Mixed review of the Modern British Sculpture exhibition at the Royal Academy. Initally drawn in by the juxtaposition of abstract and figuration, monumental and heroic in the first room. A striking introduction to the range the medium encompasses. The age and detail of the pieces in the second room were engaging. Particularly liked the Egyptian quartzite figure of a baboon dating from around 1350 BC, on loan from the British Museum for its combination of carving finesse and block materiality.
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| Quartzite figure of a baboon |
Interesting exploration of the glorification of monarchy in the ornate statue of Queen Victoria, a tangible memorialisation of national pride, and beautiful display of Moore and Hepworth's romanticism. Of particular interest was the painted red steel piece by Anthony Caro for what it represented in the development of sculpture, with its lack of pedestal and abstract industrial quality, as explored in William Tucker's essay. Fantastic narrative of development up until this point. Disappointed from here onwards however. Left with the frustrating and alienating feeling that I was either missing something, I didn't "get it", with the notable exception of Tony Cragg's 'Stack', or that I was being force fed some sort of abrasive social commentary, as in Hirst's 'Let's Eat Outdoors Today' or Gustav Metzger's wall of page 3 girls. An overall success nonetheless.
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| Hirst's 'Let's Eat Outdoors Today' |
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