Busytinsnips Blog
ORNAMENTAL DESPAIR (PAINTING FOR IAN CURTIS)
Ornamental Despair (Painting for Ian Curtis)
Julian Schnabel, Oil on velvet (1980)
Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Sunday, 6 January 2019
Julian Schnabel, Oil on velvet (1980)
Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Sunday, 6 January 2019
Two weeks ago I visited the Musée d'Orsay, Paris to see Orsay through the Eyes of Julian Schnabel (as well as the Van Gogh's), as I quite like a lot of Schnabel's work.
The gallery had asked Schnabel to give an interpretation of their collection, by presenting, in two of the museum's historic rooms, a new scenography and a selection of works that had never previously been displayed together. More precisely, they asked him to juxtapose his paintings, sculptures and installations with the masterpieces of Impressionism. An interesting idea and a fascinating show.
However, one painting really resonated with me — Ornamental Despair (Painting for Ian Curtis) with its stark, monumental, monochromatic silence. It references Peter Saville's cover for Joy Division's second and final album, the deeply melancholic Closer.
The gallery had asked Schnabel to give an interpretation of their collection, by presenting, in two of the museum's historic rooms, a new scenography and a selection of works that had never previously been displayed together. More precisely, they asked him to juxtapose his paintings, sculptures and installations with the masterpieces of Impressionism. An interesting idea and a fascinating show.
However, one painting really resonated with me — Ornamental Despair (Painting for Ian Curtis) with its stark, monumental, monochromatic silence. It references Peter Saville's cover for Joy Division's second and final album, the deeply melancholic Closer.
It made me think…
