Friday, September 16th, 2011
Nothing in the World But Youth is Turner Contemporary’s new, shrewdly curated exhibition looking at how society has viewed its youth, from the 19th Century to the present day. It’s the second exhibition at Turner and if the world of art galleries has an equivalent of the difficult second album, well, they’ve nailed it with this.
It’s shrewd because it answers directly some of the criticisms that were levelled at the opening exhibition (sometimes even by people who have never set foot inside the place). So there are more Turners – 15, including views of Thanet he painted when he was 11 and a rare self-portrait. There are plenty of genuinely big names – fancy popping along to Margate to see a David Hockney anyone? Andy Warhol? Phil Collins… (not that Phil Collins? Oh); and the galleries are rammed with exhibitions. It also has a significant local element and more than anything it clearly shows the long-term thinking behind Turner and its exhibition programme.
Because the shrewdest move is the theme. Everyone, pretty much, either is young or has been young at some stage in their lives (usually in the earlier stages). And whatever your age or your view on “art”, I challenge you to walk round the galleries and not find something that stimulates you, provokes you, or that you simply enjoy. If you don’t think you’re interested in art, this is an exhibition that may change your mind.
Perhaps one of the most bizarre and entertaining pieces is a video installation by Phil Collins featuring videos of young people from Turkey, Colombia and Indonesia performing karaoke versions of songs by The Smiths. There is something disturbingly universal about a teenager from Kuala Lumpur singing The Boy with the Thorn in his Side. Similarly, another video installation, Mark Leckey’s Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore shows footage of 90s ravers. It’s fractured and uncomfortable – and totally absorbing.
Obviously, karaoke and raving can’t really be considered art – we all know that. So there are pieces by Hockney, Henry Moore, Peter Blake, and of course Turner, whose painting Crossing the Brook acts as a coda to the exhibition.
Nothing in the World But Youth should be the spur you need to visit Turner Contemporary if you haven’t yet been. It will continue, I think, to pull in large numbers from outside the area. And if you happen to be lucky enough to live in the area, it warrants repeat visits. There’s enough here to keep you happy over several trips.
Of course, there will be complaints. Our predictions are for ‘Well, it’s not really art is it?’, ‘I don’t like arty-farty stuff anyway’ (which pretty much cancel each other out) and the old favourite ‘They should have built an ice rink’. My favourite complaint, spotted recently on a local blog, was that the Turner Contemporary toilets are too small – I feel even the complaints are now taking on a strange beauty of their own and, one day, I hope to curate my own exhibition of complaints.
Nothing in the World But Youth runs from 17 September 2011 to 8 January 2012. Closed Mondays.
the latest
you reckon
Still, i am very flattered by the attention our lo [...]
According to Salon Bohemia on Salon Bohemia
Dear Christine, you are more than welcome to take [...]
According to Salon Bohemia on Salon Bohemia
Okay Christine, thanks for your comments. Not sure [...]
According to isleone on Salon Bohemia
IM AFRAID I FOUND THIS BAR WHEN FIRST OPEN TO BE [...]
According to christine on Salon Bohemia
Looking forward to the collection of complaints and also to what sounds like a great exhibition!
Been looking forward to, now even more having read your review, thanks
Looking forward to the Broadie’s write up too.
Will someone please chuck a bucket of water over Isleone and Broadie Mag. At this rate they are going to be making babies together
It’s a sad state of affairs when people can’t be civil to each other.
well as long as any progeny have IO’s brains and our good looks I only foresee a good outcome xx
Went to see it today. I do remember being young though it was a while ago, really just remember those damned infernal yearnings for matron….big girl y’know, just the way i liked ‘em back then, reminded me of being on Safari.
Jolly good show at Mr Turners centre, shame he wasn’t there to greet us though.
Ron Mueck, brilliant. Great photography, even a Henry Moore. Jolly well done.
Also nice to see a poster of Mrs Thatcher with a swastika on her forehead, evil old bat.
Go and see for yourself.
One criticism, the shop is awful, looks like an afterthought, and couldn’t buy a Turner anywhere.
And as for making babies, well it hasn’t worked properly since they put bromide in my tea.
sorry, he escaped again, I’ll just get nurse
If you are really lucky IsleOne will get her special uniform out.
is IsleOne a girl?
I don’t know, but does it matter?
Sometimes I don’t know either.
saw the show yesterday and it is amazing! was there for 2.5 hours and didn’t get to see everything so will be back several times. Was moved, entertained, provoked and astounded, am hoping it will firmly shut up those who like quantity as well as those who like quality……. the photographic work alone is worth several visits and the video installations and eerie and beautiful…….go go go and then come back tell everyone and go again!
Amazing review IsleOne especially this paragraph;
“Of course, there will be complaints. Our predictions are for ‘Well, it’s not really art is it?’, ‘I don’t like arty-farty stuff anyway’ (which pretty much cancel each other out) and the old favourite ‘They should have built an ice rink’.”
So witty it brought a tear to my eye.
First cross-dressing, now wittiness. Nice to get some positive feedback.