Witty, irreverent, political collages
In Heads of State (1920), two portly figures are pictured in their bathing suits before a feminine backdrop of butterflies, flowers and a woman with a parasol.
Wild Beasts - Present Tense
Prior to writing this review, I stumbled upon a recent YouTube recording of Wild Beasts performing a mellow and slightly mocking rendition of Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.
Tiny Tate display still packs a punch
The Tate Modern opens its Harry Callahan display with a quote from the photographer: “if a man wishes to express himself photographically, he must understand… his relationship to life”.
Is all art propaganda?
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. It’s an instantly quotable adage from Banksy, but what does it actually mean? Can a line be drawn between outright political propaganda and the canvases hanging in every hip gallery in London?
Emiel’s Guide to Classical Music (Episode 8)
Episode 8 - From North to South
Cloud Nothings - Here and Nowhere Else
It has been an unusual journey for Dylan Baldi, the man behind Cleveland based Cloud Nothings. He was signed as a one-man band and released his first two albums, Turned On and the self-titled Cloud Nothings, were recorded as such.
Turandot: finished but flawed
Puccini’s Turandot was “the end of the great tradition” of Italian opera. Ever popular, it is the grandest of them all, and yet it is deeply problematic. Set in a mythical China, at its simplest the tale concerns a Prince, Calaf, who wins the heart of the Princess of China, Turandot.
The Critic Laughs
Richard Hamilton. Father of pop art, experimenter of consumer design, right? If that is all you associate with this icon of twentieth century British art, this massive retrospective at the Tate will change your mind.
The Blind Astronomer
Is science emotional? Clara Clark Nevola interviews theatre maker Tom Espiner about the play Going Dark to find out
Review: Bohren & der Club of Gore
Riaz Agahi looks at the German band’s new effort - Piano Nights
Not such Happy Days...
Disclaimer: do not book tickets for this as a February blues pick-me-up. The poster’s colourful, the title’s promising, but the only comedy you’ll get it the bleakest of tragicomedy.
Emiel’s Guide to Classical Music: Episode 7 - Josquin
Episode VII - Josquin