Today was another bit of a gloomy, cold day, although there was a peek of blue sky in the afternoon. We slept in a bit and got a late start so Meredith & I separated for part of the day. I left her at St Paul's to meet me later at the Tate Modern. I then proceeded to walk in the absolute wrong direction for rather a long time. (I don't know why I'm so bad at navigating here! Am I this bad at home?) It took me an hour to get to the gallery, which, I'm ashamed to admit, is in sight of St Paul's (from the right angle). Unbelievable.
Tate Modern was good. I didn't spend as much time there as some of the other galleries, but did like it better than yesterday's Tate. Reading the panels about the context in which the works were created was helpful to me. Although I generally defend all kinds of art, I'm usually acting a bit on faith that some really do have the validity and importance that I (and I suppose history) are claiming for them. It was good to have that faith fleshed out a little by better understanding. One general complaint for some of the art - it gave the impression of being sloppy and unrefined - worse, as if the artist did not take care in making it. I question the value of sloppy work (or perhaps I miss the connotations of that style?) Best part: Seeing the room of paintings by Rothko. I sat there for a while looking at them (maybe 6 in total) and actually didn't much like the experience. They're huge, and in shades of rich reds & burgundy's, with window or door-like shapes on them in soft chunky forms. I found them disconcerting and a bit oppressive. But then I read the panel on the wall noting that that was his intent. It's always nice to know that you've read a work right.
Since we got a late start on the day, we really only saw one sight each, but on our way back to the hostel, we went a-hunting for a store that would have foods for me. And we found it. It's not an old church, a beautiful sight or an important bit of history, but it's food, and it's pretty monumental to me. I now have noodles, crackers, cereal, dried fruit and cookies to fill my belly with. Woo!
Today was our last full day in London. Tomorrow morning we head for the Cotswolds. We are both not excited for the driving, but I am excited to not have to take the underground anymore.
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