I don’t know how I feel about contemporary sculpture. I like mixing all styles of furniture, painting, and architecture in a single setting. A house is like a garden with all its many different flowers. I have no difficulty with the Glass Pyramid in front of the Louvre in the Tuileries Gardens. But, somewhere I draw the line, and that line might be Salvador Dali. But…
The South Bank is alive these days. Sculpture, public art, street art abound. To be honest, I am not a South Bank boy, but I am learning. I struggle in the TATE MODERN. I find it undisciplined art that greets the word VULGAR. But, I am learning. I struggle with pastiches, yet a good copy works well. I personally live in a big old house built in 1917 in the Wright Prairie Style, authentic to the period, and I watch this style having a come-back. Sometimes the copies work, and sometimes they are horrific.
I have to say that the contemporary sculpture fits on the South Bank. Many of my London friends ask me to visit the South Bank for various performances and to try all the new restaurants that are popping up all over this area of London. The energy and excitement is wonderful, but I am struggling with all the SALVADOR DALI sculptures. Let me show you a few of them, hoping you will explore the area and come up with your own opinion.
London has struggled with opposing views about MODERN ARCHITECTURE invading the city. My own son is an architect trained at Columbia and believes that modern additions to old buildings keep a building alive. The London skyline with all its glass structures verifies that London is not a “dead” city with antique streets lined with just ancient buildings. The question is HOW DO WE BLEND THE NEW WITH THE OLD. The Sainsbury Wing on the National Gallery is evidence that it can work well. The plan to build a glass high rise building in the heart of Chelsea was thwarted by Prince Charles who understood that this structure was not harmonious with its surroundings. His fear of modern architects is well known. He realizes that modern structures will be built, but it the sensitive architect who knows how to achieve this blend. The Prince’s words that “modern architects have done more damage to London than the Blitz” startled the public. I followed the public reaction to those remarks. In my view, Londoners aligned themselves with the Prince. I do know that my Chelsea friends were so relieved when Prince Charles again intervened and thwarted the glass monstrosity that was about to invade their quaint neighborhood.
Wander around the South Bank. I think you will see how well modern architecture is working there. Salvador Dali fits beautifully. But for me, I stand in front of them and say to myself OH REALLY–HM! But,hey, that’s just me. I suppose I like modern sculpture, but I draw the line with Dali.
Please excuse the one Dali infront of the Fern House at Kew. It is such a great photo.
Let me hear from you.
Thanks,
Tom
