First Day in #Hull #CityOfCulture

Leaving Whitby we set off for our next destination, Hull. We decided to stop at Robin Hood's Bay on the way but due to a miss calculation this didn't work out as expected. Not realizing that the village was down a long, steep hill we didn't put enough money on the parking ticket and by the time we got to the bottom it was nearly time to start back. Still a place we can now come back to.

We booked into our hotel, which wasn't an easy matter as we could see it but had to follow phone instructions through the maze of roads to find the car park. Our first day out took us along the newly paved area to the Ferens Art Gallery. To our surprise we were confronted by a pile of boulders as part of the "Offshore Artist's Explore the Sea" exhibition. After our recent discussions on seashore art possibilities, it was interesting to see the way that different artists had interpreted this theme. From photography to blackboard art and sculpture. An interesting show, which reflected on our experiences in the Whitby area.

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 As we toured the other rooms it was interesting to see the other themes including the "Skin" exhibition featuring Freud, Mueck and Tunick. and presenting the work of other internationally acclaimed artists. The exhibition explores the nude and in particular how the depiction of skin continues to fascinate today.

One of the main artworks from Hull were the large prints of hundreds of naked people, covered in shades of blue, photographed around the city. These were really interesting  colourful images.

The sculptures, often of a large scale were memorable and made you think, although I did feel a little sorry for the member of staff, a young girl, who spent her day sat level with a certain part of the man's anatomy. 

After visiting the gallery it was interesting to discuss which paintings or sculptures we remembered. Some by the more famous artists are memorable because of their familiarity from books etc as well as the skill involved. Others stand out for different reasons, possibly size or subject matter; others move your senses. An interesting activity to try after visiting a gallery.

Another thing that has started to interest me, being a people watcher, is observing people in art galleries. Partly because of their reaction to paintings and partly because they tend to be still for a while to allow me to capture their image.

As we entered one room, the young woman was completely engrossed in the audio about the art, when all around people would stop at certain works to admire or discuss them. 

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