Influences in London don’t just fall from the sky: check out its museums, galleries and concert spaces. Even the disparate works of a nineteenth century painter and a modern day sculptor show how different disciplines and genres crossover into the consciousness of artist and viewer. In the performing arts, cross fertilisation is quicker, but easier to trace. The BBC orchestra continues to collaborate with mainstream pop culture and even the monolithic sound of the world’s greatest rock band is grown from the seeds sown by the recently departed Chuck Berry.
It’s an interesting approach and one which actually makes appreciation of Matisse’s genius even more acute. An African mask or a floral vase is transformed into paintings full of deep majesty and emotion. Students will find plenty to inspire them and even the most casual viewer will enjoy tracing the thought processes that grew into great art.
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/matisse-in-the-studio
Speaking of national treasures, Hyde Park will be like a pirates cave of glittering talent. West End legend, Michael Ball will be hosting such luminaries as Elaine Page, Sir Bryn Terfel, Sir Ray Davies and (no laughing at the back, there) Steps! As usual, the audience matters more than the performers as Londoners bid farewell to another summer full of musical wonder.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/proms-2017/proms-in-the-park/
They also have a set list full of hard driving anthems that are tailor made for crowd participation. No fancy guitar solos or piano ballads: just heads down rocking from beginning to end. Some fans used to hanker for a Nirvana song or two as Grohl was the drummer for the iconic grunge three piece, but the Foo Fighters have maintained their integrity on that score, reasoning that they’ve got more than enough hits to go round.
She was also capable of making objects of surprising delicacy which belied the industrial methods used. Indeed, these techniques became something of an artistic journey in themselves. Moulds were fashioned using resin, plaster, rubber and metal: each one bringing a particular textural intimacy to even the most imposing structures.
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/rachel-whiteread