Best of 2014
For the start of the New Year, I've finally done something I've been meaning to do for ages. I've added an 'Annual Hit List' page to this site with photos of my diary lists of everything that I've visited over the last four years (just slightly longer than this blog has existed).
Looking at my list for 2014 (and with encouragement from one of my regular companions on these visits) I thought I should start a New Year tradition of listing my top 10 for the previous year, following on from my previous London Top 7, and the Top 10 paintings that I picked earlier this year for Time Out.
So here, dear readers, is my top 10 for the year that was (in chronological order):
1. Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice at the National Gallery
A glorious show of Veronese's rich paintings, which also made me think about leaflets.
2. The re-opened Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
The treasure-house of Dutch art, beautifully re-displayed to integrate it's different collections into a chronological narrative. The open storage displays in the basement also took my breath away.
3. Collider at the Science Museum
One of the most interesting shows I've seen that makes the social, communal construction of science visible.
4. Ruin Lust at Tate Britain
An unusual and compelling theme that successfully combined contemporary and historic art. It wasn't to everyone's tastes, but really struck me.
5. Bill Viola's Martyrs in St. Paul's
Viola's usual exquisite film bringing a new dimension to the traditional altarpiece.
6. An Idiosyncratic A to Z of the Human Condition at the Wellcome Collection
As usual, the Wellcome showed us how it's done with this exhibition that made social media participation core to the experience and the changing display.
7. Kenneth Clark: Looking for Civilisation at Tate Britain
I thought this beautiful show was a fine example of a more academic subject that opens up the history of art. It also worked interestingly with the other shows then on at Millbank.
8. Poppies at the Tower of London
Easily the most popular artwork of the year that made a striking visual statement for the WW1 centenary, and in which I had the privilege to take part.
9. Pop-up opening of Goldfinger's Balfron Tower flat by NT London
A fabulous example of how the National Trust is doing new and interesting things in London. And what a view!
10. John Wonnacott and John Lessore: The Life Room and the City at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and Norwich University of the Arts
A striking small, regional show, split between two venues that showed how the city and its institutions has shaped two local artists, and vice versa.