Lakeside Wonder

DH Lawrence Pavilion

Being a man of leisure brings huge compensations. I'm free to do what I like, when I like. I don't even have to plan very much. I get up in the morning, and wonder what I will do today. Just going with the flow is quite liberating after a life time of deadlines and clock-watching.

I began the day having coffee in West Bridgford with friends, and as we were leaving, a new exhibition was mentioned about midwifery which was being held at the DH Lawrence Pavilion in Highfields Park by the University of Nottingham. So I would head there as it was a new exhibition area for me, and definitely a subject matter that I hadn't considered before.

University of Nottingham with Highfields Park in
the foreground

Highfields Park and the University Park are often confused as they are next to each other. The University Park is where the University it situated and it overlooks Highfields Park.

The latter park has nothing to do with the University, and was bought by Sir Jesse Boot (founder of Boots the Chemist) in 1920, and later donated to the City of Nottingham who have responsibility for its upkeep. He stipulated that the area must be free for ever for the residents of Nottingham to roam in.

The City has been very fortunate over the years to have two outstanding benefactors in Sir Jesse Boot and Sir Harry Djanogly, who have contributed millions of pounds towards leisure, education, employment and the arts.

Mothers and Midwives

The DH Lawrence Pavilion pictured above, is the last piece I believe, in the creation of the Lakeside Arts Centre, situation around Highfields and University Parks. I found my exhibition in the Weston Gallery at the Pavilion, and it was called, "Mothers and Midwives".

Though a small gallery, I must say that it was a very interesting history of maternity in the East Midlands, with many fascinating documents on display from the University's archives. It was well put together, with two areas being of particular interest to me. One concerned the reasons why midwifery became a medical rather than a domestic event.

There is a talk next month given by the curator of the exhibition and called "Home to Hospital" - I may not have the courage to attend. The other interest was on the subject of male midwives. I had unthinkingly assumed that this was a fairly modern thing, but apparently it certainly goes back to the 17th Century. On returning home I read a number of Internet articles giving the views of would-be Mothers on this, and though the majority were in favour, others were quite strongly opposed to it. A good exhibition though.

Chinese Photographs

On leaving the Weston Gallery, I noticed that in the next gallery, The Wallner Gallery, there was a Chinese photographic display as part of celebrating the Chinese New Year.

2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which for some strange reason pleased me, and the University, along with various City and Borough Councils are celebrating this fact.

The photographic exhibition is described like this. "This stunning series of photographs are taken from a vast collection of images by the two documentary photographers Yuan-Hsiung Wang and Xue Qian. Both are concerned to capture the rapidly changing nature of the environment and the way of life and culture of some of the 56 different ethnic groups who live in China".

The photographs are a mixture of people and landscapes, and they are breathtaking. There is one shot of a brilliant red countryside, which is the result of the natural red soil turning even more red following rain. It is awesome, and I wanted it. This exhibition was an unexpected delight.

Trent Building, University of Nottingham, taken from
across the lake

Coming out of the DH Lawrence Pavilion, I decided that as it was beautiful and sunny to go and sit by the lake. The information board said that the walk around the lake was a distance of about 1.25 miles, so I decided that as this was a day for new adventures that I would make the walk.

By the end my feet were telling me that this was way longer than 1.25 miles, but over the last couple of years I've come to mistrust my appendages, so I believed the City Council. I think that Highfields Park has now replaced the Nottingham Arboretum as quite my favourite park in the City. The lake has a few islands, bridges and masses of wild life. The path around the lake is simply wonderful; in parts you could almost believe that you are in lonely woodland, which must be exacerbated when leaves are on the trees.

Up to 2001 there was a pleasure boat that took parties of people around the lake, and I believe that the Council are seeking funds to renovate the "Maid Marian", and to start the trips again. I do hope that they're successful. I know that I'm fairly easily pleased, but today has been another great day in this wonderful City. I've exercised, enjoyed the beauty of nature, and been challenged by art. Going with the flow was a good choice.

Here's a few more of my photographs around the lake in Highfields Park.

Reflections on Nottingham

River Trent, Nottingham

In a few days time I will have been living in Nottingham for two years. Family issues and other interests have meant that I haven't blogged for over a month, and my loyal reader has probably passed on to pastures new. However, I thought that I'd return to the blog with some reflections on Nottingham.

I moved here in January 2010 following early retirement from a job on the South Coast. After twenty years there, I needed to get away, and Nottingham was ideally placed to be nearer my children. I don't see me spending the rest of my life here, as I feel that there's perhaps one more move left in me. When and where that move will be is anyone's guess, and I'm certainly not in any hurry.

For those who don't know this area, technically I live in the Borough of Rushcliffe, in the County of Nottinghamshire, as the River Trent separates us from the City of Nottingham. The County Council is controlled by the Conservatives, who though having 20 seats more than the next largest party, have a small overall majority of 3. The City Council is quite different, in that out of 55 seats, 50 of them are Labour members, which means that they have total control. Being a political sceptic, the policy differences between the parties are not easy to detect. Long gone are the days of ideological battles over state ownership, welfare, health, employment and education. Previous Labour Government wooing of 'middle England' and 'big business', saw an end to all of that. Now it's not about ideology, but packaging and presentation. This is one of the reasons, where apart from doing one's duty with a cross at the ballot box, I have little interest in politics.

A month away from blogging has obviously not cured my tendency to meander towards a point. So here's my reflections on the last two years. I love Nottingham. There is so much of beauty and interest here. Where I live in West Bridgford is a few minutes away from Trent Bridge, which I have to go over every time I go into the City. From the bridge you can almost touch Nottinghamshire County Hall, Rushcliffe Civic Centre, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Forest Football Ground, Notts County Football Ground, and the 'world renowned' Trent Bridge Inn, which was recently bought, and beautifully restored by Wetherspoons. I have spent many hours walking in both directions along the River Trent, and I never tire of doing so. Also close to the Trent Bridge is the entrance to the Nottingham canal, which makes its way through the City centre, a mile away. I have often walked along its path, which is made even more interesting by the boats and fishermen.

St Mary's Rest Garden

Being a country boy at heart, the open green spaces in the City have been a particular joy. The Embankment along the river, and the Memorial Gardens just off it are always a delight, particularly in the Spring and Summer.

My local park is Bridgford Park just behind our shopping street, and while not big, has been a solace in the early evening Summer sunshine. In the built up Victoria area I found St Mary's Rest Garden, next to the Victoria Park. I take a longish walk from home to get to it (it's obviously quicker by bus), but I have found it to be so peaceful, which some might find a bit strange given its location. And of course to top it all is my favourite green space of all, the Nottingham Arboretum, which I have mentioned many times in my blogs. In addition is the University Park where the main campus is of the University of Nottingham, and which is open to the public. And there is much more. I have often thought that there is more access to green spaces in many Cities than there is living in the country, because so much there is privately owned. So, I love Nottingham because of its waterways and green spaces, but there's more.

Nottingham High School

Being someone who loves beautiful and historic buildings, I have been in my element these last two years.  Among the favourites that I've visited have been Nottingham High School, Bromley House subscription library, the Arkwright and Newton buildings, Council House, and the beautiful buildings on the divide between King Street and Queen Street.

The Lace Market area is particularly rich in heritage, with St Mary's Church, the Galleries of Justice and the former lace making building owned by Thomas Adams, which backs on to Lace Market Square. There's many more that I have enjoyed looking at, and looking around. Of course, no mention of buildings would be complete without mentioning Nottingham Castle. I wonder if this building comes as a bit of a disappointment to some visitors, as the reality of the building is far from what visitors would expect a castle to look like. It may be now more a palace than a castle, but it's still a magnificent building, and a very fine museum.

On the arts side, I have made regular visits to Nottingham Contemporary, New Art Exchange and very recently the Djanogly Arts Centre at the University of Nottingham. There is also much to do with Theatre, Cinema and the live music scene. Nottingham undoubtedly has its problems, and no doubt that this blog comes over as a bit of a love-in, but this is how I genuinely feel about the City and the surrounding area. I hope that 2012 will be as enjoyable as 2010 and 2011.

And from the film Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves,

Sheriff of Nottingham: Wait a minute. Robin Hood steals money from my pocket, forcing me to hurt the public, and they love him for it?
[Scribe nods]
Sheriff of Nottingham: That's it then. Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas.

What is it about art?

Nottingham Castle

Do you often ask yourself questions? I do. The older I'm getting, the more questions I'm asking. Yesterday, I rambled on about the question, "What is a book?". I've another question today, which I'll come to shortly.

What drives us to ask questions? See, I even have a question about questions. Someone once said, "The cure for boredom is curiosity; there is no cure for curiosity". Curiosity may have killed the cat, but isn't it the driving force towards enlightenment?

Life has developed; inventions created; philosophies expounded because man has been curious, and this curiosity has allowed us to reach beyond what we can see, and touch new ground. Curiosity makes us ask questions. My question today is a simple one, "What is Art?".

Exhibition Brochure

I keep delving into subjects that are outside my knowledge zone, but I'm curious you see. Today's question arose as I was sitting in Nottingham Castle. Slight pause here. It should really be called "The Ducal Palace", as the actual castle was destroyed about 350 years ago, with the present building being completed as a home by the 2nd Duke of Newcastle in 1678. Whatever, it is a magnificent structure, and will always be referred to as Nottingham Castle.

I was in the building to see an exhibition of some of Anish Kapoor's work. I'd previously seen one of his huge installations in the turbine room at the Tate Modern, and anyone who has visited the Nottingham Playhouse, will have seen his Sky Mirror on permanent display outside. His installations can be seen in many parts of the world.

The exhibits, by his standards are quite small, and they are really fascinating to see. A television was showing a BBC programme by Alan Yentob (I keep bumping into that man), which explored the work of Kapoor through interviews with him. I watched the whole programme, because it gave an insight into the mind of the man, and consequently some understanding of his work.

Part of the Exhibition 

As I wandered around the exhibits, I kept being reminded that to Anish Kapoor, "Art is illusion". Could this be easier to say for a sculptor of unusual forms, than say some of the 18th and 19th Century painters who's works were in adjoining rooms?

I went into one of those small adjoining rooms with its wonderful classical music quietly playing away, and gazed at the magnificent paintings on display. I swear that if the seats had been more comfortable, I would have dozed off, so peaceful was that moment. Instead, I was curious. To my right were old masterpieces; to my left was modern sculpture/designs/forms. All in the name of art. I was curious, not doubtful. What is art?

The Art History web site says, "Art lacks a satisfactory definition". Perhaps not all things are to be defined. It goes on to say, "It is easier to describe it as the way something is done, rather than what it is". Britannica Online says that Art is "the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others". In a very interesting essay published in 1896, with the English translation published in 1899, Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910) wrote on the subject of art. You can read the full excerpts here.

"In order to correctly define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure, and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life. Viewing it in this way we cannot fail to observe that art is one of the means of intercourse between man and man. Every work of art causes the receiver to enter into a certain kind of relationship, both with him who produced, or is producing, the art, and with all those who, simultaneously, previously, or subsequently, receive the same artistic impression". 

These feelings that the artist infects others with will be very varied, and to Tolstoy, the degree of the infectiousness of art depends on three conditions.

1. On the greater or lesser individuality of the feeling transmitted;
2. On the greater or lesser clearness with which the feeling is transmitted;
3. On the sincerity of the artist, i.e. on the greater or lesser force with which the artist himself feels the emotion he transmits.

 To Tolstoy, "this third condition - sincerity - is the most important of the three. It is always complied with in peasant art, and this explains why such art always acts so powerfully; but it is a condition almost entirely absent from our upper-class art, which is continually produced by artists actuated by personal aims of covetousness or vanity. The absence of any one of these conditions excludes a work from the category of art and relegates it to that of art's counterfeits. If the work does not transmit the artist's peculiarities of feeling and is therefore not individual, if it is unintelligibly expressed, or if it has not proceeded from the author's inner need for expression - it is not a work of art at all. If all these conditions are present, even in the smallest degree, then the work, even if a weak one, is yet a work of art". 

Mirrored Surfaces

In my humble opinion, Anish Kapoor embodies the three conditions of Tolstoy on which art depends.

I think that the publicity material produced for the exhibition sums it up well.

"Kapoor's works can be both mysterious and contemplative. One of Kapoor's lifelong interests is in the spiritual function of art and the exploration of universal truths.

His work is not about organised religion, but instead he is interested in belief, passion and experience. His work affords a space for silent reflection in our busy lives". 

The exhibition is on in Nottingham until the 11th March 2012. It is well worth seeing, and seeing more than once.

L.S. Lowry Exhibition

Head of a Man 1938 L.S. Lowry

Today was a cold but beautiful winter's morning and early afternoon; the bright blue sky giving no indication of the promised weather ahead.

My friend Colin and I had arranged to go and view the new L.S. Lowry exhibition at the Djanogly Art Gallery in the University Park, Nottingham. You can read a review of this exhibition from another Nottingham blog here, as it's much better than anything that I could do. To learn more about Lowry, and The Lowry art gallery in Salford, click here.

The only work of Lowry that I really knew was his famous depictions of industrial scenes around the Lancashire mills, with his painted people being described as 'matchstick men'. This does him an injustice, as there's much, much more to him than that. So here was an opportunity to expand my knowledge base, and perhaps to get a glimpse of the man behind the paintings.

The Djanogly Art Gallery is named after Sir Harry Djanogly, whose family had fled Nazi Germany in 1936 for the safety of England. The family settled in Nottinghamshire, and Harry was born two years later. The family started in the textile industry, manufacturing stockings and hosiery, and the business grew into a multi-million pound empire. Though Sir Harry (he was knighted in 1993) maintains a low profile, he has been one of Nottingham's largest benefactors, being particularly generous towards education and the arts. Schools, colleges and both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have benefited greatly from his generosity.

The Pond

The exhibition is in three different rooms at the art gallery, and once I'd got used to negotiating my way through scores of primary school children who were sprawled on the floor in front of paintings, I was able to enjoy the experience.

The gallery promotional blurb says that the exhibition is "focusing on the artist's work from the 1920's to the mid-1950's. Includes early paintings and drawings of the industrial subjects that made him famous, and an extraordinary body of work produced under emotional strain in the years leading up to the Second World War. Troubled subjects such as his staring portraits, wastelands and derelict houses, form the dark underbelly to the good-natured portrayals of Manchester's working classes. They will come as a revelation to those who know Lowry only as the painter of the Lancashire mills". They certainly did to me.

Clifford's Tower

"The Pond" above was I think one of my favourite exhibits. It's a huge painting which dominates one end of the room, but many of his smaller sketches in another room were absorbing in themselves.

Another painting that I enjoyed was his "View from Ancoats Hall, Manchester", painted in 1930. Ancoats Hall would have particularly been of interest to Lowry; he had taken to heart the work of Friedrich Engels, "Conditions of the Working Class in England" (1844), and many of his paintings depicted those conditions. Ancoats Hall was initially the home of The Manchester University Settlement, which was modelled on the first University Settlement that was established in London. The idea was, "that men and women from Universities lived amongst the poor and helped remove some of the inequalities of life". The Manchester Settlement is still going strongly today.

The Cripples

L.S. Lowry was born Laurence Stephen Lowry in Stretford, Lancashire in 1887, and lived in Pendlebury near Salford for over forty years.

Success did not come easy, as he had to battle with some critics who thought of him as a naive 'Sunday painter'. Lowry was irritated by people who thought he was an amateur painter, self-taught and untutored. He said, "If people call me a Sunday painter, I'm a Sunday painter who paints every day of the week".

In fact, he attended art school, the reason why, he describes himself. "Aunt said I was no good for anything else, so they might as well send me to Art School". He began evening classes in 1905 in antique and freehand drawing, and was later to study at the Manchester Academy of Fine Art and at the Salford Royal Technical College. He greatly admired the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and as the L.S. Lowry web site says, "Far from being a naive Sunday painter, Lowry was an artist looking for his own distinctive way of painting and drawing - and for a subject matter he could make his own, preferring eventually the view from the Technical College window to that of the posed model".

Street Scene

How did Lowry come to depict street life so well? A job that he kept quiet about was that of rent collector, which led to him walking all over the city. What did he see? "Children playing in the streets, people returning from work, going off to work, gossip on the front steps, incidents, market places and Whit processions". He said himself, "I saw the industrial scene and I was affected by it. I tried to paint it all the time. I tried to paint the industrial scene as best I could. It wasn't easy".

Following his Father's death in 1932, Lowry was to spend the next seven years caring for his elderly, bed-ridden Mother, who completely ruled his life. She demanded his attention, and Lowry could only get to paint late at night. He said, "She did not understand my painting, but she understood me, and that was enough". Lowry observers say that these were years of isolation and growing despair, reflected in his paintings, where they depicted derelict buildings and wastelands "as mirrors of himself". When she died, painting was his "salvation".

Success came with his first London exhibition in 1939 - the year his Mother died, but at the same time he was moving away from the subjects that people wanted him to paint - the subjects that had brought him success.

It was his loneliness that brought about change. "Had I not been lonely none of my works would have happened". From this period there are some difficult pictures to like of solitary figures and down and outs.  "I feel more strongly about these people than I ever did about the industrial scene. They are real people, sad people. I'm attracted to sadness and there are some very sad things. I feel like them".

There is no doubt that Lowry was a complex and brilliant artist. On the one hand he paints crowds of happy people going to a football match, as well as happy families enjoying a day out at the fairground. On the other hand he paints brooding, staring portraits and unpopulated landscapes. This is what makes L.S. Lowry such a great twentieth century artist.

I shall be back to the exhibition in the new year,as knowing what I do now should help me to understand and appreciate his paintings even more. It has been a really good day.

Nottingham Castle - Exploration and Inspiration

Nottingham Castle

I've just had a two night visit from my youngest son James and his friend Michael, who both came over from Belfast by motorbike. It was a wonderful time, and who doesn't cherish visits from their children? As Michael had his own business to attend to yesterday, James and I had the day to ourselves; the question was, what to do?


James & 1000cc Suzuki

Whatever it was, it wouldn't be as a pillion passenger on a 1000cc motorbike that does 0 - 60 in 2.5 seconds. I am a wuss after all, so we would do something that was sedate and non-threatening (see what I mean by wuss?).

Let's go and have a look around Nottingham Castle, at least we'll be out of the rain. Though being thoroughly soaked getting to the Castle, a coffee and cake helped us to warm up and dry out (I so do hate the rain).

I love Nottingham Castle, and for those who don't know its history, here's a brief timeline. The original Castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068; demolished in 1615; bought by William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle in 1663 who then built the current Ducal mansion; leased by Nottingham City Council in 1875, and opened as the first provincial Museum of Fine Art in 1878.

Entrance

The 17th Century mansion still looks magnificent today, with spectacular views over the City, and still having a maze of original caves hidden beneath its imposing walls, which can be seen through organised tours.

The Castle today is still a vibrant museum and art gallery, with a vast collection of silver, glass, decorative items, visual arts, paintings and Nottinghamshire Archeology and History. I think that James and I saw everything that was on display - some areas I didn't even know existed, even though I've visited before. Two spaces were of particular interest. The first was the Long Gallery, which is a beautiful and impressive room. For the current exhibition, they had chosen to follow the French Salon style, which is so different from the usual art galleries where a few pictures take up a whole room. Here, all of the walls were crammed with paintings of all sizes; it took a moment to adjust to it, but I loved it and the catalogue easily identified the paintings for you. However, it will take more than one visit to do it justice. Still, I've got until the end of October.

The second space was an absolute delight to find. It is a new interactive gallery celebrating the story of Robin Hood. Called 'Hood in the Wood', it is a Robin Hood themed gallery where families can bring the legend alive. As the blurb says, "The whole room is a stylised sensory wood with interactive features ideal for visitors and families". Families can enjoy dressing up together in costumes from the era, and explore the world of Robin Hood with puppets and books, and even build a den similar to Robin's or the Sheriff of Nottingham. James and I took a break to sit and watch one of ten videos available. The room is a Robin Hood fantasist's dream world. Oh dear, is that our tummies rumbling? Time to find something to eat.

Captain Albert Ball VC

On leaving the Castle building, we walked down the steep path through the Castle grounds to the main gate. On doing so, you can't fail to see an impressive monument on your right hand side. Eating can wait a bit longer, let's see who is being remembered here.

The monument is to one Albert Ball, a World War One fighter pilot. I try not to glory in war, and I'm not doing that now, but Albert's story is I think an incredible one; a story of honour, determination, success and unbelievable courage.

I'm grateful to the website dedicated to Albert Ball for the following information and pictures.

Aeroplane SE A8907

Albert was born in Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham on the 16th August 1896. After being educated at Trent College, he enlisted in 1914 with the 2/7th Battalion (Robin Hoods) of the Sherwood Foresters. He rose rapidly in the ranks, but was desperate to get to the front and fight, even transferring to the North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company, but he couldn't get transferred out of England.

In June 1915 he paid for private tuition and trained as a pilot, and gained his wish in joining the Royal Flying Corps, where he gained the pilot's brevet on the 22nd January 1916. The following month he was posted to France flying reconnaissance aircraft, but he really wanted to fly fighters. His wish was granted on the 7th May 1916.

His hut with greenhouse

Now he was where he wanted to be; now let's get at the enemy. His dedication and determination can be seen in that he built himself a hut (with an attached greenhouse) next to the aircraft hanger, in which he lived, ate and slept 'over the shop' so that he could be airborne almost immediately and into combat.

Albert preferred to fight alone, and during the next twelve months, he is credited with shooting down 43 enemy aircraft and one enemy balloon. The stories of his fights read like something out of a boys own magazine, but they were all true. You can read more of these at http://albertball.homestead.com/ . Captain Albert Ball was killed in action on the 7th May 1917. He was remarkably 20 years of age.

Granted Freedom of Nottingham 17th February 1917

During his short life, Albert Ball received many honours. In July 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross; in September 1916 the Distinguished Service Order; in the same month he received the DSO with bar; in November 1916 he received the DSO with bar number 2, the first person ever to get this; in February 1917 he received the Russian Order of St George. He was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Nottingham on the 19th February 1917.

One month before he died

On the 8th June 1917, King George V awarded posthumously the Victoria Cross to Albert, and this was presented to his parents. The citation is worth repeating.

"For most conspicuous and consistent bravery from the 25th April to the 6th May 1917, during which period Captain Ball took part in twenty six combats in the air and destroyed eleven hostile aeroplanes, drove down two out of control, and forced several others to land. In these combats, Captain Ball, flying alone, on one occasion, fought six hostile machines, twice he fought five and once four. When leading two other British aeroplanes he attacked an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions be brought down at least one enemy. Several times his aeroplane was badly damaged, once so seriously that but for the most delicate handling his machine would have collapsed, as nearly all the control wires had been shot away. On returning with a damaged machine he had always to be restrained from immediately going out on another. In all, Captain Ball has destroyed forty-three German aeroplanes and one balloon, and has always displayed most exceptional courage, determination and skill". - extract taken from the London Gazette of the 8th June 1917.

Little wonder that such a magnificent monument was erected in the grounds of Nottingham Castle. Standing 21 feet tall, it is a bronze sculpture standing on a base and pedestal of granite and Portland stone. It depicts Albert gazing upwards and tightening his belt before flight. Above is an allegorical robed figure of a woman representing the air, one hand pointing skywards, the other resting on Albert's shoulders.

On the front and back of the monument, underneath the inscriptions are the words

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

which is the RAF motto meaning, "Through Struggle to the Stars". Surely no one epitomises that more than Captain Albert Ball VC.

Huang Yong Ping

One of the delights of retirement is being able to do things that there never seemed the time to do before. After nearly 50 years of constant work, I did take quite a bit of time to adjust to the new life. I do miss the salary coming in, but that couldn't go on for ever. I certainly don't miss the pressures of work, and really appreciate the time available to read more, attend music evenings, see more of family, make new friends, visit new places, and to write. The latter is becoming a bit obsessive, but hey, I love it. To have time for a wide range of interests makes you a more rounded person I think. (Please, no comments about my girth). I'm finding that Nottingham and district is giving me all that I'm looking for at this present time, and to think that previously all I knew about was Robin Hood. There is so much more to do and see in this wonderful place.

Nottingham Contemporary

Travelling into town today, I decided to get off the bus at the Lace Market and see what was on at the Nottingham Contemporary. I decided that this would be one of my art days, as I'm still fairly clueless about the meaning of it all. Currently there is an exhibition by HUANG YONG PING (more of which later).

External Lace Effect Walls

Nottingham Contemporary was opened on the 14th November 2009, and is one of the largest contemporary art centres in the UK. It is undoubtedly an impressive building, but I'm still struggling to decide what I think about it.

The building was designed by award winning architects Caruso St John, based in London. The site is said to be the oldest in the city - it was the site of a Saxon fort, a medieval Town Hall, and finally a late Victorian railway cutting. The steps at the side of the building have recreated a historic right of way.

The architects, in explaining their design, say, "The site of the new building is in a part of central Nottingham called the Lace Market, whose history and built form has parallels with the cast iron district of New York, giving the centre a loose cultural connection to its site. In our design, we set out to offer a wide range of interiors that will have the variety and specificity of the found spaces of a factory or warehouse, within a new building: rooms that will change the installation and production of contemporary art and offer new ways for performers and audiences to interact. The exterior of the Centre takes its inspiration from the amazing 19th century buildings of Nottingham, and in particular, from the impressive facades of the Lace Market".

Granted that I'm a layman in these matters, and having already stated that the building is impressive, I don't want to come over all Prince Charles here. I love the Lace Market with its fantastic buildings, and I just think that the Nottingham Contemporary building is out of keeping with its surroundings, albeit that its on the edge of the area, rather than right in the middle of it. However, that's only my view, and contemporary art can get away with murder. But, it's up and running now, and is there to be enjoyed, and additionally in my case to be puzzled over. Who ever said that art appreciation comes easily.

Huang Yong Ping

So what of the exhibition that I saw? It will come as no surprise to learn that I'd never heard of the artist before today, and lest you think that I've become all pretentious and 'arty', the descriptions of the exhibits mainly come from the exhibition catalogue and from the artist himself. Please direct any questions to the Director of Nottingham Contemporary.

Huang Yong Ping was born in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China in 1954. He graduated in 1982 from Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in Zhejiang Province, China.

Because of turmoil in China, and the reaction to some of his work, he moved to France in the late 1980's, where he lives today, though making frequent visits to his homeland. He is described as a contemporary visual artist, though because of the size of much of his work, they could best be called 'installations'. I'll draw attention to three of the exhibits, and the rest you'll have to see for yourself.

Bat Project IV, 2004

Bat Project IV, 2004
Bat Project is a series of related works created between 2001-2004. They refer to an incident in 2001 when a US spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet in Chinese airspace. The US plane - an EP3 packed with sensitive surveillance equipment - was forced to land and its 24 crew were arrested. The Chinese fighter jet crashed and its pilot is presumed to have died. A diplomatic wrangle followed, but eventually the US was allowed to dismantle its plane and ship the pieces home, as the two countries attempted to paper over the cracks of a newly emerging economic relationship. Bats now roost in the cockpit - an allusion to the bat logo on the tail of the spy plane, but also a direct reference to the cultural differences between East and West. In Chinese mythology bats symbolise happiness and good luck. They are also credited with healing sight defects. In the West they represent the furtive threat of the night.

Huang Yong Ping says, "If the spy plane had been repaired and openly and honourably flown back to the United States, it would have been a rather ordinary and dull ending. When an airplane is dismantled and transported by another aircraft, however, the whole process in itself resembles a 'work of art' in my eyes. It was censored many times, and artistic creation was caught up in the complex, ambiguous games of international diplomacy, internal policy and individual identity".

Amerigo Vespucci, 2003

Amerigo Vespucci, 2003
Commenting on this installation, Huang Yong Ping says, "An Italian-bred bulldog, the Neopolitan mastiff (mastino napoletano) is used here as a metaphor for Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian who documented the discovery of the American continent, and after whom America was supposedly named.

The bulldog's urine forms the geographical outline of America in an instantaneous and accidental way. Here the line between the wall and the ground represents the world's longest straight border (the United States - Canada border). Its fluidity implies extensiveness and overflowingness. It is an example of all 'limits' and 'borders'".

Marche de Punya
(The Market of Merits and Virtues), 2007

The Market of Merits and Virtues, 2007
The market stall is typical of a small street shop in China. This one sells Buddhist statues, incense, candles and fake banknotes used as offerings to the dead.

In keeping with a rapidly expanding economy it has diversified - selling brooms and household goods too. It is a market of 'merits and virtues', or punya - the image of China's economic prosperity.

The elephant is often the guardian of Buddhist temples and a symbol of mental strength. Here it lies dead, overpowered perhaps by market values.

"Religion today is not disappearing, it is stepping back. Another way of looking at this withdrawal is that it now has a substitute ... globalisation itself". - Huang Yong Ping.

So there you have it. An exhibition well worth seeing. I've visited Nottingham Contemporary a number of times, and I believe that this may well be the first time I've come away saying that I liked that, and that I could see what the artist was getting at. Have I really just said that? There may well be artistic hope for me yet.