Here's an exhibition that good and not very good all at the same time. Saul Steinberg at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
What's good?
The maps are fantastic, a delight. The detail and the wit are a joy to behold.
The typography (wait, typography is maybe a bit strong) the drawings with type in are lovely. The drawings have a lovely depth to them.
What's not good?
It ain't very big. Actually, it's even more spatially challenged than a Design Museum exhibition and that's quite a feat.
There isn't enough stuff from the New Yorker. Just the one cover.
It feels a bit pricey at £9. Nine pounds isn't exactly a lot of money, but it feels like a big deal for a very small show. Still, better to spend your hard earned at cultural venues than the local Wetherspoons...
So go. You should definitely go. Just lower your expectations a little bit. Mike Dempsey has written a good post about Saul here. A must read if you like that new Audi cardboard box ad.
thanks for saving me the trip! :)
Posted by: lauren | Jan 29, 2009 at 12:36
I went the other week, his work is so wonderful and I had no idea of the range of stuff he had explored, or seen any of the 3D work either. The way he draws is beautiful. I want to go again!
Posted by: Emily Wilkinson | Jan 29, 2009 at 16:10
My take - I loved it. It didn't feel very small, and for a single artists there's quite a body of work shown. Several pieces shown *did* appear on/in the New Yorker, but this was original artwork. I was mainly blown away with just the sheer quantity of ideas/methods, when other artists could have lived a life on just one. I loved the fixation on brand names in landscapes, and the rubber stamps. I wish I could get a print of his take on St Marks Square...
Posted by: Chris H | Jan 29, 2009 at 17:56
Looks like me and you are on a similar wavelength Mr. Terret:
http://markhadfield.typepad.com/that_gormandizer_man/2009/01/being-priced-out-of-traditional-culture.html
http://markhadfield.typepad.com/that_gormandizer_man/2009/01/trusting-my-working-class-gut.html
Posted by: Mark Hadfield | Jan 29, 2009 at 18:02
David Shrigley had something similar, not sure if it was meant to be a tribute or just imitation as I only saw it by chance. I absolutely love the New Yorker ones though :)
http://www.davidshrigley.com/draw_htmpgs/31_7_07/7_07_001.htm
Posted by: Andrea | Jan 30, 2009 at 10:07