All the girls from work went to see the Tim Walker exhibition at Somerset House while I was away working in LA and I was very very upset to miss out. So when my Mum said she was spontaneously coming to visit me at the weekend, and wanted to see something fun at a museum somewhere, I instantly suggested it.
Having never heard of Tim Walker, along with my auntie, they were both a bit dubious, and until my cousin said he was planning on going as well on the same day, they weren't sure. But as we both wanted to go, and they just really wanted to see us both they agreed to come along. My dad also came along with us on a short stop before flying off to Cape Town (as you do) and again, I don't think he was completely sure.
Once we got into the first room though, with the model of a aeroplane, and the photos including the plane, my dad was hooked and thought it was pretty clever and cool. My mum and auntie were not so convinced though. Until we got into the second room. There the swan boat in the centre of the room, and the stunning way the dresses and outfits were captured to look like models, figurines, fantasy stories, and instantly they were hooked.
I loved it! I love anything that's a bit quirky, fun, upside down and just not normal and so this exhibition was like a dream to view. The addition of the models such as the giant grasshopper playing a violin, and the sand in the corner of one room made the photos come alive with such vitality that you wouldn't be surprised if you walked along the street and saw one of the images re-enacted in real life. It was mesmerising!
I've no idea how long we spent in there but it was a world away from the cold and rainy world outside and instantly I felt buzzing with ideas of things to make, design, draw and write about, it was such a fantastic exhibition. I've since mentioned it to some of my friends and will go along again with as many of them as want to go as I would happily go 2, 3 even 4 times.
My favourite shots were the ones in Namibia with the Leopard just casually modelling away in the corner, and especially the shot taken through a fly screen scrim. Equally, the shot of the girl on a statue of a horse coming into a conservatory littered with pillars and other statues was another favourite. Meanwhile the bed made from human bones (I didn't notice this until the 2nd time I looked at the picture) was mesmerising and horrifying in equal parts. Either way I massively recommend this exhibition to everyone, and on top of that Somerset House is such a beautiful venue, you don't need an excuse to go and visit!
