Suburban Autumn

A couple of years ago I watched a series of Suburgatory, a TV series that basically poked fun at the American suburbs. [Sidenote: I only recently realised that Elton from Clueless plays George Altman (the dad)!!! He looks so different] The opening credits had this perfectly green, manicured lawn which I think sums up people trying to take control of the countryside.

Back in the summer holidays I was thinking about 'the suburbs' a lot. Living in a town which is in an awkward limbo between the city and the countryside, I gotta say I find suburban problems (normally public transport related) pretty hilarious. These photos were a product of boredom and also the combined seriousness & peace that you get in a place full of commuters and miles of open grass.

Climate Revolution (Vivienne Westwood)

Just over a month ago I was lucky enough to get some work experience in Vivienne Westwood's press office, which was a massive eye opener to what happens behind the scenes in the fashion industry. Before I went, I read Vivienne's 2014 biography (which was amazing, everyone should own it) and in the process realised the huge extent of her career. The author presented her without any pretensions and made her relatable, which is a rare thing for an international fashion icon! The book also led me to find out about Climate Revolution through Vivienne's YouTube and blog.

In true Vivienne fashion, the topics she covers are truly controversial, and contrary to my initial expectations, Vivienne (and Ben Westwood, her son) talk about political and economic topics as well as global warming. 

from Vivienne's blog

For me, the most important thing about the campaign is that it highlights how everything is linked: politicians require money, they support consumer industry, this leads to waste and global warming. Therefore, by not supporting politicians and consumerism, we can slow down global warming. All the more reason to "Buy less, choose well", in Vivienne's words.

The ingrained punk attitude of everything Vivienne does might decrease the eligibility of her ideas to some people, but watching her video diary, her possession of the facts is undeniable. Although the possibility that only 1 billion people will be left on earth by 3000 is terrifying, being able to follow such a determined and organised movement to prevent this eventuality it is extremely comforting. 

Pre-Raphaelite art!!!!!

School of Athens - Raphael

That post title really doesn't sell it much- in short I am overwhelmed with love and jealousy for pre-Raphaelites after today's trip to the Tate Britain. Talk about jumping in the deep end! This is probably a good moment to refer to myself as a blog Rookie (in the Tavi Gevinson sense).

Proserpine - Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Anyway, for some reason I always find it hilarious when I learn about something from history which seems weirdly relatable to the modern day. The pre-Raphaelites are a perfect example of this. From what i've heard: the pre-Rs were this 'brotherhood' of seven students in their early twenties who thought everything from Raphael (1500s) until them (1848) was substandard, so decided to make up for it themselves- hence the name. Raphael fan fiction, if you will.

At first, I assumed that they were just a bit clueless, but then I saw their work (!!!) and their rejection of other art of their era seemed to me to be immediately justified. The colour! The texture! The form! I honestly do not know how I hadn't recognised them before. Largely, they succeeded in their aim of Raphael-ness.

Their secret clique of seven was headed by Hunt, Millais and Rossetti- the original art hoes (if such a term can be used to describe a 19th Century man) and they signed their paintings with the initials PRB. Their main goals centred around Romanticism (including mythical scenes) and portraying nature accurately- two conflicting ideas that led to a later split into medievalists and realists. Instead of looking for perfection in art, they focused more on depicting the individual.

Christ in the House of His Parents - John Everett Millais

Naturally, after insulting the Royal Academy and attempting to reform 400 years of paint and sculpture, the group attracted some criticism. Charles Dickens called Millais' painting 'Christ in the House of His Parents' blasphemous because the Mary was ugly and they looked poor (awkwardly, the girl who modelled as Mary was a relation of Millais...). Personally, Jesus' pout and the outstanding workmanship are enough to make me disagree.

However, the work in the Tate Britain that really won me over was that of Edward Coley Burne-Jones, who was a younger hanger-on inspired by Rossetti. He used more muted tones and decorative elements that seem almost Tudor. In his work he pays close attention to light hitting fabric, and his portrait sketches have a blurry haze- but in a good way.

Study of a girl's head - Burne-Jones

Wing sketches - Burne-Jones

Sidonia - Burne-Jones

Desiderium - Burne-Jones

Vespertina Quies - Burne-Jones

 

The Golden Stairs - Burne-Jones

As I said earlier, the pre-Rs are weirdly relevant- not just in their rebellion but also in the way that they recycled something old and created a cult in the process. Nowadays, doing that is almost expected of young people, but it definitely wouldn't have been in the 19th Century.