Blenheim Art Foundation
Blenheim Art Foundation (BAF) is a non-profit organisation set up to present large-scale contemporary art exhibitions at Blenheim Palace.
BAF is a non-profit art foundation set up to present a programme of contemporary art exhibitions in the context of the 18th-century Blenheim Palace and its grounds in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, rejecting the 'white cube' aesthetic often associated with the display of contemporary art.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The foundation launched on 1 October 2014 with an exhibition by Ai Weiwei, which was the artist's "largest UK exhibition to date" and the programme continued in 2015 with an exhibition by Lawrence Weiner.[1][7][8]
Blenheim Art Foundation was founded by Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill, son of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill. Lord Edward has held the ambition to launch a contemporary art programme at Blenheim Palace since he started collecting contemporary art in 2004.[5][9]
The Director of the foundation is Michael Frahm. [10]
Contents
Exhibition history
Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace (2014)
Blenheim Art Foundation launched with the exhibition Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace, which took place 1 October 2014 - 26 April 2015. It was the "biggest UK retrospective to date" by Chinese artist and social activist, Ai Weiwei, which presented more than 50 new and iconic artworks throughout the Palace and its grounds.[1][7] Artworks ranged from photographs taken by Ai Weiwei whilst living in New York during the 1980s, to a 40m long carpet created specifically for display in the Great Hall, where a 17 ft glass chandelier was also hung.[1][11] Also exhibited was a table formed from wood and reclaimed from temples dating to the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911), intricately hand-painted porcelain plates, and Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold, Ai Weiwei’s reinterpretation of the legendary bronze zodiac head statues that once surrounded the fountain-clock at Emperor Yuanming Yuan’s Beijing imperial retreat.[12]
Due to visitor figures, the exhibition Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace was extended for twice the planned duration, finally closing 26 April 2015.[13] Critics focused on the fact that this was "the most extensive exhibition of his work to be staged in this country" and that Ai Weiwei, under house-arrest was never able to leave China to see the exhibition, as well as that the exhibition was the inauguration of Blenheim Art Foundation.[14][15]
Within a Realm of Distance: Lawrence Weiner at Blenheim Palace (2015)
Blenheim Art Foundation's second exhibition, Within A Realm Of Distance, runs 10 October - 20 December 2015.[16] The exhibition displays works by American artist and founding figure of Conceptual Art, Lawrence Weiner.[17] On display are existing works from the artist's career, in addition to new site-specific works created especially for the palace.[18] Works have been integrated throughout the internal palace rooms such as the ceiling of the Long Library, which now shows 'More Than Enough' (2015), and in the 1st State Room 'Far Enough Away As To Come Readily To Hand' (2015) replaces part of the tapestry of the Battle of Blenheim.[19] The title work 'Within A Realm Of Distance' (2015) is installed on the exterior frieze of the Baroque 18th-century building.[20][21]
Lawrence Weiner's career spans over fifty years, with his first catalogued artwork dating 1968, and his signature style is to use language as a medium to create sculpture.[22][23]
Within a Realm of Distance was conceived by the artist in collaboration with Blenheim Art Foundation and co-curator Christian Gether, Director, ARKEN Museum of Modern Art.[2]
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.[24] Designated by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site in 1987, Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.[24] Handed down through successive generations, the palace continues to be resided in by the Spencer-Churchill family and is the official seat of the current and 12th Duke of Marlborough, Jamie Spencer-Churchill.[24]
References
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- ↑ http://www.blenheimpalace.com/attractions-and-events/exhibitions-and-tours/the-blenheim-art-foundation/
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