John The Pompidou Centre Part 1 Magritte and American Angst.

As I mentioned in the last blog, the design of the centre (in the 1960s) was regarded as quite radical for an art gallery, in that it looks more like a factory than a conventional gallery. Yet the more I walked around it, seeing people walk along its glass tubular corridors, the more I was reminded of the the city in the German Expressionist movie, Metropolis, which was made many years ago.

 At the time we visited, in addition to the permanent collection, there was a special exhibition which celebrated the work of Belgian painter Rene Magritte. Magritte was/is (I can't remember which) a surrealist painter (Painting his dreams, or dream like images) with a belief in the Existentialist School philosophy. A school which one critic called The "I'm only here because you think I am," school of thought. In addition, Magritte at the age of fourteen, also had the horrific experience of seeing his mother's body being dragged from the river after she had killed herself. So you would expect with this background his work would not be very conventional. Having seen it, I must admit I didn't like it. On an earlier trip a young American fellow traveler once described this school of painting as "French Weird!" below are some examples for you to consider.

 This is not a pipe

This is not an apple.

 Trying to do The Impossible

 The next two I have seen before, on L.P covers of psychedelic music (drugs LSD etc) of the 1960s

 Time transfixed

 Decalomania.

THE AMERICAN ANGST EXHIBITION.

 Although we saw this exhibition on a different day at a different gallery to the Magritte one, I am including it here because the two exhibitions seem to go well together. This exhibition concerned itself with paintings by American artists who believed that America and its people were suffering a great deal of angst and anxiety in their lives all through the 1900s. Two of the paintings below I am sure you will know. The last two probably not. Again I will put in photos of them, and you can make of them what you will.

 American Gothic

Nighthawks

 

"American Justice" by Joe Jones. After some thought I have decided not to put in a photo. The painting deals with the values and activities of The Ku Klux Klan. It is quite violent and graphic. It is an emotive painting. You can look at it if you want, but before you do, be warned. 

After being challenged by the Magritte exhibition, it was time to go and see the centre's permanent collection. Much more accessible, much more familiar, and perhaps most importantly, more enjoyable to look at, and read about.

Wrigley's