Liverpool Weekend (Day Two) – Tate Liverpool

Since I had once again taken on tour guide duties, it seemed amiss not to take in Tate Liverpool as Bev likes modern art, even though there was perhaps a slightly more sceptical approach from the rest of us. I’ve been here a couple of times before and I can’t say that I found the collections particularly engaging in the past.

Fruit is left to rot on rocks. The artwork description explains that it is by Edgar Calel and in the artist’s home stories from dreams are shared and stones are sacred sites where fruit and vegetables are placed on top. Some of the fruit is local and some is exotic, although the museum guide told Bev that most of it is local and there’s a limited amount of exotic going on.

Without wishing to be disrespectful as the Tate aimed for this to be a work based on cultural links, but to me this artwork just made me think of the waste and profligacy of privileged institutions. The artwork is not permanent, but is on loan to the gallery for 13 years, wherein its future is uncertain. However, artwork appeals to everyone differently and I’m sure most people will engage with it in a more positive manner.

On the bright side, there’s no admission charge to visit Tate Liverpool, other than for special exhibitions. That accessible approach ensured that the galleries were reasonably busy, so at least that means that artwork becomes accessible for the many and not the few. I’m sure most people will find some artworks that they like and are interested in, so that’s all rather positive.

This artwork is made from couscous.

We rushed Bev out in the end, but I don’t think that she noticed as it’s quite easy to distract her with promises of other shiny things. We were all hungry though, we had seen enough modern art to ensure that we were culturally refreshed and it was an interesting enough way to spend 40 minutes or so.