![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Museum #1: the Tate Modern. I posted about getting there, but not the actual museum. Well, it's a lot, like every museum I've been to so far in London. Its section about artists and society, wherein artists tackle racism, homophobia, and environmental degradation, is particularly hard-hitting. Probably my favorite pice to just look at, though, was Yinka Shonibare's "The British Library", in which "printed in gold on the spines of 2,700 of the books are the names of first or second-generation immigrants to Britain." Each book is covered in a brightly printed fabric reminiscent of kente cloth.
Indeed, the Tate Modern seems uniquely suited to large-scale works like "The British Library", but did it speak to me as much as SFMOMA two years ago? Wayell, no, but I think SFMOMA got lucky with that. The Tate Modern is well worth the trip. Why, oh why, didn't I buy a Yayoi Kusama ticket weeks ago? Did I really not know the exhibit was there? They're sold out for non-members now.
Museum #2: the Victoria & Albert Museum. Unlike the Tate Modern, the V&A isn't about pondering urgent or eternal questions; it's about stuff. Really nice stuff. From all over the world and throughout the ages. Faves:
That's enough museums. Let's talk about problem-solving.
Problem #1: Insufficient clean undies and socks. The fine folks at 1 Stop Wash Laundry & Dry Cleaners on Caledonian Road had it ready to go as promised, and they even matched up my socks.
Problem #2: Insufficient boots. You know what I mean: Irregular Choice had a pair in my size shipped up from Brighton, and I got voicemail (!) telling me so while I was at the V&A. They fit, and I paid for them with...
Problem #3: ...most of the cash I had on hand. I think I'll be able to spend it all on this trip, or at least I won't feel bad about putting it on my Oyster, i.e. tube card, for a future trip.
A lovely blonde surely younger than the Wendling with what sounded like a Nordic accent gushed over my hair today as I was walking down the high street. The young hijabi who sold me the scone complimented my outfit. It was a good day.
Indeed, the Tate Modern seems uniquely suited to large-scale works like "The British Library", but did it speak to me as much as SFMOMA two years ago? Wayell, no, but I think SFMOMA got lucky with that. The Tate Modern is well worth the trip. Why, oh why, didn't I buy a Yayoi Kusama ticket weeks ago? Did I really not know the exhibit was there? They're sold out for non-members now.
Museum #2: the Victoria & Albert Museum. Unlike the Tate Modern, the V&A isn't about pondering urgent or eternal questions; it's about stuff. Really nice stuff. From all over the world and throughout the ages. Faves:
- Humongous jewels. I mean, you could brain somebody with some of those pieces.
- Historical fashions, duh. My fave period is still 1870-1900, but they had superb (Western) examples for most of the modern era. The V&A & I disagree on which Vivienne Westwood is most worth showing, but at least they showed her.
- Medieval manuscripts. I just love the vividly colored kooky art.
- Their 20th- and 21st-century design exhibits! I found myself way more into this than I expected.
That's enough museums. Let's talk about problem-solving.
Problem #1: Insufficient clean undies and socks. The fine folks at 1 Stop Wash Laundry & Dry Cleaners on Caledonian Road had it ready to go as promised, and they even matched up my socks.
Problem #2: Insufficient boots. You know what I mean: Irregular Choice had a pair in my size shipped up from Brighton, and I got voicemail (!) telling me so while I was at the V&A. They fit, and I paid for them with...
Problem #3: ...most of the cash I had on hand. I think I'll be able to spend it all on this trip, or at least I won't feel bad about putting it on my Oyster, i.e. tube card, for a future trip.
A lovely blonde surely younger than the Wendling with what sounded like a Nordic accent gushed over my hair today as I was walking down the high street. The young hijabi who sold me the scone complimented my outfit. It was a good day.
