We live in a world in which we judge and discourage one another to act ‘differently’. This human habit is complex and broad, so I won't try to define it. However, what I would like to explore is how the contemporary art space veils its visitors with an all accepting attitude, which is seen in few other places. I decided to try out this theory, by lying on the floor in one of the permanent exhibitions in the Switch House. I received a few strange looks, however, generally peop

To all the direct and indirect victims of terrorist attacks over the past year. May the arts and our humble writings inspire you to live and shape a positive future for yourself and people around you. ‘VIVEZ JOYEUX’ François Rabelais (1483-1553) Nicole McDowall, Kloé Dean and Jazmyn Alicia Raikes in rehearsal during Student Insight 'Young Choreographers in Rehearsal' © ROH Brian Slater 2016 As traditional as it may sound, the Royal Opera House (ROH) hosts state-of-the-art ini

Image: Film still from ‘Calais: Welcome to the Jungle’ (2016) dir: Teun Voeten and Maaike Engels Film Review: 'Calais: Welcome to the Jungle' (2016) In ‘Calais: Welcome to the Jungle’, the Dutch anthropologist and war photographer Teun Voeten and the cinematographer Maaike Engels present a compelling, and at times provocative, visual ethnography of the "Jungle," a refugee camp in Calais, France. Until recently it was occupied by Middle Eastern and African migrants seeking to

Bread and Puppet theatre piece on Fifth Avenue, New York. Part of the Angry Arts Week, 1967 'In the meantime, Occupy Everything and see what happens.' – Lucy Lippard (2013) In 1967, artists in New York organised an anti-war effort that protested against the American War in Vietnam. Held in various venues around the city on 26th January to 5th February, the Angry Arts week included public happenings showing artists’ dissent of war in various venues through the mediums of perfo

Jackson Pollock, Mural, 1943. (Image Courtesy of The University of Iowa Museum of Art, Gift of Peggy Guggenheim. © The Pollock-Krasner Foundation ARS, NY and DACS, London 2016.) Abstract Expressionism - Review at the Royal Academy For the first time in over fifty years the Royal Academy has exhibited a show on Abstract Expressionism. The sheer amount of works on display, amounting to 163 in total, is compelling and an impressive display of art that are infrequently exhibited

Yang Liping's vision of the climactic battle between Chu and Han armies. Image courtesy of Sadler's Wells. REVIEW: Yang Liping Contemporary Dance — Under Siege Much like ancient Rome, story has it that China was founded on fratricide and betrayal. The foundation myth focused on two great personalities – Xiang Yu of the Chu faction and Liu Bang of the Han. Once brothers in arms, they overthrew the tyrannical and short-lived Qin dynasty in 206 BC. Yet soon after their success t

You’ve probably already come across the Courtauld SU statement that was circulated last Monday. The Students’ Union is holding an all-student referendum on the 20th of January on our position as a student body regarding the NSS (National Students’ Survey) boycott on TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework). The NUS (National Union of Students) have encouraged all university bodies to boycott the yearly NSS. What is TEF and NSS? TEF stands for Teaching Excellence Framework. The TEF

To my sister Céleste, Last time I watched ‘Princess Mononoke’ on a big screen, I was seven. It was in the independent arts cinema called studio Galande, in one of the medieval streets of Paris. I remember very well that screening because it was in Japanese with French subtitles. I had just started learning how to read and I could not follow the subtitles! Nevertheless, the images, the music and the plot were so wondrously good that it soon became our favourite film in the fam

Paul Nash, We Are Making a New World, 1918. Image Source: Imperial War Museum/Tate 'There are places, just as there are people and objects and works of art, whose relationship of parts creates a mystery, an enchantment, which cannot be analysed.' – Paul Nash, Outline (1949) Paul Nash needs almost no introduction; a renowned war artist and painter of surreal landscapes, he is arguably one of Britain’s most well-known twentieth century artists. However, there is a tendency to s

Joanna Woodall is a leading expert on Early Modern Netherlandish Art, with a strong commitment to teaching students about methodologies and the theoretical foundations of art history. Joanna read History and Art History at the University of York and The Courtauld Institute, and held research fellowships at the Universities of Cambridge and Leiden during her PhD. She also worked as a curator for three years at Christ Church Picture Gallery in Oxford before becoming a Lecturer