Exhibition- The Art of Revolution

The Art of Revolution

Undercroft gallery Norwich 
http://www.artinnorwich.org.uk/art-of-revolution.html

The entrance to the exhibition was draped with red material, supporting the 'revolution' light. This very modern sign is contrasted with the old underground space. possibly making remark at the modernity of the issue, even though the exhibition explores historical happenings mainly. This also gave the exhibition a Dada feel with the almost chaotic organisation of the space. 

‘INTERROGATE’ - ‘QUESTION’ - ‘DISRUPT’''In many cultures Red means passion and love. In Tibetan philosophy it signifies connection with the Universe. In the Russian language ‘red’ often means 'beautiful’. ‘Beauty Will Save the World' (Dostoevsky). Artists are responsible for bringing creativity to the world, not only to bring Beauty to it – but to Save it''Arina
The third independent exhibition organized and curated by the Russian artist Gennadiy Ivanov. The exhibition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik October Revolution and explores its significance and cultural legacy. This will be expressed through industrial art, social art, fine art, music, film, theatre, fashion, performance, design, sex, and political activism.

This exhibition took place in a local gallery in Norwich and was overwhelmed with the use of the colour red. this is due to the political and social implications of this colour. It was striking in the space as the underground gallery is fairly dark, therefore the red plastics stretched firmly from pillar to pillar offered a sort of back lighting. 

The exhibition offered masses of information regarding the subject matter of the work and also the historical context that they were produced in or in response to. This is something I really value within a gallery setting. Especially when the issues that the work addresses have such vitality to modern revolution and are addressing the likelihood of a repeated history if chances aren't taken now for rising public consciousness. The exhibition mainly addresses the Russian revolution and the civil unrest that was caused holistically at that time. However, other themes arose greatly such as famous faces in the context of the paintings. 

My own interpretation of this was that they are also individuals who went toward a state of revolution in their personal field. The above painting was a mixture of media's and combined figurative with the realistic to bring  to life the themes that Frieda Kahlo brought to light within her own work. The 'Art of revolution' aim to change public opinion and educate for change. This sort of organisation is something I would be very interested in working with as they educate toward social change. Progressive artist projects are at the forefront of a new wave of fluid activism stretching across art, politics and society. 

Participating artists:
1.         Alexandra Blythe
2.        Andrew Jay
3.        Andy Hornett
4.        Deanna Tyson
5.        Gennadiy Ivanov
6.        Frances Martin
7.        Helen Wells
8.        John Sparks
9.        Julia Cameron
10.      Linda Johnson
11.       Martin Swan
12.      Monika Wesselmann
13.      Natasha Day
14.      Peter Offord
15.      Richard Cleland
16.      Rob Bellman
17.      Robert Nairn
18.      Simon Marshall
19.      Sophia Shuvalova
20.      Tanya Goddard
21.      Viv Castleton
22.     Sue Law23      Glenn Goring