DAYDREAMING WITH STANLEY KUBRICK
2016-08-01Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick, a new exhibition at Somerset House, curated by James Lavelle, Mo’Wax and UNKLE founder, and co-curated by James Putnam, former founder curator of the British Museum’s Contemporary Arts and Cultures Programme, features work by 45 contemporary musicians, film makers and artists responding to a film, character or theme from the extensive Kubrick archives.
Following the patterned flooring, paying homage to the iconic hotel carpet in The Shining, visitors are forced around a maze of immersive work. The work was diverse, from Sarah Lucas’s daring concrete phalluses to Chris Levine’s LED light display, where an image of Kubrick appears then vanishes as the viewer moves their head from side to side. There is a strange cinematic atmosphere throughout the exhibition, shaped by the soundtracks, set design and vivid imagery.
A highlight was the striking red neon ‘When You Talk About Love You Make Me Feel Invisible’ which was placed next to two life size teddy bears, one with a lollipop and red heart shaped sunglasses, referencing Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita.
Daydreaming with Kubrick is a playful hybrid of conceptual art, graphic design, sculpture, film making and installation drawing on themes such as sex, violence, discovery and dystopia. The spectrum of work presented and the immersive nature of this exhibition makes it a must see for any Kubrick lover.
Words – Lo Harley
Photography – Peter Macdiarmid/Somerset House.
Exhibition runs through till August 24th, 2016
Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 1LA
