We started our afternoon by walking in the Park, to make the most of the sunshine. We saw this wonderful new addition but couldn't see a sign anywhere nearby to tell us the sculpture's name and who the artist is. If anyone reading knows these details please feel free to get in touch and let me know.
Next we saw two of James Capper's sculptures. I'm not sure which two of the three we saw, although I'm pretty certain one of them was Exstenda Claw. We couldn't find the third sculpture for love nor money!
These sculptures are able to walk, swim and (apparently) climb mountains. Hmmm.... in all honesty, Chris and I weren't too impressed with these. I'm pretty open minded when it comes to what can be called 'art' but even to my broad mind these just looked like mechanical experiments, not sculptures. The accompanying 'making of' exhibit in the Bothy Gallery didn't do much to change my opinion either (or Chris's)!
I was thrilled to see that Anthony Gormley's 'One and Other' has returned to the Park on this visit. It disappeared some time ago for restoration but has now been put back where it belongs- keeping a lofty watchful eye over YSP (albeit from a slightly different location now). To me, this sculpture is synonymous with YSP.
We then took a turn around the 'Upper Lake' and followed Alec Finlay's 'The Bee Library' trail.
This charming installation comprises 24 bee- related books that have been converted in to 'bee shelters' or 'nests'. They hang at varying heights and points on the route around the Upper Lake. Trying to spot them all was a fun little exercise, as was reading the titles on the books. Who knew there was so much to say about Bees? There were certainly some very obscure titles!
We also saw another of Richard Long's distinctive pieces (he gets everywhere!) around the Upper Lake, 'The Red Slate Line'.
Back in the Lower Park we saw some more familiar 'faces'.
The shed topped with a silver orb in the foreground of this picture is Jem Finer's 'Spiegelei'. Chris recognised it first- we'd seen this sculpture before at Tatton Park's Bicentennial in 2010.
We then saw the below sculpture ' Unity of Opposites Vortex' by Michael Lyons. We've seen a number of Lyon's works over the years at the 'Beyond Limits' exhibits at Chatsworth House's gardens. A good, solid, Yorkshire artist. We like Micheal's work!
We then headed inside the main YSP visitor centre to see the Mark Hearld exhibit. 'Birds and Beasts' showcased Hearld’s love of the British countryside, curiosity for objects and a magpie approach to collecting. Hearld took inspiration from YSP’s 500-acre historic estate and its inhabitant wildlife to create new work, all of which was available to buy (and it had sold very well judging by all the red dots!).
The above painting of a white hare was Chris's favourite.
I was quite cheeky really and photographed loads of the exhibit! The above pieces were all collages. I just loved them. I love the colors Hearld uses together, the texture that the collage technique gives the paintings and the disorganisation of the subjects featured.
Each of these paintings were comprised of different painting techniques within each picture, employed alongside the collage features. The birds and/ or beasts, sky, clouds, shrubbery etc are all thrown in together with no particular sense of aesthetically pleasing organisation, to create lively art work and pictures that reflect the constant movement within nature, even on what is perceived to be a still, quiet night. All the art work displayed in this exhibit was, frankly, brilliant and beautiful. Chris loved it all too- which is quite rare! He's a harsh art critic :)
I adore the colors in this one too and the child like innocence of the squirrels faces. It could be a picture straight out of your favorite childhood story book. In fact, Mark Hearld has illustrated a number of children's books. I think these works are so wonderful.
I also loved this painting of lots of different birds in flight. Again, I love the artist's choice of colors, the lines, the movement he's put in to the picture...
These were wooden, 3D versions of the creature in Hearld's pictures. They were so charming.
Finally, we ended our visit by catching the Miro out in the Garden, in the last of the afternoon's sunlight.
If you'd like to find out more about any of the artists featured in this blog post, please see the below websites-
http://www.ysp.co.uk/exhibitions/james-capper-divisions
http://www.antonygormley.com
http://www.alecfinlay.com/invited.html
http://www.richardlong.org/
http://www.ysp.co.uk/exhibitions/jem-finer
http://www.michaellyonssculptor.com
http://www.art-angels.co.uk/cat/mark-hearld
http://joanmiro.com
If you'd like to catch Jame Capper's work at YSP and make your own opinion about whether or not it is art then his moving sculptures will be there until 16.04.13.
YSP's new main exhibit recently opened, showcasing the work of Yinka Shonibare. This is on until 01.09.13. For more information and/ or to plan a visit, see their website at http://www.ysp.co.uk/home. I'll be returning soon to see the Yinka Shonibare exhibit myself- can't wait!
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