keep your eyes open in brussels

its not all chocolate, waffles, mussels, beer and pommes frites with mayo.

open your eyes and look up no matter where you are

and from a previous visit

this is not a pipe

notes from recent visit to the magritte museum, brussels, belgium. 
 
"used to seeing things in print/online to see the real work almost shocking 
 
use of shadow to make the simplistic look real
 
wife body parts in lift
 
use of photography as reference 
 
e.t photos 
 
dedicated museums to certain artists like they're a church housing any object as a relic 

- are his letters important or as important as his actual work 

though displayed in the same way or with the same gravitas 
 
automaton = royalty? 
 
birds freedom eggs fragility of life or that very freedom"

oscar II by gavin turk at the magritte museum

indeed ramblings of little consequence, but to my mind little references of more rounded thoughts thunk that day. none or some shared here.

i've never really thought of myself as a "fan" of surrealism i'm more of a symbolism sort of girl, which i suppose could be argued to be one in the same thing, but i have always appreciated its humour and ability to covey a message or tell a story in a strangely relatable way. knowing and enjoying magrittes work, which even if you dont know his name or that its his work you will still have seen something of his or something influenced by him yes indeed he is one of those artists, felt it rude not to go for a visit on a recent trip to brussels. so a reasonable 8€ later, embark upon maze we did. 

first experiencing magrittes "L'evidence éternelle" (a replica i'm sure) in the lift up to the top floor passing feet, knees, muff, breasts and face prefacing the fun aspect of the whole museum.

this was indeed my first experience of a dedicated museum to an individual artist. which left me with a strange sensation as if i was there to worship or basque in the glory of this saint like figure. the hushed ambiance and dimly lit vaults only exacerbated these feelings and beholding relics the man actually touched, wrote, doodled or breathed near left me very confused as if in some way i was being disrespectful for not taking interest in every article/artifact. which got me thinking the man himself would find all of this probably very comical and almost being a bit embarrassed that "they" would think to display a doodle on a fag packet next to something like companions of fear?

i mean this was all, of course very interesting and fascinating to see different works and to witness the progression of his work over time and i guess appropriate that feelings of confussion and other strangeness were felt in a museum dedicated to a surrealist.

another strangeness was that although many famous works were present the signature "magrittes" were not. no men in bowler hats with apples for faces or many clouds but by jebuz were they all there in the gift shop! which maybe were there to raise the botomless pit of money needed to actually purchase said originals from whatever oligarch fancied upon it or from the tate or whatever....

a crushing back to reality slap in the face to remind ones reason of being and to consume and reduce something you hold so dear into the mere exchange of paper or metal for a thing, which i of course obliged too. reduced to this after such a fanciful trip through one persons visions and consciousness. 

ah well my mini button badge of "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" or "this is not a pipe" i felt good and lasting advice to get me through the rest of my days.

magical mystery egg tour of leicester (2012)

to commemorate this years Lindt Big Egg Hunt supporting Action for Children i thought i'd share the tour of my egg from 2012's Big Egg Hunt around the sights and venues of leicester.  

the week before the egg had to head back to london to be added to the rest of the clutch, i thought i'd sneakily show it a bit of the world.... i.e. leicester!

from tuesday 10th january 2012 - friday 13th january 2012 the egg graced many of leicesters most prestigious cultural venues.

heres what happened....

tuesday 10th january - Phoenix Square




wednesday 11th january - LCB Depot





thursday 12th january - DMU & Embrace Arts




friday 13th january - Leicester Town Hall



the little cracker even got a spot of press on its travels and seemed to be enjoyed by the hundreds of people that spotted it out on its little adventure.


receiving some lovely comments


"thank you for showing it in leicester"

"beautiful"

"saw it in the paper but it's lovely to see it for real"

"like the egg will it hatch"

"i wont ask"

"this is amazing"

it's all in your head

it's all in your head

LCB Depot 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE

13th July - 26th July 2012

Recent acrylic paintings including self-portraits and mouth studies. Displayed alongside ‘hidden’ text pieces written in bodily fluid and only visible under UV light. All the works are to do with self-exploration, mental dysfunction and what can be made to be perceived by simple suggestion.

The untitled series of paintings are abstract and minimal in their representation of the mouth. Purely innocent in their depiction; showing the mouth eating, the bold use of colour, shape and unpainted areas, seem to depict something far more imprudent. This conclusion is conjured in the viewer’s own mind, placing cause for being offended or titillated solely with the viewer. Interpretation and intent can be one in the same and although sometimes provocative the work doesn't intend to offend but to express the paradox within concepts and maybe show beauty in unusual places.

 

The brain is a fascinating and little understood organ. It can be used to create the most beautiful of things. It can play tricks on us. It enables us all to learn and discover or it can be our own worst enemy. Everyone has an image of mental illness in his or her own mind. Be this an image of someone who is slightly eccentric or someone smearing shit up the walls, its only human nature to muster up an image when trying to understand. The three studies of the self are the artist’s interpretations. Having suffered with severe depression at many points in her life, using mental illness as a subject seems a natural response to going through it. Using block colours, simple shapes and unpainted areas loz is not offering answers, just versions of her experience. Ostensibly what is not painted is seemingly all the more important than what is. loz tries to confront her fears and confusions, not necessarily in an attempt to overcome them but in an almost vain effort to grasp a better understanding of them.

  The text work featured in the exhibition came about after reading an article by Dr lazar Greenfield entitled “gut feelings” which was mainly about the reproductive behaviour of rotifer flies. The article was published around Valentines Day 2011 and touched upon semen having an anti depressant quality. Dr Greenfield ended the article “so there’s a deeper bond between men and women than st. valentine would have suspected, and now we know there’s a better gift for that day than chocolates.” He subsequently resigned from all his prestigious medical posts after an outcry of negative responses. Although some may have found the article in bad taste or offensive, as a depression sufferer and a woman loz found the article hilarious. It dared to address a still somewhat taboo subject and tried to do so in a fun way. This mirrors the text work in the exhibition. What is written maybe serious and in a medium which may play into the hands of stereotypical views of “crazy” people. The act of seeking out the text makes it fun and inclusive. Visitors will be invited to discover the hidden text using a UV lamp provided - which ties in with the theme as mental illness is still a taboo subject and many feel ashamed to even discuss it, therefore the text is hidden and those brave enough to explore the subject and works will be rewarded with finding the words and possibly a meaning?

 the following are comments from the guest book;

well put together, looks fantastic to see it shown as a collection in the space. The main room delivers something youthful, playful joy and angst. Brave and honest mate. Keep it up

Technically brilliant and thought provoking

 "                                                                                      " written in invisible ink :) great concepts x

  Fantastic work. Love the semen art will def come again!

 

Fantastic show 

 

Great work, great show. Entrance pics nicely sexual. Self portraits honest and candid. UV stuff funny and entertaining and interactive. We like loz, thanks xx

  We liked learning about the reactive properties of jizz and wine you are wonderful cheers

  Good catholic girl um!

 

Interesting work, loz! Love the colours, simplicity and boldness of your acrylics. Lovely! Best wishes

  Cool use of UV lights

  A spunky show!

 

Really enjoyed the text experience – from another survivour

  

Excellent

  Well done loz!!! Great pieces of work 

 

This is not art – crap

 

I don’t really understand it but thank you for all your hard work and sharing your thoughs I will think about them