Two Weeks and a Light at the End of the Tunnel

There are three weeks left of school until I can return to good ole Bentonville, AR. However, in that first two weeks the Art History grad students have quite the helping on their plate. I've been working from morning til dark the last two days trying to get somewhere with all this work. All I can say is I've gotten through two books and this blog.

So here is where I'm at.

If I could do anything right now...

I'd probably be hanging with friends in London,

or at a hogs game,

BUT FOR NOW...

I'm,

Then goin' a little,

and feeling a little,

With so much to do for FOUR GRADUATE CLASSES, and jamming what should be a two year course into a one year course, all of the information and articles and papers seem to be piling up a bit..

If you're wondering, "What could she possibly be writing about?"...

Applying and analyzing different methods in critical/scholarly writings of 3 paintings by Manet for Monday's Art and It's Histories class (TAKES A BIG BREATH) ...

(if only all my sources could be found in one book)

Research presentation on my (current) thesis topic- Art on the Underground and its role in Public Art sphere for Tuesday's Research Methods class,

The role of wall text in museums, and how they portray "the other"- a comparison of The Horniman and The British Museum for Wednesday's World Art class,

And the role of socially engaged art in education for Thursday's Professional Practices class,

Doesn't seem like a whole lot until you have 9,000 words total and 200+ pages of reading for each. Oh well.. at the end of it all in two weeks we have some fun waiting..

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL:

 Florence,

 Mumford,

and a very special ginge's birthday celebration! (Kate!)

                                

If we can only get through the next two weeks...

(special thanks to Lisa 'Wawa' for the idea on this blog!)

Change: Learning to Live in a City

There are lots of things I have learned since I've been here. I think half the things I've learned I'm not even aware of. I am using words like "queue" and "lift" on a normal basis without thinking of them. I am walking around London without much thought of which street to turn onto. My feet have officially learned to autopilot around to my regular spots like the tube, my (sometimes) daily run, or school. 
I'm learning to live away from my family and friends. This has quite possibly been the hardest part. I'm used to having a support team available to me 24/7. I have never in my life been without my family this long, but I think that it is a positive thing to experience. Lots of changes, but most of them for the better. 
I haven't set a foot in the market in probably two weeks (something I'm not proud of, but oh well. Sushi or Wagamama take out is cheaper than cooking- welcome to city life). I don't look up, around, or backwards at all the buildings anymore- even at Picadilly Circus (this is maybe an unfortunate change). I look left and THEN right before I cross the street. This is was especially important to learn early on since cars and cabbies don't stop for pedestrians... ever. I've had a few close CLOSE shaves with being run over (you think I'm being funny.. I'm not.) I become oddly mad when people don't respect the social rules of the "queue". You DON'T cut, you DON'T push. You just don't. Buses take hours, so if you want to spend 2 hours (instead of 20 minutes on the tube) with 20 loud, screaming British children on their way to or from school then by all means... save the pound and a half. 

I've traveled quite a bit since I've been here as well. It hasn't been as easy as I thought, but well worth the hassle. For fall break I visited Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria. I know this might've been a little ignorant (or maybe just not thought through beforehand) but I didn't expect the language differences to be such a barrier. Vienna= German, Bratislava= slavic. A bit difficult to communicate (and read menus- didn't think of that did you? Me either.) I will say though, the eastern europeans know how to build their palaces in style! Lots of great sightseeing! 

The fall is also beautiful in both cities in late October. The bright colors reminded me of Bentonville/Bella Vista/Fayetteville Autumn. 

Bratislava was rougher around the edges, but still beautiful. Very peaceful, too. I enjoyed being in the centre of town (No cars allowed!) and having a piece of Sissy cake and tea at the Mayor Cafe. 

One of the coolest things we did was take the local bus to Devin Castle. It was possibly the prettiest place I've seen here. The area had just finished its tourist season, so we were practically the only three people there. We took lots of pictures and (illegally?) climbed the castle wall to get a higher view. It only cost us 7 Euros (13ish US Dollars) for travel and admission. Not bad at all for the most beautiful place ever! It was the perfect time of year for the trees and the weather. Couldn't have asked for a better day. 




The last day in Bratislava, the group of girls decided to get fish pedicures! This sounds and looks pretty weird and a little gross, but it was an experience I'll never forget. As a very ticklish person, I thought I'd lose my marbles a bit. I did at first, but after a while it was soothing.

The Rain Room

This week, I was assigned a paper that required me to see an exhibit and write on how other visitors
responded to the space and art. I decided to go to the Rain Room, in the Curve gallery, at the Barbican Art Centre. After getting lost in London, realizing that I couldn't see the show because of the two hour wait, travelling BACK to the museum the next day at the crack of dawn and waiting an hour and a half I finally was able to see the exhibit. It BLEW MY MIND! Brilliant.

“An awful lot happens without people being aware. They come to certain conclusions and even

perform actions without ever really, consciously considering why. This is what forms both the impetus and the investigation of the studio’s work. We experiment with this world of barely perceptible behavior and its simulation to explore human existence.” 

- Artists Hannes Koch, Florian Ortkrass, and Stuart Wood from the Random International art group

 The exhibit has altered the entire gallery space of the “Curve” gallery to fit the large grids and water system. The distinguishing factor of this show is that it puts the experience and power in its visitor’s hands; not only does it allow the visitor to interact with the elements, but it also gives them a key role in the aesthetics of the space. In the exhibition gallery guide, they explain that the show is about the control that is placed with the visitor, to “put your trust in the work to the test."

Waiting to get on the 'Rain' platform

                                                                 people 'frolicking'

 Standing in the 'rain'

To save me the two hour wait that I had faced before, I arrived at the Barbican half an hour early to its daily opening time and was amazed to see a queue over 50 meters long. The gallery attendant explained that show has been widely popular since it’s open, and the queue wait, on average, is as long as two hours.  Only about fifteen people are allowed into the gallery space at a time, and from that only five are allowed onto the rain platform.  Rounding the corner you see the shadows of rain falling, and the shadows of people in the space. You hear the patter of thousands of drops hitting the ground surface. Most of the group stops to watch the shadows play on the wall; two women pull out cameras to capture this overwhelming suspense, this foretaste of what is to come.

The Rain Room itself is a large rectangular space, lit by only one flood light at the back of the exhibit. The grid hanging toward the ceiling is raining down on five of the visitors encapsulated in the downpour at the moment. 

 What is most curious to see is how the visitors act once they step into the downpour. Most walk straight into the rectangular space; some stick their hand out first, as if not believing they will not get soaked. A few move fast and clearly get wet. Once each person has made it three quarters through the space they stop and turn in one spot, staring at the ceiling. 

BASICALLY SO COOL!

Meeting Jim Halpert

Hey guys! Some of you have facebooked me asking when I'd blog again.. honestly we have been SO busy with school lately! Not a whole lot of leaving the flat except to go to classes and museums.
HOWEVER.

Today- Kate, Lisa and I went to the Tate Modern after class. They had to practically drag me there. I didn't really want to do anything after a long week. We were looking at a performance exhibit in the main hall of the Tate Modern when I look to my right and see a man sharing a striking resemblance to John Krasinksi (Jim Halpert from the Office). I don't take this hunk of a man lightly- this summer I was asked which celebrity I would want to have lunch with and my answer was JOHN KRASINKSI. I walk and look closer and practically melt there on the spot when I get a look at his face. I ran over to tell Kate and Lisa and look back to see him walking down the stairs into the crowd. So of course I shot like a bandit to catch up with him. Luckily, he wasn't too far ahead. Kate and Lisa didn't believe it was him from behind- much taller and thinner in person. We followed him into the ticket line for the Munch special exhibit. Still, Kate and Lisa didn't believe it was him- I almost walked away when he turned to face us and we all realized that THIS WAS DEFINITELY JOHN KRASINKSI. So, we got in line and I snuck up to him (I might have come off a bit like a creeper) and said, "Hi, John-" He turned around and my heart practically stopped, "Sorry, but do you think we could get a picture with you?"
He smiled and said, "Yeah sure!" like it was no big deal. I had already brought my camera out (of course) and quickly handed it to Kate (who mentioned to him that we were 'big fans'). Lisa jumped in- the first picture was blurry and I thought maybe we'd already cut in too much to his "normal life", but he just shook and said, "Okay, lets take another one!"
He was SO NICE. He asked what we were doing in London and Lisa mentioned we were getting our graduate degrees. He asked what we were studying and I told him we were studying art history.
"Well, this is the place for it!" I think my heart, at this point, was not beating, and I know that I DEFINITELY wasn't breathing. Lisa asked him what he was doing in London and he told us that he was just visiting.
All in all, our encounter lasted us a few minutes- but afterwards we could not breathe, and Kate and I had shaky hands for about 20 minutes following. The exhibit was great, but the masterpiece of the Tate was definitely Mr. John Krasinski.

Take one was a little blurry- but he is showing his beautiful teeth so I couldn't NOT post it.

Take two- JIM SMILE!!! OMGGGGGG

Two Weeks of Adventure

Okay, so I know I've been here 2 weeks and haven't yet updated y'all on what has been happening in my life! So far, it's been a wonderful time. I have met lots of new friends- many that are living next door or just down the hall (Dorm life ain't bad!)

The first week we mainly spent walking around and getting to know the local area. The school had several events planned that we took advantage of, including a boat party that cruised up and down the Thames in front of many popular landmarks. 

One new thing I've gotten accustomed to is taking the Tube (Underground) pretty much anywhere not within walking distance (which is a lot). It closes after midnight- so we take a cabbie if we stay out later than that.

Last weekend, my roomie, Dani, and I went on a tour to Buckingham Palace! Y'all, this is so freaking cool! If you are ever in London, this is a must. We unfortunately weren't able to take pictures but I aquired some of my favorite rooms off the internet for you. :)

Buckingham Palace gardens

This was my favorite- the Green Room (notice the lovely shade of seafoam print on the walls)

The White Drawing Room- Queen hosts guests often in this room, including Kate and Will when they visit.

Want to get in the palace? You have to get past these heavily guarded gates and the guys in the furry black hats.

Sunday we took a Jack the Ripper tour! I know, we are dorks. But it was totally fun! Great guide, dark night... pretty creepy!

Roman wall dividing East London from West (Rich) London.

Jack the Ripper did all his killing on the other side of this wall (East London)

We ended the night by having a brew in the same pub, The Ten Bells, that all Jack's victims went to before they were killed. AHH! So great! 

After the first week of class was over, Richmond had a big start of term party at a ritzy dance club in Soho. We all went and had a really great time dancing and hanging out!

                                                                    Dani and Kate!

Grad school groupies sitting in the corner! So fun!

Such great new friends!

Roomie Pic!

                        Today, we spent our Saturday exploring Portabello Market in Notting Hill. WAY cooler than I was expecting. Lots of cool antiques, bags, clothes, etc. And of course- Notting Hill is famous for their colorful buildings!

We stopped off for lunch. I had a breaded mushroom dish. Really great!

Benedict eggs for Kate, Dani, and Lisa

Welp, chaps- that's all for now! Cheers!