Pavilions, Sanctuaries and War Libraries

Today it’s a visit to The Serpentine Gallery - somewhere we’ve never been before. Although the weather’s overcast, it’s pleasingly warm for a walk into Hyde Park where a few protesters are gathering for the Green March.  I wish I had the energy to follow and photograph some of the brilliant costumes and messages, but I’m afraid I simply don’t. 

We’re meeting Simon and Lloyd there and explore this years’s Pavilion by Korean architect Minsuk Cho - https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/serpentine-pavilion-2024-by-minsuk-cho-mass-studies/ - before going in to view Yinka Shonibare’s Suspended States. As you will know, I normally have no difficulty describing what I photograph and its impact on me, but first now I’ll just direct you to the website and maybe return to this later when I’m feeling stronger.  

To put it briefly - first  there is Decolonised Structures -  the colonial figures covered with Dutch Wax Print, then Sanctury City - miniature illuminated buildings offering sanctuary, and finally the powerful War Library, a room lined with 5000 brightly coloured books (Dutch Wax again) each representing specific human conflicts. It’s thought provoking and clearly critical of world order past and present. 

https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/yinka-shonibare-cbe-suspended-states/#article

This evening sees a return to the  Royal Opera House fir an evening of Ashton Ballets, all beautifully performed, with a chance to see Osipova once more thus time dancing  as Isadora Duncan in Five Brahms Waltzes. 


My main is a view of this year’s pavilion, with an extra collage of the same. Then there’s another collage of Sanctuary City followed by a wide view if The War Library and a close up of one of the shelves.