Londons Olympic Jungle Gym.

What better way to ensure that the olympic games in London is a complete joke, than installing a 120metre 'jungle gym' in the centre of the olympics site. This monstrosity, is an insult to London and a self mockery of Anish Kapoor himself.

The genius of, indian-born british artist, Anish Kapoor has evaded this hideous sculpture which looks much more like the latest attractive at Alton Towers, than what is to be Britain's biggest piece of public art.

Anish Kapoor's other public works are attractive to the eye, and easily appreciated by the majority.  Cloud Gate in Chicago, is arguably one of the greatest pieces of modern public art in the USA. Recieving great acclaim from the public and art aficionados in equal measure.

Last year the Royal Academy dedicated the main galleries to host a show of Anish Kapoor's work. As a part of this project, a sculpture 'Tall Trees and the Eye', was constructed outside. 76 shiny spheres comprise the structure, which is much easier to appreciate.

London does many things well, but statement structures and buildings is not one. We only have to look at the millenium dome for evidence.

Personally i would have much preferred a simple grouping of Anthony Gormley statues in olympic poses alongside the work of new lesser-known artists.  Whilst this is far from ground breaking, it could be appreciated by a greater audience and provide a platform for the promotion of fresh artists.

David Hockney - Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham has always been a forward thinking city, unhappy to be looked over due to its relatively small size. Its grand plans often work out, from the tram system to the latest and long awaited development of Nottingham Contemporary.

And what artist could better represent the cheeky nature of Nottingham than David Hockney. He understood Britain, Yorkshire and its quintessential reserved nature back in the 50s and 60s. His sexuality and tongue-in-cheek humour feature in his paintings, and the artwork description cannot help but bring a smile.

Life Painting for a diploma, (value: >£1million ), probably expresses his rebellion and humour best. Uninspired by the constrained nature of college life drawing, he paints a man from the front of a body building magazine and an anatomical skeleton. This satirical piece, is a personal favourite.

Many of his paintings feature naked men in positions which reference homosexuality, a brave move considering the illegal nature at the time. Many of the works are set in San Francisco and often in water. Water is possibly more of a notable theme than homosexuality as his main experimentation is the manner in which he paints the water.

Terry World - Terry Richardson

Terry Richardson, an infamous leader in the fashion photography world. His disgusting and vulgar nature provides the appeal to his work. Selections of his works are so perverse, they would not be legally sold as pornography. Despite this reputation which generates much public disgust he is grossly in demand. Top magazines are clamouring to feature his work whilst celebrities fight to be the latest feature.

His celebrity models have stretched the entire cultural spectrum from the usually risqué Macauley Culkin and Jackass cast to respected figures such as Barack Obama. the level of perversion alters dependent on the clientele allowing him to work with such a wide cast.










I recently purchased his book Terryworld which includes many of his most profane works. Some of the images were described as disgusting by members of my house; however I failed to see the book as shocking. Instead i found it rather amusing, particularly the photo below.


This publication to me marks a change in society. Where such levels of crude imagery become normalised. A variety of online and offline stockists have sold this book to much success; quantifying our taste for such images. His works stretches the limits of 'art' to the extreme without using this as the selling point.

A talented photographer and truly modern individual he represents the forefront of western culture today.

For more Pictures see theBlog;Main Website

Dash Snow, Club 27.

Dash Snow was an artist of his own demise. Disregarding High society to drown with the New York hoi polloi. Sex, drugs and self-destruction are the key characteristics of both his personal life and works. His life was as much a part of his art, as his photographs.

He represented a part of the freshest frontier of Modern Art. Alike previous waves of progression dividing opinion on its definition as 'Art'. His works also showed the final progress of vulgarity in art.Whether it be his glitter encrusted ejaculations upon images of Sadam Hussain or a Photograph of a guy snorting cocaine from another man's penis. Whether you are a fan or find this to be trash, it is undeniable his work manages to elicit an opinion from notable members of the art community.

His birth into New Yorks elite provided him with all that money could buy. However the social constraints associated were infuriating to Snow. A born wild-child rebel, he was destined to follow the path many had laid down before. Where troubled children of the well-to-do families sink into the hole of drugs. Inevitably landing at the bottom of suicide leaving behind young children and a trail of destruction.

His rejection of privilige which gained him much respect is however poorly grounded. For his rejection was only recognisable when he was on top form and not in a drug induced state of paranoia and pitty. Extensive stints in Rehab, affording drugs, access to media attention and his lifestyle were all underpinned by the Society he claimed to reject.

whilst failing to revolutionise modern art in the way of fellower new yorker Andy Warhol, he did provide a stepping stone to the next Warhol. I hope Dash Snow's name can live on a little longer. I sadly however imagine his work is already gathering dust, an awkward testimony to the man who failed to live long enough to realise his full potential.