I've already had quite the busy day. I've been quite the tourist: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The National Gallery, Westminster Abbey. All this and it is only 2pm London time. I spent the bulk of my time at the National Gallery enjoying Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Da Vinci. I felt quite spoiled, but I enjoyed it so very much. One of a few observations I made was on the influence of Christ in the art, especially art created prior to the Renaissance. The influence of the artist's culture in the paintings were, as to be expected, prevalent. There was one painting in particular (though I am sorry to not have written down the particulars) that depicted the baptism of Christ. It showed the infant Christ being baptized in a grand cathedral which was laden with Latin inscribed gold, chalices and vestiges. Obviously historically inaccurate, I think it shows the operation of translation in the formation of the church.
The church was formed in Pentecost, when the good news of Christ was told to people in their own language. Art is another form of language. It speaks volumes into culture, society, people and the like. The gold-laden church was the norm when the artist painted his depiction of Christ's baptism; he was translating Christ into his culture.
day one; part two In the nighttime I went over the Millennium bridge to the Tate Modern, where I enjoyed more contemporary artwork from the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol. A lot less hopeful; these artists often depicted anguish or death or, in the case of Andy Warhol, death and the cult of celebrity. Very interesting, but too existential when coupled with jet lag.
Later in the evening I ventured to Picadilly Circus. It's like a microcosm of Vegas with all its lights and people. The highlight, of course, was my going to the Virgin Megastore and picking up a single from the forthcoming Coldplay album. These nightly ventures took way too long and I found myself back at my hostel at about midnight.
All in a day's work.
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