White Cube Bermondsey

252 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

January, 2020

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Wife

Reasons for trip

If you haven’t seen it, hurry. The Anselm Kiefer exhibition “Superstrings, Runes, The Norns, Gordian Knot” closes on Saturday 26th January.

Despite the astronomical and mythological suggestions of his title there is plenty of earthly nature and more than a hint of recent inhuman nature in Kiefer’s imagery. The paintings are huge, based frequently on tall plants but always suffused with a threat of destruction. The Norns of course held the fate of human lives on a thread: one stretched it, one measured it and the third cut it. These are landscapes that extend the imagery of Frank Auerbach and have the grimovertones of Auerbach’s friend Lucien Freud.

It is no surprise, since Kiefer was born in 1945 during an air raid on Germany, that his life’s work has been pursued in the shadow of what the Nazis had done. He warns that we are not far from repeating something ofthe kind. The Gordian Knot element of his work has razor wire entangled throughout on a small scale and in larger paintings there is an axe symbolic of Alexander the Great’s “solution” to the problem – a prehistoric prophecy of the “Final Solution” from someone famed for his destructive all-conquering ambitions that ended in his own early death.

A circular building, either parliament or panopticon prison features in a “Life and Death” image set in a wasteland. However, there are uplifting alternatives – literally so as Kiefer employs evolutionary and cosmological ideas to challenge perspective: at first sight the works in question seem to have huge webs extended above their surfaces. A closer view confirms they are two-dimensional, in contrast to the branches and other objects projecting from his landscapes.

If people can’t reach The White Cube in time I’m sure the Royal Academy will have him return to its galleries before long: his last exhibition there was outstanding. At The White admission is free.

John.Pelling

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.