.png)
David Hockney's 'Bigger & Closer not Smaller & Further Away' is located in Kings Cross, an 8 minute walk away from the station. The immersive video installation takes place in a huge room, playing his autobiographical documentary over each wall. It covers six chapters that touch on what was happening during his life during different periods of his art stylisations. With strong meaningful messages, this was a really enjoyable experience that I would recommend if your a fan of Hockney and his work. I enjoyed standing in the upper viewing section as it allowed for easy viewing of each wall at once (although not the back wall) but there is also lots of seating on the main floor if you wish to be fully engrossed in the film.
He embarks on his journey through "Life in LA," weaving a captivating narrative of his initial impressions upon arriving in this bustling city. Initially confronted with a landscape dominated by rigid, straight lines, courtesy of the boxy buildings and straight roads that defined Los Angeles, Hockney soon found himself drawn to the picturesque hills. Here, he encountered a world of wiggly lines, intricate roadways, and daring architectural experiments that piqued his artistic curiosity. From his vantage point high in the hills, Hockney marveled at the sprawling metropolis below, which now resembled an intricate map when viewed from above.
He discovered his love for pools in LA. He describes how there so full of light and colour, admiring how the patterns the water makes looks as if there dancing. Having lived previously in England, he expresses the excitement he felt in this new Landscape that was unknown visually.
Often, his digital art is put on a timelapse of its creation, so you can see the thought behind each brushstroke and watch his landscapes come alive around you.
The 'perspective matter' chapter gave us insight on Chinese arts perspectives. He admires how they tell a picture of many perspectives in one art piece unlike the Italian one point perspective - making you truly immersed. He wanted to attack perspective in photography, playing with it through placing more images of the same topic from different moments in a collage, like you’re getting more reality out from it. That’s why he loved drawing and painting the Grand Canyon, as it’s claimed to have ‘no perspective’, with no centre of focus, it becomes a spatial experience.
The 'Looking closely' chapter featured flicking through pages of his sketchbooks, of simplistic screenshots of nature and towns. Starting in simple pieces with pops of colours or all in one shade, into multicoloured vibrant scenes that are bold and grow in detailing. I loved how he described the white flowers featured in the drawings, like champagne foaming up in the bushes.
"You can’t be bored of nature can you? You have endless subjects in nature, if you really look”.
Hockney's artwork exudes an infectious sense of joy, and his ability to infuse his creations with the stories and passions that drive him is truly captivating. With intricate detail, he delves into the world that surrounds him, inviting us all to adopt a fresh perspective on our own surroundings. As he aptly puts it, "People look, but they don't see," prompting us to reassess our perception of the world. After experiencing his exhibition, I emerged with a renewed appreciation for viewing the world through a different lens, one that allows us to revel in its vibrant colours and subtle intricacies.
Another chapter shows Hockney painting the stage in multiple operas, an illustrated show opening with the magic flute by Mozart. He believes you can visibly see music at the theatre/opera, making it so much more exciting. His moving painted scenes encapsulated different pieces of music and theatre shows with so much character.
I am used to watching fast-paced content through social media, so to sit and enjoy a slow-paced, story-like show felt like a humbling reminder to savour the unhurried moments and appreciate the depth and richness of a well-crafted narrative.
The documentary had such a beautiful soundtrack, which accompanied by his rustic voice, was a pleasure to listen to. I also enjoyed the length, wasn’t too long or too short. It’s quite pricey at £15 for a student and £25 for an adult, yet I believe it is worth the money if you like David Hockney and are willing to sit and listen to his documentary with patience.
Comments