Grayson Perry

wow. I went to Grayson Perry's "My Pretty Little Art Career" exhibition at the MCA today. he's so prolific! and varied. there were pots/ceramics, paintings, tapestries, a digital room with interactive displays and screens plus his books and many others on ceramics etc., films, interviews, sculptures. I hadn't seen his pots up close before - only images on occasion. I was thinking how great an example of collage they are - he has text, paintings, photographs, tradition patterning, modern styles mixed with the older styles. so layered! I was getting dizzy just walking around each one to see everything, and I think I missed looking at everything in detail and will need to go back again once I read through the catalog. loved the tapestries - the large ones were there - taking up long walls, and filling the room. such bright colours. I saw the ones from his tv series on social classes. my favourite was marked as a hand-embroidered piece, "Britain is Best", which is quite substantial. so many French knots! and so neatly stitched. perfect rows. I also loved seeing some of the pages of his sketchbooks which were on display. I wish I could have seen more of these. he really seems to think in pictures, and add text notes, rather than making text notes with added images. it was great to see the preliminary sketches / ideas dump for one of the tapestries (from the tv series).

I recall earlier this year there was a large discussion about "International Art English" (IAE) on some of the mail lists - on empyre-l, nettime-l, and articles on triple canopy and hyperallergic & the guardian newspaper site.

there was a conference held this year on the topic also — "Critical Language — A forum on International Art English". I've posted the blurb below for reference. I've asked them if there was a recording of the sessions to listen to. will add links if they reply.

some other articles about it:

users guide to international art english — on the Guardian website

When Artspeak Masks Oppression — on hyperallergic

International Art English — on triple canopy

Grayson Perry talks about it in the 2013 Reith Lectures

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Critical Language
A forum on International Art English
155 Freeman Street, Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, April 6, 2013, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
$5 suggested donation
http://canopycanopycanopy.com/programs/84

I had a listen to the first lecture of Grayson Perry - The Reith Lectures 2013 a couple of weeks ago. I loved his comments and disregard (?) of the artworld and his analysis of International Art English language.

since coming across this, I heard also that Grayson Perry and Brian Eno are working together. I can't wait to see/hear what comes of this collaboration!

the BBC blurb:
"The award-winning artist Grayson Perry presents the 2013 BBC Reith Lectures, titled Playing to the Gallery. Across four programmes he discusses what makes him an artist, the limits of contemporary art, how to gauge the quality of new artworks and the future of the avant-garde."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/reith - podcasts of the lectures & related material

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03969vt - Democracy Has Bad Taste: Grayson Perry: Playing to the Gallery: 2013 Episode 1 of 4

I see that the first lecture is also available on youtube

Grayson Perry- Reith Lecture No.1: Democracy Has Bad Taste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtehJ3O3vMk