Necessity Cactus: Tate Modern: a surrealistic paradise?

To mark the time that has passed since I was last in London (exactly a week ago today), I've decided to put together a post for you guys about surrealism, my experience at Tate Modern and in general what makes the museum such a wonderful place to visit.

If you've never heard of the place before, Tate Modern is an art gallery/museum in London, right by the river Thames, just across from St. Paul's Cathedral. (It's a 10/15 min walk from Waterloo station.) The greatest thing is that the visit is totally free. There's a recommendation that you donate £4 to the institution to keep it free.

Obviously talking about everything will be impossible so I just chose a few of the art pieces that left me stunned.

Nude, Green Leaves and Bust 1932 (Picasso)

Pisces 1938 (Man Ray)

Seated Woman in a Chemise 1923 (Picasso)

Painting 1927 (Joan Miró)

The Three Dancers 1925 (Picasso)

The Autobiography of an Embryo 1933-4 (Eileen Agar)

The Uncertainty of the Poet 1913 (Giorgio de Chirico)

Metamorphosis of Narcissus 1937 (Salvador Dali)

Swinging 1925 (Wassily Kandinsky)

From this short list, you may get the idea that Tate Modern on hosts surrealistic pieces and a bit of abstract art... If you're not up for seeing these type of works, you'll definitely find something for your liking. 19 & 20th century realism is exhibited there, as well as temporary exhibitions too!

You see I'm a big fan of the likes of Dali, Miró, Picasso, Kahlo etc. (the classics of 20th century art). My knowledge is very limited and I hope to delve into the whole subject a lot more in the future, but I still think I know more about art than the average person. I have quite a wholesome knowledge; the problems start when it comes to details etc. For now one step at a time. Wisdom (knowledge too) comes with age...

I must be completely honest and say that some of the works I was looking forward to seeing disappointed me a little. Nonetheless, some artists (Beuys, el Salahi) that I had never heard of prior to this trip exceeded well beyond my wildest expectations. I guess that's just how it is nowadays.

Overall, I think that the experience was a one I won't regret. Though I would recommend that you wear comfortable footwear and enter Tate with a lot of patience and a full stomach :) Hunger can sometimes get in the way of your interpretation skills. Maybe read something about the exhibition beforehand, that way you'll exactly what you're looking at as I found some of the captions very confusing. The stories behind the artwork are always exciting and I can assure you that the feeling of ''I already knew that'' in this type of gallery is a pretty nice one. Tate also offers free guided tours at certain times of the day, so be sure to check that out. Here's their website ---> TATE MODERN

And now to the photoblog part. Enjoy guys. Thanks to mum for taking them (canon 5d mark ii)

Outfit details:

Frida Kahlo top ~ RESERVED

denim jacket ~ THRIFTED

high-waisted jeans ~ ZARA

black sneakers ~ originally VANS (got them second-hand online)

scarf ~ MEDECINE

Frida Kahlo in Tate...

The installation by an artist called Beuys. Very cold and mystical don't you think?

A man admiring Picasso

The are meant to be the human organs. An interesting take on the actual thing.
I swear that the frame only makes it more interesting...

Posing next to Hillier's 'Variation on the form of an Anchor' 1939

This was probably the weirdest exhibit there. What do you think it is?
1988 (reconstructed in 2011) Lee Bul 'Untitled (White Carvings)'

The joy you feel when being constantly photographed... (I'm kidding)

Juxtaposition: trio vs. wall with painting

The was a video installation showing this face mask in action - this lady
drawing monotonously on a wall with the pencils that stick out.
If I remember correctly it's called a pencil mask.
The piece is by Rebecca Horn. (1972)