Off Topic The Review Thread

[Stroller]

The Shock of the New, the series on modern art by the Australian art critic Robert Hughes first broadcast in 1980, is being shown again on BBC4. Of course it’s challenging, and probably pretentious but at least it’s not patronising, the viewer is never talked down to. There is some good stuff on BBC4 and Sky Arts, but not much newly made I think of the scale and ambition of this series. Apparently Hughes travelled a quarter of a million miles making it. The implicit point, made very eloquently, is that whatever you think of the weird and wonderful products of the dozens of movements, fads and trends, even if you despise them, they are all expressions of freedom.

I caught one of this series the other day, about Mondrian....

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I see no merit in this.

I also recently happened across this, by Peder Mork Monsted....

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A stunning technical achievement, but no more than a photograph at the end of the day.

And then there's Hopper...

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Something in his work moves me.

 

[Stroller]

OK, culture vultures, this is what you’ve been waiting for, the latest review of a Shakespeare play from the RSC! Yay! This time it was in the newly remodelled Swan Theatre which is really nice.

Odd one this time, The Merchant of Venice 1936, with Tracy Ann Oberman (Friday Night Dinners, Mrs Ray Purchase in Toast of London and apparently, Eastenders) as Shylock as an immigrant East End pawnbroker in the midst of the rise of Moseley’s blackshirts.

The Merchant of Venice is a ‘difficult’ play in that it reflects the antisemitism of the time it was written. Like hugely. This version was explicitly a reworking, but it hadn’t been reworked anything like as much as I expected, the setting in 1936 was only really referenced in some rather unsubtle projections of newspaper headlines about the blackshirts and dressing some of the cast, and notably Antonio (the merchant who’s pound of flesh is at risk) in blackshirt uniforms and armbands, and a tacked on simulation of the battle of Cable Street with pleas to ‘stand together’ at the finale. Everything else was as in the original, though lots had been cut so the emphasis was squarely on anti semitism, down to Italian names, the debt still being 3,000 ducats, the traditional Shakespearean cross dressing etc. I’d forgotten how total Shylock’s humiliation is at the end of the play, down to her forced conversion to Christianity after being conned out of having her debt paid. This was Shakespeare’s ‘happy ending’, but was presented with a fine sense of irony in this version.

The play has had some very good reviews, most nights are sold out and Oberman is superb. But I found it a bit incoherent, it wasn’t really reworked enough to justify the addition of 1936 to the title. It was certainly uncomfortable in places which I think was the purpose.

One thing I appreciated is that the cuts meant the play was a tight two hours including a 20 minute interval. I’m quite fearful about the next one - Macbeth, a play I hate because I was made to ‘study’ it at ‘O’ Level (that’s GCSE for the youngsters) getting a D - which has had poor reviews and they have somehow extended what is normally a 2 hour play to over 3…….the £10 locals tickets make it just about worth the potential pain……

Sorry, my art post cut across this. I'll go and see some Shakespeare one day, but I think I'd prefer something 'original' rather than a modern reworking.

 

[sb_73]

I caught one of this series the other day, about Mondrian....

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I see no merit in this.

I also recently happened across this, by Peder Mork Monsted....

You must log in or register to see images

A stunning technical achievement, but no more than a photograph at the end of the day.

And then there's Hopper...

You must log in or register to see images

Something in his work moves me.

The the themes in the Hopper paintings, or at least his most famous ones, are obvious and universal, as is his skill, it’s difficult not to be moved by them if you have any imagination or empathy (especially if you’ve spent any time in the US). He was great in Easy Rider too.

What Mondrian was doing was neither obvious or obviously skilful. I’ve tried reading up on it but I don’t really understand what he was trying to do. But it was completely new, to my eye striking and it has been hugely influential on art, architecture and design.

The other one is the type of picture that used to be put on chocolate boxes that your granny would buy. Completely forgettable. Though having said that I used to think the same of this picture by Renoir

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until I saw it in the flesh, and it’s brilliant. I saw it in the Chicago Institute of Art, where you can also see Mondrian and Hopper works along with tons of other incredibly famous paintings from all eras. My favourite gallery by miles.

It’s all personal taste and experience though, so many variables. Glad you caught up with Mr Hughes. I imagine he was a pretty insufferable bloke but I love the ambition of that series.

 

[Uber_Hoop]

I caught one of this series the other day, about Mondrian....

You must log in or register to see images

I see no merit in this.

I also recently happened across this, by Peder Mork Monsted....

You must log in or register to see images

A stunning technical achievement, but no more than a photograph at the end of the day.

And then there's Hopper...

You must log in or register to see images

Something in his work moves me.

I really like the Hopper work. Evokes the same sort of happy melancholy I get watching 'Gone Fishing' or his more famous 'Nighthawks'.

 

[Uber_Hoop]

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I rather like this edition too.

 

[sb_73]

Sorry, my art post cut across this. I'll go and see some Shakespeare one day, but I think I'd prefer something 'original' rather than a modern reworking.

In this case I would have liked either something much more radical or more traditional rather than this halfway house. You might want to go to the Globe when you make the leap then. I think they stage traditional versions, right down to not having spotlights or microphones. And if it rains you get wet. I’ve never really fancied it, mainly because of its association with Mark Rylance, who I really can’t stand.

 

[Stroller]

I really like the Hopper work. Evokes the same sort of happy melancholy I get watching 'Gone Fishing' or his more famous 'Nighthawks'.

Precisely.

 

[Stroller]

The the themes in the Hopper paintings, or at least his most famous ones, are obvious and universal, as is his skill, it’s difficult not to be moved by them if you have any imagination or empathy (especially if you’ve spent any time in the US). He was great in Easy Rider too.

What Mondrian was doing was neither obvious or obviously skilful. I’ve tried reading up on it but I don’t really understand what he was trying to do. But it was completely new, to my eye striking and it has been hugely influential on art, architecture and design.

The other one is the type of picture that used to be put on chocolate boxes that your granny would buy. Completely forgettable. Though having said that I used to think the same of this picture by Renoir

You must log in or register to see images

until I saw it in the flesh, and it’s brilliant. I saw it in the Chicago Institute of Art, where you can also see Mondrian and Hopper works along with tons of other incredibly famous paintings from all eras. My favourite gallery by miles.

It’s all personal taste and experience though, so many variables. Glad you caught up with Mr Hughes. I imagine he was a pretty insufferable bloke but I love the ambition of that series.

I really like the Hopper work. Evokes the same sort of happy melancholy I get watching 'Gone Fishing' or his more famous 'Nighthawks'.

This is well worth a watch....

Hopper: An American Love Story | Sky.com

I love Hopper's work but he seems to have been 'of his time' in that the women in his paintings were often sexualised and he never included a black person. His wife, also an artist, wouldn't let other women model for him, so the females in his work are almost always her.

 

[SW Ranger]

I caught one of this series the other day, about Mondrian....

You must log in or register to see images

I see no merit in this.

I also recently happened across this, by Peder Mork Monsted....

You must log in or register to see images

A stunning technical achievement, but no more than a photograph at the end of the day.

And then there's Hopper...

You must log in or register to see images

Something in his work moves me.

I think Mondrian is a bit marmite. Some love it others have no connection to it. Sometimes simple to the eye can be more difficult to accomplish. I boxer more towards the love it angle - having said that it favours glass much more than it does paint for me.
I am always encouraging people to give Art 30 seconds of their time (so many people ‘wash’ by Art - searching for instant gratification seems to be a modern thing to me); look for longer and you’ll always see more. Hopper does that.
Another great modern artist is Bridget Riley, a great TV programme on BBC Sounds well worth the watch. Brilliant work. Would love to see more.
Another is sculptor Cornelia Parker, a riveting discussion with Alan Yentob as part of the ‘Imagine’ series. Another I would love to see more and up close.

 

[sb_73]

I’m not a huge real ale anorak, just like a pint of decent bitter, but for those who are and who might find themselves in Birmingham at some stage I recommend The Wellington, very close to the cathedral. A proper old style boozer with 16 ales on tap. It’s like a CAMRA convention. Lot of pubs between here and St Andrews, including some crackers like the Anchor and the White Swan in Digbeth, close to the ground. In danger of being over served by kick off.

 

[SW Ranger]

Looking at a good quality pair of ‘over ear’ Bluetooth Headphones.
Any good recommendations from you audiophiles out there?

 

[Steelmonkey]

Looking at a good quality pair of ‘over ear’ Bluetooth Headphones.
Any good recommendations from you audiophiles out there?

What's your budget?

I bought these a year ago, the sound is superb, although marginally better if you have them wired (I have a 5m extension cord so I can sit on the sofa and listen to my vinyl).

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Small and lightweight but powerful sound. Work great with both my phone and my turntable (which has bluetooth too, but need a new amp as the volume from the turntable through the headphones if I'm on bluetooth isn't as LOUD as I would like!)

 

[SW Ranger]

What's your budget?

I bought these a year ago, the sound is superb, although marginally better if you have them wired (I have a 5m extension cord so I can sit on the sofa and listen to my vinyl).

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Small and lightweight but powerful sound. Work great with both my phone and my turntable (which has bluetooth too, but need a new amp as the volume from the turntable through the headphones if I'm on bluetooth isn't as LOUD as I would like!)

Cheers Steels. Well I started looking at the Sony MX5s but lots of reports of breaking. Then migrated to B&W PX8 - more expensive but lots of good reviews - sound and build. Trying to find somewhere to try a pair (for sound and fit) but not easy.

 

[Steelmonkey]

Cheers Steels. Well I started looking at the Sony MX5s but lots of reports of breaking. Then migrated to B&W PX8 - more expensive but lots of good reviews - sound and build. Trying to find somewhere to try a pair (for sound and fit) but not easy.

Amazon have a good returns service....buy a pair and send them back if you don't like them

 

[IwasanotherwatfordR]

Looking at a good quality pair of ‘over ear’ Bluetooth Headphones.
Any good recommendations from you audiophiles out there?

I have Bose QC35 (now QC45) and also Sony WmX5.

I prefer the sound and comfort of the Sony.

I tested the Focal Bathys and they are the best sounding wireless headphones I’ve heard, truly lovely but they are quite heavy and about £700.

My son had the expensive Apple over ear jobs. Very heavy, average sound and the battery packed up after a few months. Disappointing.

 

[SW Ranger]

I have Bose QC35 (now QC45) and also Sony WmX5.

I prefer the sound and comfort of the Sony.

I tested the Focal Bathys and they are the best sounding wireless headphones I’ve heard, truly lovely but they are quite heavy and about £700.

My son had the expensive Apple over ear jobs. Very heavy, average sound and the battery packed up after a few months. Disappointing.

Cheers Watford. There were some good reviews of the Focals close to the B&W PX8s. Really turned off of the Sony’s purely because of the breakages and crap Sony service.
Good shout Steels on Amazon.

 

[Stroller]

More great Who stuff on Sky Arts tonight. John Entwistle: Well Keith was crashing around on the drums, Roger was throwing his mike in the air and Pete was doing his windmill guitar stuff. I thought my thing would be to just stand there.

 

[1982_Ranger]

Looking at a good quality pair of ‘over ear’ Bluetooth Headphones.
Any good recommendations from you audiophiles out there?

I've only got a wired version, but check out https://www.grado.co.uk/

I have the SR80X, bought them for the garden and use them all the time over some (quite a lot more) expensive Sennheiser, who also make decent stuff. Can't vouch for the wireless model, but if they are as good as wired then you wouldn't be disappointed.

As Steels says, wired do sound better. You can get a pocket sized headphone amp for on the move if you don't mind the wires!

 

[sb_73]

Second time to the Whitebrook restaurant in Monmouthshire, this time for 30th wedding anniversary. Just as good if not better than last time, once again the wine pairings really enhanced both the food and the wine and were very left field. Retsina with scallops? A 30 year aged sherry with incredible smoked mushroom? Brilliant. Rare for me to think the wine pairings are worth it, but this place gets it.

 

[WBA2_QPR3]

And a small cigar maybe?