13 March 2004
Olafur Eliasson's Weather Project Revisited
Tate Modern
  
 
We went to the Tate to see the Brancusi (I didn't realise it was going to cost my companion £8 to get in, so in the end we didn't - I can come again on my own and go in for free as a member), as we came in we also stole another look at Olafur Eliasson's Weather Project.
It was interesting seeing it again after so many months (first seen in October, see review here). Its been all over the blogosphere and the press. There were some notable differences. Firstly the lack of steam, presumably in response to the adverse affect it was having on the wellbeing of the gallery staff, when we first saw it the whole room was filled with a haze that blended and mystified the whole experience - it was hard to see through and make out what was actually happening, things seemed weirder,eerierr that way. The lack of steam meant that some flaws showed up much more clearly - including the join where the half sun met the mirror, now dirty with either failingfluorescentt bulbs or accumulated dust and muck, the mirrored ceiling was showing quite defined joins where before it seemed flat and as one. It still provoked the same response from viewers - staring for ages off the balcony or lying like sunbathers on the concrete floor and performing synchronised swimming in the mirrors above only now with added displacement.
Despite the visible flaws it remains an awe inspiring and funny exhibition. You have until 21 March to catch it if you can or haven't already.
Tate Modern Weather Project
12:53 AM
Friday 5 March 2004
Play Without Words by Matthew Bourne
National Theatre
Pops took me to see this tonight. Based in a set of London with telephone boxes, a route master and some buildings like those around Regent Park. Set in the early 60s it starts off like those films with blond women neatly done hair, skirt suits, thick black eyeline over the eye. Rich man meets girl. Dating. Sex only gets shown as closed mouthed still head kissing, or the people can be in bed but one foot has to be on the floor. Turns into a kitchen sink drama, bullying sex, bit of rough, rich girl deflowered and left alone in a seedy room in her slip. On the way it gives homage to The Servant, amongst other films, when the valet finds the boss in a compromising position and starts to rule over him in a sort of blackmail. And the change of dancing from quite formalised or beatnik jazz style pairs, to the later sixties angular leading to most dancing being people on their own.
And all this achieved with movement and dancing only - not a word is spoken the whole way through. Several characters are played by more than one actor/dancer so there is a feeling of action taking place over a longer period of time or time lapse or even parallel universe style. Helped to make the movements stylized, clever and slick. Excellent choreography, interlinking movements and a sort of dialogue built up.
Really enjoyed it.
12:55 AM
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