One Question

The concept of going to see a silent film must of went out of fashion very soon after the first talkies came out.

As an arts project then something like The Artist could expect to remain just that, confined to the realms of the arts. But this has fast become something of a modern French masterpiece.

Watching it is strange. At first you really miss the dialogue, but it grows and grows. It has wonderful irony, a deep statement on pride, and the need to move with the times.

The cast is beautiful, all three of them.

I’d recommend you go even if just for the dog!

And the great thing about making a modern film set in the past is that it is instantly timeless.

The Artist. One Question loved it!

Last night this year’s Turner Prize was awarded to Scot Martin Boyce.

For the first time the exhibition of the finalists work was held outside of London and was in fact at the Baltic in Gateshead – cool place it is too! (And I promise I didn’t see the pun until I’d written that).

The prize was set up in 1984 to celebrate new directions in British art from the previous year. It loosely celebrates/commemorates JMW Turner, but it’s not something funded by any legacy of his.

There’s an annual panel of judges that changes every year, and a sponsor, Gordon’s at the moment, who funds the whole thing. There was a year when there was no prize after the intended sponsor went bankrupt.

One of the great things about the Turner is how it manages to dig up the debate of What is Art? every year.

I can’t pretend that I’ve been excited by the winning works most years, but old Grayson Perry certainly raised my interest. An odd digression from art this – but I loved him on Desert Island Discs. I remember I was driving to an interview at the time, it did a great job of calming my nerves.

Whether you’re a Turner fan or not, do get along to the Baltic sometime. It’s a wicked space – and has a great view of Newcastle. KC