Tate Modern – House Collection & Agnes Martin (again)

On a rainy day, cycle ride abandoned we head into town – my youngest studying art for GCSE wants to see the Agnes Martin Exhibition at the Tate Modern.

I’m not that keen. It just didn’t work for me last time but console myself with the idea of seeing some of the house collection afterwards.

agnesmartinbanner_0 agnesmartinstars artwork_images

The exhibition is fairly empty and second time around feels more accessible.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern

Still not that desperately excited though. My girl is quite taken by the technique of the pictures, the level of detail and accuracy etc.

Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern

IMG_0729An astonishing number still look like pieces of paper torn out of a school exercise book to me.

Agnes Martin Tate Modern
Agnes Martin Tate Modern

And it can never be a great event when the light shining through the windows is more exciting than the picture it shines down onto..

Window Tate Modern
Window Tate Modern

But still it’s a rainy day and there are worse places to be than staring across the Thames at St Paul’s enjoying a cup of coffee.

St Pauls from Tate Modern
St Pauls from Tate Modern

The house collection is arranged by theme which people will either love or hate. It means that if you wanted to hunt down all of the works by Picasso, for example, you’d be well advised to do some research beforehand and maybe take a floorplan along.

On the other hand, it’s exactly the kind of treasure hunt that can work with young teens in a gallery.

Delauney Tate Modern
Delauney Tate Modern
Barbara Hepworth Tate Modern
Barbara Hepworth Tate Modern
Mondrian Tate Modern
Mondrian Tate Modern

IMG_0740There are enough familiar names and styles to while away an hour or so really easily.

Kandinsky Tate Modern
Kandinsky Tate Modern
Picasso Tate Modern
Picasso Tate Modern
Braque Tate Modern
Braque Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern

And some that are very modern indeed and totally unknown to me.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern

There is the usual problem of seeing pictures though the reflections of millions of visitors but since it’s quite a new gallery, the lighting is generally good.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern

The height of the rooms helps give a sense of space even when the gallery starts to get crowded.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern: Warhol
Tate Modern: Warhol
Tate Modern: Warhol
Tate Modern: Warhol
Tate Modern: Liechtestein
Tate Modern: Liechtestein

Though I remain entirely bemused by the popularity with families of the Artist Rooms with Georg Baselitz. How exactly are these people explaining three rooms of masturbating women to their kids?

Geord Baselitz
Geord Baselitz
Georg Baselitz
Georg Baselitz

IMG_0757

Tate Modern: Cy Twombley
Tate Modern: Cy Twombley

And at the heart of the gallery space is the huge Turbine Hall, currently awaiting a new installation.

Tate Modern: Banners
Tate Modern: Banners
Tate Modern: Turbine Hall
Tate Modern: Turbine Hall
Tate Modern
Tate Modern

And lots and lots of people moving up and down the floors via stairs, lifts and the escalators

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern

There is a real sense of purposeful movement for such a large space.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern

The house collections were busy after the Agnes Martin galleries, perhaps because they’re free.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern: Picasso
Tate Modern: Picasso
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern

IMG_0774

Tate Modern: Lucien Freud
Tate Modern: Lucien Freud

And whilst Lucien Freud is never going to be my “thing” there’s no doubt he can capture a rosy penis very well.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern: Sigmar Polke
Tate Modern: Sigmar Polke
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern

Rothko really is my sort of thing, and it’s disappointing though perhaps understandable that they’re kept in such a very dark room. Given their sombre colours, they are incredibly difficult to view.

Tate Modern: Rothko
Tate Modern: Rothko

Still my favourites though.

Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern
Tate Modern