Clash: Perceptions Over Time by Kiran karani

‘The Fallen Woman’ at the Foundling Museum
25th September 2015 to 3rd January 2016

What is London’s creative take on ‘clash’? What does the term ‘clash’ bring to your mind? Contradiction? Incompatibility? Conflict?

What about the perceptions of society? Certain notions that were once considered the norm, would clash with the common beliefs of today. London’s creative scene dives into the big bad world of conflicting opinions and how they’ve changed over the years. We’re talking about three exhibitions in particular; The Fallen Woman, The World Goes Pop and No Colour Bar. Whilst Clash of the Titans might be oh-so-last-season, we’re now interested in the clash of the perceptions. This season is trending race and gender in particular.

Today, a ‘fallen woman’ might be perceived as a lady who has lost her way, or quite simply just an unfortunate female who happened to fall over. However, the literary term ‘Fallen Woman’ originated in the 19th century, for women who ‘lost their innocence’ by surrendering their chastity and therefore ‘falling’ from the grace of God. This negative label stayed with them for the rest of their life, causing them to face discrimination for the ‘crime’ that they had committed. You might have heard of the suffragettes and have definitely heard of Emma Watson (or at least we hope you have), but this exhibition allows you explore a side to feminism you may have never even imagined.

‘Doll Festival’ at The World Goes Pop
Tate Modern
17 September 2015 – 24 January 2016

But not all forgotten histories are as dark as you’d think. Enter Pop Art: to brighten up your day. Remember that famous Japanese Pop Artist? Nope? Not even that famous Brazillian one? ‘The World Goes Pop’ is about the Pop Art that that nobody ever told you about. In fact, some of the greatest works of Pop Art came from Eastern Europe, Peru, Brazil, Israel, Japan and Argentina. Turns out, Pop Art is an international language. Who knew?

But Pop Art isn’t the only international language, all art is. Art is a language that speaks from the soul, regardless of your nationality…right? Once upon a time, not so long ago, art was only considered a potential talent of ethnic majorities. ‘No Colour Bar’ enables us to discover how the focus of colour has changed from the artist to the art itself.

So we ask you again, what does the term ‘clash’ bring to your mind? If you’re still wondering, don’t be afraid to dive into London’s creative scene and explore the era of clashed perceptions.

Chila Kumari Burman
‘No Colour Bar’ at Guildhall Art Gallery
10 July 2015 – 24 January 2016