March is officially the start of Spring (Yay!) and spring is, for me, a good time to visit the capital. Fortunately a planned visit to stay with a good friend coincided with the showing of the David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain. So with ticket in hand I visited on the Saturday morning. I wasn't disappointed. Although the exhibition was extremely busy (too busy infact, how anyone actually stops and contemplates the works of art without distraction and disruption is anyone's guess) but anyway, I made the very sensible and rewarding decision to hire an audio guide..and BINGO!! I was able to cut out the background noise from the other visitor's but not only that...the running commentary on the different rooms gave an interesting and often humours account of the different stages within Hockney's creative journey. It told me about the idea's behind the paintings and how they coincided with things happening in Hockney's personal life. Hockney himself talked also about his works and influences, in his beautiful down to earth West Yorkshire accent. To hear him speak of his work whilst looking at his paintings was deeply moving, and often I laughed out loud. As I watched the other audio guide less visitors huffing and puffing at been jostled due to the lack of space, thought streams interrupted by loud conversations and crying children, idly looking at paintings and wondering 'what on earth is that about?' I thanked the heaven's above for my audio guide. It brought a third dimension to my experience, it left me laughing and also crying. It helped me understand Hockney much more than I did before I went. Vivre la audio guide! Once of the most surprising elements of the exhibition was how I loved his iPad work (yes me..sympathiser of the pen and pencil..doubter of technology), I found it very moving.
Tate Britain - situated in London's Millbank. The original exterior was designed by Sidney R. J Smith and includes a classical portico. The gallery opened in 1897 and received Grade II listed status in 1970. The facade features bomb damage from WWII.
Queuing in the spring sunshine.
The David Hockney exhibition...don't forget your audio guide!
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