The TATE

Finally we wandered across Liverpool and finished off at the TATE and got the chance to see 3 very different exhibitions...

Mark Rothko: The Seagram Murals

Immediatly after entering the gallery, I was overwhelmed by the scale of Rothko's dramatic paintings which seemed to have a very atmospheric and sombre effect on the space. The paintings grand size would have been very suitable for the interior of The Four Seasons luxury restaurant for which they were initially commissioned. The series of paintings were all in deep shades of red and brown, and this darkened the entire space they were in- quite a calming place to sit and examine each one and really look into the true 'concept' behind each piece. They were nice to look at but again weren't my thing, so we moved on!

Joyous Machines: Michael Landy and Jean Tinguely

I was really annoyed to discover we couldn't take any photographs in this exhibition as there were some really interesting pieces which created some fantastic shadows against the wall- but I suppose it's fair enough really! I liked this exhibition and could have stayed and sketched allday (if I had remebered to take a pen and sketchbook with me). I was particularly fascinated with the second part of the exhibition which showed off the drawings and paintings of Micheal Landy.

There was so much detail in each one of his drawings and they looked so vivid hung against the very clean white walls. Landy's work was significantly influenced by the work of fellow curator Jean Tinguely in terms of his constructive and destructive tendencies. I also really liked the small illustrations created on black paper with correcting fluid, alongside the sculptures of the fan and the bike wheel pictured below

Jean Tinguley's work was really different and it was interesting to see how two totally different and unique artists had collaborated to curate a show together. Tinguleys is known as one of the most 'radical and inventive sculptors of the mid twentieth century.' This part of the exhibition was also based on the mechanics of machinary but was presented in a totally different way, with a chance to interact with parts of the exhibit such as the moving pieces on many different canvases.

This was one of my favourite pieces 'Black and White Relief Meta-Mechanique, 1957.' I found Tinguley's work rather delicate to look at and really enjoyed the mono colour scheme which was carried throughout the entire exhibition. Overall this was probably the most enjoyable exhibitions of the day, nothing was too 'arty,' and everything felt alot fresher and I felt was a unique approach to the subject matter!