Someone pass the smelling salts, because the description of "The Dark Monarch: Magic & Modernity in British Art" at Tate St. Ives is making me positively light-headed:
This group exhibition takes its title from the infamous 1962 book by St Ives artist Sven Berlin. It will explore the influence of folklore, mysticism, mythology and the occult on the development of art in Britain. Focusing on works from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day it will consider, in particular, the relationship they have to the landscape and legends of the British Isles.
Featuring major loans and works from the Tate Collection, it will examine the development of early Modernism, Surrealism and Neo-Romanticism in the UK, as well as the reappearance of esoteric and arcane references in a significant strand of contemporary art practice.
The exhibition will include a key work by Damien Hirst the first time he has been shown at Tate St Ives as well as works by important modernists and surrealists including Graham Sutherland, Paul Nash, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Ithell Colquhoun; Neo-Romantics such as Cecil Collins, John Piper, Leslie Hurry and John Craxton; as well as emerging and established contemporary artists including Cerith Wyn Evans, Mark Titchner, Eva Rothschild, Simon Periton, Clare Woods, Steven Claydon, John Stezeker and Derek Jarman.
Exploring the tension between progressive modernity and romantic knowledge, the show will focus on the way the British landscape is encoded with various histories - geological, mythical and magical. It will examine magic as a counterpoint to modernity’s transparency and rational progress, but will also draw out the links modernity has with notions such as fetishism, mana, totem, and the taboo. Often viewed as counter to Modernism, the careful juxtaposition and selection of works on display will suggest that these products of illusion and delusion in fact belong to modernity.
It's up until January 10th, 2010. I am seriously considering a trip to the UK soon - there are so many fabulous things to see over there right now.
(Thank you, Samantha!)
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