Sunday10th March

Hi again!

I have been trying to look up some of the artists that I highlighted on the Germany trip and I am fast discovering that I do not necessarily like all the paintings that any particular artist does. This afternoon for example I was looking up an artist called Carlo Carra. I loved the two pieces that I saw in the Kunst museum in Dusseldorf, and in particular the composition of both of them. The figure in the painting was abstracted and rounded, and in the background there was a classical styled building. It was quiet a surrealistic piece. The other was a mixture of collage and paint titled 'Still life with soda syphon'. Now looking on the internet at his paintings I was not so drawn to them.
As in some cases we could not take photographs I listed the names of artists to look up when I got back. Here are a few that I have not yet got around to researching. Perhaps you would like to join me in my research? Dirk Bell. Ruth May. Martin Damman and I must look up Susanne.M. Winterling! There was a most beautiful film installation by her. These artists were exhibiting in Bonn.

I have not mentioned the visit to Bonn. There we went to two completely different Museums. One housed the state collection of contemporary art. It was also showing a temporary exhibition of a selection of works from the British Museum! It looked as if it was a great exhibition, and I walked through it stopping briefly to appreciated some lovely pieces, however there were coach loads to people having guided tours, and, well the British Museum is in England. I quickly fled to the upper floors that were very quiet.

Rachael in front of the converted train station

The second Museum was the Arp Museum which was housed in a converted train station. www.arpmuseum.org In order to see the different galleries you have to pass through passageways under the rail station and into the new gallery space. The collection/exhibition is up either 500plus stairs or via an impressive lift that gives you an equally impressive view of the Rhine river from the top. Our visit coincided with a very beautiful exhibition of winter scenes by the impressionist painters. A welcome relief from the demands of some of the contemporary art that we had been seeing over the previous days. I am sure that Rachael will tell you more!
I cannot log off before I mention one of the highlights of the whole trip for me. The visit to the Kolumba Museum, designed by Peter Zumthor. The building was I think one of the most beautiful spaces that I have known for Art. It was just perfect in every way. It housed Cologne's collection of religious Art and artefacts which were shown in such a beautiful way, cleverly combined with contemporary works. Notably a piece by Richard Long where he had walked around Cologne tapping on all the lamp posts. It was a sound piece. There were some wonderful drawings by Rebecca Horn and Herbert Falken. Also photographs by Jurgen Klauke placed amongst breathtaking medieval paintings and unbelievable precious metalwork objects. Just a thoroughly uplifting experience, and helped me to think through my college work.

Grawing by Rebecca Horn

The most exquisitely carved crucifix C12

Tomorrow it is back to college and a research project tutorial with Brigit and a workshop. Also a redthreadtrail catch up with Nadja and Rachael! and I must get the poster for the film show pinned on the notice boards...........

Jennie