Picasso: The Last Decades
In the exhibition for Picasso’s last work we are confronted with a number of different aspects of layout. The consideration put into the layout of the exhibition derives from the curator, Terence Maloon.
Terence Maloon says of the approach he took to the exhibition and the layout “I wanted the exhibition to reflect the intensity, the passion, the aggression and the rebellious spirit that Picasso was able to sustain right through his life. That is something absolutely dazzling and inspiring.” In saying this he adds how he wishes not to detract from Picasso’s own work, “A curator offers an interpretation, an interpretation that should be advantageous to the artist.”
As you walk into each room a different sensation of feeling is created through use of colour, layout and the paintings displayed. In each of the seven rooms of display the curator has taken the opportunity to display different paintings that fitted into the different periods of Picasso’s life as an artist. He has changed the lighting and colours for each of these rooms
The first room, ‘Crisis’, the room is meant to reflect a reproduction of Picasso’s studio. The walls in the room are very plain; there are no obtrusive colours from the surroundings so the viewer is not distracted. The displayed artworks were placed at different heights and positions around the room, some being in cabinets and some mounted on the walls. In the ‘Crisis’ room, the colours used are shades of grey and the lighting is very dim. It is a reflection of how Picasso’s life was during this period. Picasso was approaching his 72nd birthday and his life was falling apart. The grey walls represent his feelings of sadness and are also sensitive to the artworks, mainly sketches and drawings, displayed in the room.
The next room you approach when leaving the ‘Crisis’ room is the ‘Jacquiline Room’. This room contrasts with the previous with lighting, the artworks displayed and the colour of the room. The walls reflect a happier Picasso. This is due to his feelings for Jacquiline. A curator, William Rubin, once said “I’m convinced that Picasso would not have lived as long or done as much work if it were not for Jacqueline”. The room is painted in warm yellow colours and reflects his feelings at the time. The lighting again highlights the happier mood created. The artworks are more expressionistic; they have a slight cubist tone to them and are larger and use a wider palate compared to ‘Crisis’. The paintings are situated around the room mounted on walls. Read more…