porn, and what is art, and artists are always going to push the boundaries. At the end of the day it is depicting something natural.
The shunga images are very well drawn, and very beautiful. I don't know much about Japanese art, but to me they felt very typical of the culture. I personally didn't find them erotic, but I was a little creeped out by the odd lone man who insisted leaning a little too close whilst trying to view the images. The images are comedic too. I found the depiction of the women strange as they were shown as very masculine. The detail of the breasts were not drawn, which seemed odd as there was a lot of attention and detail drawn of the genitals. It would also seem that every gentleman in Japan is well endowed! The most popular picture on display when I visited was an orgy picture at the beginning of the exhibition, it was definitely a crowd pleaser (!!)
I was particularly impressed with the pictures that included westerners. I thought they were very clever in the way a different culture was portrayed, and the artist definitely made it clear where the characters were from. My favourite part of the exhibition was of course the Netsukes, they are just beautiful pieces of pocket size art.
I did enjoy the exhibition, however after a while I did find it a little repetitive. I loved the rooms that the British Museum had placed the exhibition in - Rooms 90-91. This made a really good change from the reading room, as there was more space to move around and it was easier to see the drawings. I also liked the way you leant into the drawings with a ledge in front of you, it made the exhibition feel more intimate, as if you were peeking into a private scene. It was great to see something completely different at the British Museum, and learn more about a culture I knew nothing about previously.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Volunteering with the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group
A couple of weeks ago I took a few days off work to volunteer with the South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group (SOAG). I decided them to volunteer with as they seem really active in their fieldwork activities, and I'm considering relocating to Oxford.
The first two days I spent with SOAG in some woods North of Reading. We were investigating what is presumed to be a medieval/Saxon Enclosure, difficult to see as it lies in a heavily wooded area. Without the trees there would have been a good view from the land it covered on top of a hill. It was clear that there are a lot of earthworks, and there is a definite bank built up to create an enclosure. There are also two ponds within the enclosure, giving a water source - however not the cleanest water!
We put in two test pits, one in the ditch on the outside of the enclosure, and one at the entrance to the enclosure. Nothing was found in the ditch and we hit natural surprisingly quickly. In the other section it is possible that we found evidence of post or plank holes, and came down onto a stoney surface which is believed to be a later Victorian surface. This makes it likely that this entrance to the enclosure was cut through the bank on Victorian times. Unfortunately however no finds were found in either test pit, so this made dating the features difficult.
The third day was spent at Ascott Park carrying out a resistivity survey. I haven't carried out any geophysics since university, so I was excited to be given this chance of helping out. The group were very organised and quick at setting up the grid, so the work was carried out quickly. It is in the grounds of a former 17th Century manor house that was thought to have burnt down soon after building had been finished. It is unknown where the house stood, but earthworks of the garden platforms still survive, and it is thought the house stood looking over these. We were surveying the bottom of the garden earthworks, and revealed some interesting features such as possible ditches or walls. The results will be processed and published shortly.
SOAG's website is http://www.soagarch.org.uk/index.html
 |
| Down in the woods |
 |
| One of the ponds |
We put in two test pits, one in the ditch on the outside of the enclosure, and one at the entrance to the enclosure. Nothing was found in the ditch and we hit natural surprisingly quickly. In the other section it is possible that we found evidence of post or plank holes, and came down onto a stoney surface which is believed to be a later Victorian surface. This makes it likely that this entrance to the enclosure was cut through the bank on Victorian times. Unfortunately however no finds were found in either test pit, so this made dating the features difficult.
 |
| Digging the first test pit, complete with dog |
 |
| Test pit 1, not much going on |
 |
| Cut through the ditch, with stoney surface and possible post holes |
The third day was spent at Ascott Park carrying out a resistivity survey. I haven't carried out any geophysics since university, so I was excited to be given this chance of helping out. The group were very organised and quick at setting up the grid, so the work was carried out quickly. It is in the grounds of a former 17th Century manor house that was thought to have burnt down soon after building had been finished. It is unknown where the house stood, but earthworks of the garden platforms still survive, and it is thought the house stood looking over these. We were surveying the bottom of the garden earthworks, and revealed some interesting features such as possible ditches or walls. The results will be processed and published shortly.
 |
| The 16th or early 17th century dove cot |
 |
| One of the major earthworks |
 |
| The resistivity survey |
 |
| Going through the major nettles! |
SOAG's website is http://www.soagarch.org.uk/index.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)