Tate Modern and Avant Garde Art
Tate Modern, London, UK
The world around us is a constant source of inspiration, especially for those in the creative arts. As a filmmaker, I came to comprehend the true essence of an Anthropocenic style experimental film comes from the world we inhabit. I experienced this firsthand during my visit to the Tate Modern (1897) in London, when I took on the task to find an art piece which I found interesting and were able to connect with.
Alpine Ibex (2017) by Jimmie Durham
Alpine Ibex (2017) by Jimmie Durham
While looking across multiple art pieces, I was struck by the Alpine-Ibex (2017) sculpture created by Jimmie Durham. The sculpture presents an assemblage of a real skull and bones with found objects like wooden blocks and furniture, metal screws and pieces, in a form that resembles the shape of an ibex, a wild goat that lives in the Alps. For me, the ibex's ability to climb steep cliffs and rocky outcroppings has served as a powerful symbol of human perseverance and the struggle to overcome obstacles. The piece spoke to me about humanity's relationship with the natural world, as it was a metaphor for the ibex species' struggle to survive in the harsh Alps environment. The artist used different materials, both man-made and natural, to create the animal's body, using found objects in its creation, which talked about the environmental forthcomings which the ibex deals with, and symbolizes the lack of resources which are available due to the harsh terrain the ibex resides in. This inspired me as a filmmaker to create the best I can with the resources I have and persevere through any obstacles with the power of art.
After the visit to the Tate Modern, I took a long walk, where I was exposed to various unique city landscapes by going on walks through unusual paths in London, UK, from the Tate Modern to Canary Wharf. I understood the meaning behind the historical imprints the city had and how it has evolved in the postmodern present era, creating a wandering storyboard, especially looking at buildings like the Tower Bridge or The Shard. Discussing the architecture styles of different buildings, their pricing, and how they would affect the future landscapes of London. I really thought of the question as to how gentrification and industrialization has an impact on the social structures, the environments around and the architecture. I observed how life has evolved in the present at Quays and Wharfs as well as looking at the change in functioning of markets like the Borough Market. I slowly realised that this city symphony brings a humbling effect when analysing the construction of a building or a pathway. The modern buildings in present London, reference the Victorian and Medieval era to keep a sense of unification amongst the new structures, combining it with skyscrapers and glass buildings. This creates an architectural juxtaposition and captures a unique aesthetic. This was very clearly visible to me when looking at a structure like the Shakespeare Globe, an open-roofed theatre without seating on the ground floor, replicating the setting of the 1500s and 1600s to maintain its history and culture and being surrounded by large skyscrapers.
HMS Belfast, UK
I also observe the same when I looked at how the HMS Belfast(1971), a museum ship from a bygone era, docked amidst new glass buildings, acted like a piece of art and museum, showcasing the different wars Britain had been involved in, the places it had voyaged to and the technologies it had at that point in time.
This trip was a humbling experience that gave me an insight into the connections from building to building while visiting the River Thames and Canary Wharf. The world around us is a constant source of inspiration for us filmmakers and the impact of different things on avant-garde and alternative film is dependent on how we choose to interpret and engage with them. Regardless of the source of inspiration, it is important to remember that creativity and perseverance are essential in creating great art.
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Bibliography
Belfast, HMS, London (1971). Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast. [Accessed January 16th 2023]
Modern, Tate (1897). Website. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/. [Visited: January 16th 2023]
Modern, Tate (2017). Jimmy Durham: Alpine Ibex. Website. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/durham-alpine-ibex-t15201. [Accessed January 16th 2023]
Shakespeare Globe, London. Website: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/. [Accessed January 16th 2023]
The Tower Bridge, London. Website. Available at: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/. [Accessed January 16th 2023]
The Shard, London. Website. Available at: https://www.the-shard.com/. [Accessed January 16th 2023]
