I was ready for an urban adventure yesterday, so I set off in late morning for the Tate Britain to see the James McNeill Whistler exhibit. I thought going midday on a Thursday might mean there would be a sparse crowd, but no! The place was packed.
It was an interesting exhibit. I like Whistler's gauzy expressionist painting style, with landscapes shrouded in mist and portraits in layered, dark tones. Of course his famous mother was there (above), on loan from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. (Her official title is "Arrangement in Gray and Black No. 1.") This is the second time I've seen her. When I went to Paris in April 2000, I visited the Musee d'Orsay and wrote in my journal afterwards: "There were lots of spectacular paintings there -- just amazing stuff -- 'Whistler's Mother' even -- who knew that was in France?!"
I read a biography of Whistler back in 2014, but some of what I thought I knew about him when I wrote that post is incorrect. He did in fact marry, albeit later in life, and apparently it's still unclear how much he sympathized with the Confederates in the American Civil War. Maybe I just hadn't yet gotten to that point in the book. I still persist in believing that he might have been just a little bit gay, against all evidence to the contrary.
Here's a smaller work in pastels that shows Whistler's genius at capturing form and movement in just a few strokes. This is called "Four Ladies in Japanese Costume," from about 1870.
Anyway, after taking in the show, I took a long walk across the Vauxhall Bridge and came across this horror:
Apparently these young people were protesting Pret a Manger because the chain (according to them) buys inhumanely grown chicken, from animals that have been genetically engineered in such a way that they can't even move. Certainly an eye-catching protest.
From there I walked down Wandsworth Road to Clapham Junction. This is a walk I took many years ago, in early 2013, and I'm not sure I've been back since. So I was curious to see what the area looks like now.
Uncle Tom's Cabin is still there, and it has even been refurbished since I photographed it back in 2013.
This apartment building looks pretty much the same.
I had a good long walk, and enjoyed listening to my iTunes and just taking in the scenery and people. I even popped into this little shop, which is amazingly still in business, and bought a vintage creamer that I need like a hole in the head. (But it matches another vintage creamer I bought ages ago, so why not?!)
Because I walked through the neighborhood known as Lavender Hill, I was inspired when I got home to watch "The Lavender Hill Mob," an old Ealing comedy starring Alec Guinness. I've meant to see this movie for years and years and I'm happy to report that it remains delightful and enjoyable.
Dave was out last night, at a party with some co-workers, so I had leftovers and watched a couple of shows he doesn't like -- "The Lincoln Lawyer" on Netflix and "Invasion" on Apple TV (which I am doggedly trying to get through even though I don't like it much myself).
Overall, it felt good to get out and about!
If that is true about the chickens, it is a disgrace. I assume it would not be allowed in England, so the chickens must be imported.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a nice walk.
I miss there so rarely being evening leftovers to eat the next day.
I don't know about the parameters of English agricultural policy. I'm sure they have rules against anything inhumane, but who knows what falls under that definition and what doesn't.
DeleteThanks for the reminder about The Lavender Hill Mob. I’ve never seen it. I always enjoy your past- and present-post comparisons. That protest chicken is incredible.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun movie and well worth watching!
DeleteLondon is so crowded these days, but you managed to find some places where few people were. The 'chicken' is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's supposed to be. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a very good day, the kind you can have almost as many as you like now in retirement - of ourse depending on gardening and other work to do, the weather, and what you feel up to.
ReplyDeleteThe pastel drawing is wonderful! I know nothing about Whistler. In fact I believe this is the first time I have come across the name. Strange how I can sometimes be so ignorant about well-known artists.
My sister and I have always liked Prêt à Manger, and I bought into their "freshly made with well sourced ingredients" philosophy (or so I thought until now). Usually I don't buy anything with meat or fish when it's not organic or has some info about the standard of raising the animals, but all mass-"production" of animals (the word alone is horrible in connection with living, sentient beings) is disgusting and enough reason for me NOT to buy from a specific shop or chain.
I like Pret and go there often, though I don't usually buy chicken. I usually get their posh cheddar and pickle sandwich with a tomato soup.
DeletePret does do a decent salad in a tub..I get the vegan one ..colourful and tasty!
ReplyDeleteGood to watch your own choice of entertainment..you don't have to like exactly the same programmes
Dave's interest in television has narrowed considerably in recent years! He's much more into YouTube and Facebook reels these days.
DeleteSnap. I just wrote about Atkinson Grimshaw, who shared a studio with Whistler for a time. Grimshaw was famed for his nocturnal paintings, the same haziness as Whistler.
ReplyDeleteThe poor chickens are called 'Frankenstein' chickens and are a disgrace on humanity to be so cruel.
I saw your Grimshaw post and I will have to keep an eye out for his art! As I mentioned, the Whistler exhibit also showed work by another artist, Walter Greaves, who shared Whistler's studio for a time.
DeleteOur Ian used to live just across the road from Battersea Arts Centre. I have read "Uncle Tom 's Cabin" and in that seminal novel, the cabin looked nothing like that! Harriet Beecher Stowe will be turning in her grave.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the people who named the sandwich stand know anything about the book.
DeleteYou are definitely enjoying your retirement. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI am indeed! Is it obvious? Ha!
DeleteIt is so nice to be so close to great museums.
ReplyDeleteAgreed -- I always think I don't patronize them enough.
DeleteFor a moment I thought Whistler's "Four Ladies in Japanese Costume" was painted on a piece of wood. I do love the movement of that piece.
ReplyDeleteThat is one good protest! It's turn me away.
And I wonder if Uncle Tom's Cabin knows the history of Uncle Tom's. Or perhaps in England the meaning is different.
I don't think there's any separate English meaning to "Uncle Tom," at least not that I've ever heard. My guess is they have no idea what the book is about.
DeleteI know that I probably have, but it feels like I've never heard Whistler's given name before. I think I thought he was just Whistler - like Cher. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's because we usually only refer to him when we mention "Whistler's Mother"!
DeleteThat chicken is horrifying. I feel like I have to go and look up Frankenstein chickens, but it is just too much this early in the morning. Keeping track of man's inhumanity to other humans is enough.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. People seem to have infinite capacity for cruelty, to each other and to other creatures. Especially when there's money to be made.
DeleteThat IS a horror! But effective. Please show us your creamer! Ah, "Mother." I like Whisler's work but don't know much about him. I do remember an old BBC drama decades ago called "Lillie" about Lillie Langtry. Apparently they were friends, or at least he popped in. (So did Oscar Wilde -- I'd like to see that again.) I thought (and was right!) that Audrey Hepburn's first major movie appearance (though not so major) was in "Lavender Hill Mob." It is widely considered one of her very first major movie appearances.She appears near the beginning of the movie in a minor, uncredited role as a character named Chiquita. Hepburn was originally considered for a larger role in the film, but prior stage commitments made her unavailable. Sir Alec Guinness, who starred in the film, was very impressed with the young actress and arranged for her to make a brief cameo." (Sometimes, as much as AI bugs me, it comes in handy!)
ReplyDeleteCreamer in the next post! Apparently Whistler had a bit of a rivalry with Wilde, whom he accused of stealing his "art for art's sake" philosophy. I did spy Audrey Hepburn in the movie, much to my surprise! She made a quick appearance -- I'm not sure she even had any lines -- and never surfaced again.
DeleteI blogged a while back about rewatching The Lavender Hill Mob, and you commented then you hadn't seen it. I'm glad you remedied that now.
ReplyDeleteI love that Whistler gesture drawing, much more than the mother work.
Yes, I remember you mentioning that, and in fact I thought of you when I watched it!
DeleteOutstanding Day There My Man - Retired , So Cool
ReplyDeleteWalk On ,
Cheers
Every post smacks of retirement nowadays, doesn't it? LOL
DeleteI haven't been to an art museum in I don't know how long. It's be a real excursion these days.
ReplyDeleteAnd humans as Frankensteins. What we do to our poor food animals is criminal.
The world would be much different if we all had to farm and butcher our own animals. There would be a lot more plant-eating, I suspect!
DeleteYou had a most enjoyable day. Retirement is a treat!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed!
DeleteFactory farming is incredibly cruel and inhumane. We all know this and yet most of us continue to eat the resulting products. Me included. I always wonder how many meat eaters would remain if we had to raise and butcher our own meat or hunt and butcher it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great walk though.
"A little bit gay"? You made me laugh. I suppose that's possible unlike being a little bit pregnant.
Ha! I suppose I mean he seems at least bisexual, or maybe simply closeted or even gay but unacknowledged by himself.
DeleteI've not eaten chicken for almost 20 years now. Getting to know chickens and finding out how they are 'grown' filled me with disgust, and stopped me eating any chicken meat overnight. Seemingly the only supermarket to not sell 'Franken Chicken' is M&S, all the others do.
ReplyDeleteYeah, knowing anything about how our food is produced is often a huge turn-off. And yet it's important that we be aware so we can shape our own patterns of consumption.
DeleteThat chicken, eek! I'm semi-vegetarian but I still eat meat occasionally. (a bit guiltily) You had an great walk and visit to the museum. I don't know Whistler well except for his famous mother work.
ReplyDeleteEek is right! I used to be vegetarian -- and still am when I cook for myself or have a choice -- but when I eat Dave's cooking I roll with whatever he's prepared.
DeleteThat chicken took me by surprise! I'm glad I'm totally plant-based, even if not for ethical reasons. I love the rainbow sidewalk. 🌈
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great crosswalk? And I love how it's just an uncontroversial fact of life, as opposed to a lightning rod for the political right the way rainbow crosswalks are in the USA.
DeleteWow, that was a very full day. That exhibit at the Tate sounds wonderful. I've only seen Whistler's Mother in Paris too. The museum was very busy last summer when I was there too.
ReplyDeleteThat chicken protest is a bit disturbing. But, it is nice to see some places you found over 10 years ago are still thriving.
I'm astonished that both Uncle Tom and Eclectica are still in business.
DeleteThe Tate never disappoints.
ReplyDeleteI love Asian art and had never seen "Four Ladies in Japanese Costumes." What grand piece of work.
So simple and yet so elegant!
DeleteOh my goodness, i order from Pret a lot, and now I shall have to rethink that. That is certainly an effective protest.
ReplyDeleteIs there Pret in New York?! I didn't even realize that! I don't think it was there when I lived there, or maybe I've just forgotten.
DeleteI think the US has fallen into the category of eating Frankenfood a bunch of chemicals masquerading as food. Like Cool Whip and Wonder Bread. The almighty dollar ahead of health.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right about the almighty dollar, sadly!
DeleteYou're right that it feels good to get out and about.
ReplyDeleteGets the blood pumping!
DeleteThat giant chicken on the ground is awful.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?! But then, it's supposed to be!
DeletePret a Manger sounds awful, do people really still treat chickens badly? Do they somehow think that chickens have no feelings? I love the rainbow crosswalk. I have seen The Lincoln Lawyer and think it's a good movie.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually a TV series -- maybe there's a movie too? It's set in L.A. and based on a character created by Michael Connelly, the same writer responsible for "Bosch."
DeleteYes, this one is a movie, I hadn't known they also made a series. I have the series Bosch and some of Michael Connelly's books too.
DeleteI envy you the Whistler show -- I'd have loved that!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty amazing!
DeleteBack in the day (and no doubt even today), being gay (no matter how little a bit) and being married were not mutually exclusive states. Lovely outing (ha, so to speak)
ReplyDeleteHoofin' it- you do cover some ground!
ReplyDelete