The Alternative Guide to the Universe at the Hayward Gallery in London sounded like my kind of exhibition, a little wacky and different. It didn't disappoint. Billed as a platform for artists who don't fit the usual artistic genre this was unique. I may not have understood it all but there is no denying that these artists are talented. The leaflet describes them as self-taught artists, unlicensed architects, fringe physicists and visionary inventors. One artist used the Mayan calendar to fill canvases with numbers. A strange form of art but they were stunningly colourful and interesting. There were explanations about the 'magic squares' but I am no good with numbers so it all went over my head. Nevertheless there was something about them. Another artist had built model buildings using recycled card, plastic and anything else that came his way. I was fascinated by these, so cleverly done. Another fascinating exhibit was Richard Graves, The House with Windows. Richard builds cabins and shelters from reclaimed wood held together with twine. There was a replica and a model along with a film of him tying knots inside the shelter. The twine criss-crosses the inside like spiders webs and he walks across them. The shelter is decorated with children's' drawings and personal momentoes. Then there's the illiterate and dumb artist whose drew these amazing buildings in an imaginary setting.
There were also artists who painted imagery worlds, UFO's aliens, flying saucers, even inventing a new language and recording it all on canvas. The attention to detail is astounding, tiny ink lines and cross hatching. These exhibits must have taken months to complete and a hell of a lot of planning beforehand. It did make me wonder about what was going through the minds of these artists! However, it also made me think about writers. If you write science fiction you have to work out an imaginary world including the structure, hierarchy, religious system before you can even start. So much thought had gone into these displays. Mad perhaps but who doesn't like somewhere to escape to now and then.
One artist I found a little creepy, he'd made half size mannequins of children then made all their clothes and photographed them in various poses. Mmm, not quite me. There were a few exhibits that I didn't like but on the whole this was an experience of alternative art definitely worth seeing. The exhibition is on until 26th August. Catch it if you can.
After leaving the gallery I wandered back to Waterloo and decided to have a look at the mosaic gardens behind
St John's Church. I spotted it earlier in the year but didn't have time to see it. This is a little oasis off the busy road by the station. People were enjoying their lunch time sitting on the grass or the benches surrounded by the lovely flowers, plants and trees and the lovely mosaics. There is a studio (not open while I was there) where they run classes in mosaic art. A nice little stop before catching the train home and watching some tennis!
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| Somewhere colourful to sit |
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