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England may be densely populated
but it is also crisscrossed by footpaths and rights
of way, which provide access to just about every
nook and cranny of the country if you want to
take a short stroll. The more energetic should
tackle at least one long-distance walk. Cycling
is another great way to get off the beaten track.
England might not spring to mind when you're planning
a beachside break but the southwest has some lovely
beaches that offer excellent swimming and surfing.
Gothic : Art
of England 1400 - 1547
The Gothic Period is often characterised as a
Dark Age of feuding, conflict and decline, an
image drawn in part from Shakespeare’s dramatic
history plays such as Henry V and Richard III.
This extensive exhibition seeks to redress the
balance, painting a picture of a glorious era
filled with artistic consumption, wealth and education.
The complexity of late medieval England is laid
bare in this groundbreaking show.
This is the first time gothic
art works and artifacts have been collected and
displayed together. Over 300 stunning pieces are
on show including a copper gilt effigy of Richard
Beuachamp, the Earl of Warwick and an important
artistic patron. The Middleham Jewel is also a
stand out piece so called as it was found near
Middleham Castle in Yorkshire and was said to
contain a relic. Works by Holbein, Memling and
Torregino are showcased, shpwing the creativity
of a nation on the brink of embracing the European
Renaissance.
Faberg
There could be no better setting for this dazzling
exhibition. Faberg rose to fame in the late nineteenth
century as Russia’s most famous jewellery
and has enjoyed a long association with royalty.
This collection was mainly acquired as a series
of personal gifts between the Russian, Danish
and British royal families. Over 300 stunning
pieces are displayed in an attempt to illustrate
the royal passion elicited by this master craftsman.
Faberg excelled at crafting glorious
Easter eggs from enamel, gold and precious stones.
Each egg took a year to produce and opened to
reveal a surprise of some kind, usually a miniature
or memento. Other everday objects such as a photograph
frame, bell push or paperweight were transformed
into miniature works of art. Faberg’s influence
was widespread and the exhibition contains the
work of his contemporaries such as Cartier. A
chance to see some true royal treasures.
Unilever Series: Olafur Eliasson
The Turbine Hall of the Tate has undergone several
intriguing transformations since its inception.
The latest installation is the work of acclaimed
Icelandic artist, Olafur Eliasson, who explores
the intricacies of the British obsession with
weather. The eighteenth century writer, Samuel
Johnson famously remarked: “It is commonly
observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their
first talk is of the weather; they are in haste
to tell each other, what each must already know,
that it is hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy
or calm.”
The Weather Project explores the meditative and
representative aspects of climate change. A mirror
runs the length of the ceiling and visitors can
see themselves and the immense space around them
reflected overhead. A large yellow arc of light
generated by mono-frequency lamps symbolises the
sun. Throughout the day clouds of mist permeate
the landscape and cling mysteriously together
forming shimmering patterns. Eliasson’s
work integrates naturally with the space, setting
up a responsive dialogue that the audience can
participate in.
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