The Age of the Marvellous: A Cabinet of Curiosities in a Deconsecrated Church
In the fall of 2009, a former church in London, created by Sir John Soane, was the venue for 'The Age of the Marvellous,' a collective exhibition curated by All Visual Arts, established by Joe La Placa and Mike Platt. The exhibition showcased over sixty newly commissioned pieces spread across three floors of the Holy Trinity Church, highlighting a baroque and Victorian-influenced trend in British art. Notable works included Paul Fryer's 'Metatron' (2009), Hilary Berseth's 'Untitled 2' (2008), Hugo Wilson's 'Tornado' (2009), Alyson Shotz's 'Helix' (2009), Kathy MacGwire's creations, Polly Morgan's 'Departures' (2009), and Alastair Mackie's 'Untitled (+/-)'. The show focused on 'consilience,' bridging biology, physics, and art history.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'The Age of the Marvellous' held at Holy Trinity Church, London, from October 14–22, 2009.
- Organized by All Visual Arts, founded by collectors Joe La Placa and Mike Platt.
- Over sixty works, almost all newly commissioned for the show.
- Church designed by Sir John Soane, built early 19th century to commemorate Waterloo victory.
- Show contrasted with minimalist trend in London galleries, embracing baroque and Victoriana.
- Key works: Paul Fryer's 'Metatron', Hilary Berseth's electrochemically deposited copper structure, Hugo Wilson's 'Tornado', Alyson Shotz's 'Helix', Kathy MacGwire's feathery forms, Polly Morgan's 'Departures', Alastair Mackie's 'Untitled (+/-)'.
- Exhibition linked biology, physics, and art history, referencing Edward O. Wilson's 'consilience'.
- Review by Coline Milliard published in artpress.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Fryer
- Hilary Berseth
- Hugo Wilson
- Alyson Shotz
- Kathy MacGwire
- Polly Morgan
- Alastair Mackie
- Wolfe van Lenkiewicz
- Ryan Gander
- Vanessa Billy
- Edward O. Wilson
- Jules Verne
- Sir John Soane
Institutions
- All Visual Arts
- Holy Trinity Church
- artpress
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Holy Trinity Church
Sources
- artpress —